Over the past few months, I’ve read multiple articles and have actively participated in the buzz surrounding research, analytics and data-driven results regarding advertising and marketing campaigns.

Let’s start with the facts. According to Google adults spend an average of 141 minutes a day using mobile devices (cell phones and/or tablets). Of those seeking services 89% will use their mobile device to find service providers.

I believe in firsts. First to market. First to break a story. First time to do something. It’s good to be first. During this week of Super Bowl hoopla, I’d like recognize the first commercial to launch a marketing and advertising phenomenon: Apple’s 1984.

You've probably heard of the "4 Ps", but have you heard of the "4 Rs"? If you can deliver the right message to the right person at the right time on the right device, you will be rewarded with a sale. Before recent advancements in data collection, most marketing strategies were based more on intuition than information. And if we did have information, it was probably more along the lines of simple demographic information like age and income.

Target demographics are fundamental to the marketing world. Know the age, gender and locale of the intended recipient of the message and you're in the ballpark, right? Actually, you're in the universe, but probably not even in the same city as the ballpark.

How are you measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts? Most companies tend to default to sales numbers. However, that type of measurement alone gives you very little data about what is driving those sales, how and where you can find more of them, and which type of customer is the most profitable.

Are we a make 'em and break 'em kind of society? According to research, the answer is yes. On average, 40% of Americans will make New Year's resolutions while only 8% will actually follow through and achieve their goals. 

When I was a kid, I always got my dad the perfect gift. Birthday, Father’s Day, Christmas, it didn’t matter. I know because he would say, without fail “Oh wow, it’s just what I wanted.”

Christmas is upon us, and tis the season when we all turn to our favorite brands. Forbes came out with it’s most valuable brands of 2013 list this week, and who’d have thought it, a brand guy like me using nearly every one of the Top 10 (actually top 11, to make my point more to the point).

In response to growing public concerns of Internet security, Google moved to “secure” search data for its users by removing keyword data from search referral strings. This change comes after The Guardian and The Washington Post published controversial details on the NSA’s PRISM program. Refuting allegations the company allowed the NSA access to its secure severs, Google issued the following statement:

Most companies don’t take the time to truly think about their competition, and that’s a huge mistake – and a potential risk of your customers flocking to competitors for something you weren’t aware of.

I’m a list hound. Riddled with ADD from birth, I dig information delivered in memorable, bite-sized chunks. Top 5s, 10s, Rankings, Best and Worst. Can’t get enough.