Got this picture emailed to me today. Made me laugh, and also got me thinking. Firstly, why are they calling it “swine” flu? Surely “Pig Flu” would make more sense? They didn’t call the “Bird Flu” the “Avian Flu”, did they? Secondly, if you wanted to get the whole world vaccinated with your hyper expensive drugs with all their lovely side effects, what would be the quickest way to do it? Scare everybody to death with a new virus? It’s worked before. This is genius viral marketing.

I’m not ashamed to enjoy this very nice review of my speaking from PR expert Nathan Smith on the PR in a Jar Blog

Cheers Nathan!

I was reminded today of an article that appeared in the New Statesman in February 09 about the internationally renowned poet, writer and performer Lemn Sissay in which he is asked who his advisers would be if he was World Leader.

I was flattered to be included in Lemn’s list along with people like Desmond Tutu, Henry Normal, Marcus Brigstock, Desmond Tutu and the Gummy Bears from Avenue Q.

The only reason for me being in this list is mine and Lemn’s history as brothers in arms over the past 20 years. He is a truly amazing man, which is why I was honoured to have him as best man at my wedding. The fact that he borrowed £20 and tried to pull me into every pub during the walk towards the church made me love him even more. He’s also my son Joe’s unofficial God Father (unofficial because I’m not sure about the whole Church thing). Lots of people see him as the voice of black Britain and as a very high-quality, serious writer. He’s also a big goon who never fails to make me laugh. Search him out on amazon and read his stuff. It’s brilliant.

My friend, co-conspirator and videographer Alex Roberts was so tickeld by the article that he sent me a photoshop of Lemn and his “advisors” faces superimposed on the G20 summit picture, which I share with you here:

World Leader Lemn Sissay and his advisors, including Mark Attwood

Lemn is currently writer-in-residence at the South Bank and assures me this picture is up on the wall in his office. You can read the article here.

I had a great time last night speaking on Internet Marketing and SEO for the TiE Network.

There were a few familiar faces there from my past. Firstly, Richard Hudson of Manchester web design company Vanilla Storm. Richard also twittered an unflattering picture of me talking which I reproduce here only to prove that is IS possible to do business seminars in sandals (click on the pic to see the feet in all their Birkenstock glory):

Also there was Manchester Comedy Club owner, Dave Perkins. Dave and I go way back to when I was doing stand up and theatre (he often gave us a leg up) and not only was it nice to see him, but I was also pleased to hear he’d expanded his empire from the notorious Frog and Bucket Comedy Club to include 11 other pubs. Nice one Dave.

I was also greeted by three of the team that work for my old mate Andy Spinoza at Manchester PR agency SKV Communications. Andy is a PR legend who was (predictably) too busy to attend the talk – but it was really good to meet some of his very switched on crew.

The rest of the people at TiE really impressed me as well. There were about 60 people there in total, all of which kept my rumbling tummy away from the train home with some really interesting and intelligent questions about SEO and online marketing. TiE is run by some extremely successful, professional and pleasant business people. I’d recommend attending their events and joining them if you’re looking to network in Manchester.

If you went to my talk, this is the the link for my “Top Ten Tips for Instantly Boosting Your Online Profits”: SEO Training Course

Cheers!

This is the trailer for my upcoming DVD of my lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University in March 09 on Internet Marketing.

The DVD is packed full of content on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), PPC (Pay Per Click), Copywriting – a brain dump of lots of the techniques I have used over the past three years to generate more than £10 million using internet marketing.

I’m giving it away for FREE (just pay £4.95 for shipping and handling).

Get the DVD here:

(please allow up to 14 days for delivery)

Thanks!