I recently found a story at BoredPanda.com that highlighted a “creative dad” taking crazy pictures of his daughters. As a photography enthusiast I could not help but pay close attention to these entertaining photos. A few things stood out immediately: 1. I remember seeing similar photos before 2. Is it possible that almost stock looking photography becomes viral? (My wife passed it to me, and someone passed it to her…) So, if I have seen similar photos before, does that mean that I don’t agree this guy is creative? No Creating great photos, mobile apps or even marketing campaigns is not an easy task. As users we seem to be equally impressed by excellence even in the absence of uniqueness and originality. Of course there is a threshold. Even if something has been done before, it does not mean you can’t do it better and get the same or even greater success (e.g. Groupon).
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I recently found a story at BoredPanda.com that highlighted a “creative dad” taking crazy pictures of his daughters. As a photography enthusiast I could not help but pay close attention to these entertaining photos. A few things stood out immediately:

1. I remember seeing similar photos before

2. Is it possible that almost stock looking photography becomes viral? (My wife passed it to me, and someone passed it to her…)

So, if I have seen similar photos before, does that mean that I don’t agree this guy is creative? No

Creating great photos, mobile apps or even marketing campaigns is not an easy task. As users we seem to be equally impressed by excellence even in the absence of uniqueness and originality. Of course there is a threshold.

Even if something has been done before, it does not mean you can’t do it better and get the same or even greater success (e.g. Groupon).

What you sell and what people buy are hardly ever the same thing

- Alan Nowogrodski

Where does this come from? 

Every user will have a different reason for liking your product. If you don’t spend the time to understand your customers, your biggest benefit might be hidden under a rock. 

To Blog or Not to Blog

To blog or not to blog - that is the essential question in the social media age. There is not doubt that blogging has been tremendously successful for many; however, there is no denying that the majority of blogs are a waste of time for companies. Most of us can’t afford to sit and write create content on a regular basis. Even if we did, it does not mean it will be seen by anyone.

So, if I am so pessimistic about the value of blogs, why am I starting one?

I see it as a self therapeutic rant about the mobile industry and pretty much anything around it.

Mobile and I have had a love hate relationship for years. If you ever had to market a mobile product you know what I am talking about. There are hundreds of thousands of apps and very little profitability. Yet we continue to be attracted because of its tremendous potential. Perhaps that’s the topic of another post.

For today, all I have is “Hello World!”