Yahoo emailed users of their Yahoo Mail system today to endorse the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 with encouragement to download and install the new browser.

This makes no sense for Yahoo. Why would Yahoo suggest to users to use IE over Firefox?

But, Yahoo offers web-based software to millions of users across the globe. Why would they care or endorse one over the other? Simple, Yahoo trying to warm up to Microsoft again. And this is an easy way to project less hostility toward Redmond.

Yahoo and Microsoft are yesterday's brands and they are seeing tons of innovation happening online, in mobile, and with desktops apps that they have influence on. Those two fighting each others is no more helpful their careers than seeing two former — aging and overweight — championship boxers go toe-to-toe in the ring. It's fun to watch for five minute, but more to stoke the conversation about what they used to be, not what they are right now.

Below is the overall search traffic for Chris Brown (blue line) in the last 30 days. As you can see, it increased 10-fold following the Grammy's.

Now compare that to the search traffic for the Grammys (red line) and you can get a sense of what people were actually talking about in the world of music.

The premier event of the year in the music industry, yet the interest for it was gone the next day.

As we sat and cheered (or screamed) as the Pittsburgh Steelers won a very close, down to the last second Super Bowl, a Denny's commercial airs while waiting for the Vince Lombardi trophy presentation. In the commercial, Denny's declares a free Grand Slam breakfast for everyone in America.

When did they say we could all get a free Grand Slam breakfast?

This is where the merger of search-to-TV pays off. A quick search less than a minute later on "Denny's" reveals all the information.

The paid ad lists the offer, day and time — no click needed. A big hat tip to Denny's for merging, not only their paid search campaign but their SEO listing as well, to the overall marketing campaign. Clearly they had the foresight to know consumers would turn to the web to get the details as they exaltation (or agony) faded.

Columbus, Ohio Branding Firm Partners with Search Marketing Agency

Columbus, Ohio… Conrad Phillips Vutech, a Columbus, Ohio-based branding and marketing firm, today officially announced that it has acquired a share of Internet search marketing agency EnginePoint Marketing, which now shares its offices in the Grandview area of Columbus.

Founded by the company’s principal, Mark A. Scholl, EnginePoint combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of online consumer behavior to provide paid and organic search strategies. This includes offerings such as pay-per-click management, keyword research, measurement and analytics, search site audits, landing page development, copywriting for search, and Web 2.0 integration.

“We are impressed with Mark’s experience, knowledge, and vision,” said Kirk Phillips, principal of Conrad Phillips Vutech. “Being a part-owner of EnginePoint and a partner with Mark allows us to contribute to and participate in EnginePoint’s success.”

Scholl has extensive search marketing experience—dating back more than 12 years—that range from Fortune 500 companies to highly localized campaigns. “Search has grown a lot over the years,” Scholl said, “from a small niche offering around search engines that have long passed, all the way to the rise of Google. We have participated in this evolution by creating strategies for our clients that build brand awareness, drive traffic and ultimately sell products.”

“Search marketing is in the ascendancy,” Scholl continued. “When it comes to online behavior, search is second only to email. It is the gateway to all online behavior—from finding old friends or new products, and even as a precursor to in-store purchases. All marketing professionals need an effective search strategy.”

EnginePoint Marketing’s extensive experience drives its thought leadership as well. “Search will continue to evolve, which is why we believe it to be about more than just tactics and technical knowledge,” Scholl added. “It’s also about how people think and behave online. We study this behavior to create search strategies that engage a consumer through their whole online cycle so each step feels like a natural one.”

About EnginePoint Marketing (www.enginepoint.com)
EnginePoint Marketing, an Ohio-based marketing firm, was founded and developed with a pure passion for search as a marketing channel. After years of enhancing brands with successful search marketing, EnginePoint uses search as an integration point for all marketing initiatives to tell a complete story for a brand. The core philosophy of EnginePoint is to combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of consumer behavior online to deliver sound search marketing strategies. EnginePoint provides paid and organic search strategies of all types and sizes, from pay-per-click management, keyword research, measurement and analytics, site audits, competitive audits, conversion tracking and Web 2.0 integration.

About Conrad Phillips Vutech (www.cpvinc.com)
Conrad Phillips Vutech is an award-winning full-service marketing and advertising firm that specializes in building the brands of its clients. Accounts include Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, Ohio Dominican University, and the W.W. Williams Company.

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Attention Editors: For further information, please contact Mark Scholl, Principal of EnginePoint Marketing at (614) 918-3003, Kirk Phillips, Principal of Conrad Phillips Vutech, at (614) 224-3887 or Lee Esposito at (614) 421-2701 or (800) 254-1971

CBS has a story about how Google is adding to greenhouse gases.

This article only points out two things: one, there is a Harvard University physicist that doesn't have enough to do, and the media will carry any story about Google.

Yesterday Steve Ballmer told the Financial Times that now is a great time to strike a deal with Yahoo. Citing that both companies are going through a transition — Microsoft appointing someone to run their online business and yahoo searching for a new CEO — making it a good time to tie the knot.

“We now have someone in place running our online business, and Yahoo’s out looking for a CEO,” Ballmer said. “If a search deal is to be made, it’s probably to be made in the interim period for new leaders in both places.”

I like Yahoo, which is why I keep hoping there is a way they can be relevant again without Microsoft. It's kinda like when you see a really cute girl dating a thug — you wonder why. Yahoo is a cute girl and I think they deserve better than Microsoft.

Yahoo has tried to save themselves a few times and they keep failing. Frankly, there is no one out there big enough for the undertaking of saving Yahoo. Microsoft might be their only real hope.

EnginePoint Marketing announces it’s new corporate logo and new corporate color scheme. The logo — and other forthcoming corporate identity items – are being designed by Mike Murphy of Conrad Phillips Vutech.

EnginePoint Marketing Logo

EnginePoint’s current site will also be redesigned in the coming weeks to reflect the new identity. Find EnginePoint: on the web or on Facebook.

As search traffic about the economy (blue line) increased, searches on new cars (red line) decreased.

Click for full size.

This week, the name and URL of this blog will change. It will no longer be called "Engineblog," but instead, "Starting from Search." The URL will also change, from engineblog.com to startingfromsearch.com.

Why the change? There are a few other Engineblog's that have popped up, including one about truck engines. In order to avoid any confusion, and to create a blog with a more defined theme, the name will change.

Starting From Search is also the tag line of my company, EnginePoint. So it helps tie the two together a bit more closely.

On a side note, much of EnginePoint is going to change as well. A completely new corporate identity, new site design, etc. I'll be posting about those changes in the coming weeks as well.