I know it’s a Bank Holiday in the UK and most of my readers will be doing something else but for those lucky few that are reading this – I’ve found a wine label idea for Stormhoek that will blow your mind.
I’ve suggested to Hugh that he first test this in the French market. If he gets in touch with Loic LeMeur, France’s uber-blogger, SixApart exec and otherwise excellent company, he’ll give good feedback. If not then maybe Jeff Clavier, rising star in the US VC scene and another Frenchman. I’ll be meeting Mike Arrington, the guy who’s basically destroyed print publishing technology software reviews and is my best source for new products, in about 3 weeks. He will definitely have a view about this. Hugh’s met James Governor, he’ll definitely have a piece of this one. Hang on, I almost forgot. How about asking M-E. LeClerc? He is the guy who controls the LeClerc group of hypermarkets in France?
If none of that works then I will be very surprised. So why does this matter?
I’m talking about the power of the world of blogs. I’ve met Hugh – I’m on his Technorati favourites. Loic is a dear friend who taught me much about how this works in Europe. SixApart provided the platform on which I first started blogging. Jeff has advised me on a couple of ventures in conference calls with other bloggers with whom I am working. I’ve met Jeff in Paris and Spain. Mike is someone I will be meeting. I know I’m going to like this guy. James and I used to work on the same publication together. We have many funny stories to share. but not on a blog like this 
These guys are all either rising stars or superstar in the world of blogging, with HUMUNGOUS influence across goodness knows how many industry segments. Me? I’m a hanger on. Someone who learns from these people.
Michel-Edouard? Sadly I don’t know this person except through his French blog. I used to be a customer when I lived in France. I liked what he offered me when living miles from any large town. Maybe a conversation with Loic would help. And I’ll be seeing him soon as well.
Stormhoek attributes much of its recent success to blogging. It gets into the mainstream – the BBC, Daily Telegraph and other places as well. In large part because of the efforts of one man in Cumbria.
Do you agree with me this has the potential to represent a new business model?
Technorati Tags: blog infliuence, blog_marketing, cluetrain, marketing communications, stormhoek
