Monthly Archive for June, 2010

Latest article…

…for InPublishing. “To App or not to App? That is the Question”. But it’s an ink on dead trees mag so another 4 weeks before it’s published! Will send link to main article once it’s available online.

#FODM thoughts 5

My question to panel: “which will win – Apps or mobile browsing?” Answers varied widely.

Nick Gee, Autotrader = m browsing, html 5 will ultimately strip away the advantages of Apps

Patrick Mork, GetJar = Apps, they offer too much richness to go away

Douglas Orr, Scope = Apps depend on handsets, web depends on infrastructure. Handsets will evolve way faster, so Apps will ride that wave. But distinction will get blurred too.

Sven Huberts, Marvellous = Apps are here to stay, but deployment on multiple platforms is expensive, which will be the limiting factor

My personal view is that Douglas is definitely right short-term, but Nick is probably right longer term. Also, the lack of marketing options to promote apps (App Store equivalents to SEO, SEM, affiliates, etc) also limits them.

#FODM thoughts 4

Vincent Sider, Strategy – BT. I can’t quite believe that Farmville is forecasting $450m revenues from virtual goods for 2010.

#FODM thoughts 3

Rowan Gormley of Naked Wines – what an inspiration! A fantastic example of using social media to disintermediate a stale industry, to the benefit of consumers, producers, and his own business. Wondering whether the same approach could be applied to book publishing;  form a nexus of keen and discerning readers, distribute excerpts from submitted manuscripts, and let them select which to publish, with commitment to buy the entire book when available – once you’ve got critical mass, you can underwrite publication, with a ready-made set of advocates to promote the title virally… hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t be blogging this!

#FODM thoughts 2

#FODM @gleonhard – new marketing themes:

1. When I’m out and about

2. Within the tribe

3. Strangers and people like me

4. At the right time

5. With complete transparency

6. Under my exclusive control

Future of Digital Marketing Conference pt1

#FODM, of c150 tech savvy delegates 70% iPhones 30% other smartphones, 1 (confessed to) no smartphone. ie – Apple owns the UK, Google.