This really got me to reflect on last 5-10 years…

Google, Flickr, Facebook and Twitter never advertised early in the growth of their success.

They won peoples heart by offering such [...]]]> Today, I was on Pandora listening to some music, to find yet another LivingSocial ad.

This really got me to reflect on last 5-10 years…

Google, Flickr, Facebook and Twitter never advertised early in the growth of their success.

They won peoples heart by offering such a unique offering that they didn’t need consumer advertising. I put my 2005 hat on, and I remember at the conferences when advertising for consumer services was frowned upon as you should be able to capture users based on the quality of your product alone. Also, “the right type of people” (early adopters) signup when you are not advertising and feel more committed to the product.

It’s not only LivingSocial, new growth consumer companies have demonstrated more aggressive paid marketing levels including scvngr, Zynga, and GroupOn.

You can’t watch the superbowl or navigate an iPhone app without seeing an ad for these companies.

Is the cool “don’t need to advertise” attitude gone?
If so, what was the tipping point?
Did GroupOn 6B valuation change peoples psyche on this?
Have we reached hypercompetitive level for time to mass market that this is now required?
Is this acceleration a long-term trend or a short-term fad?

Not sure I have the answer but one thing has changed… Advertising is more accepted for consumer growth internet companies then it was a year or two ago.

First, I love you mom.

Second, this is an amazing technique. My mom doesn’t know I am listening to music and I can hear her very clearly.

This was a result of my first time ever dropping the phone.

I have had the iPhone 3G for less than a month. It was [...]]]> The iPhone is a very personable tool that I use to live. Now that it has been shattered I can’t help but feel the same way.

This was a result of my first time ever dropping the phone.

I have had the iPhone 3G for less than a month. It was a two foot fall (slipped out of my hand) directly on it’s screen on cement.

I went to the Apple store in Whitehall, PA and they denied my request for a replacement, saying that a 2 foot drop is my fault and they apply the same rules to handhelds as they do computers.

My options: consist of $500 to get a new one or the $300 to refurbish. There is also the factory warranty voiding perfoming (not worth anything anyways) $5 plastic replacement.

I have heard stories of different Apple stores having different policies on replacing these. And the good thing is that I travel alot for Viddler. Over the next few weeks I am going to be in NYC, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and I am going to try to find the cool Apple Genius that will replace this free of charge. I feel this is my only other option, asside from just dealing with it and joining a class action lawsuit.

If you can help out, and know a cool Apple Store Genius/employee, please email me: rsandie@viddler.com

Like Colin’s it added some flavor to the photo and am not all that mad.