Market studies, statistics, have had an up and down history. They have gone from boom to bust and back again, with companies first embracing it, then pooh-poohing it. But the reality is that most large corporations continue to rely on it.

We ask the market questions like:

- what do you like?
- which is better?
- which is tastier?
- what is the best feature?

But after watching this season of American Idol, the chill that was creeping up my spine has become a full blown blizzard. First, the survival of Kristy against so many of her betters for so long (but she was really smart…) and then now, the survival of Jason Castro.

I mean, that was the worse rendition of Memory I have ever heard. Yes, that includes sleazy bars, cheap cabarets and of course, cruise ships. Yet, I am guessing that they voted for his dreadlocks.

So, marketers, beware. The next time you wave your “indisputable” market study based on a cross section of “relevant” targets, keep in mind, that these are the same people telling you how great your product is, who voted for dreadlocks in a singing competition.

Another thing about statistics. If you read this article in eNews – American Idol: Carly Smithson Voted Off, you will see right at the bottom an interesting statistics that:

Nielsen data through last week showed that “Idol” on its regular nights of Tuesday and Wednesday was averaging 28.9 million viewers – down 8 percent from 31.3 million one year ago at this point…

If you think about the 28 million votes that Ryan claimed they received, it means that on average, everyone who watched the show voted. Yeah, right.

OK, some people think of blogging as work. Strange people.

But if you enjoy blogging and are half good at it, you might have thought of doing it for a living, despite all the horror stories that are appearing. If so, then you should read Yvonne’s post on Blogging for a Network. It is a good starting point to learn more.

One of the most “fun” part of marketing must surely be the logo. Whether you are using them creatively, trying not to use them or even coming up with a new one for your company or brand, it’s a lot of fun!

If you like logos, then you must surely check out David Airey’s Logo Design Love where there is an ongoing contest to vote for your favourite blog logo!

Angela did a really nice one on Blog Snobs – what are they and a little bit of rant about it.

But I am sad to say that I have discovered the extent of my shallow-ness. Despite such great content and fantastic comments, the thing I liked best about that post was the cute picture. So, un-ashamedly, here it is again in all its vulgar glory!

Now, whoever said that a picture paints a thousand words was lying. This one only painted three words.

When we look at the giants, it is usually in awe. But once in a while, we stare in wonder and shake our heads at the strange spectacle of their self destruction.

Ever since Motorola came up with the RAZR, nothing else came out that was even close to the success of that range. Wondered why. Now we know. Over at Engadget, Ryan has written this post “Motorola insider tells all about the fall of a technology icon” – which publishes a letter by the late Geoffrey Frost’s personal adviser at Motorola; until Frost’s death in 2005, Numair Faraz worked under the Motorola’s former CMO.

This here is yet another lesson in leadership. It is hard to lead when you do not really know where you are going, isn’t it?