Gamification- Changing Business, Marketing, and Life in General

Publication: Mashable

Title: Gamification: How Competition Is Reinventing Business, Marketing & Everyday Life

Article by: Jennifer Van Grove

http://mashable.com/2011/07/28/gamification/

Gamification is defined as applying gameplay mechanics to non-game situations.  It also suggests using game thinking and applying it to to solve everyday problems and engage potential audiences.

Today’s youth mandates a more engaging experience, he argues. “Gamification is required to bring those things into balance, and to make things engaging enough so people will pay attention to them and stay focused on them for a longer period of time.”

The gamification trend is particularly hot in today’s world because, should we follow this line of thinking, younger entrepreneurs are building applications and services for younger audiences who demand these features.

In addition to speaking about the trend of gamification with Millenials, the article also goes into detail about the mechanics of gamification which include points, badges, levels, leaderboards and challenges.

Another interesting aspect the article talks about is the application of gaming to everyday things like fitness and health.

CEO of Macy’s, Peter Sachse, Discusses “The Mobile Frontier and Customer 2.0”

Publication: Think Quarterly (Google)

Title: Time for Change with Peter Sachse

Article by: Holly Finn

http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/quarterly/innovation/time-for-change.html

Holly Finn talks with Peter Sachse, CEO of Macy’s , about marketing in the past and marketing for the future.  He discusses “Customer 2.o”- the goal of having a 360 degree view of the consumer (knowing shopping history, preferences, and keeping it updated at all times).

Google Gets a Magazine

Publication: Adweek

Title: Fast Chat: Google Gets a Magazine: Head of global ad marketing Lisa Gevelber on its B2B play

Article by: Ki Mae Heussner

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/fast-chat-google-gets-magazine-133665

Ki Mae Heussner speaks with Lisa Gevelber of Google about their new magazine, Think Quarterly.  The magazine is available as an e-zine to everyone and a select few receive a published copy.  Ms. Gevelber explains that at Google they use research and analysis from both inside and outside the company to make informed decisions.  They initially made the publication for Google, but realized that many of their partners wanted access to the same information.  Thus, Think Quarterly was born.

Check out the latest issue of Think Quarterly here: http://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/quarterly/innovation/note.html

Facebook For Business

Publication: Mashable

Title: Facebook for Business Launches To Help Companies Market Themselves

Article by: Todd Wasserman

http://mashable.com/2011/07/26/facebook-for-business/

 

After the launch of Google+, Google had announced they will also be launching a Google+ tailored to businesses.  So it comes as no surprise that Facebook has just launched Facebook for Business, in an effort to make Facebook more user-friendly for marketers.

Fast Company’s First in Series on Corporate Culture: MailChimp Give Employees Liscense to be Creative

Publication: Fast Company

Title: Creative Cultures: MailChimp Grants Employees “Permission To Be Creative”

Article by: Chikodi Chima

http://www.fastcompany.com/1767793/creative-cultures-mailchimp-grants-employees-permission-to-be-creative

 

In Fast Company’s first article in a series on corporate culture, Chikodi Chima talks about how to build a creative culture in the workplace with the CEO of MailChimp Ben Chestnut.  Chestnut explains how to develop and maintain a creative culture, beginning with allowing your employees to be creative and take risks.

Premium Spirit Brands Drive On-Trade Growth

Publication: Big Hospitality

Title: Premium brands driving on-trade spirits growth

Article by: Becky Paskin

http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Trends-Reports/Premium-brands-driving-on-trade-spirits-growth

First Drinks’ (UK) first spirits and Champagne Market Report for 2011, which cites data from CGA Strategy and Nielsen among other sources, indicates that spirits hold 64% of weekend drink sales in the on-trade.

“The report pins the growth of premium spirits on the continued rise of the Weekend Millionaire – 18-24 year olds that go out less often but spend more when they do.

According to the report, the number of these young people going out once a week has risen from 38% in 2005 to 70% in 2011.”

The report also makes note that consumers “pre-game” at home before going out, therefore off-trade now accounts for 80% of total spirit volume sales.

Another interesting statistic noted in the article is that the number establishments that serve cocktails has increased by 36%.

*report for sales in the UK

 

also see- http://www.harpers.co.uk/news/news-headlines/10835-premium-spirits-up-11-in-on-and-off-trades.html

MGD 64 Lemonade Discontinued

Publication: Adage

Title: MillerCoors Yanks MGD 64 Lemonade: Low-Calorie Citrus-Flavored Beer Proves Sales Lemon

Article by: EJ Schultz

http://adage.com/article/news/millercoors-yanks-mgd64-lemonade/228934/

 

MillerCoors has canned MGD 64 Lemonade because they are not pleased with sales results.  MGD 64 Lemonade was targeted at females ages 24-34.

 

 

Paste Magazine Premieres Slow Club’s New Album via Turntable.fm

Publication: Mashable

Title: Paste Magazine To Premiere Slow Club’s New Album on Turntable.fm

Article by: Brenna Ehrlich

http://mashable.com/2011/07/26/turntable-fm-paste/

 

Turntable.fm gets more credit from the indie music sphere.  Paste magazine will be premiering the English folk-rock band Slow Club’s new album Paradise on Tuesday July 26, 2011 at 2pm.  The album is not due out until September 13, but fans can listen to the new tracks in Paste magazine’s listening room, starting now.

 

 

Vudu, now on Walmart.com

Publication: Techcrunch

Title: Watch Out, Netflix. Walmart Now Streaming Vudu Video On Demand On Walmart.com

Article by: Matt Burns

http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/26/walmart-vudu-movie-streaming/

Vudu is a video streaming service now available on walmart.com.  It’s an on-demand service (not subscription) and you can stream directly to your computer and view instantly through walmart.com now.  It is also available through gaming systems and a number of mobile devices.

Fast Company talks about the Pivot Conference

Publication: Fast Company

Title: The Top 10 Marketing Sites For Social Media Marketing Trends

Article by: Brian Solis

http://www.fastcompany.com/1768994/the-top-10-marketing-sites-for-social-media-marketing-trends

Fast Company Expert Blogger Brian Solis talks about the Pivot Conference, a ” marketing conference for Brand Marketers who seek to understand the style, attitudes, technologies, and preferences of the rising Social Consumer. ”  He also shares the results of an industry survey called  “The Top Marketing Sites for Social Media Marketing Trends.”  Click the link above to see the top sites and blogs.
To find out more about the Pivot Conference, click here- http://2011.pivotcon.com/