Japanese tech. companies are reeling from the blows by the recent iGadgets that have hit their shores. Apple, among other U.S. (and Asian) technology companies, have begun to dominate the Japanese technology market, something that is indeed shocking for a country that prides itself for being on the cutting edge of tech. Companies like Sony and Konami (the video game company) are having to adapt how and what they develop to this changing market. Sony is already working on a iPad-like device.
I don’t find the iPad to all that remarkable, but I love the reaction it’s generating in other computing companies. It’s getting everyone to jump in and take a crack; we’re going to be seeing some great stuff in the near future. I look forward to seeing what those creative Japanese companies think of.
Location based applications create a new wrinkle in the ever expanding circle of friends that is your social graph. Where Facebook once was at the center, we at the Farm feel it will be pushed further afield by the new ‘You are here’ dynamic. Personally I have scanned my available connections for those to invite to join on Foursquare but I consistently pass - as the filter in my head asks whether I really want the distant ring of friendship to know my coordinates.
I don’t have the detail of Facebook’s soon-to-launch check in feature, but I am sure they will have to build filters that allow you to designate friends as check-in worthy - creating new levels of distance between you.
While Facebook’s scale may allow it to win any social battle (in the short term), the final outcome on its role in location-based check in is far from decided. The new wrinkle in social will push everyone to look at themselves (and their friends) in the mirror.
Engagement. Utility. Tools. Value. Required features for brand ideas in the digital space. All true - however, often times we (the collective agency ‘we’) and our clients still view these initiatives simply as projects. Even disposable marketing elements. Advertising executions. Or just extensions of brand selling ideas. In fact what these ideas (should) become are branded products in and of themselves. They (should) have value to the consumer. They (should) perform a consistent, predictable function. There is a cost to acquiring; whether it is monetary, data or time. Whether this is a mobile, web or even Facebook app - There is a consistency, usefulness and life cycle.
Considering digital marketing products in these terms should elevate the value internally. Allow for more time and yes more money for development. For brands to be to quick to consider digital marketing components as disposable in some way will only lead to a consumer engagement that is ultimately worth little or nothing at all.
Intriguing speech by child prodigy Adora Svitak saying the world needs childlike thinking, including bold thinking, extreme creativity, and optimism. Adults should be willing to learn from children as much as they teach them.