Nike's social network runs the show online

Cool stuff from Nike that runners might already know about: the company launched Nike+, which started as a technology play but evolved into a thriving social network. The technology involves a monitor in the sneaker that relays information to a device (usually an ipod nano), giving runners instant data to drive them.

The jump came when runners started seeing their stats online and challenging one another with their translated data. BusinessWeek calls out the network here, and sums it up nicely:

In the two years since it launched Nike+, a technology that tracks data of every run and connects runners around the world at a Web site, nikeplus.com, Nike has built a legion of fans. In August, for instance, 800,000 runners logged on and signed up to run a 10K race sponsored by Nike simultaneously in 25 cities, from Chicago to São Paulo. Now the company is testing a social network to promote its basketball shoes.

Very interesting to see the power of virtual communications at work...coordinating 800,000 people across the country is a monumental achievement.

Gesmer Updegrove: lawyers that "get it"

How about this for the wise minority? In a conversation with Lee Gesmer at Gesmer Updegrove, LLP, the firm partner noted that there are only 2,000 law blogs registered nationwide. Considering there are somewhere in the vicinity of 700,000 lawyers in the country, that's a paltry showing. Of course, attorneys have a particular sensitivity to casually going on record, so perhaps it makes sense...but just as the CPA blog landscape is growing, I'd expect the legal environment to adapt as well.

On that note, it's worth highlighting Gesmer Updegrove for its online communications -- in addition to its regular website, the firm maintains three separate blogs, each focused on a specific discipline. MassLawBlog is the one that initially caught my eye, as Lee nails the three key elements that make or break a blog:

1. The expertise is solid and relevant to timely information
2. The writing showcases a real sense of personality, and
3. Posts are added with outstanding frequency.

Lee told me that keeping up the with the blog is easy enough as he's a "writer at heart," but even more telling is that he's a self-described "information addict." Time is at a premium for professional services providers, and being infused with those two attributes makes blogging a natural fit.

But why, right?

Allow me to field that one. I may be biased, but I have a firm belief that a coordinated thought leadership campaign carves out competitive advantage with any combination of white papers, published articles, press commentary, blogs and podcasts. I've said such efforts build trust and attract business, and I'm in no way ashamed that I continue to be damn right.

Lee supports the notion. He and his business partner, Andrew Updegrove, have made a habit of putting their thoughts in the public domain; the results are clients who are impressed and calls from around the country from prospects looking to tap their expertise.

The firm's three blogs are worth a look as excellent case studies:

www.masslawblog.com
www.opensourcelegal.org
www.datasecuritylegal.org

A closing note...Lee also mentioned that his firm shies away from massive advertising budgets, believing their thought leadership approach to be extremely effective. It makes one wonder why the trend isn't yet more widespread. Where is the risk?

Election night: the news media's Superbowl

Watching election night coverage, an hour of random media observations:

8:20 -- I can't help but hand over the Most Improved Camper award to CNN. The network has come a long way since the primaries in its use of technology and interactive material; its "magic" touchscreen was a silly prop rife with bugs in January, but tonight it's being used to add solid information and value to the telecast. They've also streamlined all the various graphic tallies to be much easier to read than they were nine months ago.

Well done on that point.

8:30 -- A new element to the online media evolution: now print publications can join the fun of calling the race in real time. This caught my eye when I logged onto WSJ to see that the outlet called Pennsylvania for Obama. In fact, they beat CNN to the punch by a solid 10 minutes. Is this a window into the future convergence of internet and television? What kind of news alliances can we look forward to as the media merges into one giant reporting mechanism?

8:50 -- Fox News has some catching up to do in the technology department. They seem very proud to have a screen that shows red states for McCain and blue states for Obama...and the corresponding electoral votes in a sidebar! Brit Hume tells us it's called "the launch pad," and they're "very excited about it." I wonder if they ever watch any other channels...? They do have that fancy touchscreen, at least.

9:03 -- CNN's touch screen freezes. Always good fun, even with a quick recovery.

9:10 -- And about those print publications...have they completely lost their value? Last week a New Mexico paper declared Obama the winner (tongue in cheek) because their editorial schedule demanded they make a call. That's weird enough, but what new angles will print media be able to add in tomorrow morning's editions?

Enough rambling. Normal blog posts to resume forthwith...!