Holtz Communications + Technology

In July 2006, computer systems company Dell launched Direct2Dell (initially called ‘one2one’), its first public blog designed to be an extension of Dell’s direct business model where the company “learns and improves by listening to customers.”

During the 18 months since its launch, Direct2Dell has helped Dell credibly engage with customers, fans and critics around the globe.

Now, Dell is turning its attention to the role a blog can play…

Forrester Research recently released a case study chronicling the implementation of blogs as an enterprise communication tool at 150-year-old financial services company Northwestern Mutual. The blogs, intended to drive a change to the organization’s culture, instead resulted in increased productivity as most of the employees starting blogs focused them on project management.

The social media platform Northwestern Mutual implemented is from

3, the mobile operator, and Skype, the internet communications company, have launched the Skypephone, a new handset that lets you make free Skype calls and instant messages from your mobile phone. It’s the first time an operator has offered a mass-market device which is tailor-made for free calling over the internet from a mobile.

During the press launch in London on October 29,

Content summary: Shel explains the Philly Cheesesteak; Neville reports on today’s 3 Skypephone launch; upcoming FIR Interview podcasts; discussion: the future of consumer-generated content; the Media Monitoring Minute with CustomScoop; Lee Hopkins reports on stifling problem-solving through denial of oxygen, and more; the consequences of last week’s FEMA fake news conference; Towers Perrin study finds ‘engagement gap’ among global workforce; Sallie Goetsch reports on…

Content summary: Shel’s on a plane; today’s show a bit longer; 15 reasons why Facebook may be worth $15 billion; why you can’t buy a Heineken beer in Second Life; Dan York reports on a new job and much more; the Media Monitoring Minute with CustomScoop; Shel reports from Copenhagen and conversations with Novo Nordisk; listeners’ comments discussion; David Phillips reports on one of those weeks…

Content summary: Neville’s back in the UK sans internet (thanks, Virgin Media), Shel’s in Denmark; Lee Hopkins reports; the Media Monitoring Minute with CustomScoop; SNCR call for 2008 Fellows; growth of social networks; moving from TypePad to WordPress: what about the hyperlinks?; a study on wellness programmes in the workplace; Eric Schwartzman reports from the PRSA 2007 international conference; listeners comments…