Tuesday, January 2, 2007

What are you optimistic about?

This is the first post of the year. The Edge World Question Center is asking what are you optimistic about for 2007 and why? Some really interesting articles from Dawkins et al...I should probably read his new book on religion at some point too.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Las Vegas is hot but Google is hotter

Andrew Clark in New York
Friday January 5, 2007
The Guardian

The internet served up the biggest winners among US brands last year, while George Bush's travails in Iraq sent anything connected with foreign travel or violence spiralling out of fashion.

As the dominant tool for navigating the online universe, Google cemented its position as the world's hottest brand in a year when its shares sailed through $500 and its value on Wall Street topped $150bn (£77bn). Runners-up included Google's video website YouTube, the auction site eBay and the search engine Yahoo!

Las Vegas, which is enjoying a tourism renaissance under the slogan "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", slotted into second place. Apple's iPod, now a fixture in popular culture, was third.

The rankings were compiled from more than 2,000 interviews carried out by a New York design agency, Landor Associates. Its managing director, Allen Adamson, said inclusivity was a critical factor for the year's successes.

"One thing they've all got in common is that they appeal to multiple segments," he said. "Google's become the starting point for the internet experience of almost everyone - be it the chief executive or the head [lavatory] man. At Vegas, you've got families with kids sitting next to people who are there to escape from their families."

Landor's broad definition of brands extends to places or celebrities - and the biggest losers were over-exposed partygoers such as Nicole Richie, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, all of whom are seen to have lost their way.

Hand-to-hand combat, once a cult sporting activity, has slipped - as has boxing. "Given what's going on in the world, there's less of a macho outlook," Mr Adamson said. "There's a feeling in this country that maybe we should aim first before punching."

In and out in 2006

Winners

Google
Las Vegas
iPod
YouTube
eBay
Yahoo!
Target
Oprah Winfrey
Sony
NFL

Losers

Nicole Richie
Britney Spears
Havana
Paris Hilton
Hand-hand combat
Mumbai
Boxing
W Hotels
Bangkok
NHL

Source: ImagePower Newsmaker brands survey

Tuenti said...

You are the first person to ever post a comment on my blog hannah- congratulations!