Tag Archives: Marketing

Bluesky: A New Decentralized Social Network

Technology, , ,

If you haven’t yet heard about Bluesky, it is a decentralized social media platform that operates on the open-source AT Protocol. Founded as a research initiative by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019, the platform launched publicly in February 2024 and has grown to over 16 million users as of November 2024.

Bluesky offers a familiar social media experience with a 256-character post limit, photo sharing, and standard engagement features including likes, reposts, and replies. Users can access content through two main feeds: a personalized “Discover” feed and a chronological feed of followed accounts. What distinguishes it is its decentralized architecture, allowing users unprecedented control as they are able to transfer their data and social connections across different applications within the network.

The platform’s rapid adoption has been driven by several factors, including user migration from X (formerly Twitter), increased interest during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and endorsements from influential figures across various sectors. The platform has seen significant user surges, including 800,000 new users on its first day of public access and 2.6 million new users during X’s temporary ban in Brazil in August 2024.

Unlike traditional social networks, Bluesky is pursuing a privacy-focused business model that doesn’t rely heavily on advertising. Instead, Bluesky has secured $8 million in seed funding and generates revenue through services such as custom domain integration.

For businesses, Bluesky represents an emerging opportunity for brand building and audience engagement. While the platform faces challenges in scaling infrastructure and developing moderation tools, its commitment to user privacy and data ownership resonates with increasingly privacy-conscious consumers.

As Bluesky continues to evolve, businesses should monitor its development and consider incorporating it into their social media strategies, particularly as users seek alternatives to conventional social platforms.

Loose-Lipped Consumers Bring Joy to Retailers

Consumerism, Lifestyle, , , ,

Consumers will share personal information for a better shopping experience

The results of a survey conducted by IBM on 28,000 people in 15 countries showed that people are much more willing to share personal information if they believe in return they will get a more personalized shopping experience.

People are willing to divulge more about themselves with their favorite merchants, from their food allergies to their home addresses. This survey’s conclusions were met with pleasure by the business world as companies are constantly looking for ways to target the perfect demographic of shoppers with their latest creations.

“They are willing to share information if there is perceived benefit,” said Jill Puleri, global retail leader of IBM’s  global business services. “It doesn’t have to be monetary benefit.”

There is still a certain hesitation from consumers all over the world about giving their personal financial information, like their incomes; but other private information is almost there for the asking.

One example is that about 75% of the people in the survey were ready to reveal details about how they use media such as television, like which TV shows that watch. A similar number had no problems telling what ethnic group they were members of.

A somewhat smaller group, 61% were comfortable sharing their names and addresses with retailers. For 59% of the people questioned it was not a problem to describe lifestyle-related information such as how many cars they own, if they live in a new home, or if they had just had a child.

“These are things that I think are pretty important to a retailer,” Puleri said, adding that the change in shopper behavior was phenomenal.
“We have always thought the consumer was pretty guarded with their information,” Puleri added.

Full Service International Marketing And Communications Company

Companies, Consumerism, , , , , , ,

Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC) supplies an amazing variety of advertising, marketing and corporate communications services around the world. Omnicom provides services in media advertising, public relations management, customer relationship management and specially communications. The company was founded in 1944 and has 65,000 employees working on 5 continents. Its profit was approximately 7 percent of revenues or $827 million in 2010.

What I like about this company is that its a specialist company. It has taken the areas of marketing and communications and has developed as many of those areas as possible. The fact that it performs marketing work in many countries and cultures around the world testifies to its flexibility and creativity.

The company’s stock is selling at $41.15 which is below its 200 day moving average of $44.41 but above its 50 day moving average of $39.01. Omnicom stock dropped in August from $48 to $36 with the market and is now on its way back up.

Some of Omnicom’s up and coming managers are: Janet Riccio; Bruce Redditt and Asit Mehra.

As with all investment decisions, the stock should be investigated thoroughly before purchase.

Japan Rethinks Marketing Models

Consumerism, Economy, , , ,

Japan Business Post-Disaster

Since Japan’s disaster a few months ago, while the main aim is for the country to recover as painlessly as possible, on the sidelines it seems there has been a lot of rethinking taking place vis-à-vis marketing directions. It seems like – perhaps in the aftermath and because of the tsunami – people’s perceptions (and thus desires) are changing and so marketing techniques need to adapt to this. In a study entitled ‘Fukkatsu: Japan Rebuilds,’ by the end of last month, 77 percent of Japanese claimed they were “actively seeking out brands they believe are helping recovery of the country and personal stability.” In addition, the study showed how the Japanese are becoming more eco-conscious following the disaster with 75 percent using less electricity; 72 percent making greater attempts at water conservation and 68 percent in general seeking out “greener alternatives to everyday consumption.”

Bigger Japanese Picture

There is generally more contemplation going on it seems. Individuals and the private sector are taking more responsibility for the country’s recovery, as opposed to just relying on a “government that is increasingly seen as not showing leadership.” 93 percent of respondents said that they “just want a more stable life” so it seems that is the motivating factor. There are more bikers now as people become concerned about shortages in gas and price escalations with potential power shortages.

Better Booming Business

On the other hand there has been some good news for businesses following the disaster. Since the Japanese are a big nation of train commuters, businesses are now honing in on this and using the platform for a way to go shopping. Until recently, there were just some eateries around, but it now appears that “post-earthquake, we have seen that all shopping trips are shorter and more directed, and these ‘railway malls’ make that so much easier.”

Brick and Virtual Shopping

This has led to increase in brick and virtual shopping as a way of comparing prices due also to the increased use of mobile phones as shopping aids. The Japanese are also engaging now more in “embarrassment shopping” which is when you check out products to determine their social acceptability levels through mobile services and then decide whether or not to purchase them in the “brick.” Since early March, Japan has seen an increase of around 20 percent of online shopping.

Direct Consumer Involvement

It also seems from the article that in general the Japanese average man on the street wants to be more involved with 60 percent of respondents claiming they want “to be part of a shared process n product and service development.” They are also more aware of “corporate statements and are digging deeper into what goods and services offer.”

Frankie Goes to Wellywood?

Consumerism, , , , ,

Wellywood Criticized for Marketing Jaunt

The truth is, a marketing gimmick like that can really only be done once. And that time it was done right. One cannot possibly try to duplicate the famous – or even infamous – Hollywood sign. And that may just be one reason why there has been so much controversy surrounding the Wellywood sign. It has been said that it is “tacky, try-hard and unoriginal.” Rob Aitken, marketing lecturer at Otago University, however, claimed, “there’s always a risk of being tacky. There's a difference between a brand and others that are just a representation.” He believes the sign is “an example of a strong brand.”

In addition, there’s always the idea that even bad publicity is good publicity. Just because people are making fun of it, does not render it tacky. More likely, Aitken believes, the jokey side “says something about Wellington’s sense of humor.” Nonetheless, Hutt South MP Mr. Mallard criticized it for being “try-had and stupid.” The MP was shocked that it had gotten approval “after so much controversy.” Wellywood isn’t even the city’s real name; it is a nickname for Wellington, a city situated in New Zealand.

On the other hand, in some areas the sign has been welcomed. One “marketing expert is claiming giant signs and gimmicky icons can help a town's reputation.” According to Aitken, it serves a “functional purpose,” just like logos are meant to. If that’s the case, then what is the function? They “make people feel good about where they live, like they belong.” Rather than listen to conflicting opinions, check it out yourself and make your own decision.

Wellington Tourism and Marketing

According to Justin Watson, GM for Marketing at Tourism New Zealand, such an “identifiable landmark” as this, could actually be very helpful in the city’s marketing. He claimed that, “for many regions in New Zealand, innovative icons such as buildings, sculptures, signs and natural features help showcase what is unique about the town or city to international visitors.” There are many different marketing methods and these have to be analyzed and incorporated correctly if one wants to “attract people to particular regions.” Sometimes, it’s an “identifiable landmark” as part of a marketing technique, that can really do the trick.