MindComet

The Axe Effect: Using SPAM to Their Advantage?

A co-worker recently passed me a link to a video showing one of the most creative (yet spammiest) email campaigns I’ve ever seen.  The campaign is for Axe Body Spray in Germany.  It’s a viral campaign which when the referred user gets the email and clicks on the link embedded within, they’re sent to a landing page which displays a can of Axe Body Spray.  When you click on the can, it plays a songs and animates.

Then…

The user gets 15 emails from women, all with subject lines along the lines of “Hmm… hot computer! But not as hot as you =)”  and “Can you do me a favor? Then I can give you my flavor!” with the final email being “You just got the AXE EFFECT!”

Now, this is an extremely creative and unique way to go about a viral email campaign, but it’s a very risky move… the agency who came up with this campaign obviously didn’t take Can-Spam compliance laws into consideration when they were executing this.  I’m sure many major email clients blocked the IP this email was being sent from.

Do you think the benefits outweigh the risks in this case?

Check out the video here.

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Posted by MindComet on Nov. 15, 2007

Windows Live Mail - Email Offline

Instead of fixing their inherent bug with Firefox, it seems like Hotmail is focusing their attention on accessing your email offline.  They’ve recently released a new client-based beta version of Windows Live Mail that allows users to access their email without being online.

They boast that it includes “everything you’ve loved in our existing free email clients” such as Outlook Express.

The new client features:
Access to your hotmail inbox, folders and contacts.
Any changes made offline will be synced once you’re connected to the internet.
Multiple account view.
Access not limited to your Hotmail account; you can also use it with any other email account.

Read the development team’s blog here.
Download the program here.

If you currently use this, or have used this in the past, please comment below.  I’d love to hear some feedback on this.

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Posted by MindComet on Nov. 07, 2007

BtoB Email Marketing Budget Survey

MindComet is teaming up with Marketing Sherpa to provide BtoB marketers a comprehensive analysis of email marketing budgets in 2008.  If you’re interested in participating check out http://www.btobbudgetsurvey.com.

All information will be kept confidential.

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Posted by MindComet on Nov. 05, 2007

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Back in July, Ben Chesnut over at MailChimp wrote an excellent article on deliverability and rendering.  He states that emails are more or less “just miniature web pages” and I couldn’t agree with him more.  Any web designer new to the email design-game should not hesitate to read this.  Here are a few bullet points to sum up the article:

• Not designing for the preview pane is stupid.
• Assuming the images will display on all clients is stupid.
• Using images to communicate your message is stupid.
• Not testing your email in different email clients is stupid.
• Not including an unsubscribe link, a physical address and privacy policy in your footer is stupid.
• Including Javascript and Flash in your email is stupid.

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Posted by MindComet on Nov. 05, 2007

It may not be Ali vs. Frazier, but it’s pretty darn close.

    VS.

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

READ as these two email gurus go head to head to fight for the appeal of internet junkies everywhere.

Thrillist, a fairly new contender in the market, prides itself as being a

“quick, free, daily email… shooting you an article about something you actually care about.”

With its rugged appearance and go-to attitude, Thrillist targets males looking for hot bars, chill nightclubs, and the occasional up-and-coming trend. Although there are plans for expansion in the future, Thrillist only caters to three cities, while offering a fourth edition entitled “Thrillist Nation.” Even though they may not have a publication centered around your town, I suggest subscribing anyway. The emails could easily turn you into the friendly neighborhood know-it-all.

Will the rookie be no match for one of its biggest influences?

Producing twelve “candies” from different cities each day, Daily Candy plays it cool while bringing you the

“insider’s guide to what’s hot, new, and undiscovered.”

Although Daily Candy favors the feminine feeling, it’s safe to say you’re bound to find something interesting on this site. If you’re looking for fashion updates, or just an activity to do this weekend, Daily Candy is your cup o’ tea. I recommend either subscribing to the email closest to your city, or checking out the “Everywhere” edition.

It seems both newsletter competitors will put up a good fight. Only you can determine what the outcome will be.

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Posted by MindComet on Nov. 02, 2007