websense

Apparently Volvo has taken a step in the SEO direction – a big one. They have hired an SEO firm to deliver a pretty nice range of SEO services. They will be optimizing the Volvo site, “from the ground up” according to a press release. The firm will also be will running full gammet of services for Volvo, including the following:
“blogger outreach, event and community management, digital PR and social marketing and buzz tracking as part of an integrated multimedia marketing strategy”.

A quick read of the press release suggests that Volvo really “gets it”. They seem to understand what Web marketing is all about, that the goal is to reach that audience that is waiting and looking for their product. They also seem to grasp how important branding is, and are going after safety (as has always been the case with Volvo) as well as the whole green movement. They are sticking to what worked for them in marketing their cars in the past, but are utilizing the Web to do it.

This is really exciting. I look forward to seeing the impact this will surely have on Volvo’s marketing, and ultimately, sales. I also hope that some of the American car companies take a good look at what is happening at Volvo, see how valuable it will be, and decide to do some of the same things. I especially would look forward to seeing the Ford Motor Company, who has yet to accept any bailout funds, do so. I would love to see them change their marketing strategy, go for the more cost effective Web marketing, and really make a success of it. Chevy.com started doing some SEO, and we will continue to watch for more changes. I think this could be the start of something really positive!

Okay, so maybe it is a really bad pun to say that the Swine Flu has gone viral (and not really accurate, web wise, but who can resist?), but three web outfits decided to throw together a website where you can get up to the minute news on the Swine Flu outbreak. NameCheap, (domain name registration) and cPanel (web hosting) has partnered with Platformic (dynamic content management system) to create and launch the site, all services donated.

So, I think this is a kind of cool idea, maybe a little scary if you have decided to be all worried about another flu. The site can give you information about where it started, how it is spread, any new cases being discovered. It also has some tips on how to avoid spreading the swine flu (and really, any other illness). The site has an up to date newsfeed as well as a Google map displaying where new cases have been found.

I know this new swine flu is really nothing to joke about, as it has resulted in some deaths and illness, as any flu does, but I think keeping a cool head, (sorry, another bad pun), washing your hands, and not panicing are the best ways to combat it. If you feel sick, stay away from people! Otherwise, we all go about our business, and try to be smart about not passing on germs. I certainly am not going to stay off of planes, trains and automobiles, just to avoid getting some pig virus!