CheckPoints App Rewards Shoppers In-Store

September, 2010

CheckPoints, a new app available today on the iPhone, enables users to scan items they plan to purchase in-store and interact with the brand they are purchasing.  Each item scanned earns points for the user, which are then stored to generate instant rewards. Beyond scanning, the app also allows users to see all advertised products in the store they are at just by checking in with CheckPoints. Initial brands taking part in the app include Tyson, Energizer, Belkin and seventh generation; Tyson is the first to offer a branded mini-game through the app when a Tyson frozen food product is scanned.

Groupon Launches Plans for Grouspawn

September, 2010

Groupon has launched Grouspawn, a contest that will reward up to two college scholarship grants per year to couples who used a Groupon on their first date and now have a baby (referred to as a ‘Grouspawn’). The contest site, Grouspawn.com, houses applications for the grant and doubles as a dating site for those who want to have a chance to win but are without a Grouspawn. Single people can get on the site, meet up, and use a Groupon on their first date in hopes of one day having a Grouspawn baby.

Jumo The NPO Social Network

September 2010,

Jumo is a new social network platform geared towards connecting users with nonprofit organizations and causes. Started by Chris Hughes, the co-founder of Facebook, Jumo is expected to launch later this year.

Salesforce Launches Chatter

September 2010,

Chatter is a new social platform that allows coworkers to communicate in a Twitter-like style with one another in an efficient and secure manner. The main idea behind this corporate social media platform is to reduce email clutter and to promote conversation between employees and departments.

CatholicTV Launches Social Networking Site

September, 2010

CatholicTV Network will launch a social networking site to help Catholic community members connect. Members of the site can fill out a profile, upload videos and participate in community discussions. The television network is hoping that members will contribute discussion topics that can be covered in its monthly digital magazine.

Bluefly.com Shares Mobile Coupon Via TV Ad

September, 2010

Bluefly.com is sharing a $30 2D mobile coupon placed in television advertisements that show celebrities offering 45-second tours of their closets. In addition to the $30 coupon offer, the 2D tag will provide consumers with access to exclusive video content of “Closet Confessions”. “The Closet Confessions campaign launched online back in March, and it really resonated with our fashion-focused consumers who posted comments to the videos, and even posted videos of their own closets on the site… And with the QR reader component, there is now an instant call to action, to drive consumers back to our site for more content and special offers,” said Bluefly New York Chief Marketing Officer, Bradford Matson.

Twitter Offering Users Analytics

September 2010,

Twitter recently announced that they will be releasing an analytics function that will enable businesses and users to measure the efficacy and reach of their Tweets. Currently there is no information as to whether or not users have to pay for this feature, but based on Twitter’s desire to monetizing their website, the feature will probably be based on a freemium model.

Mogotix: New Mobile Ticketing Service

September, 2010

Mogotix has joined the likes of Fandango and MovieTickets.com in the world of paperless ticketing services.  But Mogotix takes a different approach by issuing QR codes through SMS on your mobile device.  Event organizers can also collect real-time info on attendance and sales with the iPhone app.

DirecTV’s Sports Bar Finder App

September, 2010

DirecTV has launched a new app for sports fans who have had trouble finding their game on the big screen.  By using your phone’s GPS, the app shows you nearby sports bars.  The app is available on iPhone and Android mobile devices.

NBC’s Community Twittersode

September, 2010

For its season 2 premier, NBC’s hit comedy series Community will feature an entire episode using using 140 character or less communication.  The posts will not just be videos posted to Twitter, but rather be tweets from the cast before the first day of class.  Fans can catch the action before the new semester begins on Community’s Twittersode site or follow the characters’ Twitter accounts.

Disney Launches Let the Memories Begin Campaign

September 2010,

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts launched a new social campaign called “Let the Memories Begin” to connect with families by sharing user-submitted photographs and videos in their new marketing and advertising materials. Part of the campaign includes projecting submitted photos onto Cinderella’s castle at night as well as a new TV advertisement featuring real families and real memories.

Visa: NYC Public Transit Riders Pay Via Phone

September, 2010

Visa is testing a pilot program in New York City and New Jersey that lets public transportation riders use their phones to pay for their fares. To make a payment, users wave their phones in front of an electronic reader. Visa hopes the phone payment will help lines move more quickly as consumers will no longer need to dig out their cards. The test program is currently only activated in 28 stops on the New York subway route.

Pedigree’s Write a Blog, Help a Dog

September, 2010 Pedigree turned to blogs for it’s latest social initiative for man’s best friend.  With the “Write a Blog, Help a Dog” promotion, Pedigree donated a 20 pound bag of dog food to shelters for every blog posted about pet adoption.  The company also used Facebook, and donated a bowl of dog food for every “Like” it received.

Simmons Uses QR Tagging in JCPenney’s

September, 2010

Simmons, the mattress company, is now using QR codes in JCPenney stores to aid consumers when making decisions on which mattress to buy. When scanning in the QR codes, consumers can see 3D renderings of what the Beauty Rest mattress line looks like. “For advertisers and marketers the functionality of Microsoft Tag can help create a powerful brand experience for consumers. Tags can be created in a much smaller size to make it easier to print on consumer packaged goods,” said Anna Kim-Williams, Seattle-based senior global media strategist of the Startup Business Group at Microsoft.

Rotten Tomatoes Uses FB For Tailored Content

September, 2010

The movie critics’ website, Rotten Tomatoes, now features personalized content based on Facebook preferences. Included on the site are “Movie Recommendations” and “Friends Activity” pulled from Facebook friends’ pages. The site also allows Rotten Tomatoes users to upload movies they want to see via Facebook rather than logging in to two separate accounts. Given the rise in consumer trust based on word of mouth, the website hopes to use the new features to gain more website hits from new and existing users.

myShopanion Helps Shopping go Social

September, 2010

A new iPhone app, myShopanion, launched this week to serve as a shopper’s right hand during real-world shopping trips. The app allows users to search for products by barcode scan, a feature that is integrated with RedLaser’s scanning technology, or by name. Once the product is found, they can tap into their friends on social networs to help them make purchase decisions. Current myShopanion users can share products via Twitter and Facebook to gather the feedback they need from friends, but the ability to send immediate push notifications through the app is in the works.

New Twitter.com Starting to Takeover

September, 2010

Twitter has started it’s rollout of the new Twitter.com web interface. The changes to Twitter includes changes to the design of the site, as well as the addition of mulitmedia to the tweet strem a user sees. This multimedia addition comes with a partnership with over 16 different media partners, including Flickr, YouTube and Vimeo. Some Twiter users are already seeing the changes and the rollout will continue to make it’s way through all users during the week.

Betsey Johnson: First FB “Places” Campaign

September, 2010

Betsey Johnson, a fashion brand, has launched the first-ever Facebook Places marketing campaign. The store offers Westfield Valley Fair mall shoppers a 15% discount if they check in via Facebook Places. Jon Siegal, CEO of Fan Appz, said, ”Businesses are always looking for new ways to attract and retain customers. Location-based marketing is another one of those opportunities. With Facebook enabling the Places feature, it makes check-ins a lot more of a mainstream opportunity for businesses that have customers on Facebook.”

Nearly 30% of Adult Mobile Users Use Apps

September, 2010

A Pew Internet Project study found that nearly 30% of adults use mobile apps. The study also found that over half of those who  had downloaded an app said to have done so within the last month, and one-third of those respondents had in the last week. Apps most typically used by adults include gaming apps (60%),  news/weather (52%), maps and navigation (51%) and social networking (47%). Noticeably low were shopping apps at only 24%. The study also found social networking apps to be more popular with women, while men tended to use more financial and banking apps. More from the study can be found at Mashable.com.

Share Mad Men Cocktail Creations on The iPhone

September, 2010

The popular television series, Mad Men, introduced the Cocktail Culture app for iPhone users. App users are quizzed on 60′s cocktails as they create their own virtual drink. Once the cocktail is developed, it can be drank by the user or shared with a friend. The app provides feedback on the quality of drink prepare. The app also offers a free 21-recipe bartending guide.

Ford Writes Its Way Into Vampire Diaries

September, 2010

Ford partnered with TV show, Vampire Diaries, to promote the program’s new season. Entrants simply write and submit an essay via Twitter, Facebook or email promoting the new season. The winner with the most convincing pitch will win a brand new Ford Fiesta.

NYFW Gets Micropage

September, 2010

New York Fashion Week (NYFW), in collaboration with Twitter, created a microsite to keep its fashionable followers up-to-date with exclusive interviews and trends from the event.

The NYFW site is sponsored by American Express and appears to be part of the continuing trend of corporate sponsored Twitter microsites.

Reggie Bush Hosts Social Media Scavenger Hunt

September, 2010

The Reggie Bush #RedZones social media campaign started September 6 as a kickoff to the New Orleans Saints football season. #RedZones uses Facebook, Twitter, TwitPic and Foursquare to give fans clues they can use to find footballs hidden around the city, all signed by Bush himself. TwitPics show the area of the football drop and Foursquare check-ins, which followers can also find on Twitter, give more specific clues. Bush’s Facebook page is being used to let fans know when footballs will be dropped. Stickybits barcodes provide an added layer- fans can scan the barcodes attached to pictures of Bush to add a photo, video or message in support of Reggie Bush. The best photo or video wins an autographed football and the code is displayed on Facebook, as well, so anyone can play to win.

Target Puts Weekly Ad On Mobile Site

September, 2010

Target again is using mobile methods to connect with shoppers. The national chain store now has a mobile version of the weekly ad available for shoppers to peruse while out. In addition to the ads, consumers can opt-in for alerts on savings for special items. Consumers also have the ability to directly share coupons and deals via Facebook and Twitter.

Burger King Pushes New Menu With Mobile

September, 2010

Burger King is using mobile marketing as one of their channels to promote their new larger breakfast menu. Michael Burke, cofounder and president of appssavvy, New York, said, “These are your customers, not potential customers. And apps, like loyalty programs, can increase order size and more.” Burger King hopes to combat other fast food chains, such as McDonald’s and Five Guys Burgers, mobile efforts through their menu app.

1 In 3 Mobile Searches Are For Local Content

September, 2010

Google has found that one in three mobile searches are for a local intent. Efficient Frontier predicts advertisers will focus programs as device-specific campaigns. “There is an opportunity for an advertiser to serve up very specific search results, and even give directions on how to get to its shop or restaurant,” said Giselle Tsirulnik of MobileMarketer.com.

Introducing AdAge Mobile App

September, 2010

AdAge junkies rejoice! The website launched a mobile app to deliver breaking news in the advertising industry. For $1.99 a month, AdAge app subscribers can access content that is typically for paying subscribers-only and a shortcut to Twitter for instantaneous tweets and sharing.

MTV Puts GYT Campaign on Foursquare

September, 2010

MTV takes to Foursquare again, this time to push the “Get Yourself Tested” (GYT) campaign and urge sexually active adults to do just that: get tested. Foursquare users following MTV can earn the GYT badge after checking in at a testing center and shouting “GYT” to their friends through the app. Being awarded the badge, which marks Foursquare’s first ever cause-related badge, also enters the user in a sweepstakes for their chance to win a trip for two to New York City, as well as backstage passes to MTV’s 10 on Top.

No Credit Card? Rixty Says Game On

September, 2010

Virtual currency company Rixty hopes to have solved problems for online gamers who don’t have a credit card through their new Coinstar partnership. In order for non-credit carrying players to gain access to virtual goods through Rixty, all they need to do is put spare change in one of the 10,000 participating Coinstar machines across the country and they will receive a 16-digit code good in any games managed by any of the 50 Rixty partners, including FarmVille on Facebook. Using the service will incur a charge that is comparable to using a credit card for the same purpose.

Mophie, Intuit Introduce Credit Access for iPhone

September, 2010

Small business owers can now save money on every credit transaction, thanks to a new iPhone package from Mophie and Intuit. The Complete Credit Card Solution comes with a credit card reader attached to the bottom of Mophi’s iPhone case, and includes Intuit’s GoPayment app and QuickBooks software, which lets users track invoices and payments. To begin using the system, business owners simply purchase the Complete Credit Card Solution at any Apple store and subscribe to GoPayment. Perks for a small biz? Discounted transaction fees, one account enables 50 users and there are no long-term contracts, cancellation, gateway or setup fees.