I go through my email really quickly. If the subject line or sender don't catch my eye, I delete it. Once opened, if it's from a business and the header isn't interesting, I delete it...

However, I always had one exception to this email rule - Toronto Life. They are the only company who I put up with. They blast me with their newsletter, promo's and offers (many I have absolutely no interest in)...and yet I still open every single one.

I do admit, I like the content. I like the bourgeoisie-focused content with great reads on food (which you all know I love).

But, how long can I expect to do this? I have been reading ugly emails for years now, visiting a very non-interactive site??? How much longer?

I suspect a lot of other magazines suffer from this. Can't get out of the old...and bring in some of the new.

Yes, they did incorporate some little tactics like Chatto's blog and social sharing functionality...but it is still a static site. Hard to find content, hard to read content. Bring this site to life.

With a cooler summer and work a tad bit closer to home...I've been walking home a lot more these days. If I don't walk, it is still a bit of a walk from the subway to my home.

And, for whatever reason (well, I was contemplating eating a cake), I got to thinking about how much I actually do walk on any given day?

So, to Google Maps I go and VOILA! - They now offer Walking Directions (in BETA).

By Car - about 10 minutes (in reality, a lot more because this doesn't consider traffic patterns)
Walken - about 1 hour and 7 minutes (in reality, if I can make it home without going into a store, it is about 45 minutes).

I love this. I can see myself using this a lot when I go to other parts of town I may not be familiar with or going to another walkable city.

The other cool thing is that if you choose the Satellite and Photo's version, you get a marketing engine. That's right.

For all you small businesses out there - make sure that you add your company/store photo to Panoramio, the engine driving the photo's. Cause 'hey', if a user is looking up an address and sees a photo of your store, it may be just that, that makes them go inside when they are in your hood. Or for a nicer user experience, for those looking for your store, it is a way for them to know exactly where it is.

Can't wait for this to work on my mobile.


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When I see these bag colours, I think of...

Pink Bags = Holt Renfrew
Green Bags = Whole Foods
Blue Bags = Recycle
Brown Bags = Holt Renfrew Cafe
Black Bags = UPC Boutique or Pusateri's

Colour can increase brand recognition by 80%! If you have done your job colour branding - make sure to bring it online (obvious, yes - but always done? Not so much).

1. Whether it is the logo, background colour or box frames - use your colour branding to create design integration between online and offline pieces.
2. Use the colour branding in email messages too. Whether it is a newsletter or business email, think of how to incorporate the colour.
3. Play on your colour - When adding interactive elements to your site, think of a play on words or a 'play on colour'
4. In your social networks - represent yourself with your colour. Your Second Life avatar could be wearing a shirt that is the colour of your brand. Your Facebook profile can be your logo. Or your community name can be 'companyname_colour'

I have been waiting a really long time for this movie.

Why? Because of the online hype.

It all started last year when I saw the trailer prior to I am Legend...and pushed me towards checking out what they were doing online. I have to admit that I couldn't keep up with all the viral tactics, but here are a few examples:

- I believe in Harvey Dent
- Online clues goes offline
- Several carefully released trailers to continue momentum.

Now with great reviews in the NYTimes and Rolling Stone - this movie is a MUST SEE.

I don't go onto the McKinsey Quarterly site often, but their email about their new article "organizing for value" peaked my interest so I clicked through to read it.

But, like the DADD person that I am - I clicked elsewhere and came across the little banner directing me to their Facebook Page.

And this sparked something in me. I read a lot of research on online marketing from leading research firms and some...don't have leading edge online marketing strategies (at least ones that I am aware of - Forrester is the exception).

I guess you don't necessarily need to 'participate', 'collaborate', 'co-create' - but really? Not learn and implement some of which you are reporting on?

So back to the Facebook page - yes, I was certainly happy to see it, but after the look, was disappointed in the effort put into it. After reading some of McKinsey's past articles on online marketing I thought they would be a little more cutting edge or daring...or even fun?