MediaVision Blog » Brandon Francis

Google’s mobile push

Brandon Francis — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:17:47 +0000

Google has been all over the mobile market in the last few months. It has launched one assault after another trying to make its mark on the mobile market. Opera’s State of the Mobile Web report was recently released and reveals that mobile Internet search is growing rapidly in the UK. Facebook has just toppled Google as the most viewed site, with Google slipping to number 2 in the mobile space, but it is still the mobile search engine of choice in the UK, and most regions in the world.

So what have they done lately?

Google has partnered with HTC, the Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer to create a new social networking mobile phone known as the “Hero”. The phone is touted to be a real Apple iPhone beater, and according to industry insiders is a giant step up from previous iPhone rivals. This has been said before, but there is a feeling that technically, the HTC is superior, but aesthetically, it is quite an ugly piece of work when compared to the iPhone.

The phone features Google’s open source operating system, ‘Android’ and will be available in the UK in early July. The Hero’s launch follows the launch of the new Apple iPhone 3GS. The Hero phone will feature widgets on the home screen as opposed to a menu, in addition, there is an “accelerometer”, which changes the view from portrait to landscape according to the orientation of the phone to name but a few of the features found on the phone.

Google also launches AdSense for Mobile apps

After testing the concept, Google has gone ahead and launched a beta version of the AdSense for mobile apps. This will allow app developers for the iPhone, and Android phones to earn some revenue by displaying Google text and image ads. This will broaden the user base that will be exposed to Google adverts.

The smart phone market is showing good growth, and Google plans to be there every step of the way. And if history is any guide to go by, Google will be laughing it up, all the way to the bank.

Google’s mobile push

Microsoft’s push to make bing a player in online search

Brandon Francis — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:11:53 +0000

The wait is finally over: Microsoft’s long anticipated new search engine is to be unveiled this week by Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer. Bing is the renamed and revamped search engine to replace Microsoft’s current search engine -Live.

The project, previously named Kumo, has seen Microsoft pour a lot of its resources into it. According to advertising trade magazine, Advertising Age, Microsoft is set to spend up to $100 million to promote the site. And for a deep global economic recession or any period for that matter, that is one heck of an investment. It is an especially large figure when you look at it against the industry leader Google, which only spent around $25 million last year on advertising.

The look of the search engine is quite similar to that of Google, but it promises to be a better search engine. Better? I didn’t know there was something wrong with the old one
The following is a quote taken from an article written by computerworlduk.com from a former Google executive, Shashi Seth, who discusses the effectiveness of current search engines-a la Google, Yahoo and Live:

“If you grab the average user off the street and ask them, ‘Does search suck?’ I think they’d say no. They don’t know what else can be done … They think search does a pretty good job, and if you could prove otherwise with a product that’s differentiated, people will sit up and take notice.”

Microsoft’s previous search engine Live was not terribly successful, despite the high expectations Microsoft had for it. Is this time going to be any different?
Below is a screen shot of Kumo, the search engine that Microsoft is speculated to have renamed Bing. (Microsoft allowed users to view demo screen shots of the search engine earlier in March):

At the beginning of this blog post I posted an alleged snapshot image of the bing logo.
Ultimately, it is up to the users as to whether they care to switch search engines, but Microsoft is hoping they will. Look out for the launch of the search engine. It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try

Microsoft’s push to make bing a player in online search

Social Media and Marketing- A Match Made in Heaven?

Brandon Francis — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:44:13 +0000

The Internet is now where most people choose to spend their time, especially on social media sites. Inevitably, that means that companies have had to adapt their customer acquisition and relationship marketing strategies. Consumers’ preferences have evolved over the last few years, so who has taken it upon themselves to try and make social media work to their advantage.

A great example of a company that has embraced the change in consumer preferences is Zappos from the USA. The company, which employs around 1500 employees, currently has 434 employees on Twitter with more joining everyday. This is great exposure for the company, and is a good way to reach each customer in a more personal way.

Robert Scoble visited Zappos headquarters, and made some pretty fascinating discoveries including the firm’s use of social media. These days, new recruits at Zappos are expected to create a Twitter account and post a few times during for the duration of the training period, after which they can choose to stop.

The company is not resting on its social media laurels though. They are already on the lookout for the latest trend and are currently focusing on friendfeed. With their embrace of the Internet and web 2.0 has come tremendous success at grass roots level.

A company that has taken the social media trend and decided to run with it is Ford, according to Wired.com. It seems that the social media phenomenon has passed the automobile industry by. Ford, though, is determined to put that right by launching a marketing campaign for its new Fiesta model, using social media as a platform.

Ford is giving 100 20-somethings each a new Ford Fiesta to test drive for six months. During the six months the test drivers are expected to provide updates in video, audio, text and image form regarding their experiences with the car, for which Ford has set up Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube accounts. The drivers have been told to be completely honest in their updates. According to the head of Ford’s social media division, Scott Monty, it’s the “only way it’s going to work.” He goes on to say,” We won’t tell them what to say, nor will we censor or edit any of their content.”

The company is taking a calculated risk, but one which could pay off quite handsomely. The car has already been successful in Europe. It remains to be seen whether social media will be able to reach and convince the US consumer to give the struggling automaker another try.

The debate on how successful social media will be as a marketing tool is being answered everyday. Ford’s little experiment will provide a good case study for others. I’m sure that everyone is watching with baited breath to see what transpires.

Social Media and Marketing- A Match Made in Heaven?

Digg founder envisions the future of social media advertising

Brandon Francis — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:27:16 +0000

Digg has revealed that it is taking on a new direction for its online advertising offering. The founder believes that social media should be used more in mainstream advertising, and that there is still massive potential within the market.

The site’s current strategy that includes banner advertising does not seem to be working as well as hoped. Financial results last year indicate that the site lost $4million, and in response, Digg is planning big changes to its site and money making strategy. Details are still a bit sketchy but in essence, ads will be voted on and users will be allowed to make comments and generate discussions regarding the ads. The ads that perform poorly would then be required to pay more or even get thrown off the site. It is a new and exciting prospect and one where the public will be able to engage with advertisements in ways that have never before been possible.

Digg also intends tracking ad viewers for data mining purposes, which companies will find useful. Specifically, behavioural and demographic data will be targeted, as the site provides an opportunity for great insight into how a company’s customers will actually behave.

Digg is serious about this new initiative, and plans on hiring an additional seven to twelve ad sales members to bolster its sales team, which currently consists of three staff members.

According to Kevin Rose, the founder and chief architect, “[The success of a new advertising model] is still largely unknown, we are going to be experimenting just like everyone else… however, the level of engagement with the ads is something that we are absolutely going to change.”

Perhaps Digg can do what Facebook and other social media sites have, up until now only promised, that is unlock the marketing potential of the social media platform. We will just have to wait and see if Digg manages to deliver.

Digg founder envisions the future of social media advertising

A Master of Arts in Social Media!

Brandon Francis — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:10:02 +0000

Birmingham City University has become the first University to offer a post graduate degree in social media. The qualification – a Master of Arts (MA) in Social Media is the University’s latest offering.

Social media sites have become so popular and widespread that even traditional academic institutions have jumped on the bandwagon. The University recognizes the importance of social media, and is keen to help develop the industry by conducting research in that area.

The degree will aim to study social media from a variety of angles and will encompass lectures, seminars, a dissertation, field trips and an internship. The course will even cover Twitter and how to use its power to enhance your brand or company. The course has garnered attention from students interested in pursuing a career in communication by using social media. Information is available on the University of Birmingham’s website, which features a video starring a very groovy professor to help explain what the course is all about.

According to Jon Hickman, the course convener, the course is “not for freaks or IT geeks, the tools learnt on this course will be accessible to many people.” He adds, “There has been significant interest in the course already, and it will definitely appeal to students looking to go into professions including journalism and PR.”

Companies are starting to recognize the importance of Online PR. And as traditional media and consumers use the Internet more in their daily lives, online PR will become an even more important tool in the future. The MA in Social Media will hopefully raise the standards of all those involved in the social media space, and help accelerate our understanding of it.

A Master of Arts in Social Media!

Google ads now on iPhone apps?

Brandon Francis — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:40:40 +0000

It seems Google is determined to leave no stone unturned in its quest for omnipresence. Google has apparently begun to advertise on apps downloaded from Apple stores. Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Land captured this image in his related blog.

Here, we see that the “Urbanspoon” app has an advertisement for Pizza Hut that appears on top of the actual page.

If you click on the link, then you are immediately taken to the pizza hut page on your iPhone browser.
This follows the already extensive work that Google has put into using the iPhone as a marketing platform. For instance, Google will attempt to use sophisticated software to deliver search results using iPhone’s new voice search option.

Google’s Adsense ads have been available on the iPhone’s browser. The appeal of the iPhone as a marketing platform is that it fully supports HTML, which makes it an attractive target for digital marketers interested in mobile marketing.

Mobile marketing is set to become a growing trend as more people use their iPhones for their mobile search needs. This is an area that we, as search marketers, need to pay attention to.
Statistics on iPhone internet usage worldwide differ from report to report, but the general consensus is that the iPhone is, or will quickly become, the number 1 internet browsing smart phone/mobile phone globally. Google’s attention on designing a series of features for the iPhone is proof of this. Welcome to the future.

Google ads now on iPhone apps?

e-Marketing tactics 2009

Brandon Francis — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:09:01 +0000

Now that we have settled into 2009, we find that businesses the world over are focusing on online marketing as the preferred method of reaching their target market. This is because of the internet’s enhanced tracking and analytical capabilities.

So where should your marketing dollars be spent? What are the trends for the rest of the year? The presentation entitled “eMarketing Tactics for 2009” gives a broad overview of where the online marketing environment is heading and what some of the trends to look out for are.

The presentation briefly covers the following top 5 online marketing tactics for 2009:

- Email marketing

- Social media

- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

- Online PR

- PPC

There is also a brief section on marketing tactic combinations. You can have a look at my presentation here:

e-Marketing tactics 2009