Gamification or "Funware" is becoming increasingly more popular through sites such as Facebook. Gamification is the use of gameplay mechanics for non-game applications to increase interactiveness in an otherwise boring activity such as completing surveys. One successful use of gamification is the social network site FourSquare. Gamification can be used for many different things such as employee training programs and online shopping.
My favourite trend this semester was Twitter. With the help of Twitter, the networking opportunities are endless, enabling users to reach and connect with people across the globe.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
GAP the bridge of new and old
An example of a successful ad campaign that combined new and old advertising techniques is the recent Gap Campaign. Gap teamed up with Groupon (a daily discount sight, featuring a new product each day) and offered $50 worth of apparel for $25. By the end of the day, 441,000 Groupons were sold, bringing in $11 million dollars. This incorporation of social media techniques helps to solidify the brand awareness that Gap creates with traditional advertising methods, in addition to increasing sales.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The magical world of Online!
This week's assignment of doing everything Online really wasn't an assignment for me. I do the majority of my daily tasks Online already. Whether it be paying bills, communicating with friends, watching TV, listening to music, or checking the news and weather, to name a few, I find myself relying on the World Wide Web more and more.
As for television watching Online, I watch 2 or 3 of my 5 weekly shows Online. The benefits of streaming video are that it is on my own time, that I can pause and rewind and that there are limited commercial breaks. By limited I mean that approximately every 10 minutes there will be one short clip which usually lasts 30 seconds or sometimes it is just a still ad that can be clicked on. The cons of TV watching Online include the ease of catching viruses, poor quality, illegal, and inconvenience at times such as when Megavideo cuts you off short for viewing too many minutes in one day.
As for music, I mostly download my tunes but have easy access to virtually any station with limited commercials when using the Internet. A pro for listening to the radio Online is that they list the songs for hours, allowing users to see the entire playlist of artists and titles which is a nice way of finding new music.
Honestly, there is no end to the capabilities of the Online world!
Regarding Aviary.com, free sites that have such vast uses such as this one are allowing anyone to step into new fields and test out their creativity without the cost restraints. The usual software that would perform all of the tasks that this site does would cost an arm and a leg so they are granting possibilities to those who otherwise would be unable.
As for television watching Online, I watch 2 or 3 of my 5 weekly shows Online. The benefits of streaming video are that it is on my own time, that I can pause and rewind and that there are limited commercial breaks. By limited I mean that approximately every 10 minutes there will be one short clip which usually lasts 30 seconds or sometimes it is just a still ad that can be clicked on. The cons of TV watching Online include the ease of catching viruses, poor quality, illegal, and inconvenience at times such as when Megavideo cuts you off short for viewing too many minutes in one day.
As for music, I mostly download my tunes but have easy access to virtually any station with limited commercials when using the Internet. A pro for listening to the radio Online is that they list the songs for hours, allowing users to see the entire playlist of artists and titles which is a nice way of finding new music.
Honestly, there is no end to the capabilities of the Online world!
Regarding Aviary.com, free sites that have such vast uses such as this one are allowing anyone to step into new fields and test out their creativity without the cost restraints. The usual software that would perform all of the tasks that this site does would cost an arm and a leg so they are granting possibilities to those who otherwise would be unable.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
And the Oscar goes to....
Drum roll please.. well it hasn't gone yet but Tweeters seem to think they know EXACTLY who will win at this years Oscars and they have very strong opinions on the matter. When it comes to Twitter, there is no shortage regarding celebrity gossip, in fact I believe it is the majority of what Tweeters like to Tweet about.
This year's popular Oscar nominees seem to be the movie The King's Speech (which I have seen, if you haven't seen it- it is a MUST see) and the actor James Franco, who is also the host of this years Oscars. I have also seen the movie 127 Hours, the movie which landed James the Twitter "most likely to win" award. This movie is a compelling recount of a man who must cut off his own arm in order to live a rock climbing injury.
On another note, I completely agree with this weeks discussion regarding following businesses and agencies on Twitter or any social media. This is a great way to stay current in your field, and staying current shows ambition and a passion for what you do. Agencies are only going to hire those who go up and beyond the competition and who show a genuine interest in getting the job-and a very public way of doing so and extracting information is through Social Media.
Until next time,
Natalie
This year's popular Oscar nominees seem to be the movie The King's Speech (which I have seen, if you haven't seen it- it is a MUST see) and the actor James Franco, who is also the host of this years Oscars. I have also seen the movie 127 Hours, the movie which landed James the Twitter "most likely to win" award. This movie is a compelling recount of a man who must cut off his own arm in order to live a rock climbing injury.
On another note, I completely agree with this weeks discussion regarding following businesses and agencies on Twitter or any social media. This is a great way to stay current in your field, and staying current shows ambition and a passion for what you do. Agencies are only going to hire those who go up and beyond the competition and who show a genuine interest in getting the job-and a very public way of doing so and extracting information is through Social Media.
Until next time,
Natalie
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The great white North
Based on the chilly weather we've been having, The North Face seemed like a suitable brand to follow on Twitter and Facebook. Personally, I own more than a dozen North Face items and consider them my winter staples when it comes to outdoor wear. I love this brand for its Canadian roots and dedication to quality, style and most importantly-for keeping me warm.
After following the North Face on Twitter for a week (I must admit it took me a good while to get signed up, as I was not previously a Twitter user but had wondered what the fuss was about) I have noticed that The North Face is a brand dedicated to outdoor winter sports and that it greatly supports its athletes. Most of TNF tweets are congratulating various athletes in competitions around North America in sports such as skiing, and snowboarding. TNF tweets several times per day in order to keep a captive audience and posts links every other day. Some links include charities and wildlife conservation. Apparently, TNF is a very giving brand that cares about its consumers and making the world a better place. These social media efforts help to enhance this image that TNF has created for itself. It is saying something that after one week of following TNF I have been completely opened up to the greatness of this brand.
http://twitter.com/#!/thenorthface
Natalie
After following the North Face on Twitter for a week (I must admit it took me a good while to get signed up, as I was not previously a Twitter user but had wondered what the fuss was about) I have noticed that The North Face is a brand dedicated to outdoor winter sports and that it greatly supports its athletes. Most of TNF tweets are congratulating various athletes in competitions around North America in sports such as skiing, and snowboarding. TNF tweets several times per day in order to keep a captive audience and posts links every other day. Some links include charities and wildlife conservation. Apparently, TNF is a very giving brand that cares about its consumers and making the world a better place. These social media efforts help to enhance this image that TNF has created for itself. It is saying something that after one week of following TNF I have been completely opened up to the greatness of this brand.
http://twitter.com/#!/thenorthface
Natalie
Monday, January 24, 2011
The guerilla in the room
Guerilla marketing can be used as an innovative, exciting way to market and create buzz about a product. One guerilla marketing example that comes to mind as a successful campaign are the Mr.Clean clean street lines.
The Mr.Clean brand painted these pedestrian crossing lines extra white to promote their magic eraser. I think that this form of guerilla marketing is extremely effective because it is clever and although there are no words, most people will immediately recognize the Mr.Clean character and understand the message that has been delivered. This guerilla marketing campaign demonstrates some of the key aspects to a successful guerilla marketing stunt: 1. Simple actions that will create large buzz 2. Message is easily conveyed and leaves audience wanting to know more.
The Urban spam video says that urban spam (guerilla marketing) hit folk wherever possible, hit folk any means possible and with any message possible. I think that these are all true statements but they are looking at these statements in a negative sense. Guerilla marketing is indeed in your face, but I see it as a way to have fun with advertising and incorporate the consumer into the mix. Those who created the Urban spam video believe that it is easy to ignore these marketing attempts and have fun on social medias...this may be the case for some but I think that the success of guerilla marketing campaigns speaks for itself and it won't be a dying means of marketing anytime soon.
Natalie
The Mr.Clean brand painted these pedestrian crossing lines extra white to promote their magic eraser. I think that this form of guerilla marketing is extremely effective because it is clever and although there are no words, most people will immediately recognize the Mr.Clean character and understand the message that has been delivered. This guerilla marketing campaign demonstrates some of the key aspects to a successful guerilla marketing stunt: 1. Simple actions that will create large buzz 2. Message is easily conveyed and leaves audience wanting to know more.
The Urban spam video says that urban spam (guerilla marketing) hit folk wherever possible, hit folk any means possible and with any message possible. I think that these are all true statements but they are looking at these statements in a negative sense. Guerilla marketing is indeed in your face, but I see it as a way to have fun with advertising and incorporate the consumer into the mix. Those who created the Urban spam video believe that it is easy to ignore these marketing attempts and have fun on social medias...this may be the case for some but I think that the success of guerilla marketing campaigns speaks for itself and it won't be a dying means of marketing anytime soon.
Natalie
Monday, January 17, 2011
Trends in Advertising: Online vs Offline Audiences
The world of advertising has recently been divided into two different sectors: online and offline. With online activities sky rocketing and the power of the Internet to share information to people all over the world, it seems natural that this medium deserve its own type of audience. Hence, the birth of the online audience versus the offline audience.
The power of the online audience is enormous- it is an online audience. The audience is bringing value to the table. For example, I am not just creating a blog at the moment. I am also updating my Facebook status, e-mailing my work and looking at online store catalogues. Advertisers are having to come up with new, unique ways to reach me because I am moving fast. In essence, advertisers need to find a way to be one step ahead.
When brands use traditional advertising practices in a new medium such as the online world, it does not come off as effectively. The online world is just that, a new medium, and therefore deserves a new advertising message. Personally I feel that online newspapers have not yet found an effective way to transfer themselves to the web, because they have simply put the same format online that can be found in the print format. The ads are equally boring online as offline, yet much easier to overlook online with all of the other distractions.
Until next week,
Natalie
The power of the online audience is enormous- it is an online audience. The audience is bringing value to the table. For example, I am not just creating a blog at the moment. I am also updating my Facebook status, e-mailing my work and looking at online store catalogues. Advertisers are having to come up with new, unique ways to reach me because I am moving fast. In essence, advertisers need to find a way to be one step ahead.
When brands use traditional advertising practices in a new medium such as the online world, it does not come off as effectively. The online world is just that, a new medium, and therefore deserves a new advertising message. Personally I feel that online newspapers have not yet found an effective way to transfer themselves to the web, because they have simply put the same format online that can be found in the print format. The ads are equally boring online as offline, yet much easier to overlook online with all of the other distractions.
Until next week,
Natalie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)