Principles

A quote for noisy people isn't what it seems

"Much speech leads inevitably to silence. Better to hold fast to the void." Does Lao Tzu's quote really mean what everyone thinks?

Marketing

The power of search & social marketing

Search vs. Social? The team at MDG Advertising created a fantastic infographic highlighting the collective power of social and search marketing.

Business

Walter Isaacson on Steve Jobs & leadership

Steve Jobs helped to transform seven industries. Here are the 14 leadership lessons Isaacson attributes to Jobs' success.

Marketing

When should we add marketing?

In the connected era, the marketing is the product, the service and most of all the conversations it causes and the connections it makes. Marketing is the first thing we do, not the last.

Principles

Mark Cuban debunks the passion myth, says "work hard"

"Follow Your Passion," is easily the worst advice you could ever give or get. Here's why Mark Cuban thinks so.

Publishing

Did Godin nail the future of book publishing?

Macro economic models don't work in the creative industries anymore. Here's Seth Godin's take.

Year With No Beer

A Review: My Year With No Beer #YWNB

In late 2010 I set myself the challenge of not consuming alcohol during 2011. I’m chuffed to say that I achieved my goal. Here's why should consider it too.

Tunes

OFF! at the Annandale Hotel

I had the great privilege of driving punk band OFF! around Brisbane during the locale leg of their first Australian tour.

Business

On the Maron/Lefsetz email exchange

The title of this post could easily have been "Lefsetz doesn't get he's the problem." That's commonly the case.

Publishing

The impact of piracy and lost book sales

Prima facie there's plenty of evidence that library lending hurts book sales. Here's the issue.

Principles

How to live each day like it's your last

What does it mean to live each day as if it were our last? It has something to do with what you're doing right now.

Marketing

Steve Stoute on marketing (and Kodak)

I posted a few videos a week or so ago featuring music biz meets ad-man Steve Stoute, and the author of The Tanning of America. In an article in the New York Observer he had this to say about Kodak's recent campaign featuring Rihanna. He wasn't complimentary.

Creativity

Steve Jobs, creativity, and seeing what others could not

One of Jobs' geniuses was his capacity to see what others couldn't. Some have taken exception to Isaacson's bio, but they miss the point.

Business

Making it in America

Steve Tobak over at CBS MoneyWatch has this to say about achieving the American Dream (whatever that actually is) … and just in case you’re wondering it most certainly doesn’t involve dreaming.

Business

This is why recorded music is in a hole

Video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 "established a new five-day sell-through record of more than $US775 million" worldwide according to a report in the Fairfax media.

Startup

Using technical proficiency as an excuse for not shipping

In another exemplary post, Seth Godin considers a frequent failing of many who use technical proficiency as an excuse for not shipping.

Music Business

To stream tunes, or to buy?

According to a report from Digital Music News, users of Spotify tend not to purchase music. This is hardly surprising.

Business

Content ain't king, and neither is distribution

In 1996 when considering the future of the internet Bill Gates famously wrote that 'content is king'. Meanwhile others argue in 2011 that 'distribution is king'. In 2012 the only king of the internet is attention.

Principles

The paradox of expectations and 1% change

Two posts about expectations interested me. One about the paradox of expectations, and the other about incremental change and expectations.

Business

Can you handle the truth?

In a recent post titled Neil Patel blogged about the need to be able to openly receive the 'truth' if we’re to grow a business. Be on the lookout for false prophets.

Music Business

Steve Stoute interviews Jimmy Iovine

Steve Stoute interviews Interscope's Jimmy Iovine about Rolling Stone magazine's first hip hop cover.

Music Business

Steve Stoute interviews Jay-Z

Steve Stoute, author of The Tanning of America, and music biz and advertising supremo, talks with Jay-Z.

Year With No Beer

A Year With No Beer, Redux #YWNB

This year I conducted a social experiment on myself. I decided to not consume alcohol to see what impact it had on my life. Would any problems be solved?

Creativity

Knowing when to abandon great art

Great art is never complete, only abandoned. Knowing when to abandon our art and offer it up to the world is the most important lesson the creator has to learn.

Creativity

In-built mediocrity and letting go

Being good enough is pretty easy. We don't need to strive to better ourselves each and every day. It's safe. Goals are achieved. Progress is made. No-one really gets hurt. Except of course that's not true.