Google and Facebook Duel It Out for PR Hype

Arguably the two most mentioned names in the tech-o-sphere (yes, we just made that word up) are Google and Facebook. Both also have big announcements pending, around major advertising initiatives. Both are also jockeying to make sure neither steals another’s thunder. Hey, we both need our day in the sun, the two tech giants insist. CNET’s Caroline McCarthy muses:

Here’s a thought: perhaps Google was concerned that its “open platform” announcement would be superseded the next day by a glitzy Facebook event that was aiming squarely at Google’s own AdSense. Google saw Facebook (and Microsoft) steal its thunder last week when Redmond’s $240 million minority stake in the social network was announced in the final hours of Google Analyst Day–and an ultimately disappointing Analyst Day at that, as the widely rumored “GPhone” failed to materialize.

Will Google’s social media plans win out over Facebook’s social advertising? We should know a lot more by this time next week, as AdTech NY concludes.  Be patient, faithful readers. And until then, send your tips to prnewser at mediabistro.com

Amanda Chapel ‘leaves’ Strumpette; booted from Facebook

I held off posting the news that Amanda Chapel is resigning as editor of Strumpette. Hoping to find out if the site had found a buyer or some other exit as we blogged before, I logged on to her Facebook group this morning only to find I myself kicked out of the group, and Chapel booted from the site.

On September 26, we responded to several coy Facebook messages from her, implying that mediabistro.com would be the perfect buyer for the site, promising an “instant footprint.” We doubt that’s in the cards and we do hope there is a new phase for Strumpette. We’ll be looking for the announcement.

It seems Chapel’s expulsion from Facebook was coincidental, an occasional thing that happens to other marketing caricatures (see Ranger Rick).

Emails today to Amanda and her business manager Brian Connolly were not returned. Facebook group admin Dave the Intern returned offering surprise, and the link to her resignation. Kent State prof, Strumpette contributor, and Facebook group wall-poster Bill Sledzik replied. Consistent with Connolly’s assertions in our earlier post, he explained essentially, that the pseudonym must die for the blog to grow: