http://www.lukewalsh.com launch pad Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:15:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Yesterday Ad Age posted the results from this Yahoo! (my employer)/Comscore study. This study argues successfully that CPG brands, and specifically CPG category leaders, have much to gain by moving ad spend to paid search. In my experience, those benefits go far beyond both CPG brands and category leaders. When ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/08/19/yahoocomscore-study-text-ads-drive-cpg-brand-awareness/ I discovered a NYTIMES article this morning that is right on target. http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/07/13/nytimes-unboxed-article/ ESPN writer Jim Caple is in town to write about the trials, and in a very flattering article published today he writes about Eugene and the town's dedication to the sport of track and field. http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/07/04/espn-jim-caple/ John Forman over at The Essentials of Trading blog argues that the rise in crude oil prices appears to be directly correlated to the date at which Economic Stimulus payments started going out to consumers. This could very well be a coincidence, and is by no means a scientific analysis. Yet ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/07/03/economic-stimulus-package/ I recently ordered some new Reef sandals from Zappos.com. In fact, I order almost ALL of my shoes from Zappos.com. Sure I also buy locally, but usually I can't because: The store doesn't have my size (11-12 is very common, popular shoes sell out fast). Driving to the store, trying on the ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/05/06/zappos-customer-engagement/ Actually the only dog-friendly hotel I've stayed at in Portland. The Vintage Plaza on Broadway is a classic old hotel in the middle of downtown Portland. We stayed there for one night and were amazed at the treatment they gave Scout, our 6 month old yellow lab: 1. They treated him like ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2008/03/26/dog-friendly-hotel-portland/ Last weekend we stayed at the Hotel Lucia on Broadway (highly recommended) and had dinner at Higgins Restaurant on Broadway. I ordered the Tuna steak special. It arrived on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, surrounded by a large sprig of basil and a circle of pesto. It was fresh, ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2007/08/25/dining-in-portland/ Race organizers reversed the course this year, sending the toughest part of the run to miles 9 and 10. Does this mean the course switches every five years? A little barbaric, given how painful those last two miles were, but this race was built to hurt so nevermind that. The ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2007/06/24/cape-mountain-trail-run-cmtr/ My new 2007 Brooks Beasts are here - ordered through Zappos, received them THE VERY NEXT DAY w/free shipping. Zappos is good stuff. I've put all of 7 miles on them this week. They are lighter, faster, and have a more stable heel than the 2006 model. I'm very impressed. When ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2007/06/19/cape-mountain-run-this-weekend/ I am on a mission to determine which company has the best motion control running shoes. So far I have tried the Saucony Grid Stabil and Brooks Beast. The Saucony Grid Stabil is a nice shoe, lightweight w/great cushioning but not as stable as some shoes with a more stable instep. ... http://www.lukewalsh.com/2007/04/10/what-are-the-best-motion-control-running-shoes/