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What does Seth Godin think?
Considering the Google brand in the popular vernacular and the launch of Chrome, I went to web marketing poster boy Seth Godin to get his perspective. Seth wasn't particularly loquacious (no doubt he's a bit busy) but here's the conversation:Me: Would you be willing to take about 10 minutes to talk to us about your take on Google Chrome? While the tech is neat and pretty and awesome, I think you'll agree this is all about the brand. Where Firefox failed (sort of), Google has an honest shot. Once Chrome is out of beta (in 10 or less years) they are one Superbowl ad away from a true IE-killer. That's what I'm thinking, anyway.
Seth: 1. firefox is hardly a failure. 2. chrome is about web as operating system. not controlling ff is a huge risk for them going forward.
Later I explained what I meant by calling FF a "failure"
Me: I guess by "failure" I meant "failure to capture the average user's attention." There's no doubting they have gained market share against the IE juggernaut, but for the majority of users the Internet = Internet Explorer. Was wondering if you think Chrome has a shot at changing that perception, since people now think Internet Search = Google.
Seth: yep!
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentstortulho_ptSep 3rd 2008 3:16PM
I'm sorry, but if Seth Godin really answered your questions like that, then I'm dissapointed.
Seth,
Stop giving us blunt answers such as "not controlling ff is a huge risk for them going forward"... next time try to actually explain why you think that.
By giving short and blunt answers, you just provoked in me a sense of "being pushed around" and "I'm too important to talk to you".
Rude and Arrogant, is that the story you're trying to sell ?
You are selling your own brand, so next time, if you don't have time to answer, don't accept the interview.
Make things better by offering downloadsquad a real interview.
seth godinSep 3rd 2008 3:58PM
Pushed around?
Victor sent me an unsolicited email. I figured he was very smart, and his readers were as well. Not controlling firefox is a risk for obvious reasons... it would like Microsoft not controlling Windows, just marketing the software that runs on it.
If you take a minute to parse my answer, I think it accurately reflects my take. I'm really sorry that you're offended, but to be fair, I'm hardly pushing you around.
Halo2MasterSep 3rd 2008 1:37PM
Boy, at least he took the time to explain his viewpoints.
Oh, wait....
Victor Agreda, Jr.Sep 3rd 2008 4:30PM
Seth, I certainly didn't feel pushed around. I can't imagine what your workload is like and my questions weren't terrific (I kind of answered them for you!) so I appreciate you even responding.
It's more of an answer than I've ever received from unsolicited requests for interviews from Mozilla (until recently, that is).
tortulho_ptSep 4th 2008 6:52PM
Ok,
Seth, I'm not saying I was offended in any way by your answers, I just would've liked a larger and better structured interview so that I could hear your take in this issue. I value your opinion and I would've liked a larger one :)
Also, the blog post doesn't mention the interview was unsolicited and my reaction was probably assuming it wasn't.
Let me make things better by suggesting an idea:
- A real (solicited) interview about the browser wars and how dimension, position and marketing play a role.
Some Qs for the interview:
- Is a company size enough to gain share in the browser world?
- Is already being positioned on the market an advantage? disadvantage?
- Chrome seems to be reaching for the unsatisfied with the current web user base (first page of the comics). Apple used the same message with the iphone (unsatisfaction about how the current phones worked). Is there a rationale behind this?
- Some browsers go for minimalistic. The browser as "a chrome" to what's really interesting, the web. Some browsers are a fully-fledged platform, allowing an eco-system of partners to build extensions and use that platform to it's fullest (probably even generating new business oportunities). Is the right choice in this spectrum exclusive? What are the pros and cons of each side? What side should you pick to gain momentum?
- (...)
Thanks!
unfunnySep 8th 2008 10:19AM
tort,
As Seth mentioned, it was an unsolicited e-mail. He never agreed to any kind of interview. Your beef should be with Victor for publishing such a waste-of-space non-interview instead of scheduling some time with the guy.
Victor Agreda, Jr.Sep 8th 2008 10:20AM
Actually I did ask for 10 minutes of interview but got the email response. Is there some other way I'm supposed to solicit an interview?
"Would you be willing to take about 10 minutes to talk to us about your take on Google Chrome?"
Gold-plated, hand-delivered invitation?