‘Smartphones have transformed computing astonishingly quickly and about a billion devices with Google’s Android software were activated in just five years.’ states and article from the MIT Technological Review. It is incredible to see that no other technology in this world has ever drawn as many users as fast! And although the market is already huge, what is even more surprising is how much room to improvement there is, in addition to the opportunities!

Soon enough these numbers could also be representative of tablets which are aligning themselves with the state of comfort and convenience as well as even educational activities!

But importantly what has changed drastically through mobile devices is the use of social media through them. More and more apps like the newest Vine and Snapchats have become so popular on our phones. I will have to admit they are a ton of fun and it is therefore why businesses are often trying their best to enter those social platforms to engage and connect with their customers.

It has now become beyond having a Facebook page and Twitter account active. Innovation through viral videos, and fun shots are what everyone wants to see and catches the attention. Take for example Oreo’s 100 years campaign to see below. Using Vine companies can announce new products or play around with them. Taco Bells created a rather simple short video but that gained awareness quickly because it was different and easy to watch. I find it very entertaining so see what many brands out there have been doing, by visiting http://brandsonvine.com/.

Through Instagram companies can now share with their customers what is it like to work in their office which consequently brings interest and positive feelings towards a brand who is sharing. More importantly they share their brand culture. Look at Nike for example, their Instagram account features positive message, motivational thoughts and show a strong belief that their customers will use their product to simply become awesome. http://instagram.com/nike

Through this mobile world, brands who will take the advantage that we are constantly connected looking for entertainment, will win as they grab our attention and make us smile.

Oreo Daily Twist Case Study from Ron Ceballos on Vimeo.

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Sometimes I catch myself saying: “Oh wow I getting old, this is brilliant” as a new application or website makes its way to my computer. I was fascinated by the latest update of Google Hangouts, which I had used previously only for the purpose of calling my best friends or school group meetings. Google Hangouts can now do so much more than this and as we have seen in class it has the potential of making one conversation viral.  What is great about Google Hangouts being “On Air” is that now anyone in the world can see what you have to say, of course not everyone is going to watch you but if you are an astronaut, Obama, or a soccer player then it is another story.

Customers questions are answered by a real-person and the person who they mostly want to hear from. It positions them as an expert who is accessible, human and takes the time for its consumers or fans. Hangouts are fairly easy to use, the only thing needed is a webcam, computer and internet connection which a fairly costs for a the visibility it gets. When setting up a Google Hangout on air an event is created through Google +  the date, time and time-zones are crucial and must be clear.

Here are few examples on how it can help a brand and a person gain awareness and improve personal branding.  The Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe, hosted a digital autograph signing Google + Hangout. During the hangout the player had the opportunity to see his fans and sow them his gratitude, answered questions and using an ipad signed digital photos.

For Garance Dore’s Google+ Hangout, she had asked her fans to post questions on the event wall and on twitter. This brought much engagement from the part of her fans which didn’t hesitate a second to see her live on their screens. Because is it live, she was natural and everyone was now with her and saw her personality. The hangouts are then recorded and put on Youtube so that consumers can re-watch them. Cadburry has done a few as well with their Chocolate tasting hangout.

An approachable brand, is a caring brand and through live hangouts like those blogers, astronauts, soccer players and music stars can listen, interact and show they care about their fans.

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Far away are the times when we used to browse through Toys “R” Us magazines cutting out everything we wanted for Christmas, and later gluing them on a letter to Santa. Those were made with an exaggerated amount of glitter and excitement, but today technology and social media help us stay young offering modern versions of Christmas wish lists.

Pinterests has been changing the ways consumers shop, their boards are often representative of what exactly they wish to buy or have decided to buy already. According this an HBR review 29% of Pinterest users have purchased something (in-store or online) after sharing or favoriting it on Pinterest. It is great to see that the social aspect of sharing what one wishes can drive customers to make more purchases; in fact about half of social-inspired purchases are made within a week!

A great example is the campaign Lowes is running using Pinterest. Items on special prices were added to a board called black Friday Deal Reveal, but were disguised. Followers were asked to guess the item, which generated shares, comments and lots of engagement. Has Pinterest become the place to collect holiday shopping list of online consumers? Oh yes!

On the Toys r us website, kids can now create an interactive wish lists, by simply creating an account and browsing through the thousands of toys and game and dragging them to their lists. Once they are done, they can easily send them all out to their family by adding an email address. This really allows them to reach out to everyone and get exactly what they wish for. What I found very interesting is that they can also find wish lists created by other kids and see what they have chosen, get ideas and share their own. They can save and edit any time if they change their mind. There is even a list of trending gifts!

Other campaigns like Nordstorm “Wish List Giveaway” try to go viral by giving their customers the chance to win a $5,000 gift card if they share their lists Facebook and Twitter. In general everyone is trying to generate as much engagement as possible through online campaigns linking websites and social media. Great idea since in the end everyone is looking for the best deals and what works better than word of mouth?

More insights here: http://sherpablog.marketingsherpa.com/consumer-marketing/ecommerce-eretail/3-tactics-retail-sites-holidays/

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Philips recently unveiled their new logo and tag line. They did so, however, through an excellent social media campaign which fits perfectly to their new brand positioning. By tagging #uncoverPhilips on Twitter or Facebook, customers “acquired” a pixel of their new logo. 14,670 people claimed a spot on of the new shield! It is quite a symbol Philips has created making sure the message that customers are their brand was fully expressed. In 2 days the new logo was uncovered, and on the inauguration date every single person felt as if they were part of the event, they all uncovered it together.

In addition, the new tagline “innovation is you” fits the social media campaign perfectly, it was engaging and made sure their customers/followers on twitter could take part of the change. It is a great example of how user-generated content, in this case the participation of a pixel in the new Philips logo, is used to complete the broader image of showing the company cares and wants to listen to their customers.

Not only will it increase their site traffic, or the visits on their Youtube channel but it will also create a sense of belonging towards the brand which consequently will result in affection. Customers will find themselves more engaged in the brand and could potentially refer it to others thus becoming a brand ambassador. With their phrase “discover innovation that matters to you”, Philips show they understand that people are first, and this always please us.

http://www.uncover.philips.com/en/app

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