PSFK posted an interesting infographic today on the power of the mobile consumer. The graphic was done by Microsoft Tag and it covers a number of ways that real-time information is changing our behaviour.
(larger version)
Category: Mobile Commerce
In 1981, the Buggles’ 1979 single Video Killed the Radio Star, became the first song played on the fledgling cable network MTV. Almost masochistically, radio stations started playing the song in high rotation, in a move that many saw as the broadcasters’ take on rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Yet, here we are 30 years later, and radio is still here, albeit minus a few stars, but still going strong. Which begs the question: what are the Buggles up to these days?
As is often the case, with premature pronouncements of any media’s demise, its finality is often exaggerated.
The main reason is an audience’s desire for relevant, high-value information. In social media it’s been said that content is King, but quality is Queen and seasoned media outlets have been producing that for years.
Case in point is National Public Radio (NPR) out of the United States. Instead of collapsing in the face of the rise of social media, or seeing it as a threat, NPR embraced the chance to offer another point of contact for their incredibly loyal audience. Continue reading →
Category: Uncategorized
Even with the long winters, the vast expanse of our frontier, or our collective, ahem, socialist tendencies, it’s still amazing that once again Canadians have taken the honour as the world’s top internet users.
The study, released by digital measurement firm comScore, found that for the fourth quarter of 2010 Canadians spent an average of 44 hours online each month.
Canadians lead the world in great beers and time spent online.
Continue reading →
Category: Uncategorized
Predictions, prognostications, big hairy prophesies –whichever term you use, the start of a new year just lends itself to forecasting what next 365 will offer.
If we learned one thing about social, mobile and location-based marketing technologies and applications in 2010, it’s that no matter how audacious our thoughts may be, our prediction is that several new, never-before imagined ideas will rise to the top of our industry and surprise us all.
But, for now here are our best guesses for social, mobile and location-based marketing in 2011.
Social:
Social Shopping Could Be the Next Big Thing
Social shopping as a concept has been around for a while with sites like Kaboodle, ShopStyle, Wists, Wishlistr and Zozolo, but most of the current communities haven’t gained mass appeal. Despite some shortcomings, Apple’s Ping social network is a great example of social shopping in action. Continue reading →
Category: Uncategorized
They always say that you need to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going. And as a knowledge based agency, we’re always keeping an eye on the digital industry to see where things are going.
We’ve rounded up a few interesting trends in social media, mobile and location marketing that we think will be affecting things to come.
Social:
Foursquare Boasts Over 5 Million Users
While only an estimated 4% of adults actually use GeoSocial services, they seem to be on a somewhat steady incline which was highlighted by Foursquare’s recent 5 million user milestone. Continue reading →
Category: Destination Marketing, Location Based Marketing, Mobile Marketing
Rob Howard, Suitcase Eastern Canada’s Managing Director, made a big impression on the Canadian marketing community in 2010.
Of course we’ve seen his influence around the office through his pitches and strategies, but his July 27, 2010 post Here and Now Culture has been named one of 2010′s top 5 articles by the readers of the Canadian online marketing website onedegree.ca.
In the piece, Rob deftly compares and contrasts the traditional and location-based marketing models. His conclusion is that the older model resembles a treasure map where success relies on the consumers ability to follow the clues and end up at the cash register. The newer model, location-based marketing, in Rob’s assessment (and one we all share) is like a radar, a beacon where. “… the consumer is delivered an experience relevant to their physical location and needs at the time.”
And, as Rob also explained in the article, the key to being in the Here and Now, with the consumer is to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of your customer’s journey, as they consider, compare, learn about and interact with your products and brand.
Delivering a location-based brand experience requires not only mapping out the customer journey, but also tailoring each interaction to the customer’s needs or motivations based on their physical location at the time of each interaction.
As Rob boldly states, “Location-based experiences can — and will – transform the way consumers interact with brand organizations big and small.”
We raise our glass to Rob for all the tremendous work he’s done for this industry in 2010 and for his insightful thoughts moving forward into the new year.
Category: Location Based Marketing, Location-Based Experiences
The walking tour, as a concept, is nothing more than a time-honoured packaging of a selection of locations or attractions in a meaningful way. Typically, walking tours will direct people along a route filled with sights and landmarks associated with a a well-known movie or television show, with the hope that in turn, people will get more out of their visit. Great idea, and an easy execution for most tourism boards, but walking tours exist as a low priority item – geosocial apps could change that.
GeoSocial is quickly evolving to become the new walking city tour. Two recent examples using Foursquare and Gowalla caught my eye, and in my mind, opened the door for location-based destination marketing. Continue reading →
Category: Destination Marketing, Location Based Marketing, Location-Based Experiences, Mobile Marketing
