Mobile Diner® where wireless and washington meet….

Qui Diaz (over at the Buzz Bin) briefly highlighted the latest “marketing tactic” by Verizon to market My Home 2.0. She was quite judicious in her assessment of their marketing.

At a time when Fortune 500 companies are starting to think about utilizing social technologies in different capacities (advocacy, organizing, marketing etc.) this is a setback. In fact, it makes my old company’s mLife campaign look brilliant.

So what was the agency on record thinking when they devised this campaign?

Obviously, they want to target folks who may be predisposed to upgrade their service to FIOS (or flee the cable companies). Accordingly, they are positioning themselves in different social areas because this demographic more likely comprises heavy internet users. I see the justification and the merits of a social media strategy. However, “Twittering Teddy” is just awful.

Social media is risky. It provides an excellent opportunity to engage and get closer to consumers but it can blow up if it is not authentic or just plain silly. Verizon has successfully developed the brand over the years with strong products. It has had great pitchmen from James Earl Jones and the “Can You Hear Me Now” guy is a legend…. Twittering Teddy?

The good news (in all of this) is that a Fortune 100 company is willing to utilize social media to reach consumers. The bad news is they jeopardize the brand with a campaign that is as poorly developed as this one.

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As many diners know, I was out in Virginia today at Blog Potomac. It was a great conference that attracted many local bloggers and social media gurus.

On that note, I was really psyched to interview Debbie Weil, who was a co-host of Blog Potomac and author of “The Corporate Blogging Book.” It is a great book and I suggest it for those who are interested in helping their company engage online.

In any case, here is Debbie discussing social media and the mobile opportunity on the horizon. Enjoy!

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Mashable reports that help is on the way for iPhone users… These are big developments in mobile broadcasting and I look forward to watching the mobile media revolution come to life!

On a Mashable note, here’s a Qik video of me interviewing Adam Ostrow (Editor in Chief) who covered the stories above. Adam was in town for a politics and tech conference in DC.

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TR Blogs editor Toni Bowers reports that Google’s 20 percent rule is getting a makeover. On that note, I thought this philosophy was brilliant when I first read about it in “The Google Story.” However, I can understand that as the company has grown exponentially that it might need tweaking.

Goog’s 20 percent rule is a philosophy that Page and Brin encouraged during the early days at Google.  As the book details, the 20 percent rule allowed folks to focus on projects that interested them (and was not considered a part of the respective job duty) one day a week. Page and Brin wanted to attract the best and brightest as well as keep the creative juices flowing at Google. Accordingly, they thought this was a good way to do it and it differentiated them from other tech companies. Google news is a product born from 20 percent time.

I am a still a fan of the philosophy. In many instances, you cannot escape from the daily routine on the job. One becomes comfortable and competent doing a few things the same way until those methods stop working. At that point, it is probably too late – for your product, client, or business.

Mobile Diner arose out of my own “20 percent rule.” After business school (at night), I felt it was important to challenge myself and think about new ways to engage wireless enthusiasts and policymakers. Letters to the FCC from the same folks get old. Chairman Martin’s been ignoring them for years. Engaging consumers will keep the industry on its toes and responding to consumer demand will minimize “putting fires out” that so typically define careers.

With 10,000 (or so) employees at Google, Page and Brin do not personally interact with everyone on campus anymore. They used to do all the hiring. They used to know all their people. I understand that there now needs to be some guidelines on 20 percent for Google. However, it is a beautiful policy and I hope other folks embrace it in their respective fields. The benefits internally and externally are hard to ignore.

update – this post has been edited…

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(radio row at the Free Press conference)

I have returned from Minneapolis and the National Conference for Media Reform held over the weekend. Thanks again to Free Press for having me. I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk about mobile broadcasting and hope to see other folks augment their citizen journalism by utilizing their wireless device.

On that note, we had a great turnout on Sunday morning to hear about the latest in mobilizing. As you know, I focused my conversation on how mobile broadcasting is a game-changer. Accordingly, I showed two large groups some of my videos and then took the opportunity to demonstrate in real-time. I think everyone had fun participating.

With regard to an example of how mobile broadcasting can mobilize people, I mentioned an upcoming verdict on a high-profile court decision.  In that instance, the jury may be deliberating and you may not know the exact time of the verdict.  If you have some individuals in your organization monitoring, once they announce the verdict – with live mobile broadcasting – you could turn your community out quickly.

Once again, thanks again to the folks who came out on Sunday morning.  You guys were great!  The power is in your hands.  We can participate like never before and make a difference.  I look forward to watching YOUR mobile media!

as always, feel free to contact me if you have additional questions – chris(at)mobilediner.com

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