Monday 23 February 2009

Digital Advertising Most Effective after 6pm

New research by the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) suggests that online consumers are more receptive to digital advertising after 6pm across all age groups, and that they prefer ads whilst shopping and researching.

Read the report here.

- Sam

Wednesday 18 February 2009

General Electric Launches Exciting Augmented Reality Campaign

General Electric has launched an attractive campaign for consumers to find out more about alternative energy sources. To advertise the Smart Grid technology, part of its Ecomagination campaign, the electricity company is informing and educating users via a digital hologram, found at www.plugintothesmartgrid.com

It’s a neat example of a seemingly traditional industry utilising innovative modern technology to bring an idea to life. Augmented Reality allows users to play around with 3D models of wind power and solar energy with only a webcam and a solar panel marker, which can be printed out from the website, found on GE print ads, or used from an iPhone. Check out the demo here and have a go for yourself.

- Sam

Monday 16 February 2009

Focus on Twitter

There has been much in the press in the last week about Twitter, including how investors have just poured $35million into the two year-old start-up.

Have a read of this opinion piece which sheds some light on just how the micro-blogging platform can offer a direct, real-time view into consumer sentiment, something which is certainly highly valuable for brands and marketers.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/15/mining-the-thought-stream/

- Sam

Thursday 5 February 2009

McCann Erickson’s Hoax Website Entices Sunbed Worshippers

McCann Erickson’s newly launched hoax website for skin cancer charity Skcin, promising people they can use their computer screens and special technology to bronze themselves, has attracted 30,000 hits in the first 24 hours.

The campaign, to raise awareness of the dangers of skin cancer, offers the public the chance to top up their tans using “revolutionary new technology” via the fake ComputerTan.com site. The site switches to images and facts about skin cancer linking to the Skcin website, after displaying a screen full of UV bulbs offering a free tanning session.

The campaign is being supported by print and outdoor ads, street leafleting, PR and digital seeding via influential bloggers. A 20 second ad is also running on CBS Outdoor's digital network on 75 of London Underground’s cross track screens.

Simon Hill, new business director at McCann Erickson, said: "This campaign was designed to engage those most at risk of developing skin disease and those most difficult to talk to via conventional advertising. The fact that so many people fell for the ComputerTan hoax demonstrates the frightening truth that getting a tan - regardless of the risk - is still appealing for many people."

- Sam

Augmented Reality and LBS Developments

Check out www.mobvis.org and ‘demos’ for some interesting technological developments in Location Based Services and Augmented Reality.

After taking a photo with your mobile phone, Mobvis technology allows for accurate location recognition, placing hyperlinks on certain items it can provide information about, such as local shops, transport stops and timetables and cinemas. The interesting thing is that to date GPS capabilities have not been quite so accurate and highly focussed, but Mobvis allows for highly targeted information display as its search is limited to what is displayed in your mobile viewfinder.

As Mediapost points out, the technology could act as an “incredible interactive guide.” Going one step further to suggest a GPS enabled city infrastructure, “Assuming city buses are equipped with GPS and telemetric units, it could also tell you how long you have to wait for the next bus.”

Impact on search

The technology certainly has implications on search, and how and what users search for, as it in effect allows people to ‘navigate their own reality.’ It would give incredible insight into peoples’ search habits and how these are impacted by their physical location.

Mobvis are currently testing the technology in three European cities.

- Sam

Tuesday 3 February 2009

WPP Announces $25m Investment in Omniture

WPP has formed a strategic partnership with Omniture, the online optimisation company, which will see the marketing services group invest $25m in Omniture shares and place Omniture consultants inside WPP agencies.

The partnership also includes joint approaches to mutual clients and joint technology development, including the integration of Omniture and WPP data and products.

The two companies will also share marketing insights and consult on best practices, with 500 WPP employees trained on Omniture products within the first year of the partnership.

Click here to read more.

- Sam