frankly speaking

1 year ago

Moving to Mobile

I’ve come to understand a rather interesting fact over the last couple weeks: the world is moving very quickly into the mobile space. This is clearly evident with the increase in number smartphones and tablet computers (which operate mainly on a mobile operating system) being sold. We’re going to be a mobile world, one that is constantly connected to the World Wide Web.

Think about it, there are 4.6 Billion mobile phones in the world (and this doesn’t take into account the number of tablets), all making us interconnected to each other. A mobile phone number (in my opinion) is more personal than an email address. Similarly, if an advertiser knows what kind of phone and/or what kind of mobile operating system their customers and potential customers use, they could deliver a more targeted message and user experience to the user.

The problem that most advertisers will have is to optimize their messaging for mobile platforms. Mobile phones aren’t as dynamic as computers, and you’re limited to what types of ads you can serve on a mobile phone. Likewise, the user experience on a mobile platform is completely different from that of using a computer and may be completely different from one mobile platform to another.

Having said that, the opportunity for advertisers via mobile platforms is enormous. Companies like Foursquare, Gilt Groupe and even more traditional e-retailers like Overstock.com (with their purchase of the domain o.co) are betting large sums of money on the success of the mobile platform.

The bottom line is that advertisers need to realize that traditional online marketing is not enough anymore - a key ingredient in any marketing plan will be your mobile strategy.

1 year ago

Friending Social Change

It’s been another historic week in terms of world politics. Earlier this week, Egyptians took to the street protesting their oppressive government. The Egyptian government has gone out of their way to dissuade and quell the protesters, going so far as to turn off internet access, but it looks like the government is on its last legs.

What’s interesting to me are the tools that are being used to facilitate, not just the protests, but ultimately, what might become the successful overthrow of the government. These people are note using pitchforks, knives or even guns, however, they are, by in large part, using social media as an effective means of organizing, promoting their message, and letting their will be known.

Last year, well respected author Malcolm Gladwell wrote a convincing article in the New Yorker that the next revolution will not be tweeted. His argument was that the relationships between people were too thin to create any deep relationships, thus it would be difficult for people to come together via Facebook or Twitter and create meaningful social change.

Fast forward to this week and we’ve seen exactly how effective that Facebook, Twitter and other services have become all served on the platforms of a mobile phone or the internet to bring about real change in a country.

What we’re currently witnessing is truly amazing; to see a country’s government nearly overthrown by people fighting (without the use of bombs or bullets) for what they believe in by using technological communication is something that’s never been done before. The silent majority is finding their voice and bringing about the change they want to see in their country.

Much respect to the entrepreneurs of Facebook, Twitter and countless others who were involved in allowing those people be heard. While the money they make is nice, the societal change they are bringing about is much more profound.

UPDATE: The protests turned a little more violent this week, and their president has yet to step down, but that doesn’t dissuade from the success of the protesters via social media.

UPDATE II: Mubarak steps down; power to the people.