The Leveller

David Roberts — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:36:36 +0000

Google Chrome 2

Mark Wickstead — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:44:00 +0100

Google has released an updated version of its web browser Chrome, eight months after its initial launch. Now 30% faster than before and having had hundreds of bugs fixed, it hopes to improve upon its popularity with users. As of April 2009, Google Chrome's market share was just 1.58%, some way behind the market leader Internet Explorer whose share is 65.8%. Criticism of Chrome has so far focused on the lack of plug-in capability, but in response Google has announced a session at the I/O Developer conference in San Francisco to address the issue. Meanwhile, Internet Explorer continues to lose users to Firefox and Chrome with its market share falling from 91% in 2004 (Source: Net Applications, May 2009).

Wolfram Alpha launches, Google responds

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:50:41 +0100

Wolfram Alpha, the search engine that aims 'to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable by anyone', was finally launched last month. Devised by British professor Stephen Wolfram, the search engine is already being touted as a rival to Google, but early reviews have been less than enthusiastic with searches returning out-of-date statistics and struggling to 'compute' common questions. Experts agree however that Wolfram still has huge potential and represents part of a wider movement towards a more structured web. At Google's recent Searchology event, the search engine giant showcased its answer to Wolfram in the form of Google Squared. The search tool collates the information sourced from the web into a table of resources.

The world's best job is really a big money maker!

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:50:43 +0100

Ben Southall, the new caretaker of Australia's Hamilton Island, may be embarking on the job of a lifetime but it's the employer Tourism Queensland that has real cause for celebration. Experts estimate the high-profile online ad campaign generated £70 million in free publicity. As a result tourist boards around the world are clambering over each other to promote their very own 'second best job in the world'. One of the leading contenders is the role of wine-taster/blogger for the Murphy-Goode winery in California. The winner will be paid US$10,000 a month for tasting hundreds of wines and promoting the company on Facebook and YouTube.

Now things get really interesting

Mark Wickstead — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:54:53 +0100

Stephen Rust, Chief Executive Officer

It's impossible to argue that digital in all its forms hasn't irreversibly changed the possibilities for brand owners reaching consumers and, therefore inevitably, the long established economic model for media owners. Are things about to move up a gear with the collision of social networks in their broadest form, new distribution channels and the opportunity that iPlayer and the potential of Project Canvas [The BBC, ITV and BT broadband TV joint venture] present?

Marketers have known for far too long that the top three things that consumers most dislike about watching TV are (1) commercials; (2) can't rewind; and, (3) can't watch when I want. iPlayer's success with over 270m programmes viewed during its first year is difficult to counter and clearly demonstrates that it was addressing exactly the three things that consumers don't like about watching TV. iPlayer was just the start though. With the growing success of new distribution networks, in part led by the success of viral marketing techniques, perhaps a new revolution in marketing is about to take place.

A number of organisations now offer sophisticated online targeting and distribution for viral advertising -advertising that's relevant and engaging and delivered at the point of maximum impact. Does the combination of greater access to TV programming online together with the ability to slice and dice your audience mean that mainstream broadcast advertising is in for a shock? In my reckoning, yes. And it will herald a revolution in the way brands think about reaching new audiences with faster to market, highlytargeted and therefore relevant - and inevitably more cheaply produced - broadcast ads.

Some brands are struggling to adapt to the current new world order of user generated content where you need permission to engage and interact and your behaviour has to be demonstrably different to the old world of mass broadcast messaging. Others (think Nike) get it. And media owners will be in for yet another shock to their increasingly fragile economic model - if consumers move their TV consumption habits away from your channel to another platform, then the advertising $$$ will clearly follow. The one thing that's certain is that the bumpy ride will continue.

The starting gun was fired by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in CERN back in 1990 and the race has a long way to run before the finishing line is in its sight.

Twitter still behind MySpace and Facebook

Mark Wickstead — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:18:24 +0100

Despite Twitter recently seeing a massive surge in popularity, it still remains well behind its main rivals MySpace and Facebook as the most searched social media site in the UK, in April. However, as summer holidays fast approach, Twitter could see its position strengthen as a study by lastminute.com found 42% of 18-24 year olds admitted they will be constantly updating pages or microblogs such as Twitter while on leave. The study also revealed that 47% of Brits will check messages, go online, text and even pop into work while on holiday.

Quality is the new 'cool'

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:51:27 +0100

A new global survey conducted by MTV Networks in April 2009 found people aged between 12-24 consider quality, trust and history as the most important factors when choosing a brand. The report, which surveyed youths from India, Germany, UK, Japan and USA, also found that television is one of the most dominant ways of directing the youth online. 71% of those surveyed agreed that the internet makes choosing a brand easier, while blogs, review sites and social networking sites are increasingly important in affecting brand decisions.

Facebook, MSN and Google grow share of Britons' time

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:51:28 +0100

In April 2009 the top ten brands used online by UK users rose to 45%, up from less than 42% the previous year. It was also reported that the average time spent online was 22 hours 20 minutes, a 34% increase from 2008 when it was 16 hours 36 minutes.

The Classical iTunes

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:51:05 +0100

Entrepreneur Pierre Schwob has thrown his financial clout behind the development of Classical Archives, a digital music store that only stocks classical music. Schwob believes there is "a complete lack of understanding of how classical music should be offered. It's basically a lack of respect to say Bach is an 'artist', not a composer". The new service, launched on 19 May, already carries digital catalogues of around100 record labels. But with membership currently at 10,000, Schwob claims he needs 30,000 members to make it work.

Second Life for trainee doctors

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:51:06 +0100

At the risk of letting unqualified doctors loose on unsuspecting patients, Imperial College London has created a safer alternative. Students can now practice safe medicine on Second Life with no risk to the general public. "They can diagnose a patient in a safe environment. If they make a mistake and kill a patient then it does not harm anyone," says Maria Toro-Troconis who works for the college. The simulation even goes as far as to make sure the students wash their hands as failure to do so will shut the simulation down.

DIY Heineken Bottles

Mark Wickstead — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:51:08 +0100

If you have ever dreamed of designing your very own beer bottle then Heineken has the solution. In an attempt to position the Heineken brand as one that helps socialising, consumers are now being encouraged to turn their bottles of beer into works of art. At www.jouwheineken.nl and you will discover a DIY design tool for Heineken beer bottles. The website allows you to create your own masterpiece, or if you're not feeling inspired you can choose from a range of popular designs, and then place your order for your custom-made beer bottles. Certainly does add something to the meaning "bring-your-own"!

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