August, 2010 MTV has teamed with location-based social network Foursquare to create the 2010 MTV VMA Moonman Badge. Users who check into any music venue between August 30 and September 5 will receive the badge and be entered into a contest for a trip for two to the 2010 Video Music Awards. MTV is considered one of the most active brands on Foursquare.
August, 2010
EpicMix is a new social gaming app created for the 2010-2011 ski and snowboard season. Users can track their activities and share them with others through radio frequency (RF)-enabled chips embedded in their lift tickets. The app is a mix of Nike+, which tracks physical activity, and Gowalla, which gives users rewards for exploring new areas.
August, 2010
Luxury resort chain, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, created an iPhone app designed to attract affluent consumers. The app lets travelers learn about special packages, hotel information and destination recommendations. Consumers also have the ability to modify or cancel their reservations through the app. Along with hotel information, the app provides food and activity recommendations for guests’ destinations.
August, 2010
A Ground Truth study found a 92 percent increase in unique visitors to mobile dating sites during June and July. Traffic increased to mobile-designed dating sites rather than web-based sites such as eHarmony.com and match.com. The study also found the average visitor spent a total of 49 seconds per session. Increased traffic may be attributed to increase social activity that occurs during the summer months.
August, 2010
Glastonbury Festival, the largest open air and performing art festival, created a mobile app for the event. The app had the capability of serving as a navigator for the event, showing where upcoming and current events were performing, locations of exits, and the event amenities that were available.
August, 2010
A new iPhone app, called Faceplant, allows users to discover which of their contacts are connected on Wi-fi and able to video chat. The app builds a friend list and removes some of the barriers to video chatting.
August, 2010
Rovio, the company that makes the popular iPhone game Angry Birds, is said to be in talks to produce a line of toys and a possible movie based on the game. While rumors about a movie are still up in the air, stuffed bird toys based on the game’s characters, a flock of birds fighting evil pigs, are said to be a definite. Angry Birds has sold 6.5 million 99 cent iPhone apps and 11 million of the free version of the app, with iPad sales of the game reaching more than $200,000. The game has also launched on the Palm platform and there are plans to extend to the Android later this month.
August, 2010
In order to persuade Florida voters during the primary election August 24, Democrat Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber put campaign efforts in the hands of Google mobile ads. The ad campaign targeted voters as they waited for their turn to cast their ballot, aiming to let them know that Gelber had been promoted by several major Florida newspapers. If a voter saw the mobile ads, such as one reading “Gelber Gets Endorsements”, they were able to click through to learn more and continue to search for information about the candidate. Google text ads and Facebook ads were also running in tangent with efforts to persuade votes.
August, 2010
MTV has added to the Facebook social game world with the debut of their social dating game I Woo You. The game, which includes cross-promotion tie-ins with MTV reality shows, allows the user to create an avatar to throw out into the digital dating world. Love connections in the game are based on individual avatars’ answers to personality questions- the more matches a player has with another, the better the match. I Woo You also allows players to up the ante by using real money to get the opportunity to court actual MTV reality show stars, or buy digital designer clothers for their avatar.
August, 2010 If you’re tired of manually checking-in to your location based app then here’s something for you. Shopkick is an iPhone app that automatically checks you in when you enter a certain place and can even track your movement throughout a store. Brands and companies can reward consumers with points called “kickbucks” to redeem for gift cards, music downloads and even credits for Facebook games. Best Buy and Macy’s are some of the brands utilizing this app.
August, 2010 Miami New Times has launched a new app and mobile site allowing users to find Happy Hours near them. Available in over 30 cities nationwide, consumers can find locations by features (outdoor patio, live entertainment, etc.), time and food. The app also allows for easy searching and mapping.
August 2010
When you receive a business card all you have to do is snap a photo of it with your iPhone and send it to Card Munch. At Card Munch real people type the data into address book format and send it back to you digitally. This new app saves you the time and effort of typing in new contacts and saves you the chance of possibly losing a valuable business card.
August 2010
The new trial section of iPhone’s app store, Try Before You Buy, allows people interested in an app have a trial run before they have to purchase it. Right now this service is only available for free apps, but Apple hopes this will be successful prevention of potential app pirates if expanded in the future.
August 2010
In order to promote CW’s new show Nikita, CW is pairing with BriteKite, a location based social networking site, to introduce a sweepstakes to the social media world. If any one sees a T.V. spot, billboard, radio commercial, or print ad with Nikita on it they are encouraged to snap a picture and report it via BrightKite to enter the sweepstakes. The winner has the possibility of winning an iPad or a trip to the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.
August, 2010
The North Face’s new iPhone app gives pointers to outdoor adventurers trying to find the perfect trail. This free app from the iTunes store uses database from EveryTrail.com to search for trails by activity type, proximity to location via GPS or zip code entry, and user ratings. Users can include search words to narrow down their selection and see trail pictures and reviews from other users before choosing where to embark and viewing driving directions. Preferred trails can also be added to a user’s favorites, once the user has used the app to set up a free account through EveryTrail.com.
August, 2010
A new Levi’s video has bumped the Old Spice guy out of first place on the viral video rankings. The video, “Guy Walks Across America” consists of 2,770 individual still photos shot over a 14 day road trip, compiled into a viral ad for Levi’s. The spot has been viewed 3 million times since it was posted July 20, but overtook some of the Old Spice videos when it gained over 1.5 million views last week.
August, 2010
Twitter unveiled it’s new “Fast Follow” feature, which lets anyone get updates from any Twitter user via text message, even without a Twitter account. All it takes to use the service is a quick text to Twitter’s short code of 40404, containing the message ‘follow [@username]‘, and that user’s tweets will come straight to any mobile device. Fast Follow is set to reach passive users- those who like to receive tweets from friends, celebrities or brands but don’t want to set up an account to tweet themselves.
August, 2010 The motion picture Scott Pilgrim vs. the World put a twist on movie trailers by releasing an interactive movie trailer. The interactive trailer turns the second full-length trailer for the film into an 8-bit video game experience complete with information about the film and how it was made. The trailer allows for a new user experience, which can last much longer than a normal trailer.
August, 2010 To keep up with the changing landscape of music videos from TV to YouTube, MTV has hired its first “Twitter Jockey” to help promote the brand in the world of social media. Gabi Gregg won the TJ position in a contest that involved a nation-wide vote. The new TJ is the updated VJ (Video Jockey) position that is synonymous with MTV.
August, 2010 Android users will soon be able to stream video from Netflix directly to their devices. Netflix is currently looking for developers to begin working on the video streaming application.
August, 2010
A new iPhone app called ‘Tabbed Out’ stands to be a bargoer’s best bud. The app is currently supprted only by bars in Austin and Dallas, TX and Chico, CA, but for consumers in these areas waiting in line to close out a bar tab can be a thing of the past. The app connects with a bar’s cash register and sends the user’s stored payment information to complete transactions throughout their night out. ‘Tabbed Out’ not only allows a customer to pay and leave at any time, but also prevents the bar from being stiffed on payment altogether.
August, 2010
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile USA are said to be in discussions to partner with Discover Financial Services and Barclays PLC to begin testing smart phone technology to take the place of credit and debit cards. The new technology would store debit and credit information and allow consumers to pay via plastic with one quick wave of a smart phone. Testing will reportedly take place in four U.S. cities, including Dallas, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City and possibly Atlanta. Currently, smart phone pay services similar to this are available in Japan, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
August, 2010
Shopkick is a new location based application similar to Foursquare. The application is free and when downloaded it will automatically check users in when they arrive at certain locations such as Best Buy or Macy’s and present them with a list of deals that particular retailer is offering. At auto-checkin Shopkick also presents users with other rewards called “kickbucks”, the app’s virtual currency. Shopkick isn’t available yet, but is coming soon to an iPhone near you.
August, 2010
Foursquare has a new badge called the “Mile High Badge”, which is obtained by checking in to Foursquare using Gogo’s Inflight Internet service. Checking in via Gogo doesn’t offer any material rewards like signing in other places sometimes can, however the badge it is a clever way to promote their online service with use of one of the most popular social media applications today.
August 2010
Frank’s Red Hot, a hot sauce brand has hopped on the mobile app band wagon with its very own wings app. The app searches bars and restaurants that serve hot wings in your area as well as wing and restaurant reviews.
August 2010
ScanLife has created a QR code to build awareness about cleaning up the gulf. When the QR code is scanned via your iPhone technology it directs you to the “Be the One” informative video and a place to sign the petition to save the gulf.
August 2010
CNN created an international news app that focuses on international readers. The app allows you to search for news by topic, video or download iReports. The application uses iOS 4 technology which enables push notification and personalization.
August, 2010
WineTasting.com has launched a mobile-optimized website where users can purchase wines while on-the-go. Winetasting Network Vice President and General Manager, Chris Edwards, said the purpose of the mobile site is to reach consumers through a setting they feel most comfortable with. In addition to purchasing wines, consumers can search the site for pairing suggestions and a “Wine 101″ section for learning more about tastings.
August, 2010
Sears back-to-school marketing program, “Crush Your Style”, will center its efforts around a mobile component. The main feature of the program are the consumer challenges, six total over six weeks, that lead to a “top style” winner who will receive a $50,000 family trip. Consumers can access the competitions via the internet or mobile web and must enter short text-in codes to be eligible for the contest.
August, 2010
AT&T has introduced a QR code scanner application and it’s new AT&T Create-a-Code service tool for Blackberry and Android users. This free app, similar to ShopSavvy and RedLaser, scans any 2D (QR and datamatrix) or 1D (UPC and EAN) barcode. The new Create-a-Code service is a unique addition to the app that allows the user to sign up for a free account with AT&T to create up to five QR codes that will last for one full year. Created codes can be downloaded in PNG or EPS formats.
