I did not get the type of response I feel is required to go forward with this project but my conviction of the need is still there.
I was reminded of this again when I saw the following news article on DistroWatch, "The Ubuntu project has announced their newest addition: The Classroom". First of all a round of applauds for "nixternal" aka Rich Johnson. Rich is teaching the KDE class, well done and thank you. This effort certainly has the potential to grow into something much larger. Here's some marketing opportunities to consider, "Ubuntu University", "The University for U", and more!
But the curious thing about the announcement is the sound bite "Ubuntu project". In my mind the author was struggling to identify the Ubuntu Community and I can see why. How would they know how to address the Ubuntu Community without branding.
Simply, if someone lacks the knownledge to address you properly, they will take their best guess. At least DistroWatch was kind and didn't say something like the "Ubuntu Gang", or "The fellows over at Ubuntu".
The difficulty of branding is it's tough. It's even more difficult after the fact! Far easier to say leave the status quo, no need to tip the apple cart.
But is backing away from the tough decisions the right thing to do for the Community? The decision to re-brand is not an indictment the current branding was not best effort. I'm convinced folks are doing the best they can, but Ubuntu is not the same as it was with Warty Warthog ( 4.10).
My perception is the Team lacks the focus and determination, we are not ready.
In my day job if I bring a problem to the table, I am required to bring a solution.
Here's my solution to gain focus and determination (If others have ideas please present them).
May I suggest crafting a document that defines the marketing team, what we want to do, and what we do not want to do. For example the document may describe the Team's purpose as follows.
"The purpose of the Team is to gather marketing data, formulate strageties of execellence, and execute projects which promote the Community and encourage users to select the best Ubuntu Product to fulfill their need and satisfy their preference of style."
Projects come and go so that level of detail is not important here, but when a new project is submitted it should agree with the Team's purpose.
This document may also outline some basic processes of the Team, aka "how to submit a marketing idea", and others. This document would also define boundaries. Referring to the DistrWatch comment above, is "Ubuntu University" a marketing project, New User Network project, or shared? If it is shared, what part will the marketing Team accept? What is the marketing Team willing to commit?
Remember what ever we agree to should support the Team's purpose. We may have to think "out-of-box" as I'm unconvinced marketing open source products fit the traditional marketing norms.
I've started crafting such a document as a starting point as it is not for me, but for the Team.
In closing may I suggest every good marketing effort requires a good sound bite.
How about, "Ubuntu Marketing, Blueprint for success"?
Cheers,
John
-- ubuntu-marketing mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-marketing
