For Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, it was a box of sandwiches at the Pierre. For the three co-founders of Shine, it was a Perkins Restaurant in Madison, Wisc., circa August 2001. And while certainly a different time -- not to mention a very different cultural context and set of circumstances -- there are a few truisms that likely ring true for virtually any new agency. It's been said that going back to the beginning is the best way to continue moving forward; so sit back, pour a martini and revel in a few thoughts on the joy of the startup.

The ever-brilliant Caroline McCarthy posted a story on companies rolling out badge programs to reward things that do not involve location. The problem with the rush to "reward" consumers with badges and stickers is that they eventually diminish in value as they become a) less scarce, and b) not attached to anything of value.

Everyone has heard of mobile giving, thanks to a number of successful initiatives such as the Haiti drive earlier this year. Mobile is clearly becoming a preferred way for consumers to make microdonations, to express an opinion and to volunteer time or an opinion. So all nonprofits need to establish their mobile presence now, says C. Douglas Plank of Mobilecause.

On July 21 and July 22, David Kenny may have inadvertently announced his intentions to move to Akamai by checking in at the company. Moral of the story? Whether Foursquare is important for marketers or isn't, it's pretty damn useful for reporters. And stalkers.

The IRS makes projections based on a combination of third-party economic data and forecasts along with historical data and trends it has observed. Here are five theories about its findings, and what they could mean for marketers.