Digital Advertising Predictions for 2011

Yesterday Chris Maples, Commercial Director at Microsoft Advertising posted his ‘Digital Dozen’ predictions for digital advertising in 2011 which have been listed below. This is a very interesting selection, all of which were clearly visible by the end of 2010 proving that in terms of advances in the consumer relationship between technology, social, and advertising comms looks to be a very interesting year.

1. Technology and creativity in advertising will evolve, hand in hand

2. Location-aware technology

3. Mobile will (finally) come into its own

4. Social media IS the internet

5. The individual as personal brand

6. The evolution of branded content

7. Privacy is all about the value exchange: What can advertisers offer consumers in exchange for their information?

8. Digital evolution vs revolution: Microtrends become nanotrends

9. Social and Search: A new breed of digital marketer is born

10. Social shopping and crowd sourcing will come out of infancy

11. Gaming will move onto the next level

12. The ‘death of the agency’ will be proven a myth, and advertising agencies will be more relevant than ever


Pic - XBOX Kinect proves to be the biggest shift in gaming in 2011

I think this is a very realistic list of predictions and from my point of view definitely hope that these are the significant growth areas of this year. In particular I am interested in how all of the above elements will come together, and how the convergence of these technologies will not only sit with the consumer but influence their purchasing and online browsing behaviours.

Ultimately from an agency point of view I will be very interested to see how the advertising elements of these media will evolve opening up opportunities which will hopefully lead to a richer and much more relevant experience. It is definitely worth having a read of Chris Maples post which goes into each of these in much more depth.

Social Media Monopoly Board Game

Yes it's here the Social Media Monopoly the board game, bringing together everything we love about the web today into one place. Properties include Facebook, YouTube, Foursquare, Digg, Reddit, and Blogger, with the Jail now replaced with Myspace (where you are sent to think about what you've done). The board can be seen below, with the Mashable and Technorati cards below also. Enjoy.


Pic - Social Media Monopoly Board Game


Mashable Card Examples




Technorati Card Examples





Via

Wikipedia ad appeal proves successful

As I'm sure most of you may know, Wikipedia, have been asking for the help of the online community since July 1st 2008, to donate money in order to keep Wikipedia advertising free, and free of charge to anyone using it. Earlier this week it was announced that Wikipedia had reached its $4 million target, which combined with major gifts and foundation support totalling $2 million, means that they have reached their overall $6 million target. This combined target will cover Wikipedia’s operating expenses until the end of June 2009.



This achievement was marked by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales who posted a Thank You note on the site explaining why all donations were needed, and how users can offer further support.



It will be interesting to see how long this process of asking the online community for donations can be sustained, especially within the current state of the Global economy. However with the number of the users to the site growing year on year, it certainly seems feasible, for the time being anyway.

BBC Breathing Places campaign viral aims to help UK wildlife this Christmas

To promote their new Breathing Places campaign, the BBC has put together a site encouraging the public to create a refuge in their gardens, and support wildlife this Christmas giving them somewhere to hide away out of the cold. People are driven to the site by a viral music video which sees our fury little friends taking centre stage, including robins, squirrels, and mice.



The site also includes a host of information for schools, as well as downloads, other facts about the animals the campaign wishes to help out, and a postcode finder. This is a nice campaign to see at this time of year, and fits perfectly with other BBC programs and initiatives such as Autumn Watch.

YouTube – now in widescreen

Just a quick note, for those like me, who have unbelievably neglected YouTube since yesterday… YouTube is now widescreen! That’s right, you can now view YouTube videos in a larger environment allowing for higher quality viewing when watching trailers, films etc.



This new 960 pixel layout has already had mixed reviews for the community however, and even though standard videos play just as well on the new format, it seems that some would still like the player size to be optional. Personally I think it looks great!

Routan Baby Maker 3000 invites you to make a baby, without actually making a baby!!

As part a new VW Routan campaign in the US, Volkswagen have released the Routan Baby Maker 3000, a microsite which allows you to upload a picture of yourself and your partner to see what your offspring would look like.



This is a very similar idea to the Dole Baby maker, Funkadelic posted in August 'Dole shows how to make a baby online', with the added bonus of having the created baby's eyes follow your cursor around the screen. Once the user has created their baby, they can announce the birth, send to a friend, or even make another baby.



The microsite plays on the fact that there is a 'Routan boom', with an increased need for German engineering. Actress Brooke Shields introduces the site through a tongue in cheek video which sets the scene.



This is an amusing campaign, with a lot of thought put into it. The babies created are still slightly terrifying, and the added movement element may give some people a few sleepless nights, but the message is clear, and the site is very smooth and easy to navigate.

Wario Land: Shake it YouTube video

Wario Land: Shake it, the new game for the Nintendo Wii, has created a brilliant new video for YouTube. The video starts with actual game footage, but as the gameplay develops, the YouTube background feels the wrath of Wario’s fury, with the Related Videos section crumbling, Coins from the Wario Land: Shake it game flying everywhere, and the Comments boxes shattering to pieces. See the YouTube video for Wario Land: Shake it for yourself here.



This is an excellent example of innovation for both YouTube and Nintendo Wii, giving viewers something to pass on, and talk about. The video ends with the link to click through to the site, or replay the video, which I can garuantee most of you will. Enjoy.

Go Jack Yourself – E4.com launch Fonejacker widget

E4.com have released a new widget for popular comedy show Fonejacker, the widget titled 'Go Jack Yourself', allows users to upload their image and appear in one of three scenarios.



The widget is the perfect way to get fans excited about the new series, due to start Wednesdays at 10pm as of 17th September on E4. Both entertaining and engaging, I would definitely recommend you have a go, especially if you are a fan of the show.

'Science of Sexy' from Wonderbra is here

Earlier in the month, it was revealed the Dita Von Teese would be staring in the new 'Science of Sexy' Wonderbra campaign. Well it's here... with a nice simple microsite, with photos, videos, and news about the collection. There is also a competition to meet the burlesque star herself at one of her shows in Paris.

A viral on Youtube has also been added to replace the teaser put up earlier in the month, attracting people to the new collection released from September 23.



Enjoy.

Follow the Virgin - Latest Argent Provocateur campaign

This is the latest Argent Provocateur campaign to arouse our senses, and apparently their 'most fabulous collection ever', launched with the help of a 'scandalous' new website.



Upon entering the new 'scandalous' site you journey through a dark castle, making decisions in an attempt to 'Save the Virgin'. Throughout this interactive online movie, you are made to face many challenges including scantily clad women, dark corridors, Peaches Geldof to name but a few.



This is a well put together site, and a great way of showcasing the collection. The PR, however has been mainly focused around the decision of appointing Geldof to the campaign, and only time will tell as to whether this has a positive or negative effect.

Intel Studio campaign streams live voting to underground digital panels!

Over the last year or so, CBS outdoor has grown their 'Alive' offering, which includes Digital Escalator Panels, LCD Screens, and Cross Track Projectors, from one station to many, now covering most Zone 1 stations on the London Underground.



Intel have used this growing platform to their advantage, taking it somewhere we have never seen before. The new Intel Studio campaign allows unsigned bands to upload their tracks in an attempt to be heard. Using a voting system on the site a winner will be chosen, and have their dreams of making big a reality.



Using London Underground digital screens, Intel will stream live chart updates from the site to the screens every time the ad is run, keeping everyone up to date on how the competition is going.

I think this shows fantastic innovation, and is yet another step forward for the media channel. The campaign idea is relevant and fits will with the media chosen, which will hopefully encourage more advertisers to push the boundaries.

Get ready for Beck's Music Maker

In order to promote last weekend’s Beck's Fusions event in Manchester Becks have launched the Beck’s Music Mixer. The Microsite allows you to fulfil your dream of becoming a Mixmaster genius at you desk, with tracks from artists including Moby, Roisin Murphy, Does it offend you, yeah?, Midnight Juggernauts and Axwell.



This is a simple and easy to use site, and will certainly allow you to kill time in style. Also with more tracks apparently on the way, I doubt you’ll get bored of this, once you get the hang of it. I know I didn’t!!

Wonderbra - D to G 'Because we're more than a handful' campaign

This is the new Wonderbra campaign featuring cleavage shots of thousands of women pieced together to promote their D to G cup range. The billboard uses 8,000 photos to form one large close up image of model Katie Green.



This is the final execution of an idea which kicked off last month, when Wonderbra encouraged thousands of women to attend an underwear shoot in London or to upload images of themselves in a Wonderbra onto the website.

Wonderbra have used the images to make up an interactive version of the billboard on their website, which has then been put up in London’s West End, allowing women to zoom in on their image, and have their 15 minutes of fame. What a great way to allow women to feel involved with the brand, and give us guys something new to put down as cause of accident on the insurance claim form.