Interesting to read of the way "marketing as a conversation" can become an internet joke: there's a good story about a kitsch t-shirt, "Three Wolf Moon", becoming a runaway success but maybe not in the way the manufacturer intended: see my blog for more. I guess they made a big profit so that's OK...
Speaking of T-shirts, thanks for the gift in the conference bag, focusing our attention on NZ identity/brand, and the role of PR practitioners in… Continue

Peter Dengate Thrush not only has a great voice and an amazing position as Chair of ICANN...he's making a tough topic accessible and interesting! And he's obviously tough - squaring off against Governments to protect the integrity of the internet platform!

Martin Snedden, CEO of RWC 2011, says there's 121 Mondays until the start of the Rugby World Cup - 3 working days given weekends, public holidays, etc! He's remarkably chipper given the lack of sleep organising the largest sporting event to ever be held in New Zealand!

Talking about the Perceptive research into New Zealand attitudes:

Stress index - savings and retirement worries, job security a worry - older people more concerned about this - but three quarters are tired of hearing about the recession.

We will be spending less and saving more - 81% (1000 people sample)

Response to planned purchases over $2000 - 71% said no.

Tax cuts will be saved rather than spent and we trust the banks with the money - 91% trust… Continue

Andy Hamilton - CEO Icehouse

His view: 300 internationally capable and competitive firms - out of a whole lot more. Over next five - seven years we need to increase that number by factor of ten.

Talks about how Icehouse helps develop startups. New firms will represent 50% of the new hires of the future. There is significant growth and it is a great opportunity. Trying to get startups into social media space is hard (tell me about it!)

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