Internet algorithms dictate everything we see online. They’re continually evolving, and sometimes that makes it hard to keep up.  It’s almost as if new algorithms come and go. Just when we think we’ve figured them out, they’re gone as fast as they arrived. But on the other side of disappointment, there usually lies greener pastures—at […]

If you were the kind of kid who dreamed about living like the Jetsons, we’ve got some good news for you. Though machine maids and butlers with human-like intelligence still sound like something from a sci-fi movie, AI has become part of your daily experience. It’s that helpful website chatbot that asks if you need any assistance. It helps Amazon curate your recommended book list, and Netflix uses it to suggest your next binge-worthy t.v. show. Your smartphone camera uses it to capture that picture-perfect sunset. AI even dictates how you view reality through algorithms that control what appears on […]

Imagine slipping on a headset and arriving at your afternoon business meeting. Or test-driving a car without ever leaving your couch. For years, many industries have viewed virtual reality as expensive, inconvenient, or irrelevant. After all, who has space for a clunky, desktop-tethered system? But standalone virtual reality (VR) devices are becoming more powerful and […]

During the most recent U.S. recession, Mike Kappel found himself in a difficult position. He was a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Patriot Software Company. And he was running a failing business. In a 2018 Forbes article, Kappel recounts the lessons he learned during that time. He writes, “Nobody wants to talk […]

“They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” —Carl W. Buehner What if a vending machine fail was the key to one of your brand’s most successful marketing campaigns? This is exactly what Orangina set out to accomplish with their #ShakeTheDispenser campaign. In 2017, the iconic […]

Imagine trying to learn a new language without studying its vocabulary. Worse yet: what if there was no way to study its vocabulary? You might be able to memorize specific phrases to achieve certain results, but would you understand what you were saying? Would you be able to recombine those words in new ways, or would you be stuck saying, “Puedo ir al bano” indefinitely? Asking search engines to read site content without structured data and schema markup is a little like asking someone to have a conversation using only a phrase book. They can figure out the words but […]

Imagine that you’re walking down a busy city street. As you near a bus station, the screen on the side of the shelter lights up. Its processor collects data from the cell phone in your pocket,  greets you by name, and displays a personalized ad for your favorite brand of toothpaste. Sound like something out […]

“Can you imagine a future with no websites?” This is the question introduced by David Bain, Founder and Host of Digital Marketing Radio, as part of a 2018 panel for SEMRush. For those of us who came up during the dot com boom, the knee jerk answer is a resounding no. However, advancements in voice-based technology are rapidly redefining the parameters of websites’ usefulness. While Bain doesn’t believe we’ll say goodbye to websites anytime soon, he does draw attention to the fact that mobile apps, targeted snippets, and voice search are all modern, convenient alternatives to a traditional website. And […]

Anyone who hopped online to buy gear from outdoor recreation giant Patagonia on December 4th, 2017 was surprised by what they saw. Instead of colorful outdoor equipment and scenic vistas, the site featured a black background with white text. That text simply stated, “The President Stole Your Land.” This was a direct response to an […]

Every time you type a keyword or phrase into your search bar, you set off a complicated behind-the-scenes sequence of events that ends with your search engine results page (SERP). In less than ½ a second, search engines like Google analyze your phrase, compare it to millions of different web pages, and present you with the most relevant results. This fact is even more astounding when you consider that leading search engines like Google process over 63,000 searches per second, day in and day out. So how does Google decide when you search “curious kittens,” for example, that you want […]

”The secret to the campaign’s success was that it required participation from millions of people around the world. ”  In 2012 Pete Frates, a lifelong athlete and previous professional baseball player in Europe, was diagnosed with ALS. He was 27 years old. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the neurons responsible for motor control. Despite its severity, it has no treatment and no cure. How user generated content supports finding a cure Pete’s mom Nancy recalls that upon hearing his diagnosis, Pete took charge. “6 hours later, after diagnosis, we’re sitting around […]

“The golden key to more effective marketing: skillful storytelling.” We all have that one friend. You know, the one who turns even the most mind-numbing story (laundry day, or a trip to the grocery store, for example) into a humorous, memorable saga. That friend takes you on a journey— they know how to build suspense. […]