Return of The Genie (And Me)

Well, I'm back.

Lots to talk about, particularly reflections on the death of a parent, but we'll save that until later.

For now, something a little more fun. 

Read this interview in a recent Brandweek, and loved the cheekiness of Yahoo's chief research scientist Duncan Watts.  Debunking marketing's beloved "Influencer Model," Watts rubs the magic lamp and evokes the all-important spirit of The Genie when he asked about how a consumer phenomenon (in this case, the Crocs line of shoes) spreads:

"I don't think anyone knows. 
Somebody asked the publisher of the
Surprise best-seller Eats, Shoots & Leaves
why that book was so successful...
he said it was successful
because lots of people bought it."

Finally...a concrete, and no-bullshit explanation of how hits happen!