The 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing Blog

Daily Deals will Die by 2016, says Forrester’s report November 21, 2011 – 7:47 pm				Damjan Arsovski

By 2016, advertisers will be spending $77 billion on interactive marketing, as much as they do on TV nowadays, the interactive marketing components (SEM, display ads, mobile, e-mail marketing and social media) will grow to 35% of all advertising spend as they get highly involved in the marketing mix, and the daily deals will switch from winners to losers… these are some of the interesting predictions in the latest US Interactive Marketing Forecast, 2011 to 2016 published by the Forrester Research Group.

The forecast, free to download, explains that in the upcoming years, advertisers will spend more money on interactive marketing because of the excitement about emerging media, the effectiveness of the interactive marketing and the overall customer obsession with online media and mobile devices.

The report contains many interesting predictions, some of them a bit controversial and very doubtful, but still worth taking them in consideration when working on your next strategies and business spending.

Beside concentrating on the mobile and social media expansions, one part of the report that I really was surprised to see was the prediction that the daily deals would die.

The reason for this statement, Forrester is putting in these words:

“Standing out above the clutter becomes harder for marketers as ad exposures grow. So some marketers unable to differentiate will rely on spontaneous coupons through more and more urgent Groupon-like “daily deals” as one way to drive notice. Consumers will grow so conditioned to micro-impulse offers that they’ll lose practice at considered decisions — in all walks of life, not just when buying spa treatments. Facing a cultural descent into maladroit judgment, employers (and spouses) will blacklist impulse deals to keep people intentional.”

Controversal, but yet very interesting forecast. What do you think?

Posted by Damjan Arsovski
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, Business News, Digital Media, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, web 2.0 | 2 Comments »
Tags: daily deals, forrester, forrester research, Interactive Marketing, marketers, marketing agency, marketing company, moble marketing

R.I.P. Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 October 6, 2011 – 4:57 am				Damjan Arsovski

Last night, the former CEO and co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, died. Not only that Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, but also the world has lost an amazing human being.

In moments like these there is no much to say… so I’ll just quote one of the old Apple ads:
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The rebels. The troublemakers. The ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Posted by Damjan Arsovski
Posted in Business News | No Comments »
Tags: apple, apple ceo, jobs, rip steve jobs, steve jobs, steve jobs death, steve jobs rip

Welcome back Delicious! September 27, 2011 – 4:53 pm				Damjan Arsovski

The two YouTube co-founders, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen through their mutual company Avos, are now restarting the famous Delicious, web service for bookmarking and sharing that they recently bought from Yahoo.

The refreshed version of this service keeps a lot of the same characteristics that in the past attracted millions of users, but it also features a lot of new additional settings and options, making this good-old website even more attractive to active web users.

The YouTube co-founders consider this website a new one, completely redesigned with new homepage and interface. They add that the idea behind Delicious is to keep it’s original purpose, but they seriously plan to fix the way users find out new links and web destinations.

Through settings and features such as “Stack”, users will be able to group their favorite links, which later they can share with other friends and Delicious users. The collection can be public and other users can subscribe to it and get notifications every time new website is added to the stack. Each of the stacks can feature their own profile images and description.

The new Delicious also introduced improved tags and keeps all the past API calls the same.

As an active Delicious user, I’m very happy to see this refreshed version and even happier to know that this website is no longer in the hands of Yahoo, which is really surviving some tough times… but that’s really a discussion for some other times.

Check out this video with on the new Delicious.com:

Posted by Damjan Arsovski
Posted in Business News, Interactive Marketing, Social Media Marketing, web 2.0, Website Design | No Comments »
Tags: avos, bookmarking, chad hurley, delicious, delicious welcome back, delicious.com, new design, web, web 2.0, web designw, web service, YouTube, youtube co-founders, youtube cofounders

Microsoft’s New Operating System Windows-8 Developer Preview in both x86 and x64 September 15, 2011 – 2:54 pm				Mohsin Sharief

Microsoft starts to promote its next Windows operating system at the Developer-focused, ‘BUILD’ conference in Los Angeles, CA. The Company is guiding and encouraging software developers to create new applications for the next generation operating system.

Steven Sinofsky, President of Windows says that a device with an old Atom processor and 1GB RAM would be enough to run Windows-8, even Windows-7 can run well on that configuration. Windows-8 has improved on system performance and speed on more powerful devices – tablet computers, Mobile Devices, desktop and laptop PC’s. The operating system which is due to released in 2012, works with ARM low power processors. The company will soon reveal details on the chips that will be integrated into desktop and laptop machines.

Microsoft Corp. is also planning to launch its own marketplace; “Windows Store” for Tablet PC’s as well mobile devices. It is being introduced with number of Metro-style apps. The company is ahead of its growing competition in the mobile device and Tablet sectors.

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky showcased some of the new changes at BUILD. Internet Explorer’s new version-10 will be able to switch between the standard desktop view and Metro style UI. The design language applications of Windows-7 are now easily compatible to run through Windows-8 devices. Sky-Drive storage supports integrated cloud based applications like Mail, Calendar and apps with the user’s Windows Live ID, which will have the new Metro UI process.

Windows has been controlling its growth due to market competition. The global market for Desktop Systems and laptops are slower than in the past, whereas for tablets – they are expected to reach over 70 million at the end of this year and grow up to 300 million in 2015.

For more discussions and conversations about Windows-8, please head over to the forums: http://win8.ms/forums

Posted by Mohsin Sharief
Posted in Business News, Digital Media, In The News, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, News | No Comments »
Tags: Build 2011, build2011, developer conference, IE10, Microsoft Windows 8, operating system, OS, Steven Sinofsky, Win 8, Windows 8 Developer Preview

LinkedIn Stats & Demographics, July 2011 August 8, 2011 – 9:57 am				Damjan Arsovski

After the recent IPO, LinkedIn decided to post their financial results and stats for the second quarter of 2011. During Q2, LinkedIn managed to get record amount of users, unique visits and pageviews.

With more than 115,8 million users and counting, about 61% increase compared to same period last year, and revenue of $121 million in Q2/11, compared to $54,9 million in 2010,  this professional social network is really onto something….

Check out the following First Earnings Announcement PPT by Jeff Weiner and Steve Sordello for more details on how this social network is becoming a key player in the online business world:

Furthermore, take a look at the following PPT by Amodiovalerio Verde, in which he outlines some very interesting stats about LinkedIn, such as:

• 58,5% of the 116 million users are male
• The users from the following 10 countries represent 80% of all LinkedIn members: US, India, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Netherlands, France, Australia, Italy and Spain
• About 68% of users come from Europe and North America
• Almost 50% of the users have titles such as managers, principals, owners, CEOs or vice presidents
• About 40% of the users work in companies with more than 10,000 employees

For more LinkedIn facts, check out:

Posted by Damjan Arsovski
Posted in blog, Business News, Digital Media, Interactive Marketing, Social Media Marketing, web 2.0 | No Comments »
Tags: LinkedIn, linkedin business network, linkedin demographics, linkedin first earnings, linkedin ipo, linkedin marketing, linkedin statistics, linkedin stats, linkedin users, linkedin.com, social networks, statistics

Proper Marketing Research July 18, 2011 – 2:38 pm				Sivaiah

Carrying out market research should always include competitor activity. Before making any major business decision, it would be a mistake not to have complete marketing information.  Information is made available by either demographics or in a statistical manner. Taking customer’s feedback and conducting surveys and questionnaires help a great deal in proper market research. In today’s market it is very important to know how to reach your customer in a cost effective manner. The following points help in carrying out a perfect market research and can help small businesses to achieve success and growth.

• Customer profile and mix
• Product mix
• Demographic issues and trends
• Future regulatory and legal effects
• Prices and values, and customer perceptions in these areas
• Competitor activities
• Competitor strengths and weaknesses
• Customer service perceptions, priorities and needs
• Communication
• Network
• Public Relations

When exploring the above, include primary research on local and niche areas, as it can help in providing a more thorough assessment. It is also important to adopt social media marketing plans and other digital strategies that are vital in competing and succeeding in today’s market. Understanding the competitors market helps industry growth as well as the growth for the demand of your products and services.

Posted by Sivaiah
Posted in Business News, Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: Marketing, marketing strategies, Marketing Techniques, Techniques

Virtual Farm Reaps Profit July 4, 2011 – 2:45 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Zynga’s IPO bid last week for a reported $20 billion is not too surprising.  The virtual social gaming application, according to the WSJ, generates a profit margin of more than 30% of prnot including stock compensation expenses.  Unlike most games tied to social media networks, Zynga does little interactive marketing. Their pure product engages users to pay for tokens which are redeemed with one click.  Another interesting point in the Journal article discusses the success of Zynga in the future.

Zynga‘s elevation was tied to their partnership through Facebook, whose wealth of personal data made it a simple driver for revenue growth.  Executives at Zynga now seem to want their application to leave the nest, so to speak.  They have yet to be a factor in Apple’s massive App Store, where users can sync digital content across platforms. Web analytics rank them outside of the top ten in downloads.  Android represents another option should Zynga develop a program using its standards.  Check that. Zynga has struck a partnership with AT&T to carry the mobile application.

In due time, it appears that Zynga will reap more of a digital harvest when the bid is accepted.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, new york interactive marketing agency, social media news, web marketing new york

Weekly Blueliner Newsminer July 1, 2011 – 4:37 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Welcome to a holiday version of the Weekly Blueliner Newsminer.  I wish everyone safe travels during this festive moment in time.  I have a few things to run through, so let’s get started.

1.  Twitter Elevates an Unfinished Book to No. 1

Indiana author John Green hasn’t finished his next manuscript. It won’t be published until early next year. Nevertheless, his social media community is feverishly waiting.  According to the headline from the Journal, Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s e-commerce portals have the writer of Paper Towns as a No. 1 entry due to endless viral connections.  Publishers have long known that social media can be influential in delivering written content. Like any industry, however, the segmentation is affected on a greater basis than other penetration. Green already has his young-adult base entrenched through online lead generation. Publishers, be careful who you tweet.

2.  MySpace Sold For a Note

NewsCorp sold the once seminal MySpace to an online advertising firm for $35 million.  The media giant was seeking offers above $100 million, but nobody took the bait.  MySpace’s descent into digital oblivion is hardly shocking anymore. It lost relevancy once Facebook rose to public conscience in 2008.  Several cases of digital pedophilia also soured the website for users. It’s hackneyed website design also did not help matters.  Specific Media along with entertainer Justin Timberlake look to refurbish the company’s value and open it to public bidding.  It may be too late to replenish the brand, but people are trying.

3.  Marketers Using More Psychographic Data

Jamie Beckland discusses the fragmentation of today’s generation. He argues that due to all the new digital measurement tools which graph human behavior in more sophisticated contexts, we have psychographic profiles instead of demographic. Demographic profiles were targeted by mass-marketed producers.  I highly recommend reading the article by clicking on the headline. Fascinating.

4.  Google In the News

Techland has more of the details on Google’s system wide website redesign.  Executives want the interface to represent a cleaner, minimal aesthetic.  These were segmented into “Preview” and “Preview” (Dense).

Google is still trying to gain market share from Facebook and released Google + this week. The search engine has thrown the kitchen sink at the social media sector, to only come up short.  I think history repeats itself. Wired has a sobering take on the whole ordeal.

5.  I’m The Tax Man

Today in California, a new state law levies a tax on affiliate advertising. The law was intended to break up a huge business revenue stream from e-commerce giants like Amazon.  CEO Jeff Bezos made clear that the U.S. Constitution protects interstate merchants from state legislation.  I’ve spoken here a few times about the impact of e-commerce on state coffers. They feel it by customers avoiding brick-and-mortar shops and saving fuel by navigating with a point and closing with a click. The debate will only grow larger once venerable institutions are stuck with declining property mortgages.

That’s the Blue news for now. Keep it clean.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Digital Media, Interactive Marketing | 1 Comment »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, new york interactive marketing, weekly blueliner newsminer

Crack One Open With Untappd and Pintley July 1, 2011 – 1:14 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

The Fourth of July weekend is here, and I want to wish everyone safe travels to their destination. While you are enjoying food and spirits with your friends, a couple of new websites look to engage with your friends. Untappd is a social media application where beer connoisseurs can post their beverage of choice. Similar to hyperlocal applications, Untapped creates a virtual pub for participants to debate and discuss topics relating to the brewing sector.  The mobile interface allows you to tag your friends, posting comments on entries.  Businesses also have an opportunity to develop brand positioning strategies while offering awards for active customers.  I think microbreweries will have a strong opportunity for awareness through this segmentation.  They can engage with coupons for select drafts, inform of tasting events, and seek sponsorship for local events.  According to the report from Netted, users also have an archive tab to glance over their discoveries.

Those discoveries can be fleshed out on Pintley.  Pintley is another social media website where a user makes choices based on their individual palette. Pintley will use their algorithm to list recommendations and offer communities to talk about them.  You could say that Pintley is the graduate level of the brewing industry. Users have lauded the streamlined interface.  Take a virtual tour of Pintley here.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Social Media Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency, new york interactive marketing agency, online communities, Social Media Marketing, social media news

Digital Tool of The Day: Social Plug-in Tracking June 30, 2011 – 4:40 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Google Analytics offer a new tool which allows a data report that shows how people share your content online.  It could fall in line with influencer websites such as Klout and Peer Index.  This plug-in has unique differentiations.  They use the social media buttons already located in your dashboard.  You can look at the activity through three phases, analyzing these categories:  Engagement, Activities, and Management.  This link goes further in depth on the execution.  The video below will help agencies leverage the updated dashboard.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Content Marketing, Interactive Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, google analytics news, Social Media Marketing, social plug-in tracking