Interview With Andrew Goodman About SEO, PPC, Twitter and Jays
Published May 19, 2009 @ 12:12 in Interviews, SEO: Search Engine Optimization, Twitter

Next month, I'll be attending the Search Engines Strategies 2009 Conference and Expo here in Toronto June 8-10. Now in its 6th year, the event is organized and programmed by Andrew Goodman, the SES Advisory Board and SearchEngineWatch.com, the leading authority on Search Engine Marketing (SEM), including SEO and PPC. That very same Andrew Goodman, founder of Page Zero Media, was nice enough to answer a few questions for me.

Toronto Mike (TM): In my 9-5 job, I spend a small fortune with Google Adwords. What changes would you like to see from Adwords to improve the tool as a lead generator?

Andrew Goodman (AG): Changes? The tool itself has very few glaring shortcomings. It's been a direct marketing tool serving the custom needs of a million customers who collectively spend over $20 billion a year on the channel, with good reason. We'd all love clicks to be cheaper and we'd all love more customers to buy from us, but AdWords features are of course robust, especially the reporting.

As companies increasingly get leads from their "brand" keywords (though some companies debate that), it's important to see full attribution so that mega-high-intent keywords share some of the credit with earlier research keywords and even other digital campaigns. That's gotta be a priority for the AdWords team (crediting assists, etc.).

TM: In the PPC universe, can one live on Google alone? How important are the other other search engines in terms of securing eyeballs?

AG: Easy question. For now, the others have weak market share, and are not very important. We'd all love it if they could improve.

In a general sense it's not healthy to be dependent on any one marketing channel or any one vendor. But in most markets and most verticals, if you're talking strictly about paid search, then 85%+ of your spend ought to be with Google. Anything else flies in the face of measurable search market share and measurable campaign performance.

TM: I love Twitter as a broadcasting system to the masses. I'm trying to see how the corporate world can harness the power of Twitter. How do you see Twitter helping the corporate marketing world?

AG: Yes, for the same reasons that email or RSS can be a great extension of corporate communications if the purveyors of the message or conversation understand the opt-in, permission-based, respectful requirements of the medium.

That's going to be an interesting, ongoing conversation. Mark Evans will dig into this a bit at SES Toronto. Do you want to be following some lame corporate logo (Whole Foods Says X) or a personality (Juanita at Whole Foods says Y)? Not an easy one. I'll leave it to Mark to elaborate.

I've always been amused by Steve Rubel's take on corporate identities in social media. He had this funny line about how cartoon characters shouldn't blog, and no one REALLY desires to follow the Michelin Man. And if Mickey Mouse were to blog, the requirements of authenticity would require the "real" Mickey working at Disneyland to moan: "I'm schvitzing in this suit and these kids are punching me! This sucks!"

TM: How do you stay on top of the highly guarded Google algorithm when it comes to organic rankings? SEO techniques seem to change on a regular basis. How does a web author stay ahead of the curve?

AG: On one hand, you take the wisdom of crowds (even if that means collected expertise of the top SEO people), but then, it's kind of interesting to try to distinguish between uneducated ramblings and mob mentality on forums, and real, principled expertise.

Is it good to be an independent thinker? Sure, to a degree. And then again, siloed thinkers inside IT depts. may ignore the collected expertise of top SEO people. It's important to be plugged in, to understand where we have strong consensus, and where we have reasonable grounds for debate. And where certain assertions are 100% based on superstition.

A good friend, Mike Grehan, author and expert on all things search technology, takes the tack of listening very closely to what search scientists say.

I've always sort of leaned in that direction. You want to understand the principles underlying search, and take into account some combination of the principles search engines want to pursue, and your judgment of what the economics of the situation and the adversarial game nature of the situation will create in the real world. Everyone in this game is in there trying to "read the tea leaves," and I'm not sure why it is that some are better than others at continuing to read them reasonably correctly.

Remember back to the infamous Florida update. That and subsequent Google algorithmic "crackdowns" caught a lot of clever SEO's off guard. They grew accustomed to their warmed-over linking tactics working, etc., and then as Google inevitably got better at evaluating the true worth of certain sites and pages in the consumer's eyes, wham! a bunch of "optimized" sites got hit. But to not see that coming was to assume that short-term tactics would last forever, in the absence of sound, integrated digital marketing strategy. It's not long ago that people thought hidden white-on-white text, text hidden in CSS layers or in comment tags, etc., was a "clever" SEO strategy. Maybe if you're setting up throwaway microsites for poker gaming, but not for the rest of us. Sigh.

Believing what Google says flat-out (that is, they say X, they mean X) is also a pretty good idea. On the paid search side, you can point to a few publishing business models that were earning $20+mm a year for their small owners just buying and selling clicks in 2004-2006. In the more recent period 2008-2009, the same businesses earn 95% less than they did before. If Google explicitly states something is against their rules, and the CEO is telling the national press why that is the case, they mean it.

On the paid search side you can go on Google's Inside AdWords blog and discover that Google actually has a hate-on for certain business models. Needless to say that poses a major challenge if you run one of those kinds of sites: http://adwords.blogspot.com/2007/09/websites-that-may-merit-low-landing.html -- and amazingly, some people are dismissive, and conduct their affairs like that's just an opinion. (Google's opinion is never "just an opinion," unless perhaps in a court of law.) When the "tea leaves" are actually there in black and white and in English, they don't need a whole lot of interpretation. Call it a Google Slap and Tickle or Quality Score Madness, call it what you will, but they're not kidding around.

Back to SEO. While I wouldn't exactly suggest you can learn everything you need to know about SEO from Google's "Webmaster Guidelines" page, it is the case that there are solid principles underlying great SEO... with micro-tactics being only slightly important in the mix. Information architecture and site performance tuning, for example, are part of a solid SEO foundation, but how many companies even know what those are? We have a session on this at SES Toronto anchored by the popular Shari Thurow.

TM: How about a hot PPC and SEO tip for the readers of TorontoMike.com?

AG: User experience issues - if you take care of them - can indirectly lead to better search rankings and PPC efficiency. On the SEO side, clean up code weight and make pages load faster and you may see a nice improvement in rankings. On the paid search side, similar basic fixes can lead to higher conversion rates.

That's the thing that companies don't want you to tell them: the magic isn't magic, and there's real navigation, marketing, and testing that goes on. You don't fire all your SEO effort into a silo called metatags (very little or none of it, arguably) or keyword "stuffing", and you don't get 100% success with PPC by building long keyword tests or some other one-dimensional philosophy. They both require a full effort, involving many moving parts.

TM: You're a Toronto guy. Are the Blue Jays for real this season?

AG: Dude: they are totally for real. I've been to the ballpark three times already and I expect to be back to quite a few more before season's end. We can talk about individual player performances and the amazing patchwork pitching staff, of course... but what strikes me as giving them that slight edge is Cito's and the coaching staff's leadership. Showing confidence in players and giving them philosophies to work with pays off, but so does firm control, being pretty ruthless with personnel at times. You'll notice they haven't given Brandon League many innings because he hurts the team with his wildness even though he can throw 100mph. Overrated BJ Ryan gets sent down to AA with an "injury" but the real reason is: he's sucking canal water and there are no special rules for high paid busts. Gotta love Cito. Go Jays!

I'd like to see Alex Rios become more disciplined at the plate. Currently, he is shining mostly on pure talent. Imagine if he combined that with focus and discipline.

Thanks, Mike, for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Article Permalink    2 Comments

The Definitive Humble and Fred Interview
Published April 27, 2009 @ 08:34 in Humble and Fred, Interviews

Humble and Fred are reuniting to record their 20th Anniversary Podcast of Memories on May 2. You're welcome to hang with us at the Dominion at Queen, just get there for 1:30pm.

In anticipation of this first Humble and Fred recording since February 11, 2007 when I joined the guys for the Humble and Fred Podcast of Love at Dan Duran's house, I peppered both Humble Howard Glassman and Fred Patterson with the same 13 questions.

Judging from their candid and interesting answers, May 2 is going to be a blast. Here's how it all went down.

Toronto Mike (TM): How did your first meeting together go? What was your first impression of each other?

Fred Patterson (FP): It was in Montreal in the summer of 1989. Danny Kingsbury was the Program Director of CFNY at the time and he thought Humble and I would work well together so they flew me to Montreal one day to meet him.

Howard picked us up at the airport in a Volkswagen Fox and then took us through a hairy ride through the city. He appeared to be an impatient driver and a bit of a nut but that assessment wasn't totally fair. He turned out to be a pretty patient driver.

Humble Howard (HH): Our first meeting went very well... We drank beer, made each other laugh and had a fine old time... My first impression of Fred was that he was very funny in a very odd way and a great guy. Pretty much my impression for the last 20 years.

TM: How exactly did you two end up with the morning shift on CFNY back in '89?

FP: I had evolved into a sportsguy / co-host with a few morning men at CFNY. Steve Anthony, Randy Taylor and Skot Turner. None of those guys panned out but the powers that be always wanted me to stay on as co-host and then Kingsbury came up with the Humble and Fred idea.

HH: I was doing mornings with Jeff Lumby in Montreal and in fact the PD and GM of CFNY originally wanted to hire Jeff and I to come to Toronto. Jeff didn't want to leave the MTL and after meeting with them, I called later and said I was definitely into it. Fred came to meet me and that's how the Humble and Fred show was created. Lumby later came to Toronto and worked mornings for many years at various stations.

TM: What's your all-time favourite Humble and Fred memory?

FP: Too many to mention. Generally my favourite memories deal with being on-air and coming up with relevant comedy and genuine laughter – something you don't hear a lot of these days, especially genuine laughter.

HH: Hard to say. We had so many great moments, huge laughs, a bit of success and a whole lot of fun. One of my favourite memories was the dude licking the pigs ass and not winning a contest... another was playing guitar with Steven Page while he sang Brian Wilson. Another great show was interviewing Kevin Smith with some no-name actor who was tagging along. Kevin was promoting Chasing Amy and the actor was hanging with Kevin while he was in town shooting Good Will Hunting. The Actor wouldn't shut up and Kevin, Fred and I kept making fun of him. That dude was Ben Affleck. I also loved the fact that we actually became number 1 with men and women 18-34 and never told anybody.

TM: If you could have done anything different with the show during its run what would that have been?

FP: There's really nothing I would do differently, however, if I could go back, I would have appreciated it more. We had a good thing going but while you're doing it you sort of take it for granted.

HH: Play less music.

TM: What was the dumbest thing one of your bosses ever said about the show or your work?

FP: It would have been said through management at the Mix. He asked us why we kept talking about personal things on the air.

The answer was obvious. We were doing the Humble and Fred Show. The show he paid big money for. You think he would have done a little more homework and realized what he was buying. Then again, we should have done a little more homework and realized what we were selling.

HH: One of our bosses told me that maybe we should stop saying the name of the Radio station and just count on people to know who we were.

TM: Name a person you interviewed who was a total jerk, a.k.a. The Billy Bob syndrome.

FP: Howard will agree. Al Waxman. He came in to promote something with little or no idea who we were and without realizing how large our audience was. He was an asshole.

HH: Al Waxman.

TM: CHUM FM had a long run with Roger, Rick and Marilyn. If you could have added a 3rd person, who would it have been?

FP: No question from my standpoint. Sandra Plugakis. She was outstanding as our newscaster back in the late 90s and would have been a great "official 3rd."

HH: Toronto Mike... or a really hot chick like Megan Fox. No scrap that, just Toronto Mike.

TM: Other than EZ Rock, what Toronto radio show would you awaken to today?

FP: John Oakley. I love talk radio and I like his presentation. I also enjoy Bill Carroll. I think there's a huge market for talk radio in Toronto, but with all due respect to the powers that be, none of them are doing it the way I would. It's got to be balanced with more fun and humour.

Very few people spend all day talking about what's wrong with the world, so why would they want to listen to it?

(Mike Stafford has the best balance in town. He can talk about absolutely anything and still make you chuckle – that's the key)

The MOJO format needed more time. They were on to something very good.

I should also say that I'd like to listen to Howard, but I don't have a vagina or any of the problems associated with having one.

HH: Bill Carroll.

TM: Is there something you guys did back then that you could never get away with now?

FP: I'm not sure any of the Really Tough Contest stuff would fly today. A couple had sex in a tent in our studio with a microphone in between them. Another guy beat off several times in the studio bathroom and I'm not sure you could gather a couple of hundred people at a restaurant to watch a guy lick a pig's ass.

HH: Probably not. We did some stuff (Attempted Crucifixion of our Producer) that we shouldn't have done then but we were pretty tame by today's Edge 102 standards.

TM: Is there a song you played which you couldn't stand?

FP: I'll spend the next few days compiling a list of shit we played at the Mix and then get back to you.

HH: Lots. I've always said that I loved a lot of the music, hated some and hadn't heard of lot of it. Which is the same description I could give today at the Mighty EZ!

TM: Why do you think you two worked so well together?

FP: We had basically the same sense of humour and played off each other quite well. It got to the point where you knew exactly what the other guy's reaction was going to be and that led to some great moments.

HH: I think we genuinely liked each other and considering we spent 5-6 hours a day for the better part of 15 years together, we got along remarkably well. Plus we both thought fart jokes were funny.

TM: Where do you see radio in 5 to 10 years? Are podcasts the future of radio?

FP: I can't begin to speculate, although I do wonder if there will be any music on the radio. I can't see it as the delivery system for music in the years the come given the huge leaps in technology.

Younger people are using the radio less and less and as time goes on older demos will become more comfortable with personal listening devices and use them more.

Sooner than later, the "immediate" spoken word is the only unique thing that radio will be able to offer.

HH: In Canada radio will be basically unchanged, although PPM will change the way it's programmed slightly, a lot of the same old will still be on and the real innovations will be taking place elsewhere. As for Podcasts, they already are where really great broadcasters are and maybe that's where H+F will end up on a more regular basis.

TM: Why the fuck aren't Humble and Fred still on the radio?

FP: Humble is, but if you mean together, I can't answer that. The business can be somewhat bewildering. Over the past week I've spent way too much time wondering why Ben Mulroney is on the radio now and I'm not.

Go figure.

HH: No idea... why not ask the PD at Jack FM, who's also the afternoon drive guy and janitor.

Article Permalink    9 Comments

Humble Howard: An Exclusive Interview
Published August 12, 2008 @ 18:20 in Humble and Fred, Interviews, Radio

Now that he's had two mornings under his belt as co-host of the new EZ Mornings with Humble, Kim and Colleen show on 97.3 EZ Rock, I pummelled Humble with a few questions.

As always, he was happy to comply and he even got me sniffing with his final answer. Enjoy this exclusive interview with Humble Howard Glassman. *sniff*

Q: How does it feel to be back on morning radio in Toronto?
A: Weird. Good, odd and a bit strange. I keep thinking that I've just come back from a really long vacation and that maybe I wasn't fired after all. Having said that I'm very happy to be doing what I really love to do even if I haven't gotten any better at it!

Q: Has there been any rumbles in the hall with Mad Dog and Billie? I know you guys are down the hall from one another...
A: Yes, Billie punched me and took my lunch money. Actually I did see them last week and they couldn't have been nicer.

Q: Are there any plans to bring The Humble Report to EZ Rock?
A: At this point, no...but it's early days now and as the show evolves it might return in another, gentler form. Much like myself.

Q: The EZ Rock website promotes a fourth member of the team. The teaser silhouette tells us it's a male. Care to spill the beans as to who it will be?
A: Well I didn't want to say anything but I'm happy to report that it will be Ed the Sock...except this time he'll be funny.

Q: When will you introduce the weekly segment with Toronto Mike?
A: Strange that was one of the first things I asked my boss,"Why has this station not already signed the great Toronto Mike, master blogger and SEO wizard?" Shame, I say. To be honest and quite sappy, one of the many good things that happened to me after I got fired was meeting TO Mike and the rest of the fine Boon clan and that is the dang truth. Go ahead Boon, have a sniffle. I hope that works for you and your many fine Toronto Mike fans, unfortunately it's about 6:15 pm now and I have to get ready for bed. Peace out!

Article Permalink    7 Comments

Alpha-Getti Ad Kid Spills Deets About Gobbler
Published May 8, 2008 @ 13:59 in Interviews

Yesterday, I shared the elusive Alpha-Getti ad featuring the Alpha-Getti Gobbler. Ryan Barnett was the boy at the table who didn't say "You're the Alpha-Getti Gobbler!". Yesterday, he was kind enough to share details about the shoot and his memories of the ad.

While taking a break from work I wondered if any of my old commercials I did ever made it on You tube.  To name a few, McDonalds (Starring Lanny McDonald), a Movie with David Copperfield, Mr. Clean, Rice Krispies, Boots Drug Stores (Remember these stores?) and of course Alpha Getti.  I typed alphagetti gobbler commercial into google and was stunned by the numerous people talking about this ad on blogs and chat rooms and was stunned that there were no pictures or copies of the commercial lying around.  This is when I stumbled onto your blog and read through all the commentary regarding your post and was shocked by how many people remembered this commercial 

It felt kind of crazy to me that people actually remembered this ad, it was definitely a good one but it was soooo long ago!  I remember that this ad ran on Canada tv for about 5 years and people loved the famous line "Your the alpha getti gobbler".  I'm definitely not a big shot movie star, espescially now because I'm a Chartered Accountant at 30 years old.  But I can't lie, it feels pretty damn cool! 

My commercial career ended in my childhood days when I lost my baby teeth and they told me that without a smile I was out of a job.  I guess that's how the commercial life goes.  I can't complain though, all my commercials from my younger days paid fully and completely for my University education.

I don't remember anything about the kid who said the famous line but the commercial was filmed in downtown Toronto and it was a local casting so I'm thinking the kid with the famous line was also from Ontario but I could be wrong.

I remember doing the ad with that big yellow "gobbler".  Technology was not very updated back then and I remember that someone had to get into the suit but parts of the suits were mechanic and moved with remote control.  But for the record, it wasn't all a machine there was definitely a person inside that creature.  I also remember a bunch of the kids in the ad were frightened by this big device they didn't know what to expect from it and getting everyone to concentrate on the ad was a task.

I'm really glad I stumbled on your blog and now hopefully the empty void of people not being able to remember the good old commercials in today's world filled with such crappy commercials can be filled.

Anyways... I hope by me stumbling on this blog allows many people can relive the good old days and enjoy one of the great commercials of the past.

If you haven't seen the ad yet, it's right here waiting for you. Thanks Ryan, for sharing the video with me and for giving us further details about this commercial.

Article Permalink    3 Comments

The Fred Patterson Interview
Published August 13, 2007 @ 15:51 in Humble and Fred, Interviews, Radio

Fred Patterson, or Freddie P as he's often called, is best known as one half of the Humble & Fred morning show. I met him through Humble Howard and helped him with his popular blog, FreddieP.ca.

Fred's a gracious guy, and he was nice enough to grant me an interview. Here's my interview with Freddie P.

Q: How did Fred Patterson get his start in radio? Tell us about breaking into the biz and that little yellow house in Brampton.
A: After leaving Seneca College in 1978 I took a job at CKFH (now the Fan) writing traffic reports for the morning man who at the time was Brian Barker.

I worked three hours a day for $2.50 an hour. I had to walk half a mile from my house in Scaborough to the bus stop at Birchmount and Eglinton at 4:30 in the morning. CKFH was basically at Yonge and College.

I went all that way to earn $7.50 a day but it was worth it because it put me in the environment of a radio station that leaned heavily towards sports.

Before long I was working the board for Blue Jays baseball and helping out on Bob McCown's original sports talk show, "Talking of Sports."

It was great but I wanted to be "on air" at the folks at FH thought I was too young and green, so at McCowns urging I started to look around and that's how I ended up in Brampton at CHIC 790 - a disco station that needed a news and sports announcer.

It wasn't long before David Marsden hired me to do sports on CFNY (CHIC's sister station) and that's where I stayed for 22 glorious years.

Q: We're missing your voice on Toronto radio. What's next for Freddie P?
A: I have no idea. I'd love to get back into radio but I'm a realist. It's a different business today with less competition and way more interest in bottom line. Ideally I dream of having my own talk show in Toronto, but so do four thousand other people.

I miss the radio station environment and the interaction with people. I'd love to get up each day and have a show to create and present in my own way.

People might laugh at the comparison, but my website has been great therapy for me and in a way constructing it is much like you would a radio talk show. Take a subject, analyze it, give your opinion, piss off a few people, and then wait for the response.

Q: People my age are particularly fond of Mr. Goohead. I want to know the origin of Mr. Goohead and when we can expect a major motion picture featuring the character.
A: When someone makes me an offer. Fat chance.

Mr. Goohead was a real spring board for me. It was his creation that led to my move from sportscaster to morning show co-host. It showed that there was another side to me.

The first episode happened in 1987 with the "Time Change" episode on the Steve Anthony morning show. The clocks and just changed and something inspired me to call a Chinese restaurant and screw with the guy. The voice just came out and the name came from my brother in law who used to call people gooheads.

It got such a great reaction I just kept thinking of concepts and doing them.

At the same time, it was one of those things that after 15 years I grew tired of. Morning shows changed and so did the Humble and Fred Show and prank calls simply didn't inspire me any more.

I still have over a hundred episodes and feature them on my website. freddiep.ca

Q: What happened to that BBQ show you hosted on television? Admittedly, my memory is a little hazy, but I remember you giving grilling tips. Was that a cool gig?
A: The money and the experience were fantastic. The product wasn't so great.

I was hired with the understanding that CTV wanted Fred Patterson, the down to earth every day guy who worked on CFNY. I was going to do a relaxed presentation, very casual and off the cuff.

But then the sponsor got involved.

Chinette plates decided they didn't want that image. They made high class paper plates so you couldn't have a guy sloppin' stuff on and off the barbeque. You know, reality.

Instead it turned into a formal and stiff segment that I wasn't especially proud of.

Q: You've done quite a bit of podcasting since you left radio. There's the work you do at beer.com and those awesome Humble & Fred podcasts we did from Dan Duran's house. Will there be another Humble & Fred podcast this Christmas?
A: They were well received so It would be a shame to let the tradition die. But who knows what will be happening by Labour Day let alone Christmas.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. Call it timing. The right movie at the right time for me and nothing has surpassed it.

Q: I've noticed a conservative slant at freddiep.ca. When did you sell your soul to the devil?
A: How does the saying go. NDP at 20, Liberal at 30, then you grow up and become Conservative at 40. And I know of what I speak because I've voted for all three parties over the years.

Believe it or not, I'm not partisan. Just give me good honest government. Like that rat Mike Harris who did nothing but do what he said he was going to do. Some of it backfired, but nobody can say he lied to them.

It absolutely amazes me that after 13 years of corrupt Liberal government at the federal level, and four years of Liberal deceit at the provincial level that anyone could even dream of voting for that party.

But people seem to be so anti-conservative they're willing to forgive and forget anything.

Q: I'm a little young to remember Pete 'n Geets, but I hear amazing things. What was it like being a part of that genius?
A: Pete and Geets were fantastic. They were Canada's pioneer FM morning show, and here's what I mean by that. In the early days of CHUM-FM they changed the way morning radio was done.

Less music, more talk, irreverent instead of corny and they didn't yell at you like the am morning shows did. When they came to CFNY in 1980, it got even better.

I often find it amusing how much credit Howard Stern gets for bringing a different style of morning show to radio, but his "style" was being established by Pete and Geets before Stern was even out of college. But without the tits and ass.

And of course, Pete and Geets never got the credit they deserved, mainly because they never had huge ratings. But as we've learned over the years, ratings doesn't mean quality.

The current ratings system is a joke and has robbed Toronto of a lot of good radio over the years.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share with the Toronto Mike crowd?
A: Yea. You don't know what you've got till it's gone. Don't be sad it's over, be glad it happened. Eat lots of fibre and teach your children well.

Article Permalink    3 Comments

Web 2.0 Marketing
Published March 22, 2007 @ 20:53 in Interviews

Earlier today I wrote about the invitation I received to see Edward Scissorhands at the Hummingbird Centre. I wondered aloud how many other Toronto bloggers got the same offer. I figured there was no better person to ask than Julie Giles from AWA Touring Services in New York City as she's the woman who sent me the invitation in the first place.

I hit up Julie for a few answers to the questions I couldn't shake from my mind. As you'll read, she was very accommodating.

How many Toronto bloggers are getting this invitation?
About 20 but that number is divided over several communities. For example, we've invited several "cultural trendsetters", several "mommy" bloggers, bloggers from the Goth community, and so on...

How did you determine which Toronto bloggers would get an invite?
We look for bloggers who have interests that dovetail with the subject matter. A sports blogger, for example, would not be interested in this show but a photoblogger might be -- based on the fact the show is highly visual and features very dramatic sets and costumes. I guess you could say we look for a good "fit".

Have you tried this form of web 2.0 marketing in the past and was it successful?
We've been doing Web 2.0 marketing for this particular tour since November. It has been very successful in urban markets like San Francisco and Toronto where there is typically a large number of bloggers writing on a variety of topics. That being said, we've also had successes in smaller markets such as Charlotte, NC, and St. Louis, MI. In these markets, we took a slightly different approach and worked with people and their networks in MySpace and Facebook. It's been a very interesting experience.

Article Permalink    0 Comments

The Bingo Bob Interview
Published March 2, 2007 @ 14:05 in Interviews, Radio

I met Bingo Bob for the first time when we all showed up at Dan Duran's house to record the 17th annual Humble & Fred Christmas Show. He used to produce the Humble & Fred morning show and recently scored a cool gig producing the morning show at 103.9 Proud FM, the first radio station in Canada catering to the LGBT crowd. I just Googled it... LGBT means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, in case you didn't already know that.

When I threw these questions at Bob, I thought Proud FM had already launched. It turns out I was just hearing a test of the signal. Nevertheless, here's my interview with Bingo Bob.

Q: People know Bingo Bob from The Humble & Fred morning show. What went down in July of 2006. Spill the deets...
A: July 2006 was the end of a very significant part of my life. It had already been a strange 11 or 12 months...as Fred was let go a year earlier...leaving Humble Howard and myself the last two left from way back at the Edge days working together. But on July 15th I got a call from the assistant to the GM at Standard Radio Toronto at about 3:30 in the afternoon asking me to come in to the station at 5:30...yikes. I knew exactly what was coming. It was one of the worst feelings in the world. I had never been fired from anything, never mind something I cared so much about. Humble's explanation of how it felt in his article in the Post was very accurate. It's quite surreal. I wasn't even married a year yet, and it was the day before a planned two week vacation in London and Paris...talk about putting a damper on the festivities. I got to the station, my GM told me they are "going in a different direction in mornings"...and that was that. They walked me out...told me I could come back and get my stuff if I wanted...but I didn't...I stopped off at the morning show office and took as many office supplies as possible.

Q: How did you get the nickname Bingo Bob?
A: When I first walked into The Humble and Fred Show @ Edge102 to become an intern, Humble asked me what I did...and lucky me I was a bingo caller/runner/manager. So I immediately became Bingo Bob.

Q: Congrats on being the first Morning Show Producer for the new Proud FM. How is it working with Ken Kostick and Mary Jo Eustace?
A: They are terrific...very nice people who have a great chemistry...I can't wait to get on the air with them...and they cook! It's awesome.

Q: The launch of Proud FM was awfully quiet. You're the first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender focused station in the country. Shouldn't you be bringing the noise?
A: Well, we aren't launched as of yet. If you do happen upon 103.9 while in your car, what you are hearing is merely a test of the signal...we don't launch until Mid-April.

Q: I'm a heterosexual male. Am I allowed to listen?
A: We are an inclusionary station, we don't JUST cater to the LGBT crowd, we are for everyone.

Q: Who's funnier? Humble or Fred?
A: Hmmmm...actually neither of them. I find them both to be quite serious and somewhat melancholy.

Q: In some quarters, Proud FM is probably a little controversial. Have you had any negative response? Do you receive homophobic email?
A: I haven't yet, but I know some people who were involved in the CRTC application have received death threats.

Q: The Proud FM website has been coming soon for a while now. Do you need a little help with that?
A: Let me ask around...I like your stuff...so we will see!

Q: I live a little west of the downtown core. I get 103.9, but it's a little fuzzy. Any plans to boost the signal so you come in clear throughout the 416?
A: Right now our signal is one of the smallest in Toronto...depending on where you are in the 416 you might have a hard time picking it up on a home stereo...but if you are listening in your car, we are coming in quite well all over the place. My dad called me the other day to say that he was listening while working in Brampton.

Q: Is there anything else you want to share with the Toronto Mike crowd?
A: Not that I can think of...Just that they should keep checking your site as often as possible, anybody who loves Humble and Fred, Pearl Jam and The Simpson's can't be half bad. (Those too are three of my favourite things) And of course to check out my blog too: http://blog.myspace.com/bingobob I have to admit I have been a little light on the postings as of late...who knew building a radio station from the ground up would be so much work?

Article Permalink    3 Comments

My Blogerati File
Published November 24, 2006 @ 12:37 in Interviews, Press Recognition

blogTO has profiled me in their Blogerati Files feature. Click on other there and read my snappy answers to Lily Dustbin's tricky questions.

If you've clicked on over from blogTO, welcome. Hit up the archives and make yourself comfy.

Article Permalink    4 Comments

Raymi the Minx Raw
Published November 14, 2006 @ 15:02 in Interviews

Raymi is a local Toronto blogger who gushes words of wisdom at http://raymitheminx.blogspot.com. I interviewed her a couple of years back and decided we needed a sequel. Here's another interview with Raymi the Minx.

Q: Word Tutor defines a minx as "A seductive woman who uses her attractiveness to exploit men". Are you exploiting men, and if you are, what's in it for you?
A: i came up with that name when i was 15 when i wanted to exploit men and then i did for a little while but not anymore, everyone got something out of the transaction i like to think.

Q: You've been blogging for quite a while now. Is there an end game? What's your blogging objective?
A: no end game per se, just something to do to keep my mind sharp, unless i lose the ability to use my fingers, there most likely will not be an end to writing, whether it be on my blog or somewhere else, who knows, i cannot fortell the future. my objective is to be disgustingly rich and have a lot of plastic surgery i don't fucking know, what's your objective? i've been asked this question numerous times, sorry.

Q: What kind of money are you making from your site?
A: that's a personal question and honestly do you expect me to answer it? how much does your mom make? who is to say that i make any money off it at all. i mean, i make money off the things i sell, books and junk and art.

Q: I parlayed my last interview with you into an interview with your buddy Matthew Good. Are you friendly with Gord Downie?
A: no but can you get me his phone number?

Q: Speaking of Matthew Good, you wrote about touring with him. How was that? Spill the stuff you weren't allowed to write about on your site.
A: dude you did this segue matthew good shit last time fucking interview him if you want to know. i am not going to blab personal shit about my friend who happens to be famous in some internet emailed interview so all his fans can masturbate and cut themselves to it. i was drinking 85% of the time, it was a great time, late nites watching carnivale on the bus, great shows, blah etc.

Q: There are rumours on the internets that you're considering a move south of the 49th parallel. Are you planning to move to Cali?
A: what the fuck? where did that come from? seriously that's funny. give me the link to this rumor.

Q: You periodically post pictures of yourself in the nude. I'm guessing this attracts a certain audience that visits for this purpose and this purpose alone. If you stopped posting these pix, how many regular visitors to you suspect you'd lose?
A: i rarely post nudes my hits have not declined, my blog is more than my tits, granted a lot of retards read my blog but i see it my blog is for the retarded, it's like a learning manual for life or an AA meeting that never ends.

Q: What's your favourite song these days?
A: that gary jules cover of mad world

Q: Did you vote yesterday?
A: no i have never voted

Q: Is there anything further you'd like to share?
A: can you not piss me off so much next time please, thanks.

Other interviews I've conducted:

• Humble Howard
• The Hey Mister Girl
• Custom
• Kevin Shea
• Matthew Good
• Raymi
• Custom

Article Permalink    3 Comments

An Interview With Humble Howard
Published August 23, 2006 @ 19:14 in Edge 102 ~ CFNY, Humble and Fred, Interviews, Radio

I have fond memories of the Humble & Fred morning show on CFNY Edge 102, and those memories sparked this entry back in 2004. A year later, I was saddened to learn Fred Patterson had been released of his duties at Mix 99.9 and Humble was Fred-less. On July 14 I openly wondered if Humble Howard was okay after seeing a bump in visitors searching for answers as to why he too was let go by the Mix. The next day people started to learn Humble Howard was off Toronto radio for the first time in seventeen years and they came to this site for updates, support and to share their appreciation. This is how I met Howard Glassman.

A dozen phone calls, twenty emails and one lunch later, I consider Humble Howard a friend. He's genuinely decent and funny, a rare combination that I always have time for. Considering this site has attracted thousands and thousands of unique visitors looking for information on Humble and over 300 people have left comments about the man, I thought it might be cool to interview Humble so those looking for a Humble fix could get one. Here's my interview with Humble Howard Glassman.

Q: Let's address the 2000 kg elephant in the room and get it over with. You were on the radio in this city for seventeen years until last month. What the hell happened? This isn't the National Post, give us the real scoop.
A: The scoop? Nothing you haven't heard. I was hired, I worked, I was fired. They decided to go in a different direction... first without Fred and then without me.

Q: Since that fateful day in July, over 300 fans have dropped by http://www.mikeboon.com/2006/07/humble_howard_are_you_okay.html to let you know how damn missed you are. How does that feel?
A: Amazing. I can't believe that many people give a crap. I have read all the comments and I can tell you it feels great to have had even a little impact on people's lives. Fred and I have spoken quite a bit recently about the nice things people have said especially when it comes to a possible Humble and Fred Reunion on Satellite.

Q: Most readers of this site are from the Great White North. Please share with us the details of your Canadian roots. We love CanCon.
A: No, I love CanCon. Trooper, Chilliwack, BTO, Glass Tiger - all the way to BNL and The Tragically Hip. Not to mention that frisky minx Nelly Furtado.

As for me... 5 provinces. Moose Jaw, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. Many radio stations, a kids TV show, the asinine puppet show and some standup.

Q: I listened to your entire career at CFNY. That was my station and the Humble & Fred morning show was my wake up call every morning throughout high school and university. In 1991, you disappeared for while. What the heck happened there?
A: I left to go to CKFM in May of 1991. The Spirit was gone and I needed to get a real job.

After Labor Day 91 the station became the Mix. 19 months later I went back to work at CNFY which almost immediately became THE EDGE. I missed working with Fred and thought he and I did our best radio together.

Q: There are rumours on the internets that your relationship with Fred Patterson is a lot like the infamous chilly relationship between Siskel and Ebert. How do you two get along when the microphone is turned off?
A: We get alone fine... see my answer above.

A few people have questioned my staying at the Mix after Fred was fired... Fred wasn't one of them. I can't believe some questioned my loyalty to Fred by not quitting when he was canned. I had a family to feed and he was being paid... if I quit I wouldn't have been - plain and simple. I guess we could have gone to live with him and his wife but it might have been a little crowded.

Q: What's your favourite movie?
A: The Godfather.

Q: You were a regular on The Dini Petty show on CTV. What's she like? She was born in England, ya know.
A: Dini was fine. I didn't know she was from England, her teeth seemed fairly straight to me.

Q: I hear things didn't end well with you and the sock on Ed's Night Party? Care to dish the deets?
A: I don't want to say anything about ED or the midget that has his hand up his ass that hasn't already been said by just about everyone that's met him.

Q: What's next for Humble Howard? Are you okay? Any chance of a Humble & Fred reunion?
A: I'm busy doing nothing... I'm okay and I would look for a Humble and Fred reunion sooner rather than later.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to share with the MikeBoon.com faithful?
A: I would only like to say that this blog and the comments on it are the main reason I get out of bed every day... that and the booze.

Also, I would like to add that I've met Mike Boon and you sir are no Mike Boon.

As well I would like everyone who reads this to know Mike Boon is a slow eater. Should they ever be lucky enough to dine with you they should put aside a minimum of 90 minutes for breakfast, 2 hours 15 for lunch and at least 3 hours 20 for supper. These figures are estimates, actual Mike Boon eating times may vary.

Article Permalink    18 Comments