Okay, I'll admit it: I fell behind on the blog posts and now I have to publish one relating to Oscar predictions AFTER the Oscars have already happened (you'd think that would be easy, right?)
So you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to try something different and hope it works. I'm going to talk about the 2011 Oscars!
So basically what I thought I'd do was analyze just a bit, how these Oscars worked out in terms of social media and what could be done for next year.
We've already been in class and talked about the different trend watching methods that help view the growth of Oscar buzz over time for certain films. It's interesting to dissect it all, but I like to look ahead to see what they can be doing NOW to raise interest for next year.
First of all, The Oscars themselves need a more fully realized level of social interaction. They had the Facebook page this year, but it could use some more depth and a better way of presenting the information it collects. I think for next year, the Oscars should implement interconnected tools that help involve the public in the spectacle of the Oscars. How about mobile apps that all sync to the same database and share that information with all of the official instances of the Oscars online. Have people be able to make their predictions and show realtime stats of who the public thinks is going to win what.
Have an app that has trailers for all nominated movies maybe. When it comes to the 2011 Oscars they need to be on that now. Don't just have a brand presence for a short period of time leading up to the Oscar. In your apps and online presences, incorporate a listing feature so that when you see movies, oyu can put them on a short list to consider for the 2011 Oscars. Give the public something to do year round. Let them post suggestions to see movies that maybe haven't even come out yet. Studios need to get on this too. Let the public be your buzz. Some films are marketed very effectively this way, but in this day and age, it should be easy enough for people to be able to spread the word about a film through an official channel. If a film takes a branded approach to empowering the audience to discuss and promote the film, it's like double the exposure.
So that's my rant about the 2011 Oscars to replace my missing posts. Hope this works!
...and the Best Make-up Post for 2011 goes to...
Monday, March 15, 2010
Trends - Obama
Barack Obama employed a plethora of social media tactics when he ran for president. Of course he had his own website, but people could also make profiles on his website, thus becoming a part of his campaign and not just passive readers of his site. He utilized a variety of social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to help spread his presence faster than any public appearances could ever hope to do. He used content based sites like Youtube and Flickr to spread his message. You could even text HOPE to 62262 to be on a mailing list. He pretty much covered the mainstream gamut of social media.
The lesson I could take from his campaign is to take whatever platform you're sending you're message from and apply it to applicable and relevant areas of social media that will be able to elicit the reaction from the audience you want to reach.
At the time I can not think of any local social media initiatives taking place.
The lesson I could take from his campaign is to take whatever platform you're sending you're message from and apply it to applicable and relevant areas of social media that will be able to elicit the reaction from the audience you want to reach.
At the time I can not think of any local social media initiatives taking place.
Trends - Devices
Going into this post, I should mention one thing: I don't have a smart phone. Sure I have mobile web on my phone, but it would kind of feel like I'm driving a car and being asked what it's like to fly a plane. So I'm going to post my thoughts in a hypothetical world where I own the best dang smartphone there is.
Am I open to mobile marketing? For sure, as longs as it's not pushed in my face and offers me me some beneficial features - even if that's just mild entertainment.
Personally, I haven't experienced an mobile campaigns, but I had helped to develop one for a project with the Rideau Centre. It involved low cost bluetooth points at all entrances, as well as bluetooth touch spots on posters and video screens to accompany the posters. It was for a campaign that included events and seasonal fashion at Rideau, and also inlcuded contests. You would get messages sent to your phone as you enter the mall, and then a greeting an invitation to enter a contest would appear. The poster would also feature the same things, and would offer coupons to download to be used that day in select stores. This was seen as a gateway into the future for Rideau, as it was low cost, and it could be reused for future campaigns.
I think one of the most useful branded apps that I came across was for Dunkin Donuts. While simple, it helped make an everyday process more interactive and efficient. It was a coffee run app where other people could all log on, place their order, and then on your phone you would have a list of what everyone wanted without haveing to hunt them down and write it all out. I like that it shows how to make technology a tool for social centric activities, making it much easier for people to collaborate quickly.
I'm not really sure it would be considered marketeing, but the only thing I can think of that is a local mobile marketing effort, is Metro with the smartphone barcodes for expanding articles and information available in the papaer.
I am not able to use Foursquare of Gowalla, but I would if I could, as I enjoy collecting virtual trophies and would like the concept of incorporating the real world into the virtual.
Even though I haven't used either of those apps, they would not give me any privacy concerns as they are completely voluntary applications. Now if my phone automtically published where I was at all times, that's when I get concerned.
Am I open to mobile marketing? For sure, as longs as it's not pushed in my face and offers me me some beneficial features - even if that's just mild entertainment.
Personally, I haven't experienced an mobile campaigns, but I had helped to develop one for a project with the Rideau Centre. It involved low cost bluetooth points at all entrances, as well as bluetooth touch spots on posters and video screens to accompany the posters. It was for a campaign that included events and seasonal fashion at Rideau, and also inlcuded contests. You would get messages sent to your phone as you enter the mall, and then a greeting an invitation to enter a contest would appear. The poster would also feature the same things, and would offer coupons to download to be used that day in select stores. This was seen as a gateway into the future for Rideau, as it was low cost, and it could be reused for future campaigns.
I think one of the most useful branded apps that I came across was for Dunkin Donuts. While simple, it helped make an everyday process more interactive and efficient. It was a coffee run app where other people could all log on, place their order, and then on your phone you would have a list of what everyone wanted without haveing to hunt them down and write it all out. I like that it shows how to make technology a tool for social centric activities, making it much easier for people to collaborate quickly.
I'm not really sure it would be considered marketeing, but the only thing I can think of that is a local mobile marketing effort, is Metro with the smartphone barcodes for expanding articles and information available in the papaer.
I am not able to use Foursquare of Gowalla, but I would if I could, as I enjoy collecting virtual trophies and would like the concept of incorporating the real world into the virtual.
Even though I haven't used either of those apps, they would not give me any privacy concerns as they are completely voluntary applications. Now if my phone automtically published where I was at all times, that's when I get concerned.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Broadband - Trends and Issues Blog Post
I'll be honest...I failed this challenge miserably. I think it took all of ten minutes after class for me to get into my car an start listening to the radio.
Worry not though! I have excuses.
The most immediate excuse for not listening only to streaming music was that my audio on my macbook is borked. On top of that even if I wanted to listen to digital music, I don't know where my iPod is (trust me I searched frantically this morning).
This brings me to the reason why I believe this challenge is difficult to complete (or why it's easier to use traditional media at times vs. new media)
The first big hurdle is the fact that, as we discussed, streaming information online is still relatively new in relation to some of the traditional means it looks to replace. That also means that unless you're an early-adopter, with mounds of cash to get the fastest internet access in as many places as possible - chances are your life is still rigged to run off traditional forms of media and entertainment. The fact that I still have CD's and almost 10 different devices that can play them, it's never hard to crank some tunes. I can also pull music out of the air when I'm in the car, so come on - I need music in the car BOOM there it is.
I know that it's becoming easier to stream content online and forgo the more traditional media in the air and in our hands. The problem is that we're still kinda wired to press one button and my TV comes on with something to watch (and I think we're still a bit off from content becoming that easily and conveniently accessible online)
So until the internet has reached a state where it's everywhere, and it can power my entertainment as easily as plugging in my TV or charging some batteries in an iPod or CD player even...then it's going to be difficult to live of the series of tubes alone.
Worry not though! I have excuses.
The most immediate excuse for not listening only to streaming music was that my audio on my macbook is borked. On top of that even if I wanted to listen to digital music, I don't know where my iPod is (trust me I searched frantically this morning).
This brings me to the reason why I believe this challenge is difficult to complete (or why it's easier to use traditional media at times vs. new media)
The first big hurdle is the fact that, as we discussed, streaming information online is still relatively new in relation to some of the traditional means it looks to replace. That also means that unless you're an early-adopter, with mounds of cash to get the fastest internet access in as many places as possible - chances are your life is still rigged to run off traditional forms of media and entertainment. The fact that I still have CD's and almost 10 different devices that can play them, it's never hard to crank some tunes. I can also pull music out of the air when I'm in the car, so come on - I need music in the car BOOM there it is.
I know that it's becoming easier to stream content online and forgo the more traditional media in the air and in our hands. The problem is that we're still kinda wired to press one button and my TV comes on with something to watch (and I think we're still a bit off from content becoming that easily and conveniently accessible online)
So until the internet has reached a state where it's everywhere, and it can power my entertainment as easily as plugging in my TV or charging some batteries in an iPod or CD player even...then it's going to be difficult to live of the series of tubes alone.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Trends and Issues - Brand Utilities
The only kind of branded utility I can think of that I actually use, and I'm not sure if it is a branded utility at all, are video game console dashboards. Now, the features I use most often that might fall into this category, are the online stores for both PS3 and Xbox360. Since I'm not sure if these qualify (due to not being something I need, but actively use for entertainment in my home) but I think that the Twitter and Facebook apps on Xbox360 might. The problem is that they are somewhat hobbled and I think that they missed the mark a little. With the Facebook app you cannot sent and receive messages, and I believe that the majority of the application is focused on uploading photos and more passively viewing updates on Facebook. Had they included the ability to send messages I might use it more often.
Some brands could use utilities to help them remain somewhat relevant would be retailers that are being edged out by online competitors. Take for example, video stores, they could have an app that would allow you to view the inventory of your local store, pick a title to reserve and then you could simply pick it up. Though, by the same token, that is essentially what you can do online, except cutting out physically having to go to the store. Oh well, I guess video stores are doomed to be novelties, and then become obsolete eventually.
On that same line of thinking though, if it hasn't already happened, a mobile app for your local grocery store would be good. You could see what's on sale and what's available and then make a list for shopping later. If they even got ambitious with it they could group everything by what section or aisle it would be in. I suppose I would have to see something like this in practice before I could say it would be a more efficient way of shopping, but therein lies the difficulty for businesses: trying to make themselves relevant and market effectively in the digital age.
I guess that kind of covers local utilities as well, as I don't think I can think of any actual instances off-hand.
Some brands could use utilities to help them remain somewhat relevant would be retailers that are being edged out by online competitors. Take for example, video stores, they could have an app that would allow you to view the inventory of your local store, pick a title to reserve and then you could simply pick it up. Though, by the same token, that is essentially what you can do online, except cutting out physically having to go to the store. Oh well, I guess video stores are doomed to be novelties, and then become obsolete eventually.
On that same line of thinking though, if it hasn't already happened, a mobile app for your local grocery store would be good. You could see what's on sale and what's available and then make a list for shopping later. If they even got ambitious with it they could group everything by what section or aisle it would be in. I suppose I would have to see something like this in practice before I could say it would be a more efficient way of shopping, but therein lies the difficulty for businesses: trying to make themselves relevant and market effectively in the digital age.
I guess that kind of covers local utilities as well, as I don't think I can think of any actual instances off-hand.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Trends and Issues - Guerilla Marketing
The most recent example of local guerrilla marketing that pops into my head would have to be the transit posters for "this aint flint.com". It was some what interesting and I was curious at the beginning but then when I looked into it and found out it had to do with the economy, I wasn't too impressed. I found that the grungy look they used to pique interest had no relation to the end message of the campaign. When that happens it can be very annoying.
I can think of a few examples of guerrilla marketing that caught my attention lately. Both were for video games and both originated in Japan. One was innovative and clever...and one had boobs.
Blue Dragon -Xbox 360
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tyx9aNN-6k
This was a unique way to market your product. Take a public space and allow people to become a dragon (in shadow at least). It was a seemingly magical and arresting display that not only involved the participant, but all of the public within view of the demonstration. This was one ad that made me wish we were in a higher valued advertising market, so I could see things like this while I was walking downtown.
The second example, as I mentioned before, relied solely on...titillation (not funny)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
http://kotaku.com/5326775/tecmo-puts-boobs-on-a-wall-to-sell-ninja-gaiden-sigma-2
...I don't think I need to say much about this one. If it appeals to you, they have done their jobs. (Not guerrilla marketing, but this is outdone by the "jiggle" commercial for the game. Look it up for a laugh, and just maybe, like yourself a little less for doing so)
As far as Urban Spam is concerned, my laptop is devoid of audio at the moment, so this post will need to be updated once I'm able to listen and respond to the video.
I can think of a few examples of guerrilla marketing that caught my attention lately. Both were for video games and both originated in Japan. One was innovative and clever...and one had boobs.
Blue Dragon -Xbox 360
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tyx9aNN-6k
This was a unique way to market your product. Take a public space and allow people to become a dragon (in shadow at least). It was a seemingly magical and arresting display that not only involved the participant, but all of the public within view of the demonstration. This was one ad that made me wish we were in a higher valued advertising market, so I could see things like this while I was walking downtown.
The second example, as I mentioned before, relied solely on...titillation (not funny)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
http://kotaku.com/5326775/tecmo-puts-boobs-on-a-wall-to-sell-ninja-gaiden-sigma-2
...I don't think I need to say much about this one. If it appeals to you, they have done their jobs. (Not guerrilla marketing, but this is outdone by the "jiggle" commercial for the game. Look it up for a laugh, and just maybe, like yourself a little less for doing so)
As far as Urban Spam is concerned, my laptop is devoid of audio at the moment, so this post will need to be updated once I'm able to listen and respond to the video.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Trends and Issues - Blog post 2 - Long Tail
Movies.
One of the things I love most in the world. My girlfriend always says "You love movies more than anyone I have ever met". Most of my social time with my Dad is spent going to movies; it's a thing we do. I love movies.
Movies also make up a large part of my daily internet browsing. The great thing about movies is that they find their way into pretty much every site and blog I read normally. Some sites bring me to other sites, all of this exploration fueled by my love of movies.
Let me break down how much movies come into my usual browsing:
io9.com - usually the first site I visit as it is part of the Gawker media set of blogs which I peruse normally. This site I would say consists of about 15-20% movie related material. The great thing is that even though it's a lower percentage of film mentions, sci-fi is one of my favourite genres (because it arguably encompasses so many themes and stories) and the information I get from io9 general goes about more in-depth with the details of the movies featured as it is their genre specialty.
kotaku.com - movie content only makes up about 1-5% of the material on this blog. It also is unique in that not only does it mention anything gaming related in movies, but it allows me to either be really excited or entertained by what potentially awesome or laughably awful video game movies are being produced. I also find a lot of games that I love share some of the same cinematic sensibilties as their movie cousins. In fact, one of the best "movies" I played last year/this year was the Uncharted franchise (most notably Uncharted 2: Among Thieves). They rivaled most real movies I had seen that year for cinematic appeal, and I got to play alongside it for more than 10 hours. If I'm not careful here, this will turn into a post about on of my other great loves, so lets move on.
slashfilm.com - this site conatins 100% film related information, and therefore is a great place to catch up on what's going on in the world of movies. This site usually leads me to some great new trailers, especially of the red-band variety. I think that this site offers some great information, but even though it is completely movie related, I do find myself only reading/interested in about 50-75% of the articles. This is because, as I said, it is a site that features information about ALL movies; not everyone likes all movies. Some might say that's silly, and that if you truly love movies you should love them all, but ask the same thing of someone who loves food. A lot of things are edible, but I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't want to eat it all; it's the same with movies. My favourite things to get from this site are detailed accounts of what new movies are going to be like, the aforementioned trailers, and a weekly update of what movies just came out for blu-ray/dvd/download, and whether they're worth buying. A great place to go, but usually one of my last stops due to it's specific nature.
imdb.com - the bible of movie info. I found this gem before I started college and it has never let me down since. Want to know who created the music of Fight Club? One second...The Dust Brothers. Any time you can't figure out who that guy was, or what that movie with Bill Paxton in the 90's was, imdb is there. It was also the site that I believe first got me to io9, some we've come almost full circle in a weird way. You see there are these movie related links at the bottom which can sometimes provide hours of entertainment. The things with imdb though is that it has it's specific purpose. I mean, you love the world, but most people don't browse an encyclopedia all day (that's what we have wikipedia for now anyway)
apple.com>downloads>itunes trailers - my sole purpose for this site is to watch bitching movies trailers in full hd. That is all.
So basically I've run you through what I generally come up with when I want to learn about movies. My most commonly used outlet for communication when it comes to movies is the forums on imdb. They are great for hearing peoples interpretations and insights, and also are great if you want some really specific knowledge about movies that is too obscure to be catalogued.
It's hard for me to quantify any of my browsing or viewing experiences when it comes to either movies sites, or movies themselves. Where as brands come into play in a lot of ways when we're choosing to purchase things we like, I'm not so sure I can fit movies in the same mould. See, I can tell you why I would buy this candy over that one, but with movies I'm sometimes not sure why I would pick one. Sometimes it is just not quantifiable. Maybe it is because to me movies are the art form that is closest to my heart. Sometimes you can explain art. You don't like because of who created it, or because of where you saw it. You like it because it made you feel something without definition. Most of the time brands and even cast and crew don't come into play when deciding whether I like something or not. It's that something that is created that is truly greater than the sum of it's parts.
I love movies. Love them.
But I love my girlfriend more.
One of the things I love most in the world. My girlfriend always says "You love movies more than anyone I have ever met". Most of my social time with my Dad is spent going to movies; it's a thing we do. I love movies.
Movies also make up a large part of my daily internet browsing. The great thing about movies is that they find their way into pretty much every site and blog I read normally. Some sites bring me to other sites, all of this exploration fueled by my love of movies.
Let me break down how much movies come into my usual browsing:
io9.com - usually the first site I visit as it is part of the Gawker media set of blogs which I peruse normally. This site I would say consists of about 15-20% movie related material. The great thing is that even though it's a lower percentage of film mentions, sci-fi is one of my favourite genres (because it arguably encompasses so many themes and stories) and the information I get from io9 general goes about more in-depth with the details of the movies featured as it is their genre specialty.
kotaku.com - movie content only makes up about 1-5% of the material on this blog. It also is unique in that not only does it mention anything gaming related in movies, but it allows me to either be really excited or entertained by what potentially awesome or laughably awful video game movies are being produced. I also find a lot of games that I love share some of the same cinematic sensibilties as their movie cousins. In fact, one of the best "movies" I played last year/this year was the Uncharted franchise (most notably Uncharted 2: Among Thieves). They rivaled most real movies I had seen that year for cinematic appeal, and I got to play alongside it for more than 10 hours. If I'm not careful here, this will turn into a post about on of my other great loves, so lets move on.
slashfilm.com - this site conatins 100% film related information, and therefore is a great place to catch up on what's going on in the world of movies. This site usually leads me to some great new trailers, especially of the red-band variety. I think that this site offers some great information, but even though it is completely movie related, I do find myself only reading/interested in about 50-75% of the articles. This is because, as I said, it is a site that features information about ALL movies; not everyone likes all movies. Some might say that's silly, and that if you truly love movies you should love them all, but ask the same thing of someone who loves food. A lot of things are edible, but I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't want to eat it all; it's the same with movies. My favourite things to get from this site are detailed accounts of what new movies are going to be like, the aforementioned trailers, and a weekly update of what movies just came out for blu-ray/dvd/download, and whether they're worth buying. A great place to go, but usually one of my last stops due to it's specific nature.
imdb.com - the bible of movie info. I found this gem before I started college and it has never let me down since. Want to know who created the music of Fight Club? One second...The Dust Brothers. Any time you can't figure out who that guy was, or what that movie with Bill Paxton in the 90's was, imdb is there. It was also the site that I believe first got me to io9, some we've come almost full circle in a weird way. You see there are these movie related links at the bottom which can sometimes provide hours of entertainment. The things with imdb though is that it has it's specific purpose. I mean, you love the world, but most people don't browse an encyclopedia all day (that's what we have wikipedia for now anyway)
apple.com>downloads>itunes trailers - my sole purpose for this site is to watch bitching movies trailers in full hd. That is all.
So basically I've run you through what I generally come up with when I want to learn about movies. My most commonly used outlet for communication when it comes to movies is the forums on imdb. They are great for hearing peoples interpretations and insights, and also are great if you want some really specific knowledge about movies that is too obscure to be catalogued.
It's hard for me to quantify any of my browsing or viewing experiences when it comes to either movies sites, or movies themselves. Where as brands come into play in a lot of ways when we're choosing to purchase things we like, I'm not so sure I can fit movies in the same mould. See, I can tell you why I would buy this candy over that one, but with movies I'm sometimes not sure why I would pick one. Sometimes it is just not quantifiable. Maybe it is because to me movies are the art form that is closest to my heart. Sometimes you can explain art. You don't like because of who created it, or because of where you saw it. You like it because it made you feel something without definition. Most of the time brands and even cast and crew don't come into play when deciding whether I like something or not. It's that something that is created that is truly greater than the sum of it's parts.
I love movies. Love them.
But I love my girlfriend more.
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