Studiothink Blog - Latest comments

In response to: The end of Facebook?

Sherine [Visitor] — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:55:30 +0000

I totally agree with you as I am not too keen on people knowing what my children look like etc... It is really a vanity thing on one end the other end busy bodies. Will check out Diaspora. However it does work for marketing and isn't going away so personally I guess we should be careful on what we share as taking back seems to be difficult to erase when things are online.

In response to: WTFriday: iFrenzy

Kelly [Visitor] — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:51:51 +0000

Truth be told, I'm a fan as well. I've been looking to kick my BlackBerry to the curb for a little while now.

Unfortunately, it looks like the smart thing to do is hold onto it for a bit yet. The controvery surrounding the problems with the 4G continues to grow with many consumers considering a class action law suit.

Is there an end in sight? Sooner or later I believe there will be but will it be sufficient enough to please the masses? It's been stated that a recall will cost Apple 1.5 Billion dollars. It's looking like the "band-aid" that will be applied is the offering of a free case. Seriously? I'd hate to believe that this may become the new standard of quality for Apple.

For the time being, I will sit by and watch. I won't be buying a phone that is verifiably and admittedly broken. It will be fixed sooner than later...all that means is that I will be buying later than sooner.

In the meantime...I will sooth myself with thoughts of the new BlackBerry OS6. If you haven't yet seen it...you might want to take a look. You might be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

In response to: What's Wrong with Mobile Marketing?

Jonathan MacDonald [Visitor] — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 07:09:23 +0000

Hi Mike

We all have to be careful interpreting statistics like the 77% stat you mention. If you ask people whether they want text ads, that's the answer you will probably get. If you ask people whether they would like to receive information from companies they like in return for an incentive, the answer is totally different. Here is another version of the question with a 70% positive outcome, to illustrate my point (http://www.jonathanmacdonald.com/?p=3515)

What you appear to have done in your post is mix bits of information to form a view that goes against evidence otherwise. Many, if not all of us, do this frequently, including myself, so it's not something to worry about too much - unless of course the opinion we then have is missing what's really going on.

Here is some background on this statistics trap: http://www.jonathanmacdonald.com/?p=4366

If you check out this video (http://scpro.streamuk.com/uk/player/Default.aspx?g=da15d666) you will see a bunch of case studies toward the end of the presentation which challenge your assumptions significantly.

Hope this helps - keep up the great work!

In response to: What's Wrong with Mobile Marketing?

Mike Rink, Brand Manager [Member] — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:51:43 +0000

Hey Greg,

There's no denying that SMS Ad Networks have extraordinary reach, and that there is huge potential for growth. The ability of a text message to drive a user to a mobile site is extremely valuable.

However, until they overcome the problems I mentioned above, I don't see them being worth a lot of spend, because I don't think enough people are receptive to them.

Having said that, problem #2 is easily solved, and I think problem #1 could eventually be neutralized (as data plans become more affordable). That only leaves #3 - invasiveness. Will solving 2/3 problems be enough to make this channel viable? Hard to say; I think with Teens & Tweens you have a market, but anything over that will tune them out.

In response to: What's Wrong with Mobile Marketing?

Greg Hickman [Visitor] — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:31:53 +0000

If I'm understanding your article correctly you're referring to ads that are appended to existing promotional/Text alerts that a user has already opted-in for. Essentially you're referring to SMS Ad Networks. If that is correct the study may make sense (which also isn't available form the article). I'd be interested to read the complete study.

As for SMS (texting) as a marketing tool I don't see it dying especially as it enables all other mobile vehicles. SMS can drive users to the mobile web, to apps, they can enable app downloads. Not only that, SMS offers the most reach. As a advertiser/marketer getting into mobile SMS is usually and often the best first step.

SMS marketing should be a clear user opt-in scenario. For example, I want text deals and alerts from my favorite retailer, I text a keyword to a shortcode to receive that info.

If the user is opting in and in many cases double opting in for these types of offers I'm assuming they are not upset with receiving them as they've asked for it. Again, I believe you're referring to the promotional messages tacked on to the end of the texts you have previously asked for. I am not a fan of that model either and as a consumer dislike it.

For companies getting started with mobile, SMS is a wise start and great method to build a mobile subscriber group (think mobile loyalty) that have chose to receive those types of offers to their handset. If it starts off as a text but results in a mobile landing page with a coupon, the SMS still drove them there.

Location Based Services as well as AR will also continue to grow as marketing vehicles. We'll continue to hear debates regarding privacy issues surrounding these new and innovative solutions and it's fun being in the mobile space right now! Tons of opportunity but I strongly believe SMS will remain the backbone and even "gateway" to adoption of some of newer, and most definitely sexier mobile channels.

Thanks for the post! I enjoyed the read and hope to get my hands on that full study!

In response to: Making Mike into a Miley Cyrus Fan = The Ultimate Rebrand.

Mike Rink, Brand Manager [Member] — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:46:20 +0000

For more on the Chris Gaines thing, Chuck Klosterman did a great study of it in his book Eating the Dinosaur - http://www.amazon.ca/Eating-Dinosaur-Chuck-Klosterman/dp/1416544208

As for Miley Cyrus, I liked her better when she was Lindsey Lohan, wait I mean Christina Aguilera, wait I mean Britney Spears, wait I mean Tiffani.

In response to: Interior Cube-o-rators

Geoff [Visitor] — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:07:46 +0000

You guys are nutty! So I can relate ;) Love it.

In response to: WTFriday - Mind Over Matter

Sherry [Visitor] — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:22:44 +0000

Okay, cruel cruel staff. I'd like to say in my defense that you found the ugliest photo of me ever, and I do not look like this in real life. Revenge will be mine.