Monthly Archives: January 2012

Pin It to Win It

January 30, 2012

 

Move over Words with Friends, we’ve found a new online obsession: Pinterest. The days of flipping through magazines and tearing out recipes and design inspirations are over. The new social-sharing platform allows users to upload images from the web and post them in an organized and shareable format.

Pinterest has quickly become the fastest growing social site with an increase of 429% new visitors since September. Paul Sciarra, Evan Sharp and Ben Silbermann, the geniuses behind the latest social addiction, say the idea behind Pinterest was to create a platform that was able to “connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting.” With brands such a Bergdorf Goodman providing pages and pages of beautiful shoes on their “Shoes that make us swoon” board, it’s no wonder that the Pinterest obsession is catching on.

Besides providing an escape for people to dream up fairy tale weddings and wishful designs for their future homes, Pinterest has become a valuable new site for many large brands and retailers. With over 7.5 million visitors to the site during the month of December, the social site is now one of the top 5 referrers for several apparel retailers including Nordstrom and West Elm. Earlier this month Facebook announced Pinterest as one of the 59 apps that are now integrated with their platform. Word around town is that with the steep increase of member growth and their new integration with Facebook, Pinterest is in line to be the next social commerce game changer.

Are you Pinterested yet? Before you get to pinning check out this article from Media Bistro for some great tips to help you get started. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself at Pinterest anonymous meetings.

- Katherine Cohen, Creative Services Coordinator

Photo credit: Flickr user Pinkpoppy

The greatest battle on Planet Earth: Android vs. iPhone

January 20, 2012

Coke or Pepsi; Nokia or Cannon; Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts; Jolie or Aniston; Nike or Adidas; Madonna or Gaga, ANROID or iPhone? Yes, it seems that the latest and most heated debate is between iPhone and Android users. As a Blackberry user I feel that I can discuss this matter in a non-objective way and stay completely neutral. Knowing that people feel very passionate about this topic, I will be sensitive in addressing the question: which one is better?!

The iPhone first stole our hearts in the summer of 2007 with its chic touch screen design and life-changing apps. That was until the Linux-based operating system better known as the Android popped up on the market in the fall of 2008. Since then, there has been a non-stop competition of “mine’s better than yours.”

So what is the difference? The iPhone runs on Apple’s IOS operating system and it’s available on only three carriers: AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. The iPhone is compatible with iTunes and Apple products; its key features being an 8-mexapixel camera and the Siri voice assistant. Androids run on Google’s mobile operating system and are available on all carriers. However, unlike the iPhone, not all Androids are created equal… capabilities range from budget to super premium. Androids are most compatible with Google services and offer features such as free voice navigations and very customizable voice actions. Most apps are available on both iPhones and Androids, which is convenient because one thing Android and IPhone users can agree on is that it’s all about the apps when they are deciding which smart phone to purchase.

Who’s in first place? According to the most recent study done by Nielson, Apple and Android accounted for 80% of all smart phone purchases in the 2nd quarter of 2011. It seems Android is currently winning the competition, as it accounted for more than half of that 80%. When we break it down by gender, Android has won over the ladies with 51% preferring Android; while 51% of men prefer the iPhone. Just this month at CES 2012, the largest consumer technology tradeshow, Android seem to dominate with their newest version, Android 4.0, which is going to be available on phones, TVs and even cameras. However, the competition stays strong as Apple is expected to release the iPhone 5 this summer, so stay tuned.

Maybe someday Android and iPhone will be able to live together in harmony, but until then, it’s every phone for itself.

- Katherine Cohen, Creative Services Coordinator

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Helico

Google Wallet and the Digital Wallet Revolution

January 17, 2012

Google Wallet is a smart, virtual wallet that stores your payment cards, offers, and more on your phone and online. While the possibilities of Google Wallet are endless, there are some challenges ahead for the program. Google Wallet still needs to be integrated with all of the payment terminals and point of sale (POS) companies in order to become a platform that all users can find useful. Right now the system is only integrated with MasterCard’s PayPass and only works on one phone.

Despite the challenges, Google is the company that has enough clout to actually pull off such a big endeavor. If they do, this would be the end-all-be-all technological breakthrough to define the turn of the century.

Google Wallet basically emulates everything a traditional wallet does and more. It holds your money, and stores your reward cards and coupons (if you’re into that). I’m sure it could even hold photos, but mobile and web both already do that, so no need for that feature. It works online too. In the not so distant future, the phone will even interact with payment terminals and point of sales systems through embedded NFC (Near field communication) chips. Although I won’t go into detail, there are already phones with NFC chips on the market that are already in use in Europe and ASIA.

Google Wallet provides so many possibilities that we are super excited to share with our clients. At Pocketstop, we are bullish on NFC and mobile, including mobile loyalty programs. We’re looking at how best to work with the technology, so we can provide the most value to our clients and their brands.

Introducing Google Wallet

- Brian Teague, Chief Director of Technology

Photo courtesy of Flickr user stevendepolo

Clearing the Clutter in 2012

January 9, 2012

 

Last week I read “30 Social Media Predictions for 2012 from the Pros” on SocialMediaExaminer.com. I didn’t get past reading the title before I was struck with my first twinge of fear. One of the biggest pain points I hear from people is the confusion they feel because they perceive Social Media as an ever-moving target that they struggle to get their arms around. Now, here I am reading an article about what will change again in 2012, and not only that but by canvassing all of these experts they couldn’t narrow the list down to less than 30 different things? Oh dear! It’s no wonder people are confused when even the professionals that live and breathe it everyday struggle to agree.

However as I began to read the article I was pleasantly surprised. There were four things that remained consistent:

  1. Focus on strategy rather than tactics.
  2. Increase the depth of the user experience.
  3. Effort should produce analytics for the brand.
  4. Consolidation and integration is key.

First, strategy over tactics. We have all been inundated over the past few years by the next “thing” or the newest shiny toy. As I speak to clients their must-have list within the world of social and mobile, it is often built up on a “me too” mentality. My belief is that in 2012 we will begin to see clients start by asking themselves the question, “What are my overall marketing objectives?” and then “How does social and mobile fit into that?” rather than vise versa.

Depth of the user experience. Just being somewhere (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Foursquare, blogging etc.) is not enough. A statistic I learned this year is that the average consumer is only a fan of 9.8 brands on Facebook. What you say and the experience they have when they get there will determine if you stay 1 of the 9.8. Video, photos and a strong focus on rich content creation is key. Let’s hope we move away from the premise that an entry-level college grad is best suited to be your brand’s voice.

Analytics come from knowing who we are interacting with. Let’s make sure there is a two-way dialogue, not just self-promotion. As a result of all of our efforts, we need to go beyond the “like” button and actually learn Anna’s name and what her preferences are and give her the ability to choose what information she gets and how she receives it. Not only should we know who is participating with us on this journey, but why they are there and thus what trends can we expect in the future and how should we adapt to take advantage with this information.

Lastly, consolidation and integration. It has long been our view here at Pocketstop that there are so many invaluable tools available to us today across social, mobile and the traditional worlds. However those tools are not right for everyone and the ones we choose should all work together to accomplish that strategy we were talking about earlier. Our company is built on not letting databases sit in silos, but rather compliment and enhance each other.

- Daniel Wagstaff, VP Client Development

Photo courtesy of Flickr user alborzshawn

High Tech vs. High Touch

January 6, 2012

It’s that time of year again. Self-reflection, also known as navel-gazing, has led me to conclude the following: I love technology. I’m just not IN love with technology.

It’s not you technology. It’s me. Hey, we can still be friends.

Many of my advertising and marketing friends and I have grown weary of dealing with shopping cart abandonment issues, perplexing A/B testing, asynchronous communications of all descriptions, conversion rate conundrums and pithy, 140-character tweets. Of course these can be useful, effective tools to better communicate and analyze the latest and greatest widget or issue. However, in the wrong hands they can also be used to avoid direct communication with co-workers and (even worse) customers.

How often do you email the person sitting in the next cubicle with the most mundane questions? Unless they need a digital record of your query about plans for happy hour, direct, verbal communication might be a refreshing change of pace.

How about those tweets or Facebook posts about every aspect of the football game while it’s being played? Talking trash before or after the game I hardily recommend (in fact, the trashier the trash talk, the more entertaining it is!). However, if your buddies are watching the game, they already know that Terrance Newman blew the coverage, missed the tackle and should be banished to Siberia for the remainder of the winter. No post needed. The guy’s a chump. Next case!

In the coming year, if you’re involved with building a business, you might want to talk with us about using social network marketing, mobile marketing, email marketing, database marketing, Social CRM and every other technological tool you can get your hands on to efficiently communicate with customers. However, it’s also important to go to trade conferences and press the flesh or participate in panels, get on a plane and go see customers once in a while, call them up to chat about his/her life or send a link to a quirky story you found in three dozen online newsletters that you read every morning. (I’ve found that clips from the Onion work best, but that’s just me.).

Technology-enhanced communication is important. In fact you can’t have a scalable business without it. However, adding personal contact to this mix can help you accomplish miraculous things. In the coming year, resolve to use the right combination of high tech and high touch. You’ll have those 5,000 followers in no time!

That’s my opinion. What’s yours? Contact me at art.young@pocketstop.com.

- Art Young, Client Development

Photo credit: Flickr user sanberdoo

2012 Resolutions

January 3, 2012

As CEO of a wildly growing startup company, it sometimes feels like setting goals is just about as easy as putting a flagpole into jello. But I do believe that the core of what is our company is always constant, and with that I have a few resolutions for 2012 that I feel confident in sharing.

1. Be Smart.
I believe it is our job everyday to learn, educate and inform our audience, clients and friends on the radically shifting world of mobile. As mobile shifts from being a device to a lifestyle, every member of our team has a responsibility to be ahead of the curve. I have an iPhone, and iPad or a Macbook tethered to me 24/7. I need to keep reading more, writing more and exploring the ideas that are out there.

2. Be Present.
When leading an organization that’s growing so rapidly, it’s enticing to always be living in the future. Who do we need to add? What’s the next thing? What if we had that or did this next month, next quarter, next year? These are thoughts that fuel my excitement and energy, but all too often they distract me from the today. They take my eyes off of seeing the work my team is doing today. It hazes the gifts that are sitting right in front of me in just what we are accomplishing today.

3. Love and Believe in Design.
To be clear this doesn’t mean that client’s design needs to be mine. It just means I have to believe that it will accomplish the outcome both the client and I want to see out of the message or campaign. Too many times we compromise. I know it hurts my clients. They pay me and my organization to stop them from making mistakes as much as they pay us for achievements. Life is too short to do work I do not believe in and wholeheartedly believe pushes the clients objectives towards crazy, wild success.

4. Get Fit.
Ok, this one is personal as much as professional. Being part of a fast paced organization has no time for those who can’t keep up. I have packed on a few (no comments everyone) extra pounds that just need to go so that my energy is always top and my clothes actually fit.

5. Hire Great People not Great Positions.
We only have time for A players. I need the smartest, craziest, most critical of team members that see the vision and want to own a part of it. That is not found in a UI Designer job description. We have people from all backgrounds and industries but they have one common thread. They are great people that are unbelievably creative and critical thinkers. If you are bold, creative and a good person we want to talk to you.

I think I will start there. Change happens by changing your critical thinking process on behaviors you do, changing your physical actions and then systematially repeating that every day.

- Jeff Kilman, CEO

Photo credit: Flickr user Rochelle, just rochelle