Textopoly Mobile Blog » advertising

Mobile’s Bright Future: Mobile Advertising

tyler@textopoly.com — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:09:38 +0000

The winds of change are aggressively sweeping through the mobile ecosystem with no signs of slowing down. Mobile advertising dollars are set to break the $1 billion mark in the U.S. by the end of 2012. Even better, mobile growth is higher than expected with forecasts placing mobile advertising at $4.4 billion by the year 2015. The success and growth of mobile advertising can be attributed to messaging-based, search-based, video based, and rich media banner ads. Currently messaging based ads still account for the largest revenue income in the mobile world at $442.6 million. However, that may change as the mobile movement skyrockets. Future projections place banner/rich media ads, ahead of messaging ads in the coming years. Textopoly is deep into the mobile media game by creating and developing highly interactive rich media mobile ads for Paramount summer hits Thor and Transformers. Want a taste of what we did for Thor and Transformers?! Schedule a TOK Session today!

All data, stats, and charts credited eMarketer.com

Apple vs. Android vs. RIM vs. Palm

Asif — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 18:50:04 +0000

Fans rejoice! Your favorite blogger is back! It’s been awhile since my last blog post, I’ve been a busy man. Happy New Year to all of you!

So, what’s been going on in these past few months? Well, Textopoly is now one of the fastest growing companies in Orange County, we won the 2010 Interactive Marketing Award, our mobile lab has been running on all cylinders with projects for Yamaha, Google, Scanbuy and others, and on top of all that, my brother just got married! Needless to say, it’s been a busy few months. And yes, for those who are wondering, the bachelor party was awesome!

Now that we got that out of the way, what’s going on in mobile!? Well, as always, A LOT! With the high success of the iPad, and the app store in all its glory, rival companies have been trying to get a piece of the action! Samsung’s Galaxy seems to be OK, its running off the popular android system which leaves an open market for applications. However, the more anticipated Blackberry Playbook seems to be a more comparable rival. As of now, we don’t know much about it, except for the fact that it’s going to have the fastest processor available, a video chat function, true multitasking (although it just so happens to be very reminiscent of Palms’ multifunction technology), and a much needed USB drive.

My personal opinion is that this Blackberry product will finally give the developers a reason to improve their app store! Because really, besides downloading the Facebook and Pandora application, what other application would you ever download from the blackberry app store? I’ve always loved blackberry, I think they have a high quality product, but it just needs to be attractive! I’m hoping that with the playbook (great name) they can finally start getting the high recognition that will eventually lead to more app development.

The other highly anticipated product is Palms Topaz Tablet. As many of you know, HP acquired Palm, and initially had not intention of continuing the mobile side of Palm! However that’s changed (thank god) and we’re all awaiting the big announcements of the tablet, as well as the new mobile handsets rumored to be show cased on February 9, 2011.

I for one can’t wait for all of these new products to come out! I’m definitely going to purchase one of the personal tablets, just not sure which one yet!

- Want to chat more about the iPad, Playbook, and Topaz!? Contact me at asif[at]Textopoly[dot]com. You can help me pick one! Till next time friends!

Social Media: Are You In or Are You Out?

Guest — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:05:03 +0000

As I think back to the ancient days of MySpace and how far social media and social networking have come since then, I realize that the future only holds greater and more advanced outlets for communicating, advertising, and relaying information. The most popular form of social media at this moment continues to be Facebook but it is followed closely behind by a vast number of social media sites including Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Renren, and Flickr.

Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics, put it best when he said that, “we don’t have a choice of whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.” This is why companies such as our very own Textopoly are exploding into the social media world with full force. Facebook users, bloggers, and video downloaders have the ability to control how the world thinks about brands and their products. “Do you like what they are saying about your brand?”

Because brands are asking this question, companies such as Textopoly are leading the industry with their ability to use these social networks and other forms of social media to capture consumers and promote products. This industry is growing faster than seems possible yet the innovative minds that are powering these companies continue to challenge its speed. Can it be possible that social media is just a fad? Only time with tell. However, until the day that MySpace, Facebook, and upcoming social networks no longer exist, I highly recommend that brands take the leap into the social media world.

To see more about just how influential social media has become, check out the video below. (From where else but the social media site, YouTube)

Social Media Revolution

Apple is breaking up with Quattro Wireless!

Kang — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:22:17 +0000

Apple is not accepting anymore mobile ad campaigns and are closing down current ad campaigns through the Quattro Wireless ad network. Back in January, Apple purchased Quattro Wireless for a cool $275 million and it seems like they are already over the ad network after 8 months. With so much money invested into their new mobile ad network, I have to wonder what the reasoning behind Apple closing shop on their new cross platform ad network to focus on the iAd network?

This is good news for mobile advertising companies that have clients looking to execute mobile advertising on Android and other non-Apple platforms. There will be more available inventory options for smaller mobile ad players. However it will be impossible to execute a iAd campaign for a medium to smaller brand since the minimum buy is $10 million to execute. So really it’s a double edge sword, Apple has brought the light of understanding to major brands that big mobile media buys will be a norm and happen frequently. The catch is that no one with less than a $10 million for their mobile media budget will be able to run ads on iAds network.

Apple has always developed all their products to exist in an Apple eco-system. I think when Apple purchased Quattro, it was a little bit of a shock that they were extending their reach beyond the eco-system of their products. Perhaps Apple felt pressure due to the highly popularized and drawn out Google and Admob acquisition? Or was it an attempt to maintain dominance, they purchased a massive ad network to gain more control over their inventory? One thing is for sure, Apple is casting off the non-Apple inventory and ceasing to run campaigns on Quattro’s network of publishers. So what gives Apple?! I understand that you have $40 Billion in cash alone and $275 million won’t break or make you; but what do you have up your sleeve?

Kickin Facts…

Asif — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:26:17 +0000

You want exposure? You want people to know about your brand, your product, or your service; well the answer is in your pocket!

Mobile usage across the globe is growing faster and stronger than a 13 year old girl can say Justin Bieber! First, let me hit you with some facts:

- According to the International Telecommunications Union, mobile subscribers will surpass 5 billion in 2010, which is over 70% of the global population! The world population in April was 6.8 billion! The ITU says growth is being driven by advanced services and handsets in developed countries and increased take-up of mobile health services and mobile banking in the developing world.

- Gartner (March 2010) predicts that by 2011, over 85% of new handsets will be able to access the Mobile Web!

- LeBron was never the king, SMS ruled all! According to Portfolio Research (Feb. 2010)

SMS is used by 4 billion consumers worldwide
In 2009 worldwide SMS traffic topped five trillion messages, and that figure is set to exceed 10 trillion in 2013.
MMS, mobile email and mobile IM are all growing strongly. The driver for MMS is the number of camera phones, for mobile email is the business market and while IM is popular with the youth market.
The global mobile messaging business is worth over US$150 billion, and will hit US$233 billion by 2014.

If your brand isn’t capable of reaching more than 2 million people, you’re not using mobile! And if you’re not using mobile, you are definitely not at full potential! Check the facts, call us up, let’s have some lunch, and then drop it like it’s hot.

Want to be at full potential? Email me at: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com. – P.S. – I don’t think Miami is going to win the championship this year.

Movin’ On Up, Smartphone Usage Rises

Guest — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:05:53 +0000

As most people in the United States know, mobile phones are no longer used simply for calling someone for a piece of quick information or directions from A to B. Mobile phones have become our lifelines.

If you’re anything like me, which probably 80% of the people I interact with on a daily basis are, we would be unable to function without the use of our handy (no pun intended) mobile phones with their ever-expanding capabilities. Whether it be the iPhone, Android, or Blackberry, users have become infatuated by the unlimited number of games, messaging applications, and internet use that are available with one touch of a finger.

To support my belief that mobile phone users are becoming more and more addicted to the multiple capabilities of a smartphone is a statistic showing that between the months of March and May 2010, smartphone usage has increased by 8.1%.

A few statistics that should have companies who want to sell their products salivating;

Nearly a third (31.9%) used their smartphones for web browsing
30% used downloaded applications
20.8% used their phones to access social networking sites or blogs

This is great news for companies who are hoping to expand their products and advertise in the mobile world. With the rise of smartphone usage, and overall web browsing on any mobile phone; companies and agencies are now given the opportunity to reach out to their audiences and give them the information they are seeking through WAP/mobile sites (which in my opinion are brilliant), text messages, and applications. These tactics just make things that much easier for their consumers to devour whatever their hearts desires!

If you feel like your brain just hasn’t taken in enough to convince you, feel free to check out the article yourself and let me know your thoughts!

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=131673&nid=116386

Disney takes over

Asif — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:54:01 +0000

So, ever since Avatar exploded onscreen with a 3-D extravaganza of color and ‘in your face’ goodness, 3-D movies, TV shows, and even video games have been popping up everywhere! Check out how Disney plans on using this reborn technology!

http://leep.it/jy

Let’s chat about it! Holla at me at: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com

away we go…with mobile

Taj — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:40:42 +0000

I tend to travel quite a bit both professionally as well as personally with my wife and small children. There are a few constants that stay with me – my smartphone and my mini laptop. While my mini with WiFi card allows me access quick flight and hotel information, sometimes my cell phone has to get the job done. Below are a few brands that use mobile and use it well:

UNITED (mobile.united.com) – I’ve flown United since college and enjoy the simplicity and ease of their wap site. Its quick, robust and easy to read with check-in, status, Red Carpet Club and Mileage Plus info and more!

DELTA (mobile.delta.com) very similar to United but also offers travel alerts for those of us who travel internationally

SOUTHWEST (mobile.southwest.com) – SW allows you to buy flights on their mobile site as well book autos with their 6 rental partners

Many of the hotel wap sites immediaelty recognize that you’re accessing information from a mobile device and send you to their mobile wap site. Some brands below also use mobile apps:

Accor Hotels – Accor (The Sofitel for my LA folks) uses a mobile app function to offer promotions and the ability to book their hotels across the world.

Hyatt – Hyatt offers reservations, checking in & out as well as access to their frequent traveler program PASSPORT. You’ll be able to find great promotions and offers exclusive to their mobile site.

Hilton – Hilton uses a mobile app that also allows for reservations, HHonors Points and specials.

Marriott – Marriott offers booking availability, Rewards account features and city guides. Marriott also uses SMS to provide great deals.

This is only a few of the travel related brands using mobile, however, many are not yet truly integrated into the digital world. If you’re a brand manager for a hotel, airline, or rental company, look to Textopoly to make it easier for business travelers like myself to find you and use your brand!

iPad + Le Mans Race = Exposure at Crack Speeds

Asif — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:54:25 +0000

With over 3 million iPad’s sold, why wouldn’t you advertise on iPad! Audi gave owners of the iPad a chance to attend last weekend’s “24 Hours of Le Mans” auto race. At least virtually. The effort made Audi sponsor of real-time race coverage on SkyGrid, an app that aggregates real-time news for the Apple tablet. The app also allowed for streaming video of the three Audi vehicles involved in the race!

Check out the article: http://leep.it/NU

Want to chat about the race? Or about the iPad? Drop me an email: asif[at]textopoly[dot]com. Until next time…Mr. Incredible awaaaayyyyy!

Digital drowns the Post Office

Naushad — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:31:42 +0000

The end of my mailbox being flooded everyday by direct markers whose coupons, post cards and devilishly disguised envelopers that make it seem like I’m going to get a check but really am entitled to $1 off pizza may soon be near! I’m a hater of junk mail to the greatest extent. I refuse to even take it up to my place; it goes straight into the recycling dumpster.

Our beloved U.S. Post Office recently announced dramatic service cutbacks — including eliminating Saturday delivery. How, or will, it affect direct marketers? Will a new strategy in mailing be devised or will more advertisers see their future online and on mobile?