Monday, August 31, 2009

Thoughts about Melbourne's "rectangular stadium"

Everyone knows that Melbourne didn't invent rectangular football stadia, so who was the genius who came up with the sign on Melbourne's new Olympic Park construction site that says "Melbourne's rectangular stadium"?

For those living outside Melbourne, this city is home to that home-grown game, Australian Rules, colloquially referred to as "footy". Footy is played on a large oval playing field, about twice the size of a football (soccer) stadium, but fielding 18 players per team, compared with soccer's 11 per team.

The thing is that Melburnians have not understood the perils associated with rectangular stadia, not least of which is they provide stray cats with four corners to pee in. You never see a stray cat in a footy stadium because of the absence of this feline urine facility. The fact that the Geelong "Cats" play in footy stadia is coincidental to this argument of course. Unless it explains why Geelong players are so quick around the flanks - they're desperately seeking out corners?

But back to the core subject, why the sign on the construction site for the new stadium? Does this mean Melburnians are highly advanced and the first to recognise that stadia can be rectangular, or does it mean we're backward and have to have the shape explained to us? Would it not have been better to think laterally and save money by introducing the concept of soccer and rugby (rugby league's Melbourne Storm is to share this new facility with soccer's Melbourne Victory) played on an oval ground?

In soccer's case, it would have least made decisions about "corner kicks" interesting!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Celebrity blogs

I'm just curious and perhaps overly cynical. Nevertheless, I want every celebrity who writes their own blog to confirm it by responding to this blog.

I'm willing to bet I get no responses. What do you think? Can you point me to a celebrity blog that is not a crafted extension of their PR machinery? I mean, if Madonna's in Namibia negotiating a new adoption, or a shrouded Angelina's in Ethiopia handing out grain, how do they get to update their daily blogs?

And I'm not just picking on female celebrities. How does Russell Crowe do his blog (note: not do his block!)? He's surely too busy in body buffing studios (Gladiator) or Weightwatchers' reverse engineering programs (The Insider) to be able to update his blogs.

I'm happy to be proved wrong and - be aware - my BS antenna is finely attuned to PR types who may attempt to place celebrity responses on behalf of their clients. For suspect responses, I may request a personally signed souvenir to kick off the 'monetization' of the BloggosFear (see article below).


Please note that if Angelina, Charlize, Elle or other noted female celebrity wants a to make a date to convince me of their authenticity, they only have to leave their genuine response below and suggest time and place!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Should I "Monetize"?

Do you lose your blog integrity by monetizing through Google's Adsense? I suppose that, in a way, it just makes you a mini publisher, without the overhead of an advertising department.

It's almost worth doing to see what bizarre matches this program would make with your content. I mean, let's face it, what could you match with my debut blog about challenging me to write on any subject!

On the other hand, my next entry about seeking opportunities as an old bod might make my site either a focal point for recruitment companies, a link to pre-paid funeral plans, or even pharmaceuticals (given I have published my pic, I might even attract ads for plastic surgery or hair restoration.

I haven't monetized to date, but I'm tempted to see what matches I'd get. The other thing is, of course, that revenue depends on readership and, to date, there are no followers of this blog. Perhaps I should build readership by getting more controversial - throw some politics, religion or sex into my missives.

Anyway, see you another time. As always, if you're bobbing around in the BloggosFear, drop me a line.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Looking for new challenges as an old bod

The keynote to this message is for all those recruitment consultants and HR bods out there who think anyone over 50 is "challenged" rather than up for a challenge. This subject is probably blogged all over the place, but I must go on the record. Oh! Oh! Maybe it's not already blogged because those over 50 have never heard of blogging! If that is the case, I am breaking new ground, which is a good advertisement for the sort of bloke I am.

I'll put you in the picture. I am over 50 (not much over) and in marketing communications/public relations. I am employed and well paid. Two check boxes ticked so far. The problem is that I am no longer intellectually challenged by what I'm doing. This means I am available should anyone want to transfer me into an energy-charged, brand-driven and customer-focused environment (Hurdle #2 - must be in Melbourne, Australia).

What I want to know is why is it that marketing and communications roles do not demand a significant proportion of experienced individuals. When I go to marketing/communications conferences, the delegates are all quite young. When I go to a financial services conference, the demographic at senior management level is much older.

Now, before you jump to conclusions, this is not a rant against young, upwardly mobile marketing and communications professionals. I enjoy immensely working with younger teams and pinching their ideas and knowledge on new media trends in particular. The issue is (and this is my agency telling me this) that there are so many campaigns and programs that either don't see the light of day, fail to get a tick from executive management, or get stuffed up in the production process simply because the people running them lack the appropriate experience to get them approved and happening.

The thing is that seniority provides gravitas at executive level. That's why you see so many in the 'more respected' professional services like law, accounting/auditing and investment management with a heavier weighting of gray hair in the ranks. They have understood that this projection of experience has a psychological impact at executive and board level.

So why does the marketing and communications so often not recognise this in the recruiting process. Is it an extension of the fact that marketing and comms are seen at executive level as 'costs' and the recruitment process consequently becomes price-driven?

Ok. Go on. Have a crack at me.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Entry into the Blogosfear

As I enter into the Blogos-Fear, I wonder what relevance my zipped brain downloads might have to the wider community? Probably none! So why have I started? Will I come up with any new perspectives? Will my thoughts influence anyone's actions. I guess it depends on what I write. Should I write on politics, jobs, money, religion, or even publish personal whinges, rants or other stuff from close to home. Here's an idea...why doesn't someone nominate a subject for me to write about? That'd be a challenge, especially if I knew nothing about it. How plausible could I make myself sound on any subject. Nominate your subject today and let's see how I go!