5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 11-3-12

5 Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #60

Stories This Week: Apple’s e-wallet end around, Twitter’s election map, LinkedIn adds influencer discovery, 5 SEO tips and Summly keeps things short

1. Forget the E-Wallet — It’s Apple’s Passbook That Will Transform Retail

[AdAge] Although Apple is lagging in “Near Field Communications or NFC”, the technology that makes e-wallets possible, they are leap-frogging the competition with a software based solution that solves the underlying problems facing consumers and retailers.

My Take: Leave it to Apple to focus on Apps to solve the challenge. It’s perfect in it’s simplicity.  People know how to use apps and they are already comfortable with online payments. This is genius. Google, your technology-based solution just became irrelevant.

2. Twitter Launches Election Map to Track Candidates’ State-by-State Messaging

[Wired] Twitter launched a new interactive map on Thursday that measures the effectiveness of President Barack Obama’s and Governor Mitt Romney’s tweets on a state-by-state basis.

Twitter Election Map

Twitter Election Map

3. LinkedIn Adds Discovery Tools for Influencers Network

[Mashable] LinkedIn is rolling out a couple new tools to make it easier for users to find celebrities, business leaders and personalities to follow from the social network’s roster of about 150 “thought leaders.”

My Take: As we’ve seen with other LinkedIn features, they are trying this feature out with a limited set of accounts, but don’t be surprised when this feature becomes available to all.  Pair this with the recent release of “endorsing skills” and LinkedIn’s existing targeting system Voila! you’ve got yourself a influencer measurement system that is better than Klout.

4. 5 Steps for Building Links that Improve Search Results

[MarketingSherpa] Many marketers struggle to implement link building, especially with the myriad of consistently changing factors search engines use to rank pages. With the April launch of Google’s new Penguin update, new struggles and questions have emerged.

My Take: I selected this article because SEO optimization is a very technical topic and this is a nice primer on how to get starter. Yet I was left wanting more information about how to use your content to build links beyond the obvious options of your blog and social media outlets.

If you’re up for an hour of video watching…

5. Summly iOS App Delivers News in Screen-Sized Summaries

[Wired] Last year, then-16-year-old Nick D’Aloisio developed and released the app Summly to be a CliffsNotes for the web. Today the app grows up with an innovative redesign and a more focused set of summarizing skills.

My Take: I tested a beta version and here’s my take:

I like:

  • Putting the news in a “snackable” form is a novel idea. 
  • The sharing animations are attractive but not distracting
What I didn’t like:
  • My initial test was sharing the wrong URL 
  • I don’t find the swipe UI to be intuitive: Swipe up for more info. Swipe down to go to the main menu and side to side for more stories. I keep swiping up and down incorrectly.
Summly

Summly

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 10-27-12

Jeff Cutler <3's this post

Jeff Cutler loves this post

5 Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

Let’s call it the not-talking-about-Apple-because-there-is-no-way-you-missed-that-news-edition.  That’s a crisp and pithy subtitle – yes?

This weeks starts Movember, a $5 donation is a great way to say thanks for laying down this awesome content each week – donate here.

MT5 Edition: #59

Stories This Week: Future of TV & video advertising, the importance of social entrepreneur, biggest sites of social publishing, Microsoft launches a tablet, B2B Content Marketing

1. Where Are TV and Video Advertising Headed? My 10 Bets for 2020

[AdAge] Dave Morgan places bets on where video advertising is going.

My Take: I’m disappointed that program bundling is predicted to be a primary delivery mechanism for program packaging. Everyone wants a-la-carte pricing and I’lll be surprised if someone doesn’t figure out a way to give customers what they want.  Also, there weren’t any predictions on the impact of a second screen on TV advertising and honestly, connecting the TV to the tablet at a fundamental level is going to drive commerce. Imagine when you can purchase the jeans the actor is wearing or even bet on whether or not the kicker will make the field goal. Maybe those innovations will occur beyond 2020.

2. Social Intrapreneurs Are Just As Important As Entrepreneurs

[FastCo] Working to create change inside a company–or being a “systempreneur” working to change an entire system–can be just as valuable to society and the economy as charting your own course.

Theory and Reality of How To Tackle Problems

Theory and Reality of How To Tackle Problems

My Take: This outlines three types of corporate entrepreneurs:

  1. Intrapreneurs – change agents working to develop entrepreneurial solutions from inside
  2. Social intrapreneur - someone who works to develop and promote practical solutions to social or environmental challenges
  3. System intrapreneur - focus on mobilizing resources to tackle challenges and search for innovative new solutions
How many projects are actually developed to rationalize a predetermined solution? The image above really resonated with me.

3. The Biggest Sites In Social Publishing

[BuzzFeed] Newswhip has compiled a list of its “social monster” websites — the sites that are killing it on Facebook. And the mix might surprise you.

My Take: This list is a useful starting point for understanding what web presentation and content styles drive social engagement.  Want to know how to get more engaged with your audience? Check out what these websites are doing.

Sites That Drive Facebook Interactions

Sites That Drive Facebook Interactions

4. Microsoft goes Apple With Surface

[arstechnica] Big week for Microsoft. It announced its new operating system, Windows 8, and its first tablet named Surface.

My Take: Early reports on both the new OS and tablet are mixed, but what’s going to hurt Microsoft is it’s image.  I heard an IT wonk on NPR talking about how much of a change Windows 8 will be for Windows users (it has a very different interface) and that struck me.  Windows 8 will take some getting used to but people tend view these changes to Microsoft as challenges  rather a reason to get excited about the new features.  Can you imagine Apple users getting flummoxed over design changes? Apple fans celebrate updates! 

Microsoft needs these new releases to put them back on a path to technical relevance again.  The products are fine, but it may be too little, too late.

5. 2013 B2B Content Marketing Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends [Research Report]

My Take: If you’re a B2B Marketer this report is quite informative you should check it out.

B2B Content Marketing Usage

B2B Content Marketing Usage

 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 10-20-12

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

MT5 Edition: #58

Stories This Week: Pheed launches a new social network, which social network is most popular with teens?, what matters more on Facebook: audience or engagement?, the 5 stages of content marketing evolution and the future of mobile payments.

1. Pheed Launches A Social Network That Feels Like A Mash-Up Of Every Social Network You Use

[FastCompany] The new service pulls in elements of Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, YouTube, and SoundCloud on a single platform to make content creation easy.

My Take: Wow revenue is built into the business model at launch instead of trying to retrofit a business model into a “cool app”. They have two revenue options for content creators: 1. subscription – where an audience can pay a fee to access exclusive content (think celebrities) 2. pay per view or download.  I also find it interesting that the development team, Kobo, favors a comprehensive solution (text, video, pictures) as an alternative to specialized apps (Twitter, YouTube, Instagram).  This bucks the “specialized app” trend that I’ve covered here extensively, but eventually I believe consumers will favor an “all in one” solution instead of “best of breed” apps.

[warning]UPDATE: Saturday morning: Twitter yanks Pheeds ability to post to Twitter.[/warning]

Twitter Age Distribution

Twitter Age Distribution

2. Facebook, Twitter, and teens: who’s winning the youth war

[VentureBeat] A recent Piper Jaffray survey of 7000 U.S. teens ranked Facebook first in importance to teens. Twitter came in second, and Instagram — owned, of course, by Facebook — came in third. Yet the results showed Facebook users aging and Twitter users growing younger.
My Take: 74% of Twitter users are 15-25?!?! Apparently, there’s whole world of Twitter that I don’t even know about.

3. Only 6% of Fans Engage With a Brand’s Facebook Page [STUDY]

[Mashable] Big brands like to tout the number of fans they have on Facebook, but a new study suggests they may want to start focusing more on the core audience who actually engage with their Page.

My Take: Marketers forget that not everyone who Likes their page actually sees their content due to EdgeRank. Fan engagement improves the number of fans that DO see their content. Marketers should focus on content and engagement strategies that pull in their audience.

4. The 5 Stages of Your Content Marketing Evolution

[ContentMarketingInstitute] Here’s a guide to power your own content marketing evolution. It’s also a checklist for what tools and adaptations you will need to make to take your content efforts to the next level.

My Take: This article is very useful in helping a small-medium size business get started in content marketing. Check it out.

Crestodina: Content Marketing Evolution

Crestodina: Content Marketing Evolution

5. Proximity Mobile Payments Set to Explode in US

[eMarketer] Consumers expected to pull out their phones to pay more and more

My Take: I’m not so sure about this study. Other studies have shown that it’s going to take a long time for a majority of Americans to feel comfortable with mobile payments. However, I do agree that convenience shopping (think Starbucks purchasing app) will lead the way on mobile payments.

 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 10-13-12

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

Crazy week at work…setting up for the “Best Week Ever!” (seriously). Nonetheless, I toiled to find the 5 marketing technology stories you might have missed….

MT5 Edition: #57

Stories This Week: Amazon launches an Ad team, content marketing that works, a Facebook marketing tool, politician’s love twitter, product marketing innovation insights from a Harvard professor

1. Amazon Launches Amazon Media Group

[AdAge] Last week Amazon rolled out an integrated advertising platform and everyone is taking notice.

My Take: When you consider the scope of Amazon’s online digital prowess (ecommerce, kindle, web services) along with its rich capabilities and deep data sets — not to mention the level of trust consumers have with Amazon — it is in an interesting position to drive consumer interest.

2. Marketers Bullish on Future of Content Marketing

[eMarketer] Brands, agencies cite numerous benefits of content marketing with email newsletters, social posts and blogging taking the top three spots.

My Take: Its interesting to note that budgets remain small.  Also, info graphics…ugh.

Effective Content Marketing

Effective Content Marketing

3. ShortStack: Facebook Pages Made Easy

[MarketingTechBlog] ShortStack is a toolset for creating and managing Facebook experiences.

My Take: I’m always on the lookout for new tools that put technology in the hands of marketers. I haven’t used this but I am intrigued.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed9aB4bVxZI

4. Why politicians love Twitter: Tweets drive real donations

[CNET] Twitter users may be tired of political tweets streaming through their feeds, but they shouldn’t expect the flow to subside, because those tweets are driving actual political donations.

My Take: Twitter users exposed to any political tweet are almost twice as likely to donate to a campaign as an average person. Wonder what the stats are for Facebook? I love the story that the Obama team bought the #malarky promoted hashtag soon after, if not during, the VP debate.

Twitter Drives Political Donations

Twitter Drives Political Donations

5. Clayton Christensen: “Disruptive Innovations Create Jobs, Efficiency Innovations Destroy Them”

[TechCrunch] A quick synopsis of some of Clay’s theories on product innovation. It’s a taste of what’s in his books.

My Take: I love this guy. Go read his books. Like this one. Or this one. [affiliate links]


 

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5 Marketing Technology stories you might have missed 10-6-12

Marketing Technology Stories you might have missed

Back in the saddle after an enjoyable week vacationing in our nations capital. it was my kind of vacation, lots to do with a little bit of downtime. Relaxing is okay, but I get more satisfaction from getting stuff done.

Not a lot of big stories this week, but a LOT of stories you might have missed. I struggled to whittle it down to 5 and Lynette DeWitt told me I had to give you 6. So 6 you shall get.

MT5 Edition: #56

Stories This Week: SoMe doesn’t drive sales?, Facebook users can promote posts, Facebook sells more of you, LinkedIn endorsements, showrooming data and a bonus track

1.Social media doesn’t drive sales? A response

[LiesDamnedLies&Statistics] In an Op Ed piece Dirk Singer reacts to a Forrester report that says less than 1% of online transactions can be traced to a social media post.

My Take:  Less than 1% of online purchased are influenced by social media? That doesn’t sound right to me. Although I’m a Forrester customer, I’m pulling for the little guy in this one.  

2. Facebook lets Americans try promoting their posts

[engadget] Facebook is running a trial that let’s individuals promote posts. It feels very Reddit-like. Letting users “thumbs-up” builds more data and creates a new way of creating engagement among people you don’t know.

My Take: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, YOU are the product on Facebook. Need anymore evidence?

facebook promoted posts

facebook promoted posts

3. Facebook Sells More Access to Members

[WSJ] Facebook is experimenting with new ways to leverage its greatest asset—personal data on about 900 million people—reigniting concerns about privacy. The strategy: selling access to its users.

My Take: Wait. I already did the thing about “you being the product” right? As long as Facebook doesn’t sell personal information and as long as Facebook provides relative Ads and doesn’t spam users (any more than they are spammed today).  Users won’t bat an eye.  People talk about leaving Facebook, but it never happens.

Facebook is selling access to you

Facebook is selling access to you

4. Introducing Endorsements: Give Kudos with Just One Click

[LinkedInBlog] LinkedIn is starting to add new features and providing updated designs.  In the past week LinkedIn rolled out the ability to endorse the skills of members in your network.  They also rolled out a new design for Company Pages that looks remarkably like Facebook’s cover profile feature.

My Take: Regarding endorsements, it feels very “Klouty” to me.  Actually it’s better than klout because you can easily tie their skills to their work experience. 

5. Showrooming Is a Mixed Bag for Stores

[eMarketer] Is all the hand-wringing by retailers over the perceived threat of showrooming warranted? The answer, according to an August 2012 survey of adult mobile phone users in the US commissioned by mobile marketing company Vibes and conducted by research company Research Now, is yes and no.

My Take: Because I’m a mobile shopper the “show rooming” story continues to fascinate me.  What we can learn from this story is that different customers will use mobile connectivity differently. Personally, I’ve noticed that I don’t get reception once I step into Target.  My conspiracy-theorist self is convinced Target is ensuring 3G signals can’t get in their stores.

BONUS TRACK: Twitter ‘Surveys’ Announced Alongside New Nielsen Partnership

[Hubspot] Twitter is partnering with Neilsen to add surveys to twitter.

My Take: I like it.  So many features added to social networks are copy cats from other social networks. And while polls and surveys aren’t new, it’s never been integrated into social marketing like this before.  Twitter Marketers now have an option other than a promoted tweet or hashtag – and this has engagement.  It’s simple, easy and effective.

twitter survey

twitter survey

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