NBC will be airing some amazing HiDef video on the San Francisco market plus others.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Facebook goes Potty
Over 25% of Americans Use Facebook in the Can
Marketing Opportunity for Purell?
You may scoff at that coworker who brings a newspaper into the bathroom at work, but we know the truth about you now. According to Atlanta-based AIS Media, a survey of 500 people found that 27% of Americans report using mobile devices to check Facebook while in the bathroom.
"While it may seem humorous to survey people about their Facebook usage while in the bathroom, the results underscore the proliferation of consumer social media usage and their strong need to stay connected," said Thomas Harpointner, CEO of AIS Media. "For businesses and brands, social media offers an opportunity to engage potential customers like never before."
He's right. It is humorous to survey people about Facebook bathroom usage!
But seriously, this is the kind of study I absolutely love as it proves something you sort of suspected in the first place. Quoted in the press materials announcing the study, Edward E. Rigdon, a marketing professor at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University, points out, "I imagine most people carry their phone with them, in pocket or purse. People receive emails on their phone alerting them to Facebook messages or postings, and many people respond by reflex." (And others just go hide in there with their phone to get out of work.)
And for marketers, the lesson is simple. Says Rigdon: "This study illustrates one of the ... ways in which marketing is changing -- it is becoming more ubiquitous. Marketing is everywhere, and anything can be marketing."
Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity for makers of hand-sanitizers to reach audiences -- and guilt them. Tagline: "We know what you're doing, you filthy thing you." Perhaps those Charmin bears could set up a Facebook profile. (They don't exactly have a favorable presence on Facebook as it is.)
What's more, AIS found that potty-poking was higher among women. Some 54% of female respondents admitted to doing it compared to 46% of male respondents. Of course, it doesn't take a biologist or anthropologist or psychologist to point out that it's much harder -- and weirder -- to "Like" something while standing at a urinal. (Though that's not to say it isn't done.)
The study raises a host of other interesting questions. Would these numbers have been higher if so many people weren't playing Angry Birds in the bathroom stall? Which phone platform (iPhone, BlackBerry, Droid) is preferred among toilet-texters? How many people have used Foursquare to check in to a bathroom? And, most important, will you ever touch someone else's phone again?
From Advertising Age online
An article from the Tourism Exchange newsletter on Travel Marketing
Smart Phones, Social Media and Local Search As Key Tools in Travel Marketing | |
A flood of innovation involving smart phones, social media and local search will soon have a massive impact on what travelers do and how they spend their money while on vacation, according to a new study from a leading travel market research firm. The report found that U.S. travelers last year spent a total of $26.8 billion on tours, skiing, sports events, amusement parks, spas, museums, zoos, concerts and other cultural and recreational activities. That's more than twice the amount spent on cruises and package tours, and nearly twice the amount spent on car rentals. The study, entitled "When They Get There, and Why They Go," is soon to be released by PhoCusWright Inc. The firm surveyed 1,283 consumers, 340 suppliers of events and activities and 45 industry executives about the U.S. travel activities marketplace. "Mobile technologies, social networks and location-based search are already having a huge effect on consumers' trip planning. But the impact is going to be even more profound going forward as we reach a tipping point in the adoption of smart phones and tablet PCs," said Jon Schepke, President of SIM Partners. SIM Partners, a Chicago-based interactive marketing agency, is a sponsor of the PhoCusWright study. In 2012, shipments of smart phones are expected to exceed PC shipments for the first time. Additionally, iSuppli forecasts iPad sales at 43.7 million units in 2011 and 63.3 million in 2012, reinforcing the importance of being focused on mobile computing and application development (iPhone/iPad, Android etc.). "These trends offer travel marketers new and cost-efficient ways of connecting with consumers before, during and after their trips," Schepke said. "Consumers will be able to access targeted information, promotions and offers when they need them most and are making decisions, so they are more likely to buy." He cautioned that destinations, hotels and travel attractions should have a mobile marketing strategy in place now to adapt to the fast-changing digital landscape and ensure that they are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities. "Those who move quickly to develop engaging and consumer-friendly mobile applications will gain a significant advantage in a very competitive marketplace," Schepke said. The report cited mobile convergence - the explosion of GPS-empowered applications, mapping, search, digital camera, MP3 player and other capabilities available on smart phones -- as a key trend that will significantly influence consumers' future choices of activities in their travel destinations. Social media will continue to expand in importance as travelers increasingly depend on reviews, videos and personal recommendations from friends in making vacation plans and selecting activities. Among the other findings in the report: Three in four active travelers use a mobile device while traveling. Two-thirds say they are likely to research, shop and book travel activities via their mobile devices. More than three in four active travelers cite traveler reviews and photos as very or moderately influential in choosing what to do. Nearly six in 10 cite user-generated video as influential and more than one in three cite content and promotions from companies. Consumers who spend the most on travel activities are the most influenced by web content such as interactive maps, blogs and social networks. One in two active travelers say they are likely to post comments to their social network. Four in 10 say they are likely to solicit advice from their social network. "This study reveals that consumers are ready to embrace the mobile-social-local digital revolution," Schepke said. "The travel industry has just scratched the surface of the powerful marketing mojo being created by itinerary tools, location-based networking, interactive mapping and other technologies. The potential is massive for reaching the right travelers with personalized offers and incentives at just the right time and place." Source: eHotelier.com | |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
