Apologies All Around , and the Launch of About.com Atlanta

I have absolutely been neglecting this blog this month. Truth be told, I've been completely buried in getting my new About.com Guide to Atlanta up and running. Those of you who live in Atlanta, please check out the new page on About.com, where I'll now be writing and managing all content. In addition to a blog updated frequently each week, you'll also find information on events, attractions, restaurants and nightlife, Atlanta neighborhoods and more.

Though I'm excited to have this new opportunity, I still look forward to sharing juicy marketing tidbits with everyone here.

Fortune 500 Companies Not Surfing the Blog Wave

The July 2008 issue of PR Week reports the surprising finding that a recent survey of Fortune 500 companies shows that only 15% maintain active blogs. 

Not so suprising was the top 4 Fortune 500 industries that are blogging: Computers, Office Equipment ; Network and Other Communications Equipment; Semiconductors and Other Electrical Components (Intel, AMD, etc.); and Internet Services and Retailing.

Seems to me that there is a lot more opportunity to give people a look inside your company - and simply to tell your side of the story. These companies are missing out on a vital part of today's marketing culture - and relationships with Gen Y and Millennials are sure to suffer for it. This is the time that today's giants of industry need to be connecting with consumers on a personal level and fostering relationships with the future spenders in America. 

The study also found that it's larger companies that are doing most of the blogging - with 32% of the Fortune 50 blogging. This is disappointing, since blogging is one of the cheapest available marketing techniques and smaller organizations could easily take advantage of this accessible trend.