How appropriate, as I have been analyzing commodity food prices, especially general staple foods including milk, eggs and fruit. I noticed that on a wholesale examination, prices have risen nearly 27% within 16 months with economic indicators pointing upwards. [...]]]> So, I must admit – my mobile app addiction has transferred from Angry Birds to this game called Fruit Ninjas.

How appropriate, as I have been analyzing commodity food prices, especially general staple foods including milk, eggs and fruit. I noticed that on a wholesale examination, prices have risen nearly 27% within 16 months with economic indicators pointing upwards. A majority of those price increases reside in our produce, mainly because of the fact that we can have formerly seasonal fruits year round thanks to our good friends down in Chile.

However, with anything global, there are unintended consequences in regards to food tracking and the resurgence of the “locally grown” movement.

So like everything in our lives, technology comes to the rescue.

There is a new technology that allows smartphone users (that are able to scan barcodes via their camera) an opportunity to get additional information directly in store about the produce they consume — including where the product came from, shipment date and such. Additionally, consumers would be to immediately share that information (as well as how delicious, or not, the produce was) over social media via mobile.

January 25th’s show on Larry Mantle’s Airtalk Show delves deep into this idea on the following link:

http://leep.it/su

Now, if grocery stores would realize that they can stop sending me circulars in the mail and push coupons to me on my mobile…

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 – [...]]]> 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

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 [...]]]> 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.

First, the Crimson Tide placed a mighty stomping on “The School That Shall Not be Named” and proved that team sports means just that, not relying on one person.

Next, after a thrashing the [...]]]> As a married Texan and graduate of Texas A&M, nothing filled my heart more than a few items that occurred over the weekend.

First, the Crimson Tide placed a mighty stomping on “The School That Shall Not be Named” and proved that team sports means just that, not relying on one person.

Next, after a thrashing the week prior, my beloved Dallas Cowboys yet again spanked the Philadelphia Eagles and proved that great teams can make great mistakes (especially in December), but it is all about the recovery.

Lastly, I was out at dinner with my wife and she told the world that she had on Victoria Secret’s Black Lace.

All three items have one thing in common – social media. During the BCS game, I was watching the game while talking iSmack to my Longhorn friends back in Texas. During Saturday’s Cowboys game, I cheered along with my Texas kindred spirits while giving my Philly friends an iWedgie. My wife’s “ladies room” chat about breast cancer and the colour of her undies was had by thousands of women across the internet. Facebook played a major part in all three phenomenons, but more importantly, only a small amount of people where in front of their desktop participating in these activities.

It was all via mobile.

Social Media truly became “social” when people realized that they can actually take the net with them away from their offices and desks.

Many articles (leep.it) talked about the Breast Cancer Facebook meme as a viral phenom that was more slacktivism that activism. An example from NPR observed:

One participant indicated that “I changed my status, but I don’t know anything more about breast cancer or how to protect myself against it. Now all my Facebook friends just know the color of my bra”.

The major news stations, MSNBC, NPR and other traditional and nontraditional media outlets did help raise awareness by simply talking about the occurrence. I found it also telling that the meme was carried more via Facebook than Twitter, considering a recent Harvard Business School study (leep.it) that found that on a typical online social network, most of the activity is focused around women – men follow content produced by women they do and do not know, and women follow content produced by women they know.

Advertisers, politicians and single guys should take note. Advertisers should also note that the study found that, the top 10% of prolific Twitter users accounted for over 90% of tweets. On a typical online social network, the top 10% of users account for 30% of all production.

It is amazing that social media has the ability to make an idea spread, a la Seth Godin (leep.it), and it is also telling that in this instance, mobile will be the “first screen” to connect our society — whether they are using Facebook, Twitter, or any other venue.

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, [...]]]> 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

First there was radio advertising. Then the television commercial captured America. No one can dispute that the internet has also radically changed the way businesses advertise. This is an understatement indeed, one that has several layers as businesses and advertisers are not only building their brands by their websites, but also by the [...]]]> Much Ado About Twitter

First there was radio advertising. Then the television commercial captured America.
No one can dispute that the internet has also radically changed the way businesses advertise. This is an understatement indeed, one that has several layers as businesses and advertisers are not only building their brands by their websites, but also by the obligatory images of Myspace, Facebook, Digg, Twitter and the array of other social media tools that are keeping brands “connected” with their audience.

However, there is another tool interface that is also allowing consumers an ever more connected, and controlled experience to their brands – mobile. While many brands are just now realizing the effectiveness that mobile creates IN CONJUNCTION with their other methods, digital or traditional, many often stop at Twitter as a mode for advertising in the mobile space.

Twitter is currently a media darling, but research shows that only 8% of advertisers and consumers think it is a “very effective” promotion tool, according to June 2009 data from LinkedIn Research Network and Harris Interactive as noted by Mobile Marketer. It’s true that text messaging is quickly becoming the most popular communication channel; over 1 TRILLION texts were sent last year alone. However, when brands, old and new rely solely on Twitter for their mobile marketing needs, it is similar to having a singular focused marketing strategy. Consider this:

CONTROL
Who owns the database – YOU or TWITTER?
Not only could Twitter send your subscribers unsolicited text messages, they could rent your database to 3rd parties. Also, haven’t you heard of many entertainers complaining about false accounts? You have no control or way to contact your followers outside of Twitter.

CONVENIENCE
Mobile Marketing begins on the phone, not the internet.
Twitter makes users go online and create a Twitter account – then find your business – then subscribe. This prevents your customers from subscribing in‐store, in‐venue, or when they see your ad with even the simplest SMS campaigns.

CREATIVITY
When a Tweet is no more than a Tweet
Twitter does NOT support Text‐2‐Join, Text‐2‐Win, Text‐2‐Vote, Text‐4‐Coupon, or any of the other proven strategies to help you build your database. Real text message marketing platforms easily support these and many other fun, interactive features designed to identify, attract, and reward your most valued customers.

COSTS
Free is not free forever
Many often complain about the cost of setting up a mobile campaign when there are free alternatives. Yes, Twitter is free, for now. However, the Venture Capitalists will want to see some profit sooner or later. Twitter may soon begin adding 3rd party advertisements to your text messages and/or begin charging fees for their service. That means you have no control over the additional views (ads) that may be combined with your ad.

As we mentioned before, Twitter, like Myspace, Facebook, Digg and others are TOOLS that utilize the venue of the internet very effectively. Advertisers and marketers understand and rely on more than one tool to reach their audiences. Similarly, mobile is the next venue that brands must really understand and utilize the numerous tools there as well.