Yet another big project that I can’t talk much about yet as it’s in the early stages of product design. At R/GA SF we are helping to craft a new product (and a new business) from the ground up: user experience, user interface, branding, as well as the technology and development. For the tech details, I can say, it’s going to be a desktop app, a web app, iPhone app, and more, all talking together in real time…I know that doesn’t say much…but it’s going to be cool, I promise.  I’m excited about the entire thing – it’s great to be part of a new product from the very start and can’t wait until we’ve got a beta release (and I can talk about it more!)

New iPhone app from Best Western hotels features a good use of GPS. This app creates an opportunity for the company to be the preferred hotel for loyal customers; business travelers especially: If I can always quickly search and book a Best Western hotel, why go anywhere else? Read more from BRANDING UNBOUND.Posted using ShareThis

As the decade comes to an end, I’m reading a preview copy of a new book on digital marketing. I can’t talk about it yet as the book is not out – but so far, I’m really enjoying it. It is bringing back memories of the classic days of this industry (remember Subservient Chicken?), as well as providing great insight into what has worked, what has failed and why. Most importantly, I’m getting all sorts of ideas for what I can be dreaming up next; I love it when a book can do that. It’s wild because some of the projects discussed in the book were either projects I worked on, or were somewhat close to, or, I know the people who did work on them. Some of my old friends are quoted in the book as well – which I was not expecting. Only half way done – so more to come….It’s amazing to think how far this industry has come in such a short period of time. It’s been nice to see the emphasis move, for the most part, from whiz-bang and fancy “chrome” to hold some content, to instead focus the content itself. And what is exciting to me, is that sometimes this content is just simple raw data – but manipulated in creative new ways that have not been possible before.  I’ve got a good blog coming up that goes into this more (after Xmas).