With Apple’s release of the new iPhone 3G S, mobile marketing takes another step forward as a viable medium here in the United States. The iPhone is propelling its competitors to develop consumer-friendly smart mobile phones, the introduction of which has become the turning point for the mobile industry. No longer restricted to just voice and SMS, consumers have access to email, the internet, and a host of applications that enrich their mobile experience, while providing ease of use. And the major carriers, now primarily AT&T and Verizon, have been building up their 3G networks to provide fast access throughout most of the U.S.
Today I spent a few minutes shopping for netbooks that Dell has created specifically for women. Dell is targeting women with purse-sized netbooks, as well as the purses to hold them. It’s all the rage. Two clicks in and you recognize the traditional Dell ecommerce architecture, albeit with a softer palette and a different, more feminine header. Browsing it, I am reminded of the days when I marketed tobacco products and the furor that erupted with the introduction of “Dakota” by R.J. Reynolds in 1990. (more…)
Everyone’s talking about Twitter these days. From “think of the possibilities for our brand” to “this is a way for people to mobilize” to “this is just another time-waster” to “this is the end of civilization as we know it,” the constant chatter has made Twitter the must-check-out web commodity of the year. But what is most striking about people joining Twitter en masse and microblogging to their hearts’ content is that many don’t realize how public what they say is until they’re hung out to dry for thinking no one is listening. (more…)
Well not quite yet, but we are hearing some promising news from Adobe. They recently announced their plan to extend Flash technology and user interface to digital home devices to deliver HD video and rich new media applications to televisions, set-top boxes, Blue-ray players and other digital devices in our homes. This new technology should be here by the end of 2009.
So what are the implications for consumers, agencies and developers?
What does this mean for consumers?
The Adobe Flash Platform for the Digital Home now enables the delivery of HD Web videos to digital home devices via the Flash Video (FLV) file format. Consumers will be able to enjoy rich, interactive viewing experiences and amazing new ways to engage with HD content on televisions. Flash technology-based applications will allow users to quickly switch between television programming and Web content outside the Web browser. This will provide a platform for amazing experiences and ground breaking interaction with your favorite brands. “Adobe Flash Platform for the Digital Home will dramatically change the way we view content on televisions,” said David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president, Platform Business Unit at Adobe. (more…)
My wife and I were in the theater the day Helvetica came out. The next day, she preordered the deluxe-o DVD. But this clip and the one after the jump, however, completely passed us by. Either way, a good laugh for anyone who’s had to anthropomorphize a font for a client. There’s a second one after the jump. (more…)
Purchasing a car is a nightmare.Researching the purchase is a dream. Brand sites put us in the driver’s seat and allow us to kick the tires while comparative sites such as Edmunds.com give us agnostic information and tools to empower and embolden us for the march to the dealer. But how to end that dealership-experience nightmare? Enter Audi. (more…)
The lid blew off online marketing when we were able to tie online activity to sales, to show a better ROI than traditional media. Up to that point, the Internet was a place to put experimental dollars and the first to get cut. Now digital is in just about every marketing plan.The same must be said about Social Media. How do we tie it to sales, or do we? (more…)
I don’t tan. I have, however, had to bang out a few unbranded healthcare sites in the past. Which is why I was interested when I first heard about ComputerTan.com. It doesn’t follow the well-worn unbranded site formula, and I think that’s why it’s a success. (more…)
In a society where we are constantly bombarded with thousands of visuals, messaging, and options — brands are crafting newer strategies to create and maintain relationships with their audience. Attempting a more minimal approach, McDonalds has recently revealed a progressive nationwide campaign in Japan with their non-branded branding. When one enters their new locations there are only two options: a quarter pounder and a double quarter pounder. Each comes with fries and a beverage without any other options making the decision making process quite simple. The only question is whether new brands can go this minimal route or if it can only be successfully accomplished by well-established brands like McDonalds.
This Thursday we’ll be starting a bi-weekly presentation and discussion on new technologies, emerging progressive ideas and how they can evolve and strengthen marketing creative. Stay tuned for updates and some insights!
