Blackberry App World!

You have hopefully heard of the launch of the Blackberry App World. I’m ok with us wanting to up our crackberries to iPhone fun status!

I’m in the process of downloading it to my Pearl as I type. I’m not sure how many apps I’ll be able to download and use before my battery dies by noon. Yes my Pearl battery sucks majorly but that’s entirely another rant.

hahah I just got really excited to see ICQ as an app. Oh what did we do before MSN messenger? Ok it’s already failed for me. Not enough memory space. Even with a memory card inserted. ARG.

For those Bold, Curve and Storm users. Goodluck.

An Itty Bitty ItiBiti

Exciting new announcement surfaced this week regarding Intertainment’s new software development appropriately entitled ItiBiti.

Basically it’s a desktop widget that allows you to go online without launching an internet browser. Watch videos, access all social networks and call land lines and mobile phones through VOIP service. Standard ad units (Big Box and Leaderboards) are available for branding experiences.

My take on it… I think it’s cool from the land of desktop widgets. Aggregates all my favourite things. Now I just have to jump on the VOIP band wagon. EgoTv is alreay set up in the states to offer the service. Let’s see which Canadian company they have on board for the launch.

Check http://www.intertainmentmedia.com/ for an online presentation about the product.

Mobile Commitments to Grow Online Access

All my friends know that my Pearl is an extension of my arm. I am lost without my Crackberry. My friends take pictures of me texting or on Facebook just to show me my obsession. I have a definite need and want to stay connected to the world, news, information, friends and acquaintances. I use my gps and google search constantly. So when online websites release statements of dedication to improving their mobile offering I get a little bit happy. 

“Fox Interactive Media-owned MySpace launched a new integrated and optimized mobile website for its 20 million worldwide members. This week, it unveiled plans for an updated version of MySpace Mobile (m.myspace.com / wap.myspace.com), extending the company’s global site redesign to mobile platforms accessible from any device.” – Source Media In Canada

The Mobile World Congress has been going on in Barcelona (Fly me there!!!) and announcements from MySpace’s CEO Chris DeWolfe regarding plans for apps on Nokia’s S60 and Palm’s webOS were made. Smart business move in developing apps for all smartphone platforms including iPhone, Android, Sidekick, Nokia, Palm and Blackberry. Cover your bases Myspace! Since MySpace has profited from advertising online already the extension into a better mobile marketing environment is smart and I give them a high five. 

The need to upload and share pics and videos is expanding rapidly and being able to initiate this without linking up to a laptop or desktop is taking over. 

Excitement around “Movidia, armed with $14 million of venture capital funding, has built a processor that allows users to do sophisticated video post-production on their phones, which it will soon release to phone makers for testing.” – Source: Reuters.com

And I might need to move to France where “Mobile carrier Orange, the main brand of France Telecom, is tempting customers with special pricing that offers unlimited access to sites such as Facebook and MySpace — but meters all other data use.” – Source: Reuters.com

Looking at the site on my Pearl I find the layout good, not too cluttered and easy to follow. Now show me how advertising can be incorporated and I may become a full believer.

A Super Disappointment

I don’t know if I’m just not in a happy mood this Monday but I’m supremely diappointed after watching the US 2009 Super Bowl commercials online. 

1. Not one, crack me up, funny one

2. Dull Action

3. None really that are (were) memorable

If I had to pick my top 3 after being tortured I’d say…

1. Audi Transporter

2. Career Builder – I Hate Work 

3. Etrade Babies

This was innovative and funny last year so that’s why I’m not really impressed but these kids still make me smile on my Monday funk. 

The fact that they list their website after the outtake video… slightly genius in today’s world of linear click-ability because I definitely made my click through way to their site. But that’s about it. I watched my funny videos and I got out

It’s All Downhill From Here

Red Bull Crashed Ice 2009 = Death Wish on Skates 2009

But crazy entertainment. I checked out a bunch of youtube videos from fans who attended the finals event on Saturday in Quebec City and got bored from the vantage point of just being able to watch the start of the race, parts in the middle or the end based on where the fans were standing when filming. 

Then I got creative and went for the good stuff. Best Crashes

Who’s cares who finished the race first, top speed or the fact that this year’s race featured a women’s division for the first time. I wanna see them go down! I know it’s slightly morbid or vindictive but it’s entertainment people!

Facebook Connect

You and I witnessed history. Whether it was in person, in front of the TV or in front of your computer. We watched, got goosebumps and smiled for change. 

Some used social media to watch with other Facebook users on CNN.com using Facebook Connect. I tried before getting sucked into a boardroom at work to watch via the good ol television. But before, I was able to catch a glimpse of the proceedings while checking some of the friend’s posts. 

Whether it was “S is watching history unfold – Its Inauguration day Baby!!” or “S is wondering if President O is gonna have an inhouse Barber to give him a ‘line-up’ on the regular… Just wondering…” or “T is guys!!!! We have an incredible honest, faithful, god-loving, intelligent, black family man as a president!!!! Be proud, ya’ll!!!! I am….Tears, guys…Tears” or “T is saying if your red get ahead, if your brown stick around, if your yellow keep it mellow, if your white do it right!!!! The best quote ever!!!” or “N’s phone is frozen and the purple gate was shut down. we are not seeing the ceremony. this whole thing is f’d. 100000 ticketed people were turned away” the status updates were heavy and non-stop. 

I learned a lot more about people’s opinions, political feelings and just general news through this service then by seeking out articles online later.

Thanks Facebook Developers. There is a use beyond facebook creeping!!!

Why did I become a media planner?

I have been on a blogging hiatus. We could chalk it up to writer’s block or lack of creativity or busy time period at work. But I’m back. Pondering why did I choose the career path I have taken so far. 

I graduated from University with the I’m going to rule the business world mentality. I’m still working on it but slightly milder and meek in my approach to learning and climbing the corporate ladder. I’m listening and watching and truly hungry to learn. 

When I started out in the summer of 2005 after having turned down a great paying opportunity and going through interview after interview I was getting frustrated. I hadn’t really thought about my future after 4th year as I had been so involved extracurricularly that I could barely think straight. When my first company decided to take me on as their sole sales rep I jumped at the chance and the opportunity. I learn how to be savvy, read people, get out of my shell and go for the things I really want. I was meeting with media planners and they had the ball in their court. So pretty much I just told myself “you need to become a media planner”. They hold all the cards. Yes I’m a naive little thing. 

I love my days. I love the juggling. I love the people interaction. Internal meetings, client meetings, working creative agencies. I love working with the numbers. Yes I may be running a high fever. But when the numbers work out and I can plan a campaign that matches the budget and accomplishes the media objectives it’s my tiny little triumph for the day. It’s the feeling that makes me get up and go back into the office every day. I love the challenge of new media. I like reading about new campaigns and new uses of technology to engage consumers.  

So after making the leap and joining the ranks of media planner, strategists or just plain old planners I’m yet again faced with who really has the reigns. Do marketing departments have the top hat? And if so why do they hold their cards so close to their chest instead of truly trusting their partners to have their best interests in mind?

Company sales are our goals too. Trust us and involve us in your business. Please and Thank You.

MyAds, MySpace, MySuccessfulAdvertising?

Blogs, articles and editorial have grabbed the latest media announcement from MySpace regarding a new ad platform and are running comparisons of MyAds with other user generated advertising tools. I would like to take a look at this new ad platform simply from a MySpace perspective. Apparently MySpace unlike other social platforms is actually turning a profit (projected $1B this year). The company has increased employees by a tenfold since 2005 according to Techcrunch.com. 

The company that is gaining and holding ground in the US due primarily to its hold on the Indie music scene is providing its users, musicians, small businesses, etc with a new UGC ad tool. Charged on a Cost-Per-Click (CPC) basis, the ads will be prioritized based on the maximum amount you’d like to pay for a click. The ability to target minutely based on demographics confirms why social networking media space is so valuable. For a small business, or geographically based band promoting a show this tool just makes good standard common ad sense. 

If MySpace is already profitable isn’t MyAds just a way to monetize remnant ad space after the National Advertisers are done with their campaigns and as the site grows traffic and unique visitors it should’t be rocket science. Why are critics saying that MySpace is trying to have their Google moment? Why can’t MySpace just being doing what’s smart for them and their business vs. competing with a Google superpower. 

Social vs. Search. Bring It On.

Back @ It Again w/ a SHAM and a WOW!

Direct Response Marketing: tactics that get advertisers a direct response and is quantifiable. 

I recently attended a Yahoo! seminar on DR. The montage of early DR commercials definitely got some good laughs. 

And who doesn’t love the Magic Bullet!!

And the ShamWow is a fascinating present day take on the DR commercial. It’s horrible but you know it, you’ve seen it and you’ve considered buying it. 

I stare at this commercial and am truly fascinated by the cola example. I would honestly grab this if i saw it in Canadian Tire or a Home Show but I just can’t bring myself to buy something off of an infomercial. 

DR isn’t the glamourous end to advertising. The DR agency peeps tend to make jokes about how they are hidden in the back of agency buildings and are like the weird cousin no one wants to talk to at ad parties. I feel for them sure I do. But glamourous and gets the job done just doesn’t work hand in hand.

Jessi & Vogue in India

India has popped onto my radar twice in 2 days. Yesterday I watched Jessi in India on MTV.ca.

The small documentary on Free the Children moved me. I was trying to figure out how to incorporate it into my media blog but couldn’t completely justify the use of broadband or media celebrities to create awareness for a good cause. However, after reading Vogue’s Fashion Photos Spark Debate in India on New York Times I again had my eyes opened at how the use of modern media can truly educate the Western World. I was beginning to think Entertainment might start ruling completely over Education. 

Jessi’s video showed us the typical housework done by young girls pulled out of school and child labour on a construction site. To be honest I always thought the woman was all perk and no substance on the Hills Aftershow. She showed us a different side. She was passionate, warm and overall caring. Free the Children is lucky to have her as an ambassador and I hope her video and work with the group inspires others to make a difference in the education of children. By posting the video on MTV.ca the station is showing forward thinking and the “want” to do something with the power of their media. 

Vogue’s Fashion Photos Spark Debate in India was published on August 31, 2008. 

 This is one of the images that has caused some controversy. See poverty family. Now see Fendi Bib. Price: $100. All images show average Indian people wearing luxury. Vogue believes that fashion is no longer just a rich man’s privilege. Anyone can wear it and pull it off. Fashion in this case was not meant to be taken seriously. They are not trying to then sell the publication to the poor and force them to buy luxury. 

However, the crux of the controversy is that India is torn with the very rich and the very poor. The country is consumed with suicides because of overwhelming debt. So the image of a poor family having something that costs more than they might make in a year is definitely upsetting. 

In my opinion the use of print in this case was more to be an eye-opener to the upper class. If it causes controversy then people are talking about it and therefore word of mouth is educating their wealthy class as well as our Western World. 

As India develops and the new money increases in their economy one would hope that awareness of the poor is something that is used for the good and not exploited as some may believe. 

Don’t send me hate mail because I’m looking for the good in this article. Before this week, I had barely even had India on my radar. And now my awareness has increased by 200%.

Thanks to Mass Media and MTV and Vogue.