The thin cords trailing from the ears to the pockets of MP3 player listeners have become a common sight. Plugged into their iPods, DJ Ditties and Creative Zens, these people often seem as though they’re in their own worlds, impermeable not only to marketers but to the rest of society as well. While this assumption may have been true in the past, MP3 players are offering a new way to reach consumers — through podcasts.

The internet has become a ubiquitous entity, a tool we all acknowledge even if it's something we don't necessarily understand. As traditional media shifts more and more toward web-concentrated formats, marketers and businesspeople increasingly need to understand the Internet and all it offers, especially search engines.

About two months ago I went to a conference in Las Vegas. First thought: who doesn't like to go to a conference in Vegas? Second thought: this particular conference was more than enlightening. The terminology the speakers used during this presentation sent me home thinking differently. That's usually what these conferences are good for, right? Mission accomplished and then some.

When is a name not just a name? When it's a brand. When consumers hear the name James Bond, they automatically think strength, courage, style, wit, and martinis—shaken, not stirred. When consumers hear your company's name, what's the first thing that comes to their minds?