Spanish ISP ArSeNet has the language barrier as an excuse, but should a US-based analysis firm really be forgiven the cross-cultural gaffe embodied in its name, when its tagline is "Worldwide competitive intelligence"? Presumably the worldwide intelligence doesn't include checking whether it's a great idea, all around the world, to call yourself ARS. Fortunately for one of its most recent recruits - the unfortunately named Stan Schatt - the firm is now owned by Current Analysis and the ARS brand appears to be in decline. Which means he doesn't have to begin every phone call with the words, "Hi, this is Stan Schatt from ARS."

09 May 2005