My dear coworker, Ellen Robinson, is crazy about AMC’s “Mad Men,” as many New Streak readers are. So she sends me this article on how AMC embraces viewers actually “being” the show’s characters online. I find this fascinating and it made me wonder…

Many companies say they’re open to new ideas, new ways of working, new forms of advertising and promotion. But just how open are you? Are you as open as AMC? Would you let your customers BE your company’s voice to the world?

It’s a huge step. But since friends are becoming as or more influential than other forms of traditional product promotion, it must be considered and discussed. Will everyone be ready and able to turn the reigns over to customers? Probably not. But the ones who begin the process sooner than later will be ahead of the pack and stand out from their competition.