Whittaker’s Chocolate, a New Zealand chocolatier and the Portuguese Sagres Preta, maker of chocolate stout beer, bravely decided to create their website only using chocolate, their main ingredient.

Everything from the interface design to the navigation and the social icons on their website is made of chocolate!

The idea is brilliant, and with this approach these two companies are showing that advertising should be fun and honest, not boring, false or evil.

To better promote this initiative, the companies also accompanied the campaign with videos of how the websites were done – from idea to execution. Check out one of the videos that went viral on the web:

Delicious, isn’t it!?
If you would like to reinvent your own website and find a creative way to promote your products like these two brave companies, feel free to get in touch with us.

As a final thought, I’ll just share this excellent quote from the great Jerry Della Femina, who said:

“I honestly believe that advertising is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”

appMobi utilizes the web development standards of HTML5 and Javascript in order to expedite software deployment.  They believe that this will accentuate push messaging, which is the option of fresh content initially subscribed by the customer being revealed when they opt-in with an application.  In layman’s terms, you are looking at a sports application on your Android smartphone. You have your favorite team preferences logged into your account.  Push messaging procures pop-up messages to signify fresh content updated in real-time. For those who are conferencing through their smartphone either through voice or chat, this is a great feature.  Over time, this technology will prove advantageous to brands who look to capitalize with PPC and  various online advertising. They can properly segment their subscriber bases to increase engagement.

appMobi also is looking to improve the measurement of mobile analytics.  Desktop analytics, although far from perfect, have programs that can measure relevant metrics to determine an angle of consumer behavior.  We know about them. appMobi wants to integrate mobile statistics into desktop dashboards. appMobi is exploring some ideas. One of them is by improving the mobile resolution display through the deployment of a WC3 compliance weblog.  Once this weblog has the ability to validate new measurements, then we can see the effects of touch, augmented reality, and QR codes on strategy.

Over the air updates and mobile payments (one-touch) are two of the other cloud services in which appMobi is developing to improve cross platform application performance. Mobile payments are entering a period of stronger development and their transition into public behavior looms on the horizon. You can learn more about appMobi by following this link.

All jokes aside, Kausik and Mihailovski engage the audience with answers to these key topics over a twenty-minute session.  If you can connect your laptop to the television, your experience will be heightened.  I recommend the series to beginners of web analytics to seasoned program developers.  Don’t forget to put the website in your RSS Feedburner.

In this session, the duo discuss several topics. They will talk about how the best method for integrating Google Analytics with Web Optimizer along with how to track different campaigns like banner and internal. The duo investigate why clicks and visits do not sync between AdWords and Analytics. They also reveal if a Podcast of this discussion is available on iTunes.

Again, allot yourself some time to take notes and open up a discussion between your web developers and creative team.  Your office will gain from the experience and pass these on to clients.

How does this theme apply to website design? This structure carries a lot more weight than many consider today. As we know, the world is cluttering the senses.  Minimalist design can pay dividends for the UX (user experience) while growing your brand equity.

First, a digital marketing producer must speak with the website designer about the fundamentals. Creators know these by heart: color, layout, white space, graphics, and typography.

This writer discusses how to apply minimalist aesthetes to your site, leading to improved traffic and ultimately revenue.  I will list a few short examples flowing into the root piece.

Color

Color choice is not only an important strategy for appeal. It also unifies the visual experience. Horner recommends using a minimum palette base of black, white, and grey.  This allows a single accent color to have a greater impact. Contrast is key to generating a more dynamic, sensual expression.

Layout

Cleanliness is godliness when it comes to layout.  It is important to maintain some white space to honor category differentiation. Fonts must be able to display cleanly across platforms, since people view content from multiple sources. Mobile marketers must keep this in mind when constructing their site architecture.

Logo

The logo must be cemented since it is the symbol representing a company. It encompasses the mission, reflects brand strategy, and hints at product development. A minimal logo can speak fluent notes to an observing customer. If you inquire with the United Colors of Benetton, I bet their executives preach that less is more. Click on Benetton to receive more minimalist design tips.

1. Digital Partnerships Galore

I mentioned in the headline earlier this week about all the digital partnerships. Some of these include Groupon pairing with Live Nation next to Microsoft’s surprise purchase of Skype.  Microsoft’s integration of Skype bears watching. Will the business software developer throw their new SEO investments into Skype or smoothly blend algorithms?

2.  User Data Corruption

User data corruption has occurred in droves this week.  Michaels, the arts and crafts supplier, reported a hacking of credit card data from their shops this morning.  Facebook has a lawsuit concerning the unauthorized mining of user data for online advertising campaigns.  Playdom settled a lawsuit of breaching children’s data with the FTC. We don’t need to further investigate Sony’s current woes with Playstation.

Over time, it will be interesting to see how the consumer responds to these egregious click frauds. In the Michaels case, some plan to eliminate their ATM card altogether.  The thought sounds impractical, but restraint can be a positive.

3.  Flash Sale Marketplace

I also discussed the flash sale marketplace, which includes Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, and now Amazon’s MYHABIT.  Gilt submitted a valuation, and analysts are skeptical since the company has yet to turn a profit.  To their credit, they continue to invest in more products.  CEO Kevin Ryan is nonplussed at the skepticism. He believes that flash that the flash e-commerce model will only grow despite the rebounding of full-price luxury good sales.   Time will tell if they can sustain.

4.  Amazon Tablet?

This piece in TechCrunch is intriguing since it is all speculation.  The eBook conference in London earlier this week was a convergence where publishers of all sizes talk content. Can it be scaled for advertising? Can content secure copyright infringement? Can authors eliminate agents? Another writer declares The New Yorker iPad mobile application as the end of glossy magazines.

Amazon could be the superhero running in with a mobile device that would not only streamline their growing video library. This secret device could eliminate the need to develop mobile applications for other platforms (*cough..Apple!).  Supposedly the graphic design applications need time to develop. Interesting indeed.

5.  Google Releases Music Service

Those of us privy to searching Google for leaked music tracks may find this service redundant.  But it ensures stronger security encryption.  The king of search algorithms is an invite-only stage in beta mode. For the technology averse, beta is the development state of a website or application. Google’s Android operating system allows for synching music across your devices.  A cloud storage allows access offline, giving the user time to create and edit your playlists.  Amazon also entered the growing music cloud marketplace, experiencing crashes already.  It’ll be interesting to see if Google can avoid this inevitable issue of data transmission.Click on the headline for an instructional video.

That’s the Blue News for now. Enjoy the weekend.

This piece from Direct Marketing News, however, tells us a different story.  This generation makes up 26% of the current population according to the U.S. Census Bureau for a total of 79 million Americans.  They also hold several of the most powerful positions in our global marketplace. Some luminaries include Paul Allen and the President among others, who manage 50% of the country’s discretionary spending.  They feel that the interactive marketing community is ignoring them, and want retribution.

As the writer Anthony Franco asks us, how do we engage this demographic who have such depth of influence? Everything must be kept simple.  Your online advertising campaigns must carry a simple message with clear direction of your business objectives. Your blog or email newsletter can alert your key customers of news updates. Daily tips can be released by the real-time channel, depending on response rates.  Social media portals like Twitter and video sharing sites work great when the message correlates with the product.  Your blog should also have a link that goes straight to customer service for troubleshooting. A labyrinthe website with useless landing pages can really hurt your impression with this demographic. Then the sales do not flow into your business.

Baby boomers will spend time reviewing your site if they know that assistance is available. Web developers must design applications to match behavioral patterns of their customer.  Links with partnerships are always good if your website does not have the answer.

Like any marketer, being prescient is the key to optimizing strategy.  A good website rich in keywords does not hurt either.

First off, a domain name is a branding opportunity.  We know that kabillions of websites exist with a wide spectrum of user experiences.  You want to engineer a system of web development that maximizes your business growth opportunity.  A catchy domain name that correlates with your portfolio can go a long way towards development of your business models and strategy in the future. The parts of this model include your business name, logo, and color palette amongst other indica.

Secondly, you want something that will trigger emotion. Reflective, tingled emotion associated with a memorable domain can lead to credibility if the domain name is synchronized with the business persona. Consumers will not have to bookmark your name to visit the site. They will just type into the tag cloud and hit return.  One other key point is that you want portability if your business changes host servers.  Once you have a domain name, it is yours to maintain as a personal trademark. In order to gain legal protection, you must file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office here. Small businesses are not done once this step is completed. You still need an available name.

To find a good domain name, however, try Panabee.  Mashable also wrote a piece last week on the generator. This new website, with the name crossed between ‘panda’ and ‘bee’, mines the web for a multitude of domain suggestions based on a couple of keywords.  It also goes into data valuation, listing the names chosen by potential competitors and suggestions from the social media algorithms.  Search engine results also list possibilities.  Once you have found a term, then you are transferred to GoDaddy.com to purchase the domain for $7.49.  Hey, even Mark Zuckerberg had to give up a sandwich to get Facebook live online.

One of Symfony’s most appreciated features is its form library. Today I will write a short tutorial on how to create and validate a ‘choice form’ using its form library.

At first let’s see the screenshots of what we are going to implement:

Figure 1: Form Fields before Submission

Figure 2: Form Fields w/ blank Submission

Figure 3: Filling out Required Fields

Figure 4: After Successful Submission

Now let’s create a form inside ‘project_root/lib/form/’ directory called ‘myChoiceForm.php’ and write this code inside.

<?php
class myChoiceForm extends BaseForm {
public function configure() {
//key value pair for the choice form
$choices = array(‘Soccer’ => ‘Football’, ‘Cricket’ => ‘Cricket’, ‘BasketBall’ => ‘Basketball’, ‘Tennis’ => ‘Tennis’, ‘Chess’ => ‘Chess’);

//setting up the widget
$this->setWidgets(array(
‘my_name’ => new sfWidgetFormInputText(),
‘my_sport’ => new sfWidgetFormChoice(array(
‘expanded’ => true,
‘multiple’ => true,
‘choices’ => $choices,
)),
));

//setting up the validator
$this->setValidators(array(
‘my_name’ => new sfValidatorString(array(‘required’ => true)),
‘my_sport’ => new sfValidatorChoice(array(‘choices’ => array_keys($choices), ‘multiple’ => true))
));

//this is to allow any extra form fields while validation
$this->validatorSchema->setOption(‘allow_extra_fields’, true);
//this is to define what name format the form will generate in the view
$this->widgetSchema->setNameFormat(‘myChoiceForm[%s]‘);
}}
?>

Note that inside ‘$this->setValidators()’ I am defining the validation rules. Here ‘sfValidatorString(array(‘required’ => true))’ means this form field is required to be filled with some value. Similarly note the ‘new sfValidatorChoice(array(‘choices’ => array_keys($choices), ‘multiple’ => true))’ part, here by providing “’choices’ => array_keys($choices)” parameter I’m telling the validation class to validate against these particular keys from the choice form. Also the “’multiple’ => true” is important! If you do not provide this parameter then validation class will assume that user can only select 1 value and will show an error if user selects multiple entries.

Now write a method to show this form in action and pass it to the view:
‘project_root/apps/app_name/modules/module_name/actions/actions.class.php’:
<?php
public function executeShowMyForm(sfWebRequest $request) {
$form = new myChoiceForm();
if ($request->getPostParameter(‘myChoiceForm’) != NULL) {
$form->bind($request->getPostParameter(‘myChoiceForm’));
if ($form->isValid()) {
//setting up a different template
$this->setTemplate(‘showMessage’);
//passing the form to the view
$this->form = $form;
} else {
//passing the form to the view
$this->form = $form;
}
} else {
$this->form = $form;
}
}
?>

Now render this form inside the corresponding template:

‘project_root/apps/your_app/modules/module_name/templates/showMyFormSuccess.php’:
<form id=”form5″ method=”post” action=”<?php echo url_for(‘test/showMyForm’) ?>” >
<?php// echo $form; ?>
lt;span style=”color: #EE0000″><?php echo $form->renderGlobalErrors() ?></span>
<?php echo $form->renderHiddenFields() ?>
<div ><span class=”lebel”>Name :</span></div>
<div >
<span style=”color: #EE0000″>  <?php echo $form["my_name"]->renderError() ?> </span>
<?php echo $form["my_name"]->render(array(“size” => “40″)) ?>
</div>
<br />
<div ><span class=”lebel”>My Sports :</span></div>
<div>
<span style=”color: #EE0000″>  <?php echo $form["my_sport"]->renderError() ?> </span>
<?php echo $form["my_sport"]->render(array(“size” => “40″)) ?>
</div>
<input type=”submit” value=”Submit” />
</form>

Also create a template to show your submitted message:

‘project_root/apps/your_app/modules/module_name/templates/showMessageSuccess.php’:
<?php
echo “You have submitted the form successfully !<br />”;
echo ‘Your name is:’ . $form->getValue(‘my_name’).’<br />’;
echo ‘Your favourite sports are: ‘ . implode(‘,’,$form->getValue(‘my_sport’));
?>

Now you have seen how to implement a form in Symfony, try it yourself!

According to this piece from PC Mag, Google recently obtained the patent to develop this web application for future strategies.  It is unclear if Google has a conscious one in mind. If they do, then I see it as an opportunity to targer newer generations with a unique synthesis of advertising and education.   Figures like Chaplin built the channels for entertainment distribution that we enjoy today from any access portal. It is impossible to conceptualize watching a film without sound in a movie theatre where true interactivity exists between the audience and actors.  Today people can barely watch a film without playing Scrabble during the whole running time.

Chaplin held many other talents as a figure in the motion picture industry.  He was a musician, composing many of the scores in his films.  His discography also carried strong political undertones, making statements against fascism and war.  Click on Charlie to see the video.

1.  Google Labs Launches Page Slowdown

You wondered why it took so long. Google is finally launching a tool that can only be used on a propietary level.  The page slowdown will present an analytics report that offers irrelevant data to your user experience.  Envious of Apple dictating proprietary standards, Google decided to set policy of their own to undifferentiate themselves. Consumers now have the flexibility to buy whatever they want without fear of harrasment.

2.  Portable PC Is 60 Years Old Today

The first portable computer was designed in Oakland on this day today. Dubbed the Ozwaldo 3 after its creator, Miguel Ozwaldo, the portable PC was obsolete from the beginning.  It had a plethora of web applications for word proccessing. A digital calculator also helped you take even longer to balance your checkbook.  Despite all these features, carrying around your computer was already in vogue.  Handheld calculators had enough memory storage capability to hold critical programs. Who knew?

3.  iPad 2 Will Be Carried In 7-Eleven Stores Starting May 1

Apple called a surprise press conference this morning to announce that starting on May 1, the innovative tablet will be carried in 7-Eleven stores nationwide starting at $247.50.   Apple management was worried that Verizon’s portfolio of both Android and Apple consumer products will cut shared profit margins. Rather than wait for two quarters to pass, Apple struck a deal with the fast service chain.  The first 2,000 iPad buyers will receive a free $50 gift card for Slurpees.  iPads will not be available at 7-Eleven stores with gasoline service nor in Wyoming, Alaska, or Hawaii.  When reached for comment, a Verizon spokesman declined.

4. Bronx Zoo Cobra Is In The Catskills

The city had one eye looking to the side when breaking news stated that an Egyptian cobra escaped the Bronx Zoo this week.  He became an instant star. He slithered through venerable social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.  His handle @BronxZoosCobra gained nearly 229, 000 followers in two days. The guy even made a real connection with Ryan Seacrest. Until he realized that Seacrest does not shut up.  After a few days of alleyways, he crawled north to the Catskill Mountains. Supposedly, he has a squeeze who threatened him with a vicious tongue.

5.  Acer Calls Bluff To Board of Directors; Franci Gains A Raise

After people realized that they were a longtime producer of inferior desktop personal computers, the Acer Board of Directors changed their mind. CEO Gianfranco Lanci will actually receive a raise and capital to engineer a portfolio of consumer products that can challenge in the flooded mobile marketplace.  Their strong relationships with chip producers like Qualcomm should assist with this new strategy.  Acer executives will also raise prices to fair market value.  This would annoy some loyal customers, but will convince new customers of the line quality, spurring long term profit margin growth.  Once that pipe dream is achieved, Acer will fill for Chapter 11 by 2013.

That’s the Blue news comedy this week. Stay warm this evening.