Breaking Up with Advertising

Nice viral spot. A little too close to home because I couldn’t decide whether I was laughing or cringing. Cringing on the outside and laughing on the inside?

Mobile Social Networking

So, after years or wondering and interminable navel-gazing columns about the rise of mobile, the mobile web is finally reaching critical mass. And the first sign, as always, is the early adopters finding innovative ways to do familiar things. The New York Times recently ran an article about the rise of mobile social networks. Sites like Twitter and Jaiku are giving users access to familiar social net features, from the comfort of their phones. And of course, where audiences go, can advertisers be far behind? This news must be like catnip to that pack of mobile marketers. Now that young people are becoming comfortable using the phone for more than texts, call, and pictures, it’s only a matter of time before they’re comfortable seeing their favorite brands there, too.

What They’re Doing Online

Luckily the Pew Internet & American Life Project are studying what people are doing online. Because otherwise people just assume they know what people are up to. It turns out that the uses and goals online are pretty scattered. You can read more about it here. Or find out what kind of user you are here.

It says that I am an “Omnivore.”

The Future of Virtual Worlds?

Adverlab links to this Gartner press release that claims that, within five years, 80% of internet users will be plugged in to virtual worlds. I’m inclined to agree w/ Adverlab’s skepticism. As makers of experiential websites, we also know their limits. They’re great for immersive experiences, great for communicating a brand’s identity – but not the best way to access pure information. I can’t imagine that virtual worlds will somehow replace social networks. If I want to see new pictures of my friends, should I really have to fly to their virtual home to do so?