Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh)

Not that you need more data to digest but there are some compelling stats!

If you missed the others check out the links below:
Did You Know 4.0
Social Media Revolution

Will Apple change the face of advertising?

Apple recently launched its new mobile ad platform, iAds. The new ad platform will revolutionize mobile advertising by serving rich and immersive ad experiences to the iPhone, iPods, and iPads. Steve Jobs was quoted “…the company is looking to change the face of advertising”

The benefits of brilliant graphics, touch-screen interactions, and the abundance of media choices creates a user experience like never before. Similar to an expandable banner users can tap/click to engage with the ad. As the ad takes over the screen, users can play a game, watch a video or access more information. You will even be able to make a purchase and then resume to what your were doing before you clicked on the ad.

Hands down this is a game changer but there are a few concerns.

Continuous connectivity of a mobile device creates more opportunities of engagement through informational updates, integrated messages, and anytime or anywhere access to your consumer. While the cost factors may inhibit certain brands, the opportunity lies with creating a new ecosystem of engagement.

Last Media Daily News (Media Post) recently reported according to ABI Research mobile display will increase from $313 million in 2010 to $1.2 billion in 2015.

Click here to learn more about the iAd Network from Apple’s press release.

Half Made In Detroit

I saw this blog post and had to feature it. Yes I have love for the Motor City from growing up in the suburbs of that resilient city.

So here are the 10 greatest movie cars of all time

1. Goldfinger (1964) – Aston Martin DB5 English made but still a great car!

2. Back to the Future (1984) – The DeLorean

3. Bullitt (1968) – Ford Mustang Nothing cooler than McQueen burning rubber!

4. Batman (1989) – Tim Burton’s Batmobile

5. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) – Lotus Esprit

6. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) – an import

7. The Love Bug (1968) – ’63 Volkswagen Beetle

8. Ghostbusters (1984) – ’59 Cadillac Ambulance

9. Smokey and the Bandit (1977) – Special Edition 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am

10. The Pursuit Special from Mad Max (1979) – 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe

What’s not to love about Foursquare?

What Is Foursquare?
It is one of many new apps based on Location Based Services (LBS). LBS can detect your whereabouts through the GPS function on your mobile device. Foursquare is a location-based social network where users “check in” and share locations with friends.

So What’s To Love About Foursquare?
Fun & games. Gaming always creates good incentives for engagement.
In Foursquare players are rewarded for their “check ins” by acquiring badges and earning status ranks. If a player “checks in” at one locale more often than anyone else, they become its Mayor. Players then can broadcast their status to various social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

How Does It Benefit My Business or Brand?
1. It is a great tool for generating buzz. Imagine creating a network of brand ambassadors to help increase foot traffic.
2. Creates a wider audience base from actual customers sharing “check ins” with their network of friends and followers.

How Do You Start with Your Business?
1. Register your business on Foursquare.
2. Promote your participation through all channels and most important your digital ones like your website, blog and social networks.
3. Engage the users. Show appreciation to the users who visit your business. A simple thanks is a great start.
4. If you have resources you can engage further with creating loyal fans by mentioning the Mayor each month in your other channels like your website, email newsletter, Fan Page etc. You may also consider adding special offers to incentivizes people to visit your business like check in 4 times a month and get a free coffee.
5. Ideas are endless. It is like a loyalty program but without cards and a lot more flexible and viral. Create a scavenger hunt where users check in at different locations and all participants enter to win a sweepstakes. Event planners and promoters could use it to get people to come out to the big event, check in and be in a drawing to win a prize at the end of the night.

Foursquare seems to be leading in locations (cities) but Gowalla is equally good and gaining very quickly. Foursquare also has recently closed a few deals and partnerships that positition them as a potential powerhouse.

Other Location Based Services (LBS) worth checking out:
Gowalla
Whrrl
Brightkite
Loopt

2 Great Productivity Videos

The only way to exist today as an small agency is to be fast and efficient. Here are 2 videos I had to share.

“Noded“, a book about working with web powered teams, introduced me to this great video from Ryan Carson of Carsonified. Based on David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” philosophy, Ryan shows a simplified way to manage tasks using OmniOutliner.

Next is Paul Boag from the podcast Boagworld. The following video highlights how to manage tasks with OmniFocus another Omni tool.

If you like these methods I would recommend reading “Noded” as well as Paul’s other video “My Grand Mac Tour“. Both highlight great techniques and tools for today’s modern worker.