Mixing Digital

CNN and Elle Test Google Glass as a Way to Push Content to More People

Charlie — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:53:19 +0000

CNN and Elle magazine have become the second and third media brands with apps on Google Glass, following The New York Times, and all three are testing early adopters’ appetite for a constant stream of updated content served to them on the go. The apps seem to follow the vein of push notifications mobile phone users get increasingly frequently from The Times and The Wall Street Journal. Unlike the apps those push notifications bring users to, however, the media brands’ Glass apps aren’t allowed to carry ads.

Audi Launches a Tablet App

Charlie — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:51:21 +0000

Working with mobile specialist, Somo, Audi has been quick to adopt mobile technologies to improve customer experiences – it was one of the first premium car brands to create an optimised mobile website and to incorporate augmented reality into an iPad app.

Audi wanted the app to show off the car to its core audience of tech savvy 25-40 year old men – a prime demographic for the iPad.

The key objectives for the app were to bring the brand spirit of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ to Audi fans through the latest mobile technology. Other objectives included giving drivers the opportunity to experience the functionality of the new A3 in the comfort of their home, letting users explore the brand new look and feel of the car’s interior and encouraging users to try out the car for themselves through a test drive, find out more by requesting a brochure or find their local centre. The new A3 app is the latest in a suite of mobile products that Audi and Somo have produced in recent months. Other collaborations have included the Audi Mileage Tracker app, Mediawall and the A6 Bi-turbo app.

Microsoft Internal Video Lampoons Chrome Ad

Charlie — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:49:17 +0000

An internal Microsoft video spoofing Google’s Chrome ads has surfaced, warning consumers that the browser will track them across multiple devices.

The ad is an exact parody of Google’s “Chrome: Now Everywhere”, but while Google presented its ubiquity as a virtue, Microsoft implies that something sinister is at work. “Following you. Monetising you. Now everywhere,” it concludes.

Though Microsoft hasn’t been shy about calling out Google in its “Scroogled” campaign, this particular video was not intended for public consumption, but was leaked, according to a Microsoft spokesperson.

The ad appears as Microsoft and Google have publicly tangled over the YouTube app’s placement in Windows Phone. Google has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Microsoft asking the company to remove the app because it does not serve up advertising.

Gmail Adds New “Quick Action” Buttons, Helps You Act On Your Messages

Charlie — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:48:13 +0000

Gmail launched the new feature “Quick Actions,” which recognises certain types of messages and helps you take action on items immediately. For example, if your friend sends you a Google Calendar invitation, you can RSVP right from your inbox by clicking the RSVP button. It will also recognise if you ate at a restaurant and ask you to rate it or—even cooler—show you all your flight information at the top of the message if it detects a confirmation email.

The world’s first ever image rights registry, set up in Guernsey, explained at Music 4.5

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:41:38 +0000

The world’s first image rights registry, Guernsey’s new Image Rights Ordinance, represents a new way of protecting personalities as well as a new monetisation opportunity.
Next week’s Music 4.5 seminar will focus on Image Rights and its impact on the music business, both established and the new music-tech ventures. The Guernsey Government Minister of Commerce and Employment, Kevin Stewart, and John Ogier, Registrar of Intellectual Property, will kick off the seminar explaining why Guernsey last year set up the world’s first ever image rights registry, allowing celebrities to guard and monetise their voice, catchphrases, mannerisms and gestures as well as faces, and how the registry works in practice. Music 4.5 Image Rights takes place on the 14th of May,from 2pm to 6pm, in central London at the Lewis Silkin offices. More Info

Facebook is about to launch video ads in two months

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:06:29 +0000

Facebook could be set to unveil video advertising in newsfeeds from July, uploading automatically muted videos and providing users the options to play them from start and with sound. It has been suggested that each ad will only be up to 15 seconds long, and that users will only see content from one advertiser a day to begin with.
Companies such as Unilever, American Express and Coca-Cola are expected to take part in initial trials for the new ad product, along with other brands which sit on Facebook’s client council, according to the Financial Times.

House of Fraser hires marketing lead to boost premium positioning

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:03:19 +0000

House of Fraser has drafted in former Wickes and Shop Direct marketer Tony Holdway to lead marketing strategy in the newly created brand director role.It is also hoping to accelerate development of multi-channel initiatives such as the buy and collect “virtual department stores.
In-house brands and online sales were cited as drivers of a 6.3 per cent increase in sales from of its 60 plus stores over Christmas. The chain could be the subject of a bid by Middle Eastern investors this year and is said have attracted the interest of Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley and John Lewis in the last 12 months.

Industry Growth Sparks Rebrand & New Site

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:48:32 +0000

Performance marketing news site and leading industry events company A4u has rebranded the business and launched a fresh new website. The company, which is well-known for producing unique and targeted conferences and expos aimed at industry professionals, runs the popular A4u news website and also creates detailed reports and surveys related to the performance marketing sector.

Designed to be a one-stop hub for all performance marketing news, managing director at PerformanceIN.com, Sarah Parsonage, said the rebrand is a crucial part of the company’s development. As well as breaking news, the new site also features opinion pieces from some of the industry’s key international performance marketing players, profiles, exclusive interviews and gives easy access to its renowned performance marketing forum – which started back in 1999.
The business has also held more than 15 conferences in London, Amsterdam, Munich and Barcelona, as well as six Performance Marketing Awards ceremonies, more than 20 networking events, and this year it also launched into the US – with its Performance Marketing Insights: New York event.

Google to introduce paid subscriptions

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:43:37 +0000

Google is about to introduce paid subscriptions for certain YouTube channels this week. The service would include up to 50 different YouTube channels, with single-channel subscriptions starting at $1.99 per month. The internet giant has not confirmed the release date, but has attested that this new system aims to create a subscription platform that could bring even more great content to YouTube.
Google is also considering charging for other YouTube items, such as video libraries, live events and lifestyle shows.

New parents-free social media network, Unii launches for students only

Charlie — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:41:30 +0000

Unii, the new social network for students, has just launched with a single prerogative: no parents allowed. With Unii you need a university email address in order to sign up, which is perfect, unless of course your mum is an academic.
Its makers claims that Unii is a place for experimenting new found freedom, so the last thing students want is their parents checking up on their every move. To prove the utility of the website, they have commissioned a survey which discovered that over 50% of British dads confess that they check up their kids’ Facebook profile at least once a month
The site has a serious aim too and features a comprehensive jobs board showing the latest internship placements, helping students to find their first crucial placement when or before they graduate.