NEW 'OFFICE SUITE' FOR MARKETERS... ADVERTISING

Microsoft has long built enterprise software solutions for myriad industries: retail, health care, sales. But now it has its eye on the advertising industry.

Microsoft and Mediabrands, the media division of Interpublic Group of Cos. that counts Microsoft as a major ad client, are collaborating to build a software system that marketers can use to track everything from search advertising and e-mail newsletters to CRM systems to TV buys in one place. To read more, check out the Ad Age article on the topic.

NINE BALL, NOT A GAME OF POOL BUT RATHER A NASTY VIRUS

If you haven't heard of it yet, you soon will...the Nine Ball virus is making its way through the web infecting 10s of thousands of websites...two of which are ones I manage. Not a happy camper! I've spent hours trying to clean up the mess, just to find out that the two sites are infected again. Don't know how it happened, but I've taken precautions that I would like to pass along.

• Make sure you store sensitive data, i.e. passwords in a password protected document and use extra characters that you'll know to remove when needing the password, i.e. use an "&" symbol at the beginning or end of the password.
• Consider using a password manager like PassPack
• Don't use auto fill features when visiting websites unless using a service that PassPack offers.
• Don't e-mail usernames and passwords in the same e-mail and refer to the first bullet on this list for using extra symbols.

If you're interested in reading more on this subject, I found a good article at eWeek.com.

MOBILE APPS ARE ALL THE RAGE

If you're a wine lover, check out this wine matcher / wine pairing app from a client of mine Nat Decants. The app is for BlackBerry or iPhone. The wine mobile matcher is only $2.99 and is perfect for when you're at a grocery store or restaurant and wondering what wine to buy.

Watch the wine pairing video to see how the app works:

HOW MUCH IS YOUR WEBSITE/BLOG WORTH?

Do you have a website that gets a lot of traffic? Ever wonder what it's worth? Check out DNScoop.com to find out. Just to give you an idea...I have one client who gets about 1200 visits per day...according to DNScoop the site is worth over $85k. Not bad!

BOTTA 'BING!' NEW SEARCH FROM MICROSOFT

Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off Bing, the rebranded and rebuilt search engine designed to replace Live Search. It's a solid improvement over the previous search product, and it beats Google in important areas. It will help Microsoft gain share in the search business. It's surprisingly competitive with Google.

Bing isn't available to the public yet, but you won't have to wait long. Starting on June 1, some users will get Bing search results from Live Search. On June 3, CNET says Bing will be Microsoft's new default search. Click here to see how it looks.

SOME OF MY LATEST WORK...

Check out some of my latest projects...

• Logo and Website for MM Players Club, a unique way to play private country club golf.
• Website and site optimization work for a beauty salon in Gold Canyon, Joli Salon.
• Website for a indoor golf dome in Chicago, White Pines Golf Dome.
• Website for a great pizza joint in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Humble Pie.
• Registration page and database for "Arts Olympics" event for the Superstition Area Cultural Alliance (SACA).
• Site optimization work for OnSet Marketing Group.
• Website for a decorative concrete supply company in Chicago, BDC Supply

TEN TIPS FOR BUILDING A GOOD E-MAIL LIST

An email campaign is only as good as the list it is sent to. The question from marketers then becomes, “How do I build a great email list?” Read these tips from dmPULSE that can help all email marketers build their most valuable asset; the email list.