Textopoly Mobile Blog » social media

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

Press Release: Textopoly Unveils Newport Beach Film Festival’s Social Media and Mobile Mash-up

Naushad — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:50:03 +0000

We’re very excited to debut out latest release!

Textopoly Unveils Newport Beach Film Festival’s Social Media and Mobile Mash-up

Textopoly Injects Mobile into Social Media through a Unique Facebook Mobile Opt-in Widget and Debuts Fully Integrated Social Marketing Campaign Capabilities including Social Management

Costa Mesa CA – March 9, 2010 – Textopoly, Inc., a bleeding-edge mobile & social engagement agency specializing in all things interactive, announced today the debut of their new mobile marketing tools in the social media space. Through a creative social media mobile opt-in method and integrated social tools such as Facebook, Twitter, RSS, and leep.it, Textopoly has delivered brands a new way to extend their message to interested and engaged users.

Textopoly’s new social suite includes mobile opt-in integration into Facebook. The new Facebook opt-in Widget enables social publishers to build a mobile community of opt-ins directly from their Fan Page through a customized tab and send targeted mobile alerts, video clips, images and audio clips through Textopoly’s proprietary mo:base platform. Through this unique widget, Textopoly has created a whole new communication paradigm connecting social media with mobile. Additionally, through the use of mo:base and it’s unique interaction with Twitter, brands now have the ultimate space to post their updates and have it sent out across their social media sphere and mobile communities.

“Textopoly had a lot of creative technologies which would help us better utilize and integrate our social media offerings,” said Todd Quartararo, Co-Founder & Director of Marketing for Newport Beach Film Festival. “We’re really proud to debut Textopoly’s new tools and have seen amazing results thus far. Through their social media & mobile offerings, Textopoly has helped us reach our goal this year of extending and organizing the social media and mobile space of the festival.”

“The Newport Beach Film Festival is just the start,” said Naushad Huda, CEO and Co-Founder of Textopoly. “We can now extend our social media offerings to all brands, providing them a space to further engagement with their fan base by fusing mobile and social together. As seen with the Newport Beach Film Festival, we’ve created a whole new way to vitalize end users; and this tool is the first of many on slate for this year.”

Alongside of the social media mobile widget and Twitter integration, Textopoly is debuting their social media campaign management offering. By moving beyond mobile services Textopoly has planted its foot in the overall marketing game by being the first to offer mobile and social from one shop. Through strategic content updates and mobile interaction, Textopoly vows to help every brand move beyond its traditional static methods and into the expanding social-metaverse of the future.

For information visit www.textopoly.com or their Facebook page at http://leep.it/fk

About Newport Beach Film Festival
Celebrated as one of the leading film festivals in the United States, the Newport Beach Film Festival has evolved into a prestigious multicultural event, attracting over 51,000 attendees to Southern California. Committed to enlightening the public with a first-class international film program, a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, the Festival focuses on showcasing a fresh and diverse collection of studio and independent films from around the globe. Located along the pristine Orange County coastline, the Newport Beach Film Festival offers attendees an optimal setting to experience filmmaking at its best. With its action packed slate of film screenings, red carpet galas, international spotlights, nightly receptions, compelling conversations with filmmakers, fashion shows, music performances and industry seminars, the Newport Beach Film Festival has quickly gained recognition among filmmakers and audiences worldwide The eleventh annual Newport Beach Film Festival runs April 22-29, 2010 and will spotlight over 400 films from around the world. www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com

About Textopoly, Inc.
Textopoly is a mobile & social engagement agency that creates highly customized campaigns for brands and agencies. Whether it is through texting, the mobile internet, applications, or social media they bring the brand straight to the users fingertips through easy and fun interactions. Through an evolving form of marketing, as well as research and dedication to both technology and its best practices, Textopoly is the leading pioneer in setting the trends in mobile and social engagements. Visit Textopoly at www.textopoly.com/.

Textopoly, Inc. Media Contact:
Evan Kennedy
Textopoly Inc.
O: +1.949.281.7201
evan@textopoly.com

Mobile Hardware in a Soft Market

Asif — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:31:11 +0000

When was the last time you were in Ace Hardware? Better yet, when was the last time Ace Hardware crossed your mind when doing any kind of home improvement?!

In 2007: Ace Hardware Corp. ends bid to transition from a co-op after discovering $154 million accounting error. – http://leep.it/eE

In 2008: Total revenues for the first quarter of 2008 decreased $67.8 million, or 7.2 percent, to $872.1 million. Total continuing merchandise sales in the first quarter of 2008 declined 6.4 percent while retail service revenues declined 13.1 percent. – http://leep.it/eF

In 2009: After excluding certain non-comparable items, Ace reported adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses) of $30.9 million for the first quarter of 2009 as compared to $31.2 million in the prior year quarter. – http://leep.it/eG

In 2010: Ace Hardware mobile ads drive 60 percent increase in brand awareness – http://leep.it/eH

Ace Hardware went from a company that reported losses, after losses, after losses, to a company now tapping into a market they never knew existed! Ace Hardware is now, all over the place – over 15,000 fans on Facebook, over 4,000 total followers on Twitter, and now a mobile WAP site! Check out .m.acehardware.com on your mobile and download coupons, find a store, and get linked to either there Facebook page, or their Twitter! All I have to say is, GO ACE!

Want to chat about mobile or Ace Hardware? Email me at asif[at]textopoly[dot]com.

Get at me!

Naushad — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:49:19 +0000

This is a quickie – I’ll randomly post brands that I was thinking about that would be fun to work with.

Johnny Rockets & Atkins are two I was thinking about today.

A mobile site (and/or iPhone app) for JR with location finder, nutrition info and fun bells and whistles would be cool. For Atkins, a strategy that would tie into their social media efforts on facebook and a strategy using SMS/WAP for health tips, menus, meal plans, etc.

HTC Hero – It’ll Save You!

Asif — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:23:16 +0000

In response to Shehzad’s “HTC…No One’s Hero”

Ohhhh little brother… You have so much more to live and learn. Kudos on the attempt though!

We can at least agree on the fact that AT&T’s network is anemic at best. However, when comparing the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone, both of which I have also owned and operated, I still feel as though the HTC, for my purposes is far greater than the iPhone.

Let me address a few of your ‘points…’

1) Size Always Matters

You are definitely correct, the HTC Hero is 10% smaller than the Apple iPhone; I don’t have a huge bulge in my hip pocket when I have the HTC Hero. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is less functional when using the virtual keyboard. I can type text messages and directions just as fast, and when the HTC Hero predicts the word you are trying to type it’s at least close if not exactly what you want to type!

2) HTC Hero = Non- Sense mobile phone

I’ll give you this one. Yes, I agree they should have made a sensor to when you put the phone to your ear it would lock the screen.

2a) HTC Hero = Social Media Guru

One of the other things that the HTC Hero does a lot better than the iPhone, is keep me connected with all my friends and family! Its’ simple integration with my Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter account, keeps me updated on all the ‘status changes’ and organizes my messages from my friends, and overall lets me stay in touch with everyone no matter where I am! I don’t even need the Facebook mobile application! With the iPhone, I have click on the stupid Facebook application, click on ‘home’ to view status updates, click on ‘profile’ to view my profile, why couldn’t they make it all integrated?!

3) Alphabetically? Really?

The menu button in the HTC Hero is really just a buy-product. They didn’t care about it because you can customize your home screen or any of the remaining 6 screens to have whatever you want on them! For example, on my home screen I have the most common items I use: contacts, Pandora, messages, email, and browser. If I flick the screen to the left, it has all of my wireless amenities, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc. I customize my phone to fit me and therefore never use the menu button! Furthermore, even if it is in alphabetical order, who cares, it’s so much easier to find things! When I had my iPhone, things were all over the place, and never in order, unless I customized them.

In conclusion, the iPhone is a good phone, its easy to use and meant for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, however, when you really want a phone to do a man’s job, get the HTC Hero, it’s a Hero and a Hero always wins!

PS: Let’s not forget, this is HTC’s first attempt against the iPhone, which is in its 3^rd generation. As soon as HTC gets a bit more comfortable, I have no doubt they will out do the iPhone in every category.

Want to chat about mobile over lunch!? My treat! Email me at: Asif[at]textopoly[dot]com

HTC, My Hero

Asif — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:22:59 +0000

About 7 months ago I made the jump from my Blackberry to the brand new Apple iPhone 3GS; and about 6 months and 2 weeks ago I jumped to the Sprint HTC Hero, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, before you jump to comment on how much the iPhone is better and that I have no idea what I’m talking about, blah blah blah, just hear me out…ready? Are you calm?

So, for my needs, I wanted 3 basic functionalities from my mobile device; 1) make a phone call without interrupted service, or dropped calls, 2) allow me to retrieve my email, make phone calls and let me send text messages for at least 3 hours without the phone dying, and 3) let me upload my music/movies/pictures from different sources without restriction to just one particular machine! During my first week of iPhone 3GS integration, I could not make a phone call without a dropped call, I had a flat tire at 9am and used the phone to send emails, and conduct office work while I waited for the tow truck, and by 11:30am I had less than 20% battery life! To make matters more complicated, I couldn’t transfer music or movies from my brother’s Apple before my flight, and was annoyed by the lady next to me for 3 hours!

I know that the iPhone is very sexy, and they have millions of apps, but really I don’t need that many apps. Just give me Bank of America mobile, ESPN mobile, Facebook, and Sprint Navigation or Google Maps, and I’m all good. All I need is a phone that can take care of the essential parts of my life when I’m away from the office or home. Now, you’re probably wondering why I moved my entire carrier too… well, AT&T’s customer service was the reason why I moved. I won’t get into much detail because then this blog would be more like a novel, but call me, we’ll do lunch and I’ll tell you what happened.

One last thing, I do own a Mac, I would never purchase anything else when it comes to computers and music devices, however, when it comes to mobile, until Apple can get on a carrier that can let me make phone calls, and until they make a phone that can last through an episode of I Love Lucy, I’m sticking to my HTC Hero because it really did save me.

Mobile: No Fluff Needed

Karla — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:25:05 +0000

Diving into 2010 many are curious to know where mobile is headed. I recently came across an article with no fluff, just statistics. It did more then explain where mobile has been, where it’s going, and how fast people have adapted to mobile innovation.

Non-voice activity is considered to be texting (SMS), emailing, taking photos, playing a game, surfing the mobile web, and anything that does not require making a phone call.

With this in mind, here are a couple of statistics that caught my eye:

85 percent of adult Americans own a mobile phone.
81 percent of this 85 percent use their phone for something other than making a voice call at one time.
52 percent said they used their mobile phone for a non-voice activity.
Cell phone users are more than twice as likely to send a text on the average day as do anything else.
85 percent of cell phone users have engaged in non-voice activity.
36 percent jump was seen over a 16 month period in regards to users that use non-voice data applications on a regular basis; reaching 44 percent.
46 percent increase among mobile phone users that engage in activities on a typical day.
Text messaging increased 40 percent since 2007.
Mobile email and accessing the Internet via mobile have both doubled during the 2007 to 2009 interval.
56 percent reported going online wirelessly via mobile.
74 percent have used the mobile Internet or used another non-voice data application on their mobile phones.

There is no doubt that the use of mobile will continue to increase, but I find myself wondering; if statistics are readily available and accessible, why aren’t more brands taking advantage of mobile marketing, advertising or other mobile services? Especially during this economic crisis, I see how companies can be holding onto traditional marketing, but with such empirical evidence mobile should not be doubted. On a different perspective, over half the population owns a mobile phone and with their mobile phone they are increasingly starting to use the mobile web, text more then they did before (which was already a lot), so why not take advantage of a popular social media the population is already relying on?

I believe 2010 will continue to show how beneficial mobile is, but we will just have to wait and see.

I already know I’m going to be hugging my fellow friends and family on New Year’s while sending out around a hundred “Happy New Year!” texts. At the same time, I know I’ll be flooded with texts, connecting everyone I know, and everyone they know in celebration. So be part of the connection, text! And make note that mobile innovation connects all of us on a unique level and that the first thing you might be doing to start off the new year is exactly what you’ll be doing the rest of the year, texting, surfing the mobile web, taking photos. . .etc!

Read the article here.

Mobile Cloud Computing

Guest — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:35:31 +0000

**This post is courtesy of Raj Singh. Check out his blog @ http://www.rajansingh.com

Earlier this week, Google made a disruptive but expected announcement showcasing their new version of Google Maps – now supporting turn-by-turn, voice output, re-routing, etc. What’s more interesting was found in the details of the announcement; Google basically said that they are at an advantage since they can leverage the cloud to do so many cool things with their mapping application that TomTom, TeleNav, or Garmin would never be able to do.

As an example, Google said you could do limited natural language voice searches into the mapping app (ie asking for “take me to the king tut exhibit in San Francisco”). Google would send this query to the cloud, and determine that you were referring to the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park and then route it. Interestingly, the computation required to execute such a query is too heavy for a mobile device and thus, leveraging the cloud makes a ton of sense.

Take this concept and extend it further and you are beginning to see an emerging trend in the mobile industry – cloud-enabled services attached to every application on your phone. The recently announced Moto Cliq has cloud-enabled the address book. Contacts are meshed with their Facebook and Twitter profiles – soon they may be meshed with other interests (ie a meta profile against a variety of popular services). These sorts of mashups are much too difficult to do on the phone and thus are perfect for cloud-enablement.

Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how other applications on the phone leverage the cloud. What does a cloud-based SMSapplication look like – is it similar to Yahoo OneConnect where an SMS could end-up as a Facebook message for the recipient. What does a cloud-enabled photo application look like? Does it show you related images to the image you just took? Maybe, it does simple facial recognition and detection – again, services that are much too heavy to do on the phone. Now that we finally have always-on mobile networks, the cloud can finally assist – the “going through the tunnel” problem may no longer exist.

-Raj Singh
Raj has been living, breathing and working in mobile for the past 10 years. You can read more about him and mobile at his personal blog.

CTIA – and it begins. .SMS vs. iPhone

Naushad — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:54:53 +0000

I’m on the train down to SD from OC as I write. I don’t know why more people don’t use this mode of transportation, it’s convenient, quick, comfortable and has power outlets for road warriors. Anyhow, I’m monitoring the various news feeds and short messages being flung around about the mobile convention (CTIA) this very second. The conference starts tomorrow, but the pre-show events are in full swing. (Anyone know what happened with the Verizon / Google teleconference this morning?)

The big sentiment from many who are attending the panel on mobile marketing and adverting is that the panel hates iPhone but loves SMS! I can’t wait to dig deeper into this and find out what’s really going on – come on train, move faster!

Many of us who have been in mobile for several years now understand the power of SMS and how it can be a driver to deeper engagements such as iPhone apps, WAP sites, Social Media sharing, etc. The power of SMS is in its simplicity and reach; unless you’re sportin’ a Motorola Star Tac from ‘99 your phone as the ability to send and receive SMS message! The reach with iPhone is much smaller of course, but the consumers ability to interact on a more meaningful level is high. The fun thing about SMS is that it’s a technically simple channel, but when injected with a high dose of creativity it can be very cool (yes, we can start the engine of a car via SMS!).

CTIA here I come!

Social Media Day!

Naushad — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:58:14 +0000

I had the privilege of sitting on a panel earlier today on Social Media hosted by IPN (International Professionals Network). The panel was moderated by Naveed Lalani the co-founder of Piryx (payments for the social web) and included Tyler Willis of Involver and Lynne Humphrey a social media consultant. The focus of the panel was how to use social media for professional growth across a variety of industries including management, finance, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. The audience were not Silicone Valley execs or fellow early adopters, so during my preparation I had to take a step back and refocus on the basics of social media. In doing so I went through mental gymnastics and asked “why” certain tools were important, how they could really help a business, what was the purpose, what exactly was social media, and did mobile fall into that definition!? I won’t bombard this post with all the results of my cranial escapades, but relearning the basis of social media only reinforced ideas about how a marketing or advertising engagement has the potential of being taken to the next level if properly infused with mobile tools.