Facefood is still there

I couldn't resist sharing this. Do you remember how, about an year ago, I commented on this restaurant's choice of colour and name? I thought it wouldn't last long. Well, I am back to tell you that Facefood is still there: There is a even a Facebook page 😉

Spotted elsewhere: How dark web marketplaces work

What? A blog post about the dynamics of dark web marketplaces, authored by Joel Montenegro whom, I understand, is an investor at a venture capital firm Where? Posted on Twitter by Maha Shaikh (@Open_Sourcing), whom you should definitely follow if you are interested on matters of open sourcing, open innovation, and communities of practice. … Continue reading Spotted elsewhere: How dark web marketplaces work

Marketing according to Google Autocomplete

I am preparing to welcome a new co-hort of students into the MSc Marketing programme, and decided to search online for a couple of quotes about Marketing, to generate some discussion. This is what Google auto-complete had for me: Thoughts???

What cat food says about the cat owner

When I teach about positioning, I often refer to the market for cat food, using an example unashamedly stolen from my fabulous former colleague, David James. There are 2 key aspects to positioning. One is to find an angle for the product that is unique and, hence, differentiates it from the competitors. Otherwise, you … Continue reading What cat food says about the cat owner

May round-up

At the start of the month, I wrote in my research journal: “May must be very, very productive”. By productive I meant researching and writing a lot. And I really meant it. But… ... my good intentions went down hill very, very, very quickly. As I look at the square in my diary that … Continue reading May round-up

New book ‘Management Research – Applying the Principles’

I don’t think I’ve told you this, yet: I co-authored a book with Susan Rose and Nigel Spinks. The title is ‘Management Research - Applying the Principles’ and is published by Routledge. As suggested by the title, it is a research methods book focused on the context and the needs of those conducting research … Continue reading New book ‘Management Research – Applying the Principles’

The not so virtuous side of gift giving

It is the season of giving. And choosing, buying and offering presents is a pleasant and gratifying activity, right? Lovely for both the giver and the received of the present, we are told. Well, not necessarily. It can also be a stressful and very unpleasant process, as described in the paper “The Dark Side of … Continue reading The not so virtuous side of gift giving

Even Ryanair needs to do something about customer service

Well, well, well. MarketingWeek reported that Ryanair, the (in)famous low cost airline often criticised for appalling customer service, is recruiting a Marketing Director. The job advert specifies that the post holder will be in charge of promoting the company’s safety, customer service and low fare messages. Yes, that’s right: customer service. Maybe O’Leary is reading … Continue reading Even Ryanair needs to do something about customer service

Who wants 4G?

This afternoon, I am delivering a talk at the Oxfordshire branch of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. More details here. In this talk, we put technology to the side and focus, instead, on the social and psychological needs of mobile phone users. This is the slide set for the session. As usual, I would … Continue reading Who wants 4G?

Social Media users praise brands in private and criticise in public

Jan Kietzmann and I have been investigating how social media users talk about their consumption experiences online, a phenomenon called “electronic Word of Mouth”, or eWoM. While there is considerable research regarding why and, to an extent, how consumers engage in eWoM, our research is novel in that it: Investigates how different aspects of the … Continue reading Social Media users praise brands in private and criticise in public