SMX Advanced
Microsoft keynote
@smx
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Speaker: Kevin Johnson of Microsoft
tech issues sorry we're up and running now
@dannysullivan what are the results of the cash back program
KJ: the team is evaluating it every day
KJ: it's about connecting consumer and business and rewarding that behavior, they had a 2-3% increase with it
KJ: it's part of the whole model and experience
@dannysullivan: any other types of loyalty programs
KJ: it's part of the whole model and experience
KJ: three verticals entertainment, commercial, reference broad relevance for navigation, they are focusing on commercial first
@dannysullivan: whats the biggest obstacle to get people to use your search
KJ: google has a very strong search brand M$ has to differentiate & get it infront ofconsumer HP Deal this week http://tinyurl.com/62tvxw
@dannysullivan: what is google's biggest weakness
KJ: user experience hasnt changed much, this is one of google weakness, M$ has only upside, how we can carve out new areas
KJ: over last 3-5 years 10 blue links is the same consumers will want new way
@dannysullivan: what about the live brand why not go back to MSN or go to microsoft
KJ: we are working on fixing the brand, was part of bid for yahoo, is on the radar screen, and is a problem they need to fix
@dannysullivan: does fix mean change or fix build it KJ : fix means fix whatever it takes
@dannysullivan: anything you can add to yahoo KJ: made a fast and friendly bid that didn't pan out and looking at alternatives
@dannysullivan: what other kind of changes in after the HP deal are you looking at
KJ: exploring other PC, toolbar, and embedded objects, its combination of good distribution with a good product and good marketing
@dannysullivan why isnt M$ pushing back against firefox defaulting to google search
KJ: I think IE is better it provides customer better user experience
@dannysullivan is search being over credited
KJ: search provides direct line of metrics for marketers and advertisers
dannysullivan book search google sees it as a long term game u rolled it out and killed it last week
KJ: it's not dead we are still crawling web, letting first party publishers do it and publish on their websites, lets publisher B in control
@dannysullivan search and search marketing company is that a conflict
KJ: it included a lot of components razorfish is run at arms length, but they can give us first hand feedback make it better 4 everyone
dannysullivan do they have an advantage that makes them more competitive
KJ: we want an ecosystem where people make money and can build on what we do
dannysullivan: how do you describe M$
KJ: in the online world we are investing to create world class platform
KJ software + services
ds: how do you define success
kj : more publishers and more inventory including things like video, but we have to focus and improve on search
Q: what improvements are you going to make and an offline editor
kj: visited marketers to get feedback, make tools easier, shorten cycle times, more share of search
go to booth to get invite
Q: I think M$ as the man and G is a way to get at the man (audience disagees)
KJ choice is good and good for market and consumer
KJ: if you have a great product people will use it