Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah or both or a happy whatever else you celebrate (like Festivus). I ate so much, you’d think I was going into hibernation this winter. If you’re looking for something to keep you entertained while running on the treadmill or to do while everyone is on vacation and off the internet, check out this edition of the Weekly Wrap.

Marketing Professionals, Write Guest Posts for Benchmark Email!

Do you find yourself more amusing than I find myself? Do you want to see what kind of loose pop culture references my brain will connect to one of your blog posts? Today is your lucky day. Calling all Marketing Professionals, Write Guest Posts for Benchmark Email!

4 Marketing Apps You Aren’t Using Yet (But Should Be)

Unless, you’re a hipster. In which case you’ve already stopped using them and are on to something else we haven’t even heard of yet. For everyone else, check out the 4 Marketing Apps You Aren’t Using Yet (But Should Be).

Twitter Launching Self-Serve Ads

It always made me laugh when I was in college at Indiana and the kids from New Jersey had to learn how to fill up their cars with gas. See, in New Jersey, self-serve is illegal. I wonder if New Jersey will be allowed to participate, with Twitter Launching Self-Serve Ads.

Non-Risky Business? The Failure of Funding the Better Mousetrap

Well. That’s it. I read Risky Business and now I’m going to have Bob Seger – “Old Time Rock N’ Roll” stuck in my head the rest of the day. Do you want to risk the same fate and read about Non-Risky Business? The Failure of Funding the Better Mousetrap.

In Russia: Twitter Bots Attempt to Silence Anti-Kremlin Tweets

I can’t read this headline without thinking of the old Yakov Smirnoff joke, “In America, you can always find a party. In Soviet Russia, Party always finds you!” See what else happens In Russia: Twitter Bots Attempt to Silence Anti-Kremlin Tweets.

Post-Holiday Marketing: Email Lessons Learned from Cyber Monday

What do you do when you’re sick of holiday marketing stories? Write about Post-Holiday Marketing: Email Lessons Learned from Cyber Monday.

Best Idea Management Software for Small Business

Man. If only idea management software existed in my brain too. I can’t always guarantee it gets to the computer, as a sufferer of Attention Deficit Disorder. Discover the Best Idea Management Software for Small Business.

Support Update: View Your Subscribers’ Activity with Email History

When segmenting your email lists, one way to do that is by separating your subscribers into their level of activity. How do you see their activity? Find out in our latest Support Update: View Your Subscribers’ Activity with Email History.

Public Outcry over SOPA Grows & Congressional Hearing Postponed

I was reminded of the power of social media last week. First my newsfeed was buzzing with everyone removing their domains from Go Daddy, due to their support of SOPA. It didn’t take long for Go Daddy to pull an about face and recant their support for SOPA. They’re not the only ones, as Public Outcry over SOPA Grows & Congressional Hearing Postponed.

The Future of Small Business: 2012 Marketing Trends

It’s like clockwork. Every December, publications feel the need to publish both year end lists and what to look for in the coming year. Can’t we just be in the now? Well…for now you can go read about The Future of Small Business: 2012 Marketing Trends.

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by Andy Shore

Andy Shore found his way to Benchmark when he replied to a job listing promising a job of half blogging, half social media. His parents still don’t believe that people get paid to do that. Since then, he’s spun his addiction to pop culture and passion for music into business and marketing posts that are the spoonful of sugar that helps the lessons go down. As the result of his boss not knowing whether or not to take him seriously, he also created the web series Ask Andy, which stars a cartoon version of himself. Despite being a cartoon, he somehow manages to be taken seriously by many of his readers ... and few of his coworkers.