Launching a branded store is kind of a no-brainer today. All the big brands do it and I am a big fan of it. Brand Marketing & Reputation management are just the way to go these days. Especially when you are in the tech space (just ask Google).
Today I saw that Microsoft finally made the move to launch their own stores and promote their products, among others the Zune. They also announced that these stores will sometimes open in close proximity to Apple’s store. Let’s say it friendly: This can go very ugly, especially when you think about the deep pockets that Microsoft has.
The next black Friday we might see the Iphone vs. Zune Phone war….or the Mac vs. PC fight right on the street. Overall a smart move by Microsoft. Since Circuit City folded and a bunch of online retailers own the laptop business, Microsoft needs to diversify their sales channels. Really funny to see the M$ giant get back on it’s feet.
But let’s see how this will turn out. Windows 7 better be good…or MS will get owned again.
This is quite offtopic, but I am stunned about the geekness of today’s world. In the old days, humans collected stamps and just looking at the Blue Mauritius stamp in a collectors catalog was just the highlight of day.
I just read that the MynameisE.com developed a great tool to share Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter information with others, while on the go. Pretty interesting idea and some people already called it a “business card printer” killer.
The Iphone app allows card sharing through a simple flick of the writs. It cann connect to users automatically and let the allows the exchange of the information.
Certainly an interesting concept to exchange information with a phone. However, question remains: How many people really will use the app on their Iphone and how many phones besides the Iphone do they support with their system. So…for all the fast shooters…I would not call business cards bsolete until Linkedin/Facebook/Twitter….include a functionality like this in their offical app.
Pretty cool new Iphone Skin….Crusts n’ rust! The rusty look certainly takes away that snobbish Iphone image and makes it look pretty cool. Would be interesting to see if people really think that this is rust : )Check it out:
Since we are in the middle of the weddding season I was wondering if there is really an Iphone app for weddings. And yes…there is a free wedding planner app called iWedding. The app manages from the gift registry and wedding music ideas up to wedding invitations and inspiration for dresses, venues and cakes pretty much everything. Personally I think this is a little over the top, but I bet there are enough Iphone addicts, who will like that. I really cannot wait for the new Apple ad: Wedding issues? There is an app for that
Today one of the most interesting mobile events happened in London: The Mobile Monday.org.uk Mobile Music event in London. Would have loved to join, but when you I checked for various London hotels, I got a little bit annoyed. The cheaper ones were just booked and flying out to London, spending $500 on the entry fee plusspending a lot of money on a hotel, is just too much for a one day event.
That said…should be interesting to hear what happened. Some top speakers attended:
Morgan Donoghue, head of music for Vodafone Group Services - Barney Wragg, formerly head of digital at EMI and senior VP at Universal - Alex Vlassopulos, head of business development (digital), Sony Music - Antony Douglas, head of content, O2 Telefonica - Jonathan MacDonald, MD of JMA - Tim Grimsditch, head of global product marketing (music), Nokia - Frank Taubert, CEO of 24-7
More and more market trends are lately released about the mobile industry. First Erick Schonfeld reportet that the majority of cel phone industry profits are earned by Apple and Blackberry (RIM). Blackberry is leading the pack with increasing its market share up to 35 percent in 2009. Togehter with Apple 66 percent of industry profits will go to these two companies.
Another post over at Seekingalpha show the latest innovations of the different companies:
Apple launching the Iphone 16 GB 3Gs and cuts the Original Iphone down to $99. Reported rumors speculate about a 4G Iphone and even an Apple Ipad
Qualcoom is another winner of the mobile revolution. Alone the Mirasol display technology will be a game changer.
Google apparently comes out with another G Phone and an updated version of Android
Sybase is the last player int he mobile revolution with it’s innovative cloud computing capabilities.
Still a prototype and financed by the National Science Foundation is this electronic field guide. Pretty damn cool. Cannot wait until someone comes up with a survival app, which allows everybody to go through the rainforest with a simple app
I haven’t really followed much the innovative side of the mobile e-commerce industry even that I know that a ton of innovation is happening there.
An interesting case stuff was recently published by the MMA Global:
ECI, a part of the Bertelsmann Group (Randomhouse) was trying to sell more memberships through a mobile channel. Book clubs are a huge business, since they usually require a monthly subscription or a minimum active order of their memebers.
ECI’s wanted to increase orders through their channel, retention of members as well as create some buzz around their brand.
Here’s what they tried:
-Quaterly automated SMS with specialized and personalized offers -Complete SMS ordering channel -SMS sweepstakes / contests with coupons
Results were amazing: 40.000 members participated in the sweepstakes / several thousand orders were placed by SMS each week.
Now say what you want. Mobile marketing is still untapped.
