Digicel Recoups, Helping Haiti Stay Connected {Week 4- Kelly McIvor}

February 2, 2010 at 6:44 am (Assignment, Emerging markets, Gadgets, Mobile Communication, Social media, Technology, World News) (, , , , , , , , , )

As relief continues to enter Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12 the largest caribbean telecommunication company, Digicel, is slowly recovering its Haiti coverage.  Nearly three weeks after the enormous quake they have restored 92% of their cell sites in Haiti. As part of their effort to bring more immediate relief to those in need, the company has sent 91,000 lbs of supplies and 20,000 lbs of medicine.

Digicel is a mobile phone company that has a huge presence in the Caribbean, Central American and Oceania markets.  Digicel became the largest investor in Haiti in 2006 with a total cumulative investment of $300 million and a customer base of two million Haitian customers before the earthquake.

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3 Ways to Create a Successful Mobile Marketing Campaign {Week 4 – Kelly McIvor}

January 27, 2010 at 1:09 am (Assignment, Mobile Advertising, Mobile Communication, marketing) (, , , , , , , )

Mobile technology continues to change our lives each year and now every month we are seeing the effects.  From the first mobile phone’s excitement of walking and talking at the same time to a U.S. Presidential candidate announcing his running mate via text messages.  Now we are seeing a record number of text donations from the recent relief efforts after Haiti’s earthquake.  Mobile phones undoubtedly are replacing landlines, address books and  portable music players.  They are also the new battleground for marketers and advertisers.

I have put together three principles that will support your mobile marketing campaign that will engage your customers and ensure your campaign a success.

1) Clear call to action: In order for your mobile marketing campaign to show successful results you must inspire your consumer to act immediately and opt in your service.

2) Make it simple: Make sure your call to action for the consumer is plain and simple.  Many people will ignore your advertising if the steps are complex.  Once you fail to attract one customer you will only create a nightmare spiral reaction amongst others who will quickly spread the word.

3) Is it worth it?: The offer you are presenting or call to action must be worth it monetarily and socially.  Will this help a non profit reach its goal?  How can I share my experience with a friend to do the same?  Is this affordable or to high for me to consider now? These questions must be answered swiftly and confidently in order for your mobile campaign to place a high value with the user.

These three simple rules of engagement will assist in figuring out a mobile marketing campaign for your company.  It does not matter the size of the company as long as the your efforts of communicating to the customer are effective.

If you are looking for consultation in your next mobile marketing campaign please send a email to Guerrillatechknowledge(at) Gmail.com

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Apple Challenges Google article

January 24, 2010 at 10:33 pm (Gadgets, Mobile Advertising, Mobile Communication, Technology) (, , , , , , , )

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Week 3- Kelly McIvor Apple Challenges Google For Mobile Advertising

January 19, 2010 at 10:30 pm (Assignment, Mobile Advertising, Social media, Technology, marketing) (, , )

The battleground for mobile advertising is creating tension between search engine king Google and design innovators Apple, Inc.  On January 5 Apple entered into Google’s comfort zone by acquiring Quattro Wireless, a mobile advertising company.

The recent purchase is proof that the mobile phone is where many companies will be competing aggressively for digital advertising.  Apple paid $275 million for Quattro and will officially enter the advertising industry hoping to make the iphone the most interactive device for application developers.  Eighty percent of the three billion applications in itunes are free.  With this latest merger Apple can provide a cash generating revenue for developers by selling ad space for future Apple products.

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Haiti Receives Relief from Social Media & Mobile Technology

January 14, 2010 at 8:50 am (Emerging markets, Social media, Technology, Twitter, Video) (, , , , , )

Recently I ordered a pair of Timberland boots that were in collaboration with Wyclef Jean’s foundation called Yele Haiti.  The boots arrived at my door step last friday and I was happy that as a consumer purchase $2 were being donated to help reforestation in Haiti.  Four days later the worst earthquake in 200 years in the Western hemisphere destroyed most of the capital of Port-Au-Prince leaving millions of people homeless, injured, hungry and without rescue relief.

Haiti has a special place in my heart ever since I visited the country in 2003 for a medical missionary trip that involved a group of nurses, doctors and volunteers.  The mission was to save lives and treat people who needed medical assistance.  I can assure you that even the under “normal” conditions that ability to help everyone was a difficult and heavy burden for a small group from Tennessee.

Today we can witness in real time the devastation that Haiti is experiencing.  The earthquake and its 18 aftershocks have not only destroyed the Presidential Palace to crumbles but it has left thousands of people missing and unidentified. International relief efforts have been sent from other countries despite the irony that Haiti still carries a $1 billion debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). So when Wyclef and his Yele Foundation rallied up its 1.3 million Twitter followers to make #HelpHaiti a trending topic it once again proved that social media tools are effective in building communities and movements.  The constant updates from Facebook and Twitter users to donate $5 by texting YELE to 501 501 provided over $400,000 in relief.

This is the first time that text campaigns are being promoted on a wide scale through social media websites to filter donations to rescue organizations like Red Cross, CARE and the Yele Foundation spurring a viral influence marketing reaction.  My boots now have a new meaning when I wear them and will remind me that even before the earthquake impacted Haiti there have been past efforts to help the ancestors of former slaves who is the first independent nation from colonial slave owners.

I will continue to write in the coming days and even post my short documentary film from my trip to Haiti on BOOKiDO TV or check out Guerrilla TechKnowledge YouTube channel.

In the meantime send a text YELE to 501 501 or go to www.Yele.org

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Week 2- Kelly McIvor – Google Enters the Mobile World

January 12, 2010 at 11:31 pm (Gadgets, Technology) (, , , , , )

For months geeks around the world have been anticipating the arrive of the Google phone or sometimes referred as the Gphone.  Recently released the Google Nexus One has plenty of reviews about its software, design, mobile functions and applications making it a new competitor to the iphone.

This latest development by Google is not so much a surprising entry into the mobile business as much as expanding its ever advertising abilities and market share in Internet search engines.  One of the unconventional business models that Google did this time was to make the phone available to all telecommunication carriers as an unlocked phone for a higher price.  The Gphone was initially available on T Mobile but Google has now announced that the phone can be provided by Verizon, AT&T, even Vodofone in Europe.

The race for mobile advertising is quickly becoming a major priority for service providers, content producers and advertisers.  So it makes sense that the largest online advertising company with over $4 billion dollars in annual profits would dive into the mobile communication industry.  Reports have predicted that by 2012 mobile advertising will reach $12 billion dollars.  Using Google’s own operating system Android and built by Taiwanese company HTC the phone did not excite the tech savvy market as expected.  Although the phone was released one day before the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas its debut was far from non traditional.  The features are impressive and the hardware seems to be the most worthy to mention function.  With a 5 megapixel camera, autofocus lens, and HD video the Nexus One is challenging the iphone’s multimedia functions.

My thoughts about the Nexus One is that since it is the first of many Google phones we can expect more innovative phones and devices that will not only become cell phones but personal organizers and entertainment media collectors.  With the recent proposed purchased of AdMob Google would be a force of high positioning in the mobile advertising market giving them a phone, search engine, YouTube and the largest phone advertising agency.

Maybe Apple will try to purchase Quattro Wireless and jump in to the advertising business. Wait a minute they did buy it for $275 million.  What’s next Virgin laptops.

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How Digital Distribution is Changing Viewers Habits {Web Strategies for storytelling}.

December 21, 2009 at 12:49 am (Assignment, Digital storytelling, Podcasting, Social media, Technology, Twitter, Video, Video podcasting) (, , , , , , , , , , )

This paper will identify the current advancement of digital distribution channels and its viewers imminent behavior habits.  I hope to prove that today filmmakers, storytellers, and documentary producers can now bypass the traditional methods of video circulation and  target their own markets directly using social media websites, live streaming and video podcasting.

Introduction

The days when documentaries were only on VHS tapes and PBS TV specials are gone.  Today documentaries can be produced, filmed, promoted and distributed over various digital outlets like itunes, Hulu, YouTube, or Vimeo.  We are living in a digital age where technology is merging with our social lives more than ever.  The explosion of the Internet and personal computers have only closed the gap between the “digital natives” and those who were digitally divided.

Social network websites are merging in our daily lives as new tools of communication and additional outlets for promoting a cause, business or artistic endeavors.  In 2005 three former PayPal employees created YouTube as a video sharing website in which users can upload and share videos.  Almost a year later the website was sold for $1.6 billion to Google Inc.  and operates under the Google conglomerate.  The social impact of YouTube on society and online interactions changed the way users viewed information and shared it as well.

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Designing for the Bottom Billion

December 17, 2009 at 7:38 pm (Africa, Asia, Assignment, Design, Emerging markets, Gadgets, Presentations, Technology, World News, microblogging) (, , , , , , , , , , )

By conducting segmented market research, focussing on the unique challenges and needs of developing countries, and including local communities in the design process — mobile technologies can be successfully adapted and use of these technologies can increase the livelihood of the people in developing nations.

Introduction

The rapid pace of globalization is characterized by large scale advancements in communications technology, drawing people across vast geographies closer together.     Communications “staples” such as radio and fixed line telephones are being replaced by ipods that are able to stream radio, hold downloaded music and which are more portable than older communications tools..  In the West mobile communications devices are becoming more sophisticated  providing people the ability to email, text, talk, check market updates simultaneously.  Our culture is converging technology use into our daily lives. Smaller chips with larger memories are making it easier to integrate these technologies.

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How To Feel Like The Incredible Hulk:TED.com

December 8, 2009 at 7:07 am (Video) (, , , )

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Designing for the Bottom Billion (slides)

December 6, 2009 at 12:49 am (Design, Emerging markets, Gadgets, Presentations, Technology) (, , , , )

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