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Google Will Stop at Nothing - NOTHING!
03/07/08
In its quest to dominate the world of advertising as we know it, just what will Google do? How about hire the longtime head of giant Interpublic Group to juice up its its ad dashboard strategy for buying media? And note that dashboard is not just for online media. A Google exec announced yesterday at the AAAA media conference what had been a top-secret strategy for the above, and also that he’d hired David Bell, 63, now chairman emeritus of Interpublic. According to this Mediapost story, Mr. Bell had “ripped” Google’s strategy at a recent meeting with Eric Schmidt—right in front of The Man Himself! So, a Google ad exec who reports to Schmidt hires him to straighten them out (perhaps at his boss’ suggestion?)
Bell is no rookie. Essentially retired, I think we can assume he didn’t need a job: his last reported total compensation (when he was chairman/CEO) was $$3,289,403. The man has lived and breathed advertising his entire career, rising up from the lowly rank of account executive at a small but influential agency in Minneapolis. (I know because I worked there, my first job out of college. I recall he managed the General Mills Wheaties account—and it appears he definitely learned how to eat his.) Here’s David Bell’s bio.
The other significant part of the story, which Mediapost’s editor Joe Mandese points out, is that several startups working on dashboard tools for buying ad media should now be very, very worried.
But back to David Bell. Think about this people. Google, a relative newcomer to the long-standing advertising industry, hires the head—and figurehead—of one of the top three ad holding companies? Are you kidding me?! This certainly marks a memorable turning point in the disruption of an industry.
If it doesn’t point out, again, the power of the Internet, I don’t know what does. So, uh, please—take this thing seriously… :-)
UPDATE 3/12/08: And for more on this topic, read Google’s Latest Olive Branch To Agencies.
Keywords: Google, Eric Schmidt, advertising, media buying, dashboard, David Bell, Interpublic Group, IPG
(800 character limit)
By: Marcella R Perry
06/07/08 - 9:43am
By: Stefani
12/22/08 - 2:41am
Please subscribe to one of my RSS-2.0 feeds... Recommended Reading:
The Godfather of the Valley
by: Gary Rivlin
Ron Conway, who I've had the privilege of meeting, is also the reigning godfather of the angel investing community. He gives passion and drive a whole new meaning.
The Eye For Innovation
Recognizing Possibilities and Managing the Creative Enterprise
by: Robert Price
Seven principles for an innovative enterprise, from the journey of Control Data. My career was shaped a lot by what I learned at this company, more than 20 years ago. It was an awesome, entrepreneurial organization -- till it was disrupted. But all companies eventually are.
Endorsements:
A random sampling of testimonials from clients and colleagues (refresh page for more)...
"Really enjoyed working with Graeme, knows the technology and how to market it. Strong writing abilities, approachable, and a great personality ... extremely easy to work with."
Tony Keller
Senior Account Supervisor
S&S Public Relations
"As editor of a business magazine, I see all kinds of poor writers, but precious few good ones. Graeme is a very good writer. More than just writing ability, however, Graeme impresses me with the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the technology industry..."
Mark Druskoff
Former Editor
Minnesota Business Magazine
Blogroll:
Blogs I read regularly (refresh page for more)...
blog.pmarca.com
by Marc Andreessen...Thoughts from the Web pioneer and founder of social networking platform Ning.
PR 2.0
by Brian Solis...Documenting the convergence of social media, PR, and Web marketing
Techobabble 2.0
by Jonny Bentwood...A PR consultant at Edelman in the UK waxes on about analyst relations, technology strategy, and new media, especially showcasing where people get it right and wrong.
Tech~Surf~Blog
by Graeme Thickins...Technology innovation -- it comes in waves...Graeme's *other* blog.
Web Strategy by Jeremiah
by Jeremiah Owyang...Weekly digest of the social networking industry, from a newly named Forrester Research analyst.
Release 2.0
by O'Reilly Radar/Jimmy Guterman...Insight and analysis on the business and social impact of key technology trends.
Linkroll:
Some tech / Internet / content sites I find useful in my work (refresh page for more)...