Mobile Ad Spending To Surpass $1B in 2011
Source: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007992
Three Indicators Your Brand is Ready to Go Mobile
Here are three indicators that suggest you should begin to develop a mobile strategy to launch your mobile presence. Consider if any of these scenarios apply to your brand:
1. You’ve been looking at the analytics for your website and notice your web traffic is increasingly coming from smart phones and mobile devices.
What this indicates: You could be missing opportunities to give your audience a rich mobile web experience. Mobile users visit a huge variety of websites from their mobile phone, so having a functional mobile site makes your brand highly accessible—something critical for marketers in this digital era. Of course, you’ll want to understand your audience base (i.e., High smartphone usage? Feature phone users?) and strive for a mobile web interface that will function seamlessly on a broad range of handsets.
2. Your service is community-based or requires a user to log in.
What this indicates: If your service is a self-contained experience, like a game or a social networking interface, you would want to develop an environment that your users could access on their phone, without sacrificing the display, formatting, and overall user experience. Ignoring the limitations of the mobile screen could lead to a loss of essential information and a poorer user experience for your dedicated users.
3. You offer products for sale or accept donations on your website, but you’re missing opportunities for your buying cycle to come full circle through the mobile channel.
What this means: Neglecting a mobile component in your marketing mix you could lead to missed opportunities to grow your revenue and donor base. Consider a brand that accepts donations on its desktop website. Not having a mobile site with donation-capabilities could literally exclude that brand from an enormous revenue stream. Verify that your shopping cart or donation features are fully functional through a broad range of mobile handsets.
Starbucks makes hire via iPhone app
Starbucks spokeswoman Stacey Krum writes: 
This was the first person that told us they found the job listing
through the myStarbucks iPhone app. Of course, there may be others but not that we’re aware. With an increasing number of people relying on their mobile phones for information, we thought it made sense to tap into a pool of potential employees directly. It’s a great way for us to reach out to job candidates who are already interested in Starbucks and we hope the popularity of the app will help us find the right people for our business.
Source: http://goo.gl/LD7k
Rage Now Available In All 50 States!
The advertisement for mobile service provider Cricket is supposed to read “Coverage now in all 50 states” but due to some unfortunate (but hilarious) placement, the poster reads “Rage now in all 50 states.”
A traditional ad for mobile service provider Cricket on Chicago's Red Line.
Mobile Applications Program at Hyper Island
Recently a team of students from the Mobile Applications program at Hyper Island Karlskrona (Sweden) reached out to us with questions about mobile trends for a research report and presentation. You can read what we–and others in our industry–had to say on their blog: http://ma11kna.tumblr.com/
The folks at Hyper Island are clearly passionate about understanding this space. Best of luck to everyone there!
Thanks to Andrea, Joakim, Kasper, Carl, Jakub & Sarp.
Punchkick Interactive and Keathley Advertising Team Up to Create GE Mood Lighting Cam iPhone App
Chicago, IL (June 17, 2010)
Punchkick Interactive, a Chicago-based mobile marketing company, and Keathley Advertising, an Akron-based advertising agency, today announced the launch of the GE Mood Lighting Cam iPhone app. The new iPhone app allows users to snap pictures of indoor environments with their iPhone and apply different “mood filters” using a “GE Moodometer.”
The unique “mood filters” simulate the changing of lighting effects within a room based on six different mood selections. Users can then access a bulb finder to determine which GE light bulbs will provide the dramatic lighting effects displayed by the app. Other features packaged within the app include design tips for recreating each of the featured moods, a three-step shopping list builder with product images and details for in-store reference, and the ability to save and email photos created by the “GE Moodometer.”
“The GE Mood Lighting Cam allows consumers to experiment with different lighting styles to figure out which lighting style is perfect for their home or office, and ultimately make a confident decision about which GE light bulbs suit them best,” said Zachary Linquist, Interactive Director for Keathley Advertising.
“This iPhone application is a shining example of the innovative things happening in the mobile landscape today,” said Ryan Unger, creative director of Punchkick Interactive. “iPhone apps are most successful when they provide users with a unique experience that’s independent of the Web or print media. This app is a portable, one-stop-shop for decorators, home-owners and other design-conscious consumers.”
The GE Mood Lighting Cam can be downloaded using iTunes, and is offered for free to consumers in all countries that support the Apple App Store.
About Punchkick Interactive Inc.
Punchkick Interactive® is America’s first design firm to focus exclusively on full-service mobile marketing. Punchkick’s award-winning text-message campaign management, mobile Web site design, custom iPhone app development, and mobile-media planning solutions have strengthened consumer engagement for many of the world’s leading brands, including UPS, AT&T, Pearson Education, Anne Geddes, ASPCA, Intel and Qualcomm. For additional information visit www.punchkickinteractive.com or call (800) 549-4104.
About Keathley Advertising
Keathley Advertising is an integrated advertising, marketing and public relations agency based in Akron, Ohio. The agency brings award-winning creative and non-traditional ideas designed to solve traditional marketing challenges to companies worldwide. Call 330-253-1004 or visit http://www.keathleyad.com or its blog at http://www.rooftopbanter.com to learn more.
Is There Anything Mobile Phones Can’t Do?
Here’s a unique musical contraption combining a variety of smart phones. My favorite part of this instrument is the portable speaker at the base of the “guitar.” Classic.
…or should I say neo-classic?
3D Mobile Is Coming, No Funky Glasses Required
Japanese electronics-giant Sharp recently unveiled an LCD touchscreen that displays 3D images without requiring special glasses. Sharp identified mobile phones as a potential outlet for this technology, and this week announced the first 3D camera to be used in mobile devices.
In a press release, Sharp explained how its 3D technology works:
“3D images are composed of two views taken using two cameras that simultaneously capture separate images for the right and left eyes. Consequently, a 3D camera requires peripheral circuitry to apply image processing to the two images, for example, to adjust color or to correct positioning between the images from the two cameras.”
The glasses used to view 3D images have lenses with colored filters. This creates the illusion of something popping off the screen known as parallax. The left and right eyes see separate images because of the apparent displacement of an object as seen from two different points.
The reason 3D technology did not successfully gain widespread use in the 1970s was because technologists failed to create a 3D user experience without the need for funky glasses. In order for parallax to work without glasses on mobile, viewers will hold a mobile device 12 inches (30 centimeters) in front of their face – approximately the same distance a mobile phone is typically held.
Sharp plans to ship the cameras as soon as July, and will begin mass-producing the product this year. Could we be on the verge of capturing and presenting eye-catching 3D images and video with our mobile phones? It’s an exciting prospect.
How will 3D content change our mobile experience?
Three-dimensional imaging technologies are changing the way we experience media, first in movie theaters, now in our homes, and soon in our hands. If 3D cameras become standard in our mobile devices, a wave of new content would contribute to the refinement of the technology.
Here are five ways we’d like to see 3D cameras and imaging for mobile applications:
1. Games. (Did we hear someone say Nintendo 3DS?)
2. Data charts and interactive surveys. Information architecture in 3D would be amazing.
3. Product previews for smaller items like jewelry could change the way we pop the question.
4. 3D profile pictures and video chat.
5. Navigation and maps with pop-up landmarks to guide viewers along.
What are some of your ideas for 3D imaging in mobile applications? Tell us what you’re thinking in the comments section.
Chicago, IL (March 08, 2010) — Punchkick Interactive®, a Chicago-based mobile marketing company, today announced the launch of the mobile Web site for the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). The site delivers a full-fledged mobile experience by allowing users to search pet shelters, browse profiles for cats and dogs available for adoption, make donations directly to the ASPCA, and learn how to recognize and report animal cruelty.
Punchkick Interactive created a custom mobile Web site for the ASPCA in order to provide the organization with a valuable touch-point for its ever-expanding audience. “The ASPCA mobile site allows users on mobile devices to access a wide range of pertinent information—well as support our cause through an easy-to-use mobile donation feature,” said Betsey Fortlouis, Vice President of Member Communications for the ASPCA. “Punchkick Interactive has delivered a mobile site with a beautiful look and functionality that surpassed our high expectations.”
The mobile donation feature works just like a PC Web site, where users enter their payment information and select a gift amount. Donations can be made with a credit card or via a PayPal account. People who would prefer to adopt a pet can browse through profiles for cats and dogs. Each profile includes the animal’s name and photo, as well as the breed, color, gender, age and a short personality description. Information about where each pet can be adopted is listed on their profile, including the address, phone number, and business hours of the shelter.
Perhaps the most important resource for mobile users is information about how to recognize and report animal cruelty. “This site provides people who are away from their computer with the ability to connect with the ASPCA in an engaging and meaningful way,” said Zak Dabbas, Managing Partner of Punchkick Interactive. “The ASPCA mobile site increases the organization’s visibility to the millions of mobile Web users throughout the country.”
The mobile ASPCA Web site is accessible on nearly all internet-enabled mobile phones. Users can browse the site now at www.aspca.mobi.
About Punchkick Interactive Inc.
Punchkick Interactive® is America’s first design firm to focus exclusively on full-service mobile marketing. Punchkick’s award-winning text-message campaign management, mobile Web site design, custom iPhone app development, and mobile-media planning solutions have strengthened consumer engagement for many of the world’s leading brands, including UPS, AT&T, Pearson Education, Anne Geddes, ASPCA, Intel and Qualcomm. For additional information visit www.punchkickinteractive.com or call (800) 549-4104.
About the APSCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.
Looking Forward to ‘Mobile University’ One-Day Event
We’re excited about the Mobile University event that’s being put on by the Heartland Mobile Council. The one-day Chicago event promises to address the importance of a long-term strategic approach to mobile marketing, as well as demonstrate how to integrate mobile into your business.
Here’s a description of the event by the Heartland Mobile Council:
“Mobile University 101 is the interactive one day educational event that will address the importance of a long-term strategic approach to mobile within your business. Whether you’re interested in creating a mobile marketing campaign, or understanding the various kinds of rapidly evolving mobile technologies, Mobile University is the place to get started with a mobile strategy, and begin to leverage mobility to improve your bottom line.”
There are going to be some great educational topics covered at the event, and both Ryan and I will be leading a break-out session focused on different ways to successfully integrate mobile within an overall marketing strategy.
Pre-registration tickets for the event are $99 and can be purchased here.
If you’re interested in reading the official release for the event, click here.
