Mar 11, 2010

Odds & Ends

ePrize is featured in an article about "cool companies" in metromode. Oddly, what metromode calls out as "cool" is what I found the most annoying at ePrize: "Multiple floors all done up in greens and purples, with a contemporary design and an open floor plan conducive to conversation and paper football.".

Despite rumors of a real management cleanup at ePrize, Jordan Broad is still listed as Executive Vice President, Delivery on the ePrize website. The title is as nebulous as the work he does.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

The article sounds like it was written by a college student. Not to get too focused on the details, but I've never seen the Wii or 360 turned on, and the only person who played the pinball game was Marcus. I can either work all day, get my crap done, and go home to fart around, or I can waste time with a video game and stay late. Ninja please.

Anonymous said...

The article is a joke and once again an attempt by ePrize to fleece the public of metro Detroit. The good thing now is that so many people have left, been mistreated, that the public around town is now aware of exactly how shitty and unethically ePrize treats their employees.

ePrize can only hide their unethical practices for so long. Every single person that has left or been fired has been demonized, and they know it. Unfortunately for ePrize and its esteemed exec team, word spreads.

Anonymous said...

Who writes this blog. I have the hottest new idea (patented) for the Promo industry and am torn between presenting it to ePrize or PrizeLogic... This blog sure makes me lean in one direction.

Anonymous said...

I think Anonymous owns the blog.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous is right. Anonymous does own the blog. That being said, I wouldn't present anything to ePrize. In their past operating model (linkner in charge), he would take your idea and build it, make it his own, cash out some money, and then drive it into the shitter. Talk to Keith at PL.

GB said...

Thanks. Does PrizeLogic have any backing/developement $$? Looks like they got a little a while back but who is funding them?

Perhaps I would take shares in their company if they like my solution.

Thanks for any insights.

GB said...

Likewise, does ePrize currently have funding? Perhaps the new leader, Matt Wise, would be interested in new, next generation ideas?

Anonymous said...

The hottest new idea in the promotions industry, huh? Unless it's how to cash the F out and start from scratch with a product or service that people want to buy, good luck.

Dan said...

thank you guys for entertaining me when I should be doing real work! D'oh!

Anonymous said...

There are tons of promotions shops out there that dont have the "sexy" paint on the walls or hot shot VC firms bankrolling them but are churning out GREAT work. Look them up.

GB said...

Unless it's how to ... start from scratch with a product or service that people want to buy...

UR right! And that is exactly what it is!

The problem in the Promo industry is that you (the industry) are thinking the above when you (the industry) should be thinking:

"a product or service that people (consumers)want me (the industry) to give them"

For example, during McD Monopoly consumers already have what they want to buy (fries), but they are buying more often perhaps for what they are getting beyond the fries- the game and a dream.

The problem is, they are woefully under served and WANT, DESIRE and would absolutely LOVE to be better served by the promo. But what is it they want which would also spur even more sales (measurable) AND build Loyalty AND spread like wildfire like McDs Monopoly in Singapore??? Like Facebook? Like Twitter? That is EXTREMELY VIRAL?

That is what I offer and I am wondering if there is a thought forward visionary who wants to truly change the Promo game and change the rules AND who will utilize my patents to lock it up?

Promo insiders think inside the box. My system is way outside the box. In fact, I believe consumers want it to BE THE BOX. They are saying so all over the web but no one is listening or innovating from inside. But I think the industry may finally be ready to shake things up.

We shall see soon enough. Yes, I get a little excited!!

Any thought leader could simply spend 20 minutes outside a McDonald's asking consumers 2-3 simple questions and would quickly realize what a goldmine awaits for the first mover couple with patent protection. At minimum, a company could lay out a case for raising a lot of money from current investors with a real sole source product for distribution.

Who will be the leader?

GB said...

"There are tons of promotions shops out there that dont have the "sexy" paint on the walls or hot shot VC firms bankrolling them but are churning out GREAT work. Look them up."

I have spoken to many including marketing professors and CPGs. Most were interested, some very much so - but a software development team is needed or sizable funding- most don't have either and the ones who do/did are "stuck in the box". Suggestions for funded thought leaders are welcome!

So I am trying once again as the internet is now much better understood but still woefully underutilized by old school thinking.

The web was/is INNOVATIVE. The Promo industry has only innovated to the extent of putting old offline games online- kind of. Now is the time to take the next leap: out of the box and out into the web. Give the people want they have ALWAYS wanted (but before the web was NOT possible).

I have that product but need the team and a CEO visionary and thoughtful risk taker- with funding.

Dan said...

GB,
If your idea is that great, what are you doing posting it here on a blog mostly filled with disgruntled ex-employees? Do you really think this is the place?

Also, how come there's no way for anyone to contact you? Lastly, if your idea is that good, why aren't you breaking down the door of Angel Investors of VC Firms? There a TONS of them around. A real leader with a powerful idea makes it happen.
Oh, and if you're actually looking for money, be prepared to give up a large % of your future company-to-be. I can't tell you how many people I met who were searching for funding and then wanted to keep all control. The golden rule is not what you think. Here is the revised version:
"He who has the gold, makes the rules"

GB said...

Dan, I am just getting myself jazzed and seeing what sparks interest out there. I have been the route you suggested during the hay days in early 20000- no luck as everyone was shooting for the moon.

Also, I have other businesses and no one to run this one- and nothing to lose by generating interest at this point. Depending on how my calls go, I may just throw it on this board to see what sticks...

In the interim, I am looking for contacts in the industry, with funds, looking for innovative ideas. I have no problem giving away part of the company in return for stock and cash as long as there is a team experienced to run with the ball.

So Dan, please, provide some contact info for the above so I can whittle down the list of calls to make.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Good luck protecting that business method patent, bro.

GB said...

It's a method AND apparatus rather than a just method patent.

Also, patent trolls have made offers to buy but too low until someone starts to copy the system. So I have buyers and really won't lose much by letting the word out.

And the patents are tight- no long winded claims and no one has ever done it before or yet.

Anyway, again, if anyone here has contact names and #s please post them.

I'll check for postings but will post again once/if one of you figures out the answer to the question: what do consumers/users of your Promos want?

Mike White said...

C'mon, girls. Take it offline. We're tired of reading your comments, GB and Dan.

Dan said...

Thanks Mike, who exactly are you?

First, if you'd read my comment, you would have noticed that's exactly what I asked GB to do...take his idea to a meaningful place/listener.

Second, using the royal "we", are we? Or do you speak for everyone on the internet reading this blog? A mighty important voice you have if you do.

Third, it's pretty easy not to read something you don't want to...right now I'm NOT reading a few million other blogs. Whew, that was easy!

Anonymous said...

GB please set up a gmail account so that iterested parties can inquire

GB said...

nextgenpromotion@gmail.com

FYI Just spoke with my patent atty and said no worries. I won't bore you with method patent details and which are the "problems", other than to say my are not the problem type.

Good luck to you all.

Anonymous said...

GD, GB. The early 20,000s? In a galaxy far, far away?

Anonymous said...

A visionary from the future. Is that you, Gary Busey?

GB said...

You got that right, butthorn!

Anonymous said...

expect changes this week

Anonymous said...

What kind of changes , more job losses?

Anonymous said...

They are making great decisions lately. If they don't do something to keep their talent there, they are going to lose some very valuable people. I'm sure it will be ok though - all they need to do is hire some interns to take up those roles. Interns are the answer to everything, you know.

Anonymous said...

Great decisions? The only thing at ePrize that has changed is the addition of Wise. So, unless Karp, Broad, and the rest sit there with their mouths shut and remain a waste of pay, and Wise is making 100% of the decisions....I do not see how anything could have changed. Unless Karp, Broad, Trepanier, and the other esteemed execs are utilizing the Seinfeldian theory of acting on the opposite of every instinct one has.

Most of the employees at ePrize are failures who knew the right people to get in and to stay employed. The production staff is talented, the leadership is brutal.

Anonymous said...

Apparently you didn't catch the sarcasm intended behind "great decisions."

Anonymous said...

OMG WE R GETTIN IPHONES YES WHEEE!!

Anonymous said...

Sweet, a $199 (shit actually probably less at corporate rate/bulk) bonus for a job well done.

When you ask for a raise in a month and they tell you you just got an iphone, then see what you say.

Unknown said...

Glad to see my salary being put to good use. iPhones or really good Interface Developer? iPhones!

Anonymous said...

That is horrible. Lay someone off then buy everyone iphones. wtf kind of culture is that?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Not trying to be a dick but does that mean they pay the added data plan cost? :)

Anonymous said...

Now they are required to spend 30 minutes on Facebook every day. Presumably, to attempt to learn all the shit they have no idea how to do.

I imagine for some, 30 minutes is a laugh. Thirty minutes a day is a huge cut-back for them.

It's kind of cute seeing li'l ePrize, trying to understand the difference between AddThis and Facebook. Or how to make simple applications. Awww. It's like baby's first steps!

Better not learn too fast, ePrizers. As soon as you do - they'll cut your li'l toes off! :)

Anonymous said...

FU