Saturday, January 31, 2009

Brilliant Mastermind Scams a Plenty

Lessons from the 20/20 vision post.

Thought: "now, that's weird, but overlooked it because.....yada, yada....then I got scammed"

WebPress understands there is one very busy detective:
A "driver agent" has nearly ruined the ability of five race teams to enter NASCAR this 2009 season, by promising sponsorship dollars. In 60 days, he cost race teams at least 100K in building cars, the dreams of some young racers and 5 "employees" a month's worth of salaries ranging from 60-83K. He also got 6-10 (and perhaps more) women's personal information and social security numbers promising them PR and Branding jobs in the sport and a free ride to the Superbowl... to create viability he put them in contact with the race teams and racers.

Most interestingly, this guy scammed about 30 people all at the same time, alone. They all believed the same lie....yet EVERYONE felt stupid, ashamed, angry, revengeful and untrusting of everyone, within the circle, after the fact. Yet, there were too many people connected through Facebook, text messages and relationships created. They all got together and now a detective has quite the job on his hands. You call it, internet fraud identity theft or one sick-puppy?

EVERYONE experienced the same emotions. Some are still dealing with certain stages of it, perhaps limiting their ability to move forward with new opportunities. First of all, this dude needs to be caught and put in a straight-jacket, secondly Webpress would like to help anyone out there about to get involved in this kind of scam see the light.

We know that there are some huge internet fraud scams going on, whether its this guy or someone else, here's some tips to make rules of engagement:

1. Avoid all one-liner craigslist job openings including sports marketing and travel
2. Do not make excuses for your gut instinct when reading someone's eyes in a picture
3. Make an attempt to meet the person or video chat, if they evade you consistently, try to ditch them - if they get angry, cut ties.
4. Sign contracts over gTalk or a video platform, watch the fax/scan go through
5. Don't think you're nuts when something goes wrong.
6. Don't hide in shame because someone conned you...get it out- tell someone - it's likely they have the same story.
7. Listen to your instincts regardless of the cost.
8. Share information with others outside the middle man.
9. Keep your contacts close.
10. Don't fall for the guilt trips.


This kind of fraud exists, it's real. These people use their talents for good or bad, we'd like to know your experience with one or the other.

Webpress Media

Friday, January 9, 2009

Flashing: They Made Me Do It

A WebPress Feature Special: Confessions of the Queen Brandie

I have a confession. Social Median made me into a flasher. Others have always tried to get me to do it, but I never did. Now, they have my trust, they are the only platform who will ever get my flashes. Now, we will flash brands for our talent to the world, using a web-media platform introducing a cast of up & coming sports stars- who care about others....just 'cause we can.

Change Campaigns work because things change. Brands, on the other hand, live or die by the need from the media/community at that particular time. I am no Obama fan, but he has given the people what they want, access to him.

Admittedly, I never looked at Scobelizer's site until today. He was just a guy on Twitter that everyone wanted to follow and was always touted so much that I rebelled against even going to his site. I didn't even have the desire to find out what he was about, until he went with a product that wasn't mainstream...I like people like that. I can identify, so I checked him out. See, he has something I need for work. He has it figured out, the business behind the internet. My clients (talent representation) will benefit from how he has things set up on his site, his own TV channel, interviewing people and staying connected with his audience. However, it's just him. There's significant power in numbers. His numbers. These are the statistics I need to sell the big deals for my clients. Thank you, Scobelizer.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Love at First Write

A Webpress Special: A Tale of Two Brands

It Was Love at First Write
The tale of two brands.


Once apon a time, one year shy of the Twothousand Tentury, the strongest brand in the land Tweeted

“Hear Me! Hear Me! Publish thy thoughts as thy please!”

Many, many followers away, @HandieBrand beseeched the tweet, then pondered the plan.

“The summons I shall accept, I will do as I can”

It wasn’t long before the brands met, word to word,
exchanging titles and thoughts unheard.

A News Flash sparked that day,
then the king of brands turned to say...

To you I shall grant, this reply
Handie, you have gained favor in thine headline.


You have typed thine thoughts, and I shift-Command,
You shall reign as the Princess of Brands!


To be continued.........

Web-stitution for Sales

The question sparked my interest while writing the Dead Brands Walking News Flash on Social Median.com - a new addiction that I will likely need professional help with in 2010.

Did your brand die in one of the "Follow-Me-Not" categories and no one in the Twittosphere loves you? Your first reaction may be to return to your corporate dominatrix strategy, imbedded into every plaque on the wall.

Don't Buy It:
Being locked to the laptop or digi-vice could have something to do with it. Meeting and being with live people has significant effects on intellectual development. People give and release energy, needed to strive and survive. The web-stitution for sales, may bring quick cash, but you'll wake up with a marketing nightmare, longterm.

The About Face - An Immediate Solution?
Sporting Events. You go and spend 3x normal price for food? Nod-Head Here. Bring friends, right? Nod Head Here. They are usually drinking, right? Uh-huh... Each one is a demographic, but combined? This triple-play lights the fire - and sparks fly to their friends and overheard in seats A-F.

If you're dead, who will revive you when last nights Tweets are long gone?

Getting Some - Exposure
Picture This: The gorgeous one - genuine, professionally casual greets you with a beautiful smile ready to give you the latest and greatest classy trinket to make your life easier or somehow more fun.

Misguided Brand Ambassador programs have shown significant results especially in travel & leisure, tourism and gaming industries - they're spending and making millions. But, will it ever be done without big boobs or a Fast Slap 500?

Pull Over!
Where are the new products or startup ventures being branded at these events? What could they spend to be delivered to millions of fans with disposable incomes? Would they dare risk the price of a marketing executive?

What web-brand would you like to see in the stands? My pick: Nutshell Mail....simply because the have Nathan the Nut. surrounded by some smart chicks, blogging all the way to the bank.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Is this for REAL?

If not, Apple certainly has the power to change computing habits for the world, by introducing something so abstract people think they MUST HAVE it, whereby the completely alter the norm. Go Apple.
clipped from www.theonion.com

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard



  • 1
    No Keyboard


    Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard
    (2:37)

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    Friday, January 2, 2009

    New Racer Makes Headlines

    NASCAR doesn't know it, but this guy has dug them out of their funding nightmare by bringing them the boy-crazy demographic. Mommy Daughter dates head to the tracks as some starry eyed tweents to twenty something chicks coo over this new heart throb. NASCAR, take notice of Connor, he could be your saving grace.

    1-2-2009
    CONNOR SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT WITH TRG MOTORSPORTS

    For 2009 Connor will join the Mooresville based
    NASCAR team headed up by Butch Hylton in their driver
    development program in a limited schedule of ARCA
    cars and Camping World Trucks. Details to follow...


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