ryan l.

MySpace's instant messaging client launched today, as some probably already know. It looks pretty clean and simple, but leaves a few remaining questions.

Surely MySpace, with its 60 million+ users, have a built-in user base for the client–which is all well and good–but that number in no way rivals that of the current market dominators (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, etc.). Introducing another client futher fragments the instant messaging market and makes me wonder how sustainable the MySpace app. really is. Granted, tons of people will download and use the software, but will they do away with the standbys? Doubtful.

With so many different protocols out there, it seems the best bets these days are on applications like Trillian or GAIM, which enable users to add each of their respective accounts into one buddy list - so you're operating with Yahoo! and AIM in the same window. If the MySpace client gets picked up in this way–being added to consolidated apps. like Trillian–then I can see it having a better chance at sticking around.

Steve also brings up a good point, that there is space in the IM window for an ad, but again, a la the Opera browser, how long will people put up with having ads they didn't ask for shoved in their face?

Apple makes a commecial comparing PC to Macs and mentions your name as a reviewer in your important business publication. 

Corporate sucking up or indication of career success? Both?  

Voce (my company) was able to secure a Q&A with one of the top executives from the $70 billion Procter & Gamble to discuss how they approach influencer marketing and word of mouth. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in or working in these areas.

It's a two part discussion/post, so stay tuned for the next half.

Update: Part two just posted. Enjoy!

This was too unbelieveable to not record it, so sorry to those of you who don't care about sports. Went to the gym after work today and was just there doing my thing and then I look to my side and here comes none other than King Steroid himself, Jose Canseco. Of course, even in the all free weight area, he turned heads. I was watching more out of disbelief at what I was seeing. I guess he still hangs around the old Oakland hood.

No, I didn't pull a bash brothers move and clash forearms with him, it probably would have broken the bone, but I thought about it.

Say it ain't so, Matt. I try to avoid this stuff most of the time, but the sports angle drew me in. Celeb gossip site, TMZ.com sums all of this up nicely:

On the one hand, Leinart's new star power is no surprise. The football star has a multi-million-dollar deal in the works with the Cardinals, a ton of potential endorsement contracts, a spot on People Magazine's 100 most beautiful list, and a dating resume that includes a stint with MTV's Laguna Beach star, Kristin Cavallari.

In this case, though, his climb up the social ladder is surprisingly fast, recalling Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, or Anna Kornikova. The sizzle could help Leinart in his endorsement negotiations, raising his profile at precisely the time he's cutting his new deals. But the moves also could backfire if the gossip turns ugly — a high-wire act that makes Leinart a star to watch.

Hopefully, for his sake, he won't lose millions because of this decision like he did after deciding to return to college instead of turning pro last year and collecting the huge signing bonus the number one overall selection always gets.