The 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing Blog

Half of Facebook users use mobile September 5, 2012 – 11:03 am				Damjan Dano

Recently, the social stats platform SocialBackers shared some insights into how many people use Facebook via their mobile version and their mobile apps… the number is (not) suprising at all… it’s 543 million users, almost 57% of the total number of users.

The research shows that the highest number of mobile visits come from an Android based phones, while the iOS based iPhone and iPad make total of 25% (19% iPhone and 6% iPad).

North Americans are the most frequent mobile users on this social network, 161,7 million users from this continent like and share content daily on Facebook through their mobile devices.

On second place is Asia with around 134,2 million users and third in number of visits is Europe with 120,7 million.

So clearly mobile usage and visits from mobile devices on the web are trending….  perfect time to invest in a mobile-friendly website.

Posted by Damjan Dano
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, Content Marketing (Pillar 1), Interactive Marketing, Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications, Small Business, Social Media Marketing (Pillar 6) | No Comments »
Tags: digital marketing agency, facebook mobile, facebook stats, Mobile (Pillar 7), mobile apps, mobile usage, social media agency, Social Media Marketing (Pillar 6), social networking

Flash step aside, HTML 5 is taking over August 15, 2012 – 5:17 pm				Damjan Dano

Flash vs. HTML 5

Many of you have heard about HTML 5 as “the future of the internet”, “the most hyped technology update in the past couple years that is yet to come”… but how many of you are aware that HTML 5 is already taking over the game?

As of today, the 15th of August, Adobe is officially abandoning the support of Flash on all Android phones (version 4.0 and up) because of HTML 5… About a month ago in their official announcement, Adobe stated that HTML 5 is the “best solution for creating and deploying content in the browser across mobile platforms” and that they will be shifting their Flash support exclusively for the PC platform.

For those of you who are not familiar with the subject, HTML 5 can be used as an alternative to Adobe Flash. Both of them have functionalities that support playing multimedia files within webages, they both use integrated SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) and vector graphics. And even though the two technologies are not in direct competition and both have their own purpose, there are some specific cases that their features overlap, such as the mobile video area.

What Steve Jobs envisioned couple years ago it seems that it came through. He was known as a strong promoter of the HTML 5, same as Google, they made a decision to encode all of the videos on their YouTube platform in HTML 5, which was the right thing to do in order to offer content faster and better. With this, and today’s big news from Adobe, we can freely expect “invasion” of HTML 5 on multiple platforms.

And even though HTML 5 is not 100% ready, but the most popular browsers already support many of the HTML 5 tags and bits, and for those browsers that don’t really support it (yes Internet Explorer, we are looking at you!) HTML 5 functionalities can be easily supported with JavaScript replications…

With today’s announcement, we mark one small step for Adobe, but a giant leap for HTML 5.

Posted by Damjan Dano
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, Content Marketing (Pillar 1), Digital Media (Pillar 4), Flash, Interactive Marketing, Marketing, Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications, UX & Website Design (Pillar 2), Video Production, web 2.0, web development | No Comments »
Tags: adobe flash, flash vs html5, google, html 5, html5, steve jobs, YouTube

BBC and the digital Olympics August 14, 2012 – 11:55 am				Damjan Dano

The Olympic Games in London are officially over, therefore we can expect all the internet memes about the Olympics and about the athletes like Bolt or McKayla to wrap up pretty soon…  :)

But amongst all the different reviews and comments about the Olympic Games in London that you can find everywhere these days, one research about the viewership and broadcasting of the Olympics really grabbed my attention…

In a recent blog post on their Internet blog, BBC discusses their approach towards the distribution of the Games. From devoting around 24 TV channels, launching mobile apps all the way to live web streams, BBC obviously did a very good job (not like NBC).

In the same time they broadcasted live events and games on 24 different channels – making sure all the official Olympic sports played at the given moment receive their fair share of broadcast. BBC made sure that the Olympics are also streamed online on their website, with data usage going over 2.8 petabytes (in more familiar terms, that’s about 2,936,000 gigabytes!) on their busiest day within a span of 24 hours.

Further, BBC discusses the findings about the mobile viewers – almost 12 million people followed the Olympics on their mobile platforms – 9.2 million on smartphones and 2.3 million on tablet devices.

Sharing the mobile insights, BBC discovers that the peaks for mobile use are morning and evening periods, making an assumption that people used the mobile apps when they were on the move or in their beds (which makes  sense).

Some other peaks in different device usage that BBC outlined are:

• PC usage maxes out during the week at lunchtime and during mid-afternoon peak Team GB moments
• Mobile takes over around 6pm as people leave the office but still want to keep up to date with the latest action
• Tablet usage reaches a peak at around 9pm: people using them as a second screen experience as they watch the Games on their TVs, and also as they continue to watch in bed
• Consumption of video content on mobile has been perhaps the key takeaway from the two weeks: we saw 12 million requests for video on mobile across the whole of the Games.

To seal the deal and to confirm the great job they did, BBC announced that all of their Olympics video content will be accessible online on the BBC Sports website (that also made a record number of visitors) until January, 2013.

As one commenter on the BBC’s blog post says: “…it was a true taste of a multiplatform future.”

Posted by Damjan Dano
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, Content Marketing (Pillar 1), Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications, Social Media Marketing (Pillar 6), Video Production, web development, World | No Comments »
Tags: bbc, content distribution, digital olympics, internet memes, london, Mobile Applications, mobile apps, mobile devices, mobile platforms, mobile research, olympic games, Olympics, smartphones, tablet devices, video broadcasting, video production

#FoxAtPlanetaTerra May 21, 2012 – 5:11 pm				Cristiana

Social Media plays an important role in marketing – from outreach and raising a company’s voice, to enhancing the brand and as a CRM tool. Once only a digital marketing experiment, social media has become an integral part of any marketing campaign – both traditional and digital.

Online platforms such as Twitter put larger brands in direct connection with consumers, and can take advantage of their instantaneousness aspects of that particular network. Granted the content is interesting and original, this can create an almost immediate buzz.

Volkswagon is a used Twitter and Google Maps to market Planeta Terra, a highly popular music festival based in San Paolo, Brazil. As sponsors of the event, it was in Volkswagon’s best interest to garner a large amount of attention for the festival and looked at the cost-effective Social Media as a medium to do so. Volkswagon had high hopes of the younger audience of Pleneta Terra being responsive to their new, Fox car model.

Tickets were spread throughout 10 different locations in Sao Paolo. Volkswagon’s custom platform allowed users to easily see a Google map of the entire city. Users were asked to include #foxatplanetaterra in any tweet they wrote. The more they tweeted, the more the map zoomed in and the closer the user got to the tickets. The first to arrive were given two free tickets. After the prize is claimed, the race started all over again.

The approach can easily be SPAMMY – but nevertheless, the campaign saw a high volume of user partcipation and was considered highly successful. Practically, Volkswagen was able to get the word out on both the festival and the new Fox model. Even those that did not attend the event were curious about the contest and further investigated with enthusiasm.

Posted by Cristiana
Posted in blog, Interactive Marketing, Mobile Applications, Social Media Marketing (Pillar 6) | 1 Comment »
Tags: planeta terra, smm, socail media marketing, social media, twitter

Introducing Google Wallet September 21, 2011 – 12:44 pm				Mark

On September 20, Google released a new mobile app for the Sprint Nexus S 4G, the Google Wallet. The new Google app allows you to pay for goods with your mobile. How you may ask? The App virtually stores your plastic card information and releases it when you tap your mobile on the purchasing device. 

For those of you with a CitiBank Mastercard, you are able to directly place your card information into the Google App. For those who arent, youll have to purchase Google Credit points, which you can then spend. As an added incentive our friends at Google have seduced us with ‘recieve the first $10 dollars free’.

Before leaping into this great new invetion, ones finds himself asking, how safe is the mobile wallet? Well the Google Wallet has two layers of security.  The first, is a simple two layer PIN code.  Layer one is the pin code for entering your Anriod phone and layer two is a different access pin for the Google Wallet App. This security system prevents the ordinary theif from picking up your phone and using it to purchase goods. Security layer two is desingned to stop internet thiefs from hacking into your account. Your Google Android phone has a secure element chip in it. That is, another mini computer which stores your cards information. This information is encrypted and can only be accessed through MasterCards contactless reader. Google reassures us that the secure element chip has different layers and levels of security, which cannot be hacked. However, if your phone is stolen, you simply call up your bank and cancel your card like you would if your wallet was stolen. I guess somethings never change…

The verdict is out, and Google awaits to see if the public trusts Google Wallets security – and if so, will the everyday man adapt his life to include the Google Wallet?

I for one, think Google Wallet may not be a instant worldwide success but just wait six months to a year. The mobile phone world is drastically changing and with it so are our lives!

Posted by Mark
Posted in blog, Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: android, citibank, google, google wallet, mastercard, mobile, nfc chip

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 (Pillar 4), In The News, Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications, News | No Comments »
Tags: Build 2011, build2011, developer conference, IE10, Microsoft Windows 8, operating system, OS, Steven Sinofsky, Win 8, Windows 8 Developer Preview

New Version of iPhone Expected in Quarter 3 July 6, 2011 – 12:16 pm				Mohsin Sharief

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has placed orders for key components to be used in next-generation’s iPhone to prepare for a third quarter launch.

The newer version of iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4 and said to have an 8-mega pixel camer. The iPhone will operate with Qualcomm Inc.’s wireless baseband chips, a person familiar with the matter tells the Wall Street Journal.

A source at one of Apple’s suppliers says the company is looking to meet its goal of 25M units by the end of this year-2011. Apple said it sold 18.65 million iPhones in the fiscal second quarter, which ended March 26. Last month after returning from a trip to Taiwan, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said Apple will commence production on the next version of the iPhone this August.

Shipments of the new iPhone could be delayed if Hon Hai can’t improve its yield rate as the new iPhone is “complicated and difficult to assemble, the WSJ says.

Posted by Mohsin Sharief
Posted in Blogs with Videos, Digital Media (Pillar 4), Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications, News, Social Media Marketing (Pillar 6) | No Comments »
Tags: apple

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

GET IT Mobile Shares And Spreads Content June 28, 2011 – 2:18 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Mobile marketing has been conducted in a haphazard fashion through digital connectors. I have spoken several times about the slow pace of platform scale development. This has annoyed content executives who want to diversify their ad packages for consumers.

Quite possibly, this San Jose tech firm will put them at ease.  GET IT Mobile offers a mobile marketing platform for leading brands to connect with their audiences who are deluged with content from all angles.  How will they do it? These are some features of product differentiation:

• Web analytics – A partner site with measurement tools on par with other leading dashboards, customizable for your small business. Campaigns can be set up  at your discretion
• Landing Page Flexibility – Brands can customize their pages according to hardware platform due to the inclusion of product landing pages.
• Brand Experience – I like the shortened GET.IT URL. Links are becoming another domain where companies can stretch position and generate visibility.

The press release from EON offers more tidbits on the value of this new platform for businesses. After you review those, then GET IT over here.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Content Marketing (Pillar 1), Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency, get it mobile, mobile marketing company, mobile marketing news

Exceptional Mobile Marketing Campaigns June 24, 2011 – 12:53 pm				Rohini

Smartphones and apps are changing the way people access information, communicate and even shop. Mobile marketing is the future of marketing with the shift from PC to mobile happening at an alarming rate. Companies are employing innovative ways to hold their audience’s interest via text messaging, apps and unique mobile ads. Mobile marketing requires content to be engaging and interesting enough to hold a customer’s span of attention while he/she rides the train, waits in a queue at the airport or spend time browsing on their phone. Below mentioned are a few examples of brilliantly designed mobile ad campaigns.

1. Starplayer from Heineken

Around the time of the Champions League, Heineken developed a mobile game called Starplayer that was based on the real-time game on TV. The game could be unlocked about 10 minutes before the actual start of the UEFA game, and it interacted with users via questions that were predictive about the real game such as – corner kicks and the possibility of a goal going in. The game encouraged players to utilize their football instincts and mental skills, and earn points and badges. Starplayer could also be played online through Heineken’s facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XP5yySEZub8#at=58

2. Cornetto’s Mobile Game via Projection Mapping

Cornetto came up with an innovative street campaign using projection mapping technology in Turkey to build more brand awareness. They developed a game that could be played by 5 users at a time in a busy central square area in Istanbul. Any passerby could use his mobile to call and enter the game, and get assigned a character. If they were successful in the game, they could redeem a coupon for a free ice-cream. This game pulled in a lot of crowd as it only required the use of the keypad and hence could also be played by those who didn’t own smart phones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eXI8doq1k5Y#at=161

3. Danoo’s Digital Advertising via Bluetooth

Danoo offered digital advertising solutions across high football areas, via Bluetooth to encourage users to download content that were of interest of them from what was displayed on digital screens.  The content was available for download free of charge. Danoo’s results from this campaign were impressive, as they discovered that 10% of the people already had their Bluetooth on and about 28% chose to download information. These results were very encouraging to other advertisers.

4. Lynx – Complete the Missing Parts!

Axe, commonly known as Lynx in Uruguay ran a fun cheeky campaign using mobile marketing to engage their male audience in particular. They ran print ads with missing parts in the pictures, and encouraged users to text to a number to get the missing parts. This campaign was very effective as it got users to directly interact with the brand just to see more of the ad.

Posted by Rohini
Posted in blog, Mobile (Pillar 7), Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: internet marketing agency, Mobile (Pillar 7), mobile application, mobile apps, new marketing ideas, starplayer heineken, web agency