It's the future of marketing ... and yet, isn't this what marketing should always have been about? Professionals somehow lost sight of the art of marketing by focusing on the science marketing. Great post.

Hugh,

Well said. The Blue Monster has inspired many of us.
More importantly, it serves a good entry point for discussions. Discussions occurring within small firms to the board rooms of the largest corporates.

Social Objects unlock something powerful. The power for people to communicate again with themselves and their customers. It is honest, pure and no bullshit.

There's a thesis in here... and one day I may research it for a doctorate...

BTW, how's the book coming along?

Jas

Hugh, as longs as there has been trade, there has been the need of marketing. Looking back at just the past 100 years, there have been many an author writing about 'new marketing' (such as Claude Hopkins Scientific Marketing, David Ogilvy on Advertising, etc, etc.) You mention Seth and Purple Cow, and of course social objects currently personified by the Blue Monster.

I totally agree with Alex, isn't this what marketing should have been all about? There are numerous processes and techniques to close a sale, many of which result in failure. Customers have many reasons to buy. The timeless magic of commerce happens in a very narrow overlapping area called 'marketing'.

Hugh, you inspired my first ever blog related drawing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26405521@N03/2477008012/

Deep. Soooooooooooooooooo Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

You should colorize the Blue Monster and take it to Google. :-)

>Robert,
Google already has a Blue Monster, it already is 'colorized', it looks like this.

Google(tm)

OH, you already knew that :-)

Stop, wait, reverse that...(from Willie Wonka)

What I like about the Blue Monster is that it makes MSFT smaller than itself. The problem with MSFT is that it is SO big it becomes faceless in many aspects. The Blue Monster puts a face on the company, and one that is cheerful and just a little subversive. Like Dennis the Menace. It shows that the company is willing to be self effacing and even recognize it's inner "demon". It has a life of it's own because MSFT let's it and because they let it, reflects positively back on the company. BRAVO Blue Monster!

Eh, so long as the Blue Monster doesn't turn into the Blue Sock. Creating true social objects is very hard.

alexdc and I have had numerous discussion on it sparked by that Singles Bracelet thingy.

And I also think that when you say "I believe the Blue Monster is the future of marketing." you are really reiterating and condensing what you've been saying and doing for a very long time. Good to see the concept hold.

You are waaaaaay over thinking this... MSFT is fucked, period.

PCD, I doubt you have any serious knowledge as to EXACTKY WHAT I'm thinking. As for your ungracious thoughts on Microsoft, time will tell ;-)

btw, Normally I don't publish anonymous comments, but what the hell, I'm guessing you probably work for a competitor of theirs, and giving out your name would probably not be a wise carer move. Rock on.

I still don't get blue monster?