The iPod Touch Should Destroy the Flip

After the release of the iPod Nano w/ Video, we all know what’s coming next (or what should be coming next) – The iPod Touch with video. This could be the reason Flip has started running TV spots (below), which I actually like because of the simple way they show off the product. If the next generation iPod Touch is released with video this could be the end of Flips reign on the micro video market.

The reasoning is simple. The Flip is a great product but is limited to basic video functionality. The fact that it plugs directly into your computers USB port is helpful, but who doesn’t have the USB cord for their iPod?

The iPod should take down the Flip because of it’s large list of offerings, including internet access, mp3 player, gaming capabilities, and tons of other capabilities seen in the video below.

The Flip ranges in price from $149.99 – $229.99. The most expensive Flip has HD quality, which is the one thing that the Flip will have over the iPod. Of course the iPod hasn’t been released, but I’ll be surprised if it comes in HD. While HD is great the biggest problem is it’s not completely necessary for a mini video camera.

Right now the iPod Touch ranges in price from $199-$399 and the Ipod Nano Video goes for $149.99 – $179.99. For all intensive purposes lets say the 32G iPod Touch Video will go for $299.99. This means that you can get a video camera with a large touch screen that also allows you all of the other iPod Touch functions. Why would you need a Flip? I can understand buying the Flip over the Nano because of the size difference, but the Flip can’t match up with the 3.5inch digital display offered by the Touch.

Now, as a consumer, would you want to carry around an iPod and a Flip camera, or would you rather just carry one? The answer is obvious. The Flip will need to come out with new functions to compete with the iPod and stay alive within the market. What do you think they can do? 

What Can Fantasy Football Teach Marketers?

I almost didn’t write this post because Ronnie Brown (RB – Miami) recently went down for the season, which severely hurts my chances of staying at the top of my league. But, as any good coach I will have to deal with the loss and move on.

I’ve been a fan of fantasy football since the beginning. I spend the entire week preparing for Sunday by picking up new players, reading up on the best matchups and trash talking my league because Maurice Jones Drew happen to be playing the worst run defense in the league. There is honestly nothing better. If I have to be somewhere besides my couch on Sunday I’m on my Blackberry checking my teams stats with the Yahoo Fantasy Football App. But most Sundays I’m planted in front of the TV with my MacBook on my lap, hitting the refresh button to see if Reggie Wayne got both feet down inbounds for the touchdown.

I don’t think there is really anything that compares to fantasy football when it comes to cross-channel integration, which makes it even more amazing. Fantasy football gives me a reason to watch any NFL game that’s on TV, because I’m interested for more than one reason. Don’t get me wrong, I love football, but there’s no way I’d watch the Buccaneers play the Texans if I didn’t need Cadillac Williams to get five more points to take down a fantasy win.

So as advertisers what does this mean? Of course it means that ads should be running during football and on my Yahoo fantasy page, but this is the obvious. It also means that the idea of fantasy football should be taken by other brands. Of course it’s not as easy to do as it is to say, but I think you would agree that we’re up for the challenge.

Imagine if a TV show could use the fantasy football formula to keep people engaged on TV, online and even on their mobile device. This is the next goal and one of the biggest opportunities for interactive marketing. Imagine if a television show was able to bring value to the characters so fans would have an extra reason to tune in. There have been forums in place for TV shows where people talk about shows as they are being aired, which is a great start but more can be done. And I’m talking about going deeper than iPhone apps and micro-sites.

Sports have a huge advantage because their content isn’t scripted and the competition outline is already there, the scoring system was the only necessary addition. Can you think of a “scoring system” that brands or TV shows could put in place to engage consumers on multiple levels?

Thank You, Subway

Subway came out with the Buffalo Chicken $5 footlong a few months ago, they must have been reading my diary. Buffalo Chicken has been my favorite kind of sub for a very, very long time and I’ve always been a fan of the Subway version.

There are a few reasons I’m so pleased with this new menu item, they are below:

1. It’s now $5, instead of the $7 it used to be. 

2. It’s now carried at most (if not all) Subway locations, when it used to be a somewhat rare menu selection. 

3. The chicken is marinated in the buffalo sauce, rather than poured on the sandwich. This is good for a few reasons, it allows for equal distribution of sauce, as well as keeps the bread from getting soggy. 

So, if you haven’t tried the Buffalo Chicken from Subway, I highly recommend it. I like mine with lettuce, tomato, onions, jalapenos and a tiny bit of ranch, on wheat bread, not toasted. 

How do you like yours? 

 

Print Ad – China Town: Premium Low Alcohol Cocktail

Check out this Ad from China Town, a low alcohol cocktail that apparently feels like a dragon in your hands… while you drink and drive. Very poor Ad.

Verizon Wireless – Droid: Stealth

The newest TV spot for the new Verizon Wireless Android phone. What do you think?

Why would I follow a student?

I decided to conduct a Twitter experiment this past month, after not gaining followers for quite some time. I know that it’s not all about the amount of followers, but after going a few months and hovering around 1050 I was beginning to get confused. I had been posting the way that I always have, my interactions were solid as I was constantly @replying and RTing interesting things. I decided that I’d try changing what my Bio said to see if this had anything to do with the sudden lack of new followers. 

Before: Emerson College student, advertising guy, social media and sports fanatic, currently a KBuzz Buzz Builder.

After: Advertising guy, social media and sports fanatic, currently a KBuzz Buzz Builder.

Even more recently I’ve made it “Advertising guy, social media and sports fanatic, currently a KBuzz Buzz Builder and blogger for #tngg.” 

It was a small, but important change since the word student is nowhere to be found. It’s pretty easy when you look at my posts or click on my featured URL (links to this blog) to realize that I’m a student. But the amazing thing is that I’ve added over 100 followers since removing “Emerson College student” from my profile. This could be attributed to the fact that I attended the #140Conf in LA or that I recently became a blogger for The Next Great Generation, but I wouldn’t say that’s entirely the case. 100+ followers in about a month isn’t much for some people, but after my recent struggles it is quite a bit. 

The point I’m trying to make is that people should be followed for what they post, how they interact and how they add to the overall conversation. This has been preached by everyone, including the Twitter elite, but doesn’t always get practiced. Students are the voice of the future, so the fact that we are students shouldn’t stop you from following us, or talking with us at a conference.

Keep this in mind next time you go to follow someone and remember that students grew up with this social media stuff, so you may be able to learn a thing or two from us.

The Dreaded Treadmill

I’ve recently decided to start running again, which is something that I’ve been avoiding for way too long. I’ve been outside a few times, but once I leave the sunny weather in Los Angeles for the brutally cold Boston winter, I won’t have this luxury any more. I’ve never been good at running on a treadmill and simply don’t enjoy it. I’ve countered this by using the bikes at the gym, but never feel like a get the full body work out that I get from running. 

I truly started hating treadmills when I was running on one a few years back. I was attempting to run on the one that my parents use at home and everything started of well. I was jogging nicely, enjoying myself and watching TV while doing so. This experience was way better than running outside… because of the TV. But all of a sudden the treadmill stopped. It was still on, it just stopped moving. It began to do this more often, which was extremely dangerous and became insulting once I realized that it was stopping because of my weight. I’m a big guy and all, but really? It was a sad day for me and forever ruined my relationship with indoor running. 

But now that I need to stay in shape it seems impossible to avoid a treadmill. Do you have any advice on how to conquer my fear? Or am I going to be like this forever? 

New Blog: Documented Dinners

Check out my new Documented Dinners blog here: http://yummycookin.blogspot.com/

It’s a simple blog, much like this one, that documents all the dinners that I have. It’s kind of an interesting look into what I eat and helps me keep track of everything, also shows what a college kid can put together on a budget. Definitely check it out and let me know what you think!!

LinkedIn Adds Twitter

Today I got an e-mail from LinkedIn announcing that it has connected with Twitter.com, and will automatically add my tweets to my LinkedIn status. I’m definitely a big fan of this addition but I’m wondering why it took so long. LinkedIn is one of my favorite social networks, but they definitely need to continue to move forward with advancements like these. When they announced the applications feature I was extremely excited, but since the originals they haven’t done much else. 

If you’re on LinkedIn, add me as a connection: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sheamike

Slacking

So I’ve been slacking pretty bad on keeping this site updated on a regular basis, but I promise this will change. It will continue to be short posts about advertising and basically anything else I find interesting, but I hope you enjoy!!