Peter Levitan & Co.

The New Business of Advertising

Insights

Places in the World Where Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide Are Legal

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Get this: You are dying; in horrendous pain; no hope; you’ve said your goodbys. But, unless you live in Netherlands (Green), Belgium (Red), Luxembourg (Purple), Oregon and Washington (Yellow) you can’t make the decision to die via euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.

In the USA, only Oregon and Washington gives you back your own right. Yup… should be your right. Otherwise, you and your family are at the mercy of the medical community, politicians and the clergy.

Jimi Hendrix got it right: “I’m the one that has to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to. “

eBooks Are Booming: New Study [Where Is Your Book?]

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eBooks are booming. But you knew that.

You also knew or could suss out some of the findings from Revealing the Business of eBooks: 2009-2012, the 4th eBook survey of publishers by Aptara and Publisher’s Weekly.

Some more eBook facts:

Amazon rules: 68% of eBook publishers sell via Amazon. Apple’s iBookstore is used by 58 percent of eBook publishers.

80% of publishers now publish eBooks.

According to the report, 36% of eBook publishers are “realizing double-digit annual eBook revenues” This is up 100% year over year. 100% is big.

Digital or print? As in last year’s survey, this year’s response was not either/or but both. In 2011, 85%of publishers said they were producing digital editions of their print titles rather than producing digital editions in lieu of print. The same numbers held strong, rising a single point this year to 86%

Here is a link to the study.

Made In America: Made Movement: American Innovation At Work

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This might be a bit off topic, but…

Made Movement is a Boulder “marketing agency” (built by guys from Crispin Porter) that has positioned themselves as being dedicated to, as they say: “We propel brands that make things in America with business-solving, needle-moving strategy and marketing.” I love that they’ve actually manged to find a business niche that delivers some resonance. Most agencies do not have a brand positioning that is remotely different from all their competitors despite the fact that this is what they say they do for their clients.”

They are also in the eCommerce business via their flash-sale site Made Collection. This site sells made in America goods – like shirts made by folks in the Oregon prison system. Made Movement is hoping to build on research that Americans think that goods made here are superior and also build on a bit of patriotism. The site is well-designed, easy-to-use and cool, its in that 2012 hipster style that’s ruling right now. It is an interesting proof-of-concept for the marketing agency pitch.

OK. Why am I blabbing about this? Made Movement has done a couple of the smart / idea / innovative / envelope pushing things that I think we all need / should / could / have to do… If we want to keep the brain juices flowing.  In their case, they are taking the very (very) moribund ad agency concept and are adding a very new twist, a way to position themselves differently and, via consumer insight, to deliver very fresh ideas.

Fresh is good. Being fresh is a good strategy. Works for all of us.

Sorry!! 50% (Or More) Of Retirees Will Outlive Their Retirement Savings

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Feeling safe and secure about your retirement funds? Are you in the 50% or so that will outlive your savings? Love that I am going here right now?

Dig this… yes its true, more than 50% of retirees (and even you great Gen X members) will die kinda poor if you think living on your Social Security checks of say $17,000 per year ain’t that appealing. I won’t go into major detail right now. But, I will, soon, I promise.

What has caused this? Here is a list of factors, but not all of them:

  • You simply didn’t save enough (that’s why Gen X and gen Y better start now)
  • Only 53% of workers have a pension or 401K
  • Workers age 55 to 64 had just $54,000 in their 401K in 2010
  • On average, this group has $120,000 in savings (that’s about 1/4 required according to the experts)

Bottom line? Our savings culture and systems suck. Yes, there are solutions being considered by pro-active politicians like Senator Tom Harkin (but not in time for those lucky Baby Boomers.)

Stay tuned.

 

Credit Card Debt: Who Owes The Most? Baby Boomers Or Gen X / Gen Y?

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It might make sense to think that the younger generation uses their credit cards more than most and are sitting on some serious credit card debt but, they are not the leaders. Baby Boomers, according to the report The Plastic Safety Net from the public policy outfit Demos, are winning here.

The group with the highest credit card debt is the 65+ crowd who owe on average $9,283.

Those Gen X and Gen Y  folks? They owe $2,982 for 18-24 yer olds and $5,156 for 24-34 year olds.

A key implication? Many Baby Boomers are heading into their retirement years broke and out of work. Is this alarmist? Yes. Is it true? Yes. Want more? The average total retirement savings for Baby Boomers is $78,000  — try stretching that over 10, 20 or 30 years.