Today, I saw a probably the most extraordinary juxtaposition of stories that I've can ever remember seeing. This morning, I read Bill Simmons "Save Our Sonics" column which began: In six years of writing for ESPN.com, this is the longest piece I've ever sent to my editors -- nearly 15,000 words of anguished e-mails from Sonics fans around the country. He then shared with us a large variety of letters containing incredible levels of emotion and distress from Sonics fans everywhere. One could Read more [...]

I don't really see how it could be true, but I found an interesting topic in our forum where Tom Hale, a local Portland PPC expert and SEMpdx member said this - "...I have a hunch best practices for Page Rank may have a relationship to best practices for Quality Score..." and I've got to say I'd be surprised. Tom also first points out that Google's answer would be "no" and that was my initial answer too, but I'm really not so sure... Read the thread Has anyone else suspected this before, Read more [...]

SEMpdx is well-represented at OMS here in San Diego. Kent Schnepp and myself moderated round table discussions after lunch today. I’m covering the event on Search Marketing Standard’s blog. Visit SMS’s blog for more updates tomorrow.

I don't care who John McCain has relationships with...that's not the point of this post. So, I learn about John McCain's "relationship" with Vicki Iseman on Twitter slightly before 5PM Pacific Time. Immediately, I go to my domain registrar of choice and check to see whether vickiiseman.com is available (something I've trained myself to do in similar situations even if I'm not interested in purchasing the domain). I see the following: Somebody reserved the domain at Network Solutions. Read more [...]

John will be speaking on "Search Marketing (SEO) & Your Business Strategy" at Searchfest which will take place on March 10th, 2008 at the Portland Zoo. Purchase your Searchfest 08 tickets now. John Andrews is one of the smartest, most perceptive people in search marketing. When I got the chance to interview him, I didn't want to serve up the typical softball questions that are the staple of most search marketing interviews (including mine). I wanted to ask him questions that were a bit more Read more [...]

Members of SEMpdx can not only save 10% by using the code PDX10 on the PPC Summit, but can save an additional $200 by signing up here... PPC Summit Vancouver March 31 & April 1 -Get Better Pay Per Click Results in Two Days! Join us at PPC Summit Vancouver an exclusive how-to workshop where you'll work directly with the experts to learn the skills you need to maximize your Pay Per Click opportunities, outperform your competitors, and increase your ROI. Sign up now to save an additional Read more [...]

Doing business is a major focus of today's Web development and critical to the success of an organization. More than ever before, sites must be compelling to the visitor. These two-day workshops help you understand how to align people, architecture, processes, and tools. Designed for CEOs, managers, marketing professionals, strategists, and online developers with an identified customer base, this series provides the most current curriculum in Web analysis and management. SEMpdx President Kent Read more [...]

Every year, SEMpdx picks a non-profit organization to support both financially & with our collective search marketing knowledge. This year, our charity of choice is Donate Life Northwest, a Portland non-profit that has a mission of "To save and enhance lives through the promotion of organ, eye, and tissue donation." To help publicize this organization and its mission, I asked Board Member Robert Ayers to talk more about the charity: 1. What is the purpose & mission of your organization? Read more [...]

Rionna will be speaking about Google Webmaster Central at Searchfest which will take place on March 10th, 2008 at the Portland Zoo. Purchase your Searchfest 08 tickets now. 1) Please give us your background and tell us what you do for a living? I originally worked as an editor in book publishing but fell into tech when I became international editor for Microsoft's mapping products, creating travel-related consumer content. From there I moved into technology and technical writing, spending Read more [...]

Many folks think SMX is Danny Sullivan. They believe that Danny not only chairs the conference, but books the venues, programs the sessions, picks the speakers, sets up the parties, signs up the sponsors, and even cooks those yummy meals. You might be suprised to know that isn't the case...there are many people behind the scenes that help make the SMX conferences "must-attend" events. Claire Schoen is one of these people. I've been the liason between SEMpdx and SMX and have been in communication Read more [...]