Get A Little Bling At HotOrNot

Can’t argue with their success over the years, but with all the money they’ve made you’d think they could spend some time making the design nicer.

Going deep into the site, it looks absolutely terrible. They may be ahead of the game on many points, but they could be taken down a notch from a competitor with better design quite easily.

Len,

Take a look at what is out there. Often design is not what fuels growth. It is more about similarities and what people are used to. People understand HoN, and like it the way it is. Just look at myspace..

This is - taggin’ using photos -

- nothing out of the box here -

- I am however impressed with their - new business model of free.

http://www.lovemarks.com is a similar site where you can add and discuss your favorite brands (lovemarks).

Because I’m always looking for new ways to plaster my page with ads I don’t benefit from.

Kendal:

If design doesn’t fuel growth, try and explain Apple and their line up of products over the course of their history. Their inability to grow as fast as Microsoft in the beginning was because of business decisions, not anything more.

Their iphone is a perfect example. They didn’t invent any of the components, they just utilized them in ways no other company had yet. Their recent success can’t be argued.

You’re right, not many sites out there have great or unique design. Myspace looks absolutely horrible, and look at how Facebook is gaining ground. Although Facebook isn’t unique, it is a better design. Hence my point.

Man, this hits “close to home”, but I applaud the insight that led to the idea. I think I’ll be quiet on this one, dammit ……

What the??

So Users are supposed to put all these corporate logos all over their profile? hahahahahaha! And I assume this is some kind of new ad revenue strategy for them. I can see them coming up with the idea now…..”let’s see…..we’ll make it so users can put their own brands on their page, then we can charge the companies for all the exposure”.

I suppose from a business standpoint it’s a good idea, but from a consumer standpoint it’s kind of silly. It’s bad enough to see this crap on every website and tv being shoved down your throat….but it’s just sad that people would associate themselves as nothing but a collection of brands. Marketing has worked beyond corporation’s wildest wet dreams.

Actually we had this brandthing years ago on a website here called ‘branddating.nl’ (Holland). It was basically people matching based on their favorite brands. Nothing new I guess. Or I might have missed something in the post.

Awesome. Maybe now I’ll be able to find a hot woman who loves Jack Daniels, Calvin Klein, Marlboro, Rolex, Harley Davidson and Playboy just as much as I do. So far, for some strange reason, she has eluded me.

Yeesh, they really dont have a clue- their death will be like MySpace’s, the lack of design and the blatant commercialism of this move will choke them fast.

nice little idea that users have learned to exploit. Though it make me gag, the monetization possibilities are huge… now they (HoN) just need to figure out how to string it together into more page views and shopping models.

I don’t understand this. HotOrNot website doesn’t have the actual business model. They were just sitting there and explaining things they couldn’t achieve.

They can’t go to IPO or apply C corporation. The problem is companies like Fox, Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other stock companies won’t buy HotOrNot website. Most business standards do not allow anyone discrimate against employee based on lookism. Many people fear getting low ratings. It can also hurt their future career and privacy rights. This is something they need to fix.

My startup company can’t discrimate against employees. My company and I can fired anyone. I don’t care about human colors and lego looks.
I care about money.

The tagging functionality is just another great idea from HoN team!

I probably shouldn’t, but….

What are you babbling about @13?

“Lookism”, you mean racism?

Can you please post all your “logic” with the name “ESL”?

Sorry, you just sound like you might be 12 and/or from another planet.

“So Users are supposed to put all these corporate logos all over their profile? hahahahahaha! … I suppose from a business standpoint it’s a good idea, but from a consumer standpoint it’s kind of silly. It’s bad enough to see this crap on every website and tv being shoved down your throat….but it’s just sad that people would associate themselves as nothing but a collection of brands.”

Brands are status symbols: Cadillac Escalade, Gucci shades, Crystal champagne. Brands are also representative of social groupings or shared interests: MTV, MySpace, Apple/Mac, Family Guy, Adult Swim, etc. Brands can also signify rebellion or standing out, especially underground fashion and similar things. And you’re surprised people want to associate with them?

Even geeks have their brands that they rally behind. Beyond Apple there’s the legions behind Creative Commons, Digg, Laughing Squid…even TechCrunch. It’s more than just content - there’s a certain brand cache that goes with it that makes it bigger than it would be on its own.

lookism isn’t racism form… Why don’t you look up business dictionary or wikipedia…

#’s 5, 8, 10, 11:

Understand that this service wasn’t created for you–it was created for the millions of mindless sheep out there whos entire identity is defined and re-defined by corporate influence and materialism .

The reality is: this group is the majority, and therefore, there is a lot of money to made from them (obvious).

What is a social networking site, after all? That’s right–it is really just a giant, all-inclusive, highly accurate, and specific marketing database that takes all the time, theory, and guesswork out of research. This is the true benefit of letting users generate and/or choose their own content (from the proprietor’s perspective).

MySpace, Facebook, and the like have all failed to leverage this function even remotely relative to its potential, thus far. Take a look at the advertising on these sites and on user-specific screens within–they are only vaguely relevant (and often not at all) to the users interests and/or lifestyle. This model is not an effective way of making the experience profitable for marketers.

Now you’ve got Hong giving his users the ability to specifically choose what brands represent them, and who they are loyal to? This innovation is a marketer’s dream, my friends. As soon as the advertisers catch wind of it, you’re going to see HoN’s profits skyrocket, while their competitors stagnate.

Genius! a.f.g.: absolutely effen genius.

Idiotic, absolutely effen idiotic.

@ J-son, you are absolutely correct. at least, someone else out there realizes this…

18 - “What is social networking?” - It depends who you ask. For many people it’s an outlet to connect with friends and interests. Believe it or not, that does not always mean “look at what brand I’m pimpin”. Of course, if you’re a marketer…you have a one track mind. And I don’t think there’s anything “innovative” about being able to put a picture of a brand name on your web page. I believe you could do this 10+ years ago right? But the silliest thing about this, is it’s kind of a “dating” or casual encounter site. So….what, you’re gonna look for chicks who are into “Sprint mobile”…yeah that’s hot.

So, are the only brands available going to be the ones that HoN are able to set up relationships with the trademark owners? Like, “Sure you can brand yourself with your favorite car, but ooops, Maserati isn’t available yet (check back later). Also, you will not be able to use your favorite NBA team anymore, until we sort out this contract renewal.”

While I would never engage in such corporate fanboyism, applied differently this could be a market-shaking idea.

For instance, if I have a profile page where an ad is going to appear whether I like it or not, having a say in what type of ads are in my banner would certainly be welcome.

Of course, this would also open the door to a whole new world of spam…

J-son: what you’re saying is absolutely correct, but it’s amusing to poke fun at those people. I always get a kick out of the people who post pictures of Ferraris, yachts, Rolexes and designer fashions on their MySpace pages as if it will mask the fact that they drive Geo Prisms, own boogie boards, wear Casio watches and shop at Ross.

This is hardly revolutionary, however. Other social networks offer similar features. Capzoo.com, for instance (yet another boring social network) has since it “launched.”

By the way, please take note that my attorneys are now applying for a trademark for “Brand Bling” on my behalf.

@ #22:

“What is social networking?” - It depends who you ask. For many people it’s an outlet to connect with friends and interests.”

-Like I said, we were looking at it from the proprietor’s perspective.

“Believe it or not, that does not always mean “look at what brand I’m pimpin”.

-Um…yes, for their target audience it absolutely does. The name of the site, after all, is “Hot or Not”–not “It’s What’s on The Inside That Counts.”

“Of course, if you’re a marketer…you have a one track mind.”

-Mm hmm, and that is what business is all about, is it not? Is business not what we discuss on this site?

“And I don’t think there’s anything “innovative” about being able to put a picture of a brand name on your web page. I believe you could do this 10+ years ago right?”

-Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve–look up the definition of “innovation” and get back to me.

“So….what, you’re gonna look for chicks who are into “Sprint mobile”…yeah that’s hot.”

-Doesn’t matter what you think is hot. Like I said: this service wasn’t created for you. It was created for those who DO think it’s hot (or “hawt”, as it may be). The “Paris Hilton Nation”, if you will.

Yes, most people here get the power of this from a marketing perspective. It is brain-dead obvious.

The real question was would users accept this? Check it out, they are…

*Flabbergasted and excited at the same time*

Drama 2.0: “I always get a kick out of the people who post pictures of Ferraris, yachts, Rolexes and designer fashions on their MySpace pages as if it will mask the fact that they drive Geo Prisms, own boogie boards, wear Casio watches and shop at Ross.”

-LOL, and this is a problem I can see that HoN will be forced to address for it to be successful–how do you get users to identify themselves with brands they actually own and/or have the ability to patronize? By limiting the brands available for them to choose from? I dunno.

@ Everyone saying that this isn’t an innovation because some obscure site(s) did it before:

-Innovation is a grey area. Let me show you how it works: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6VmRCDX7G1o

@ bdb:

That’s the question I’ve been attempting to address, smartypants.

If you get the “brain-dead obvious” power of this feature from a marketing perspective, then why don’t you understand why users will accept it?

Yes, they can definitely make some decent revenue from this feature. Could definitely see that happening.

@J-son, Just like you said, we are not the target audience, and it is difficult to fathom people’s willingness to partake (and the investors I’ve been speaking with needed more proof).

Hey J-son, I agree with everything you’ve said, just wanted to add something.

Being 38, which could be ancient to most of you, I’ve seen my share of changes in what’s hot and not. One thing which I would warn companies of, is that the “Paris Hilton nation” time, will pass.

Cycles are cycles and even business has them. I’m not suggesting a “bubble”, I’m only stating that at one time Donald Trump and his ego, were big (in the 80’s when most of you were born). Then it died, he took a step back (don’t say bankruptcy), and he went on to rebuild during the quiet years!

Fastforward to the last few years and he was big again, or at least his ego was. Cycles burn themselves out and seeing how sick everyone is of; Paris, Brittany, Lindsay, Rosie, and The Donald, I would say that time is coming.

You could argue that another crop will take it’s place, but history says there will be a gap in between the current and the next bling generation (Should I trademark that? Seriously, I kinda like it?)

Now onto the idea that brand bling (Can I use that for now Drama? Only for this conversation I promise.) is going to last - is a stretch. How much time it has left, I don’t know but it will fade away. So short-term there is an opportunity here, mid-term a crash and burn, and by the 20-teens back in spades.

Hopefully by then 45 will be the new 25, and I won’t feel like a pervert while surfing a (hopefully) better designed Hot or Not.

I’m talk this subject for real. Do you people jerk off HotOrNot websites?

I know HotOrNot is only for lonely lovers, horny guys, 40 year old virigns, and pizza face guy who plays video games(Xbox, Wiis, PS3 ).

While I think J-Son makes a very valid point about how valuable this is to marketers, I wonder if this is extendable beyond a few types of brands (and of course, even if it isn’t, it’s still very valuable).

No one is going to add “Charmin” or “Dr. Scholl’s” to their profile. The industries you can expect to show up are:

- Luxury cards
- Alcoholic beverages
- Apparel
- Health/wellness brands
- Fashion Electronics: Apple by itself (sorry, no one else in consumer electronics is a fashion brand, only Apple is)

hotlist is a “product?” it feels like a damn 99cent store whenever i see someone’s “hotlist bling.” why are we even talking about this? i think the concept of the company is somewhat intriguing, but this hotlist stuff is going no where fast.

@32 - Len

True, the 80’s are back big time and with it comes the greed and ‘me’ culture that typified the era, but even in the grungy early 90’s people still tied themselves to brands, even if it was a little less obvious. Doc Martens stick out as standard-issues in that culture, as does flannel (even if no particular brand defined that piece of clothing). Then people also tied themselves to the brands put out by their favorite groups. Nirvana could be considered a brand, as could many other groups.

On the hip hop side there was a similar movement with Nas, Biggie, Wu-Tang, and other ’street’ rappers. While today we think of it as bling, in the early 90’s it was pretty legitimate, the hip hop version of grunge music that had turned it’s back on hip-house like Heavy D and MC Hammer. The same applied, there were brands like Guess Jeans that made waves in a more subtle and affordable way.

True, with the ‘big 80s’ mentality returning we’re seeing people aspiring to things they’ll never be able to afford, but you can’t deny that in any era there are brands that have value. Even among the LES / Williamsburg NYC or Mission / Hayes SF hipster crowds there are brands that are held up high in the seemingly all-vintage style…you’ve just never heard of them

Also I think some of you are taking this way too seriously. When you wear Nike’s do you feel like a whore because there’s a ’swoosh’ logo on your feet? Or when you show off that shiny new iPhone are you acting as an Apple shill? It’s not as hollow as it might seem, it’s more like sharing things you like with your friends.

“Also I think some of you are taking this way too seriously. When you wear Nike’s do you feel like a whore because there’s a ’swoosh’ logo on your feet?”

Actually a lot of europeans do. You can always spot the american tourist by his corporate sponsered attire.

Does everyone think HorN actually has permission by the myriad of companies listed to use their trademarked logos? Hmm. There’s a lot of companies here, some of which I know are extremely protective of their brands. Many of these companies hire image recognition companies for this very reason. Interesting…

still haven’t seen a hottie with a Stooges brand yet

-s

i kind of like it - it works, it really personalizes you in another dimension

This totally makes sense! I think branded content is the way to go in order to make more money!

this is essentially what people on social networks do anyway - i like these bands, these movies, these books…attributing this idea to hotornot seems pretty wrong.

really you should attribute the idea of doing the same thing but in a copyright violating way by using corporate logos - which is probably precisely why other social networking sites just do it with text.

Hey Sean (#36),

I never said there won’t be tried and true brands that survive and flourish in a change of business cycle.

What I was saying, is that this cycle of bling, brand culture, etc…goes through ebbs and flows and is due to change. Whether or not, Hong and his crew catch that or not is entirely another thing.

If he’s basing his current and future business model on gathering data, and either targeting ads or selling his data, that will only last so long. This cycle of materialism is reaching it’s peak for this time around is all my point is.

Hong states in his blog that Hot or Not will always be relevant because the word “Hot” has always been used (for hundreds of years….) to convey what is popular culture, and his community will be able to give them the power of that information. If I remember correctly the Fonz thought “coolemundo”, and “heyyyyy”, would last forever too! He must have been devastated when Bud changed all that with Wassssssup!

If as I suspect people will get tired of the materialism cycle, they too will grow tired of what Hot or Not stands for, and look for other communities to join. HoN won’t dry up and wither away, but they will not sustain their community at the heights he believes they will when the cycle changes.

Just in case…..

The Fonz is from Happy Days, and coolemundo and heyyyy were a couple of the things he said.

I forget sometimes that if some of you haven’t seen the reruns, you won’t know what the heck I’m talking about.

And Chris (#38), good point on using corporate brands and trademarks. It’s a catch 22 though. Generally the people posting these logos would be users of the brands, and forcing the HoN people to take them down would probably upset the very people raving/using their brands. Providing they are not posted in a defamed way, made fun of, tarnished, seen with Paris Hilton, etc.., they’ll probably get away with it.

As for hitting up these companies to be paid for it, it’s a stretch. There may be the odd company that has some extra money in their marketing budget for crap like that, but ultimately it’s the information they want and how they’ll use it, which they are looking at for revenue. If anyone comes across a company paying to be at HoN, hit them up fast for some of it before they come to their senses on that type of impression.

HotorNot?

Not bad.

http://www.dateunknown.com

I think (some) commenters are focusing too much on corporate logos.

If the image can be anything the user uploads (as stated), then the image could be just that, anything. A picture of a dog, a tropical island, a golf course, whatever.

Seems like a very good idea to allow people to express/represent themselves and to find people with similar interests.

That said, I can totally see people using the concept to show the world their favorite fashion label, bands, car make, etc; and I see nothing wrong with that. If you like a product, support it.

I would not be suprised to see the same concept quickly implemented in many of the social networking sites like MySpace and FaceBook.