Long-Form Videos Are Watched

If you have spent much time with AutoNetwork you'll notice that we post long-from videos. This gives you more information and hopefully educate in the process. When we first started YouTube did not believe viewers would watch. And, neither did the car companies. We felt if a viewer is interested and content compelling they would watch.

Time has proven we were right. Now YouTube is encouraging publishers to post long-form videos.
Mobile viewers are even watching these videos on smartphones. But, the real turning point came with the iPad. Larger smartphone screens have contributed but tablets and iPads are the devices most used.

What do you think? Do you watch any long-form videos and on what devices?

Why Private Ad Exchange Network Is Growing

The private ad exchange network is not new. Google, Facebook, Bing, etc., has this service. Those websites only allow approved advertisers to post ads in a very controlled environment.

Most recently large well known media outlets, WSJ, New York Times, Gannett, Conde Nast, i.e., have established private networks. Primary reasons are control quality of advertisers across their outlets, keep bulk of ad revenue and control data collected from visitors and advertisers.

Private ad exchange networks will work for a network of retailers, service providers and other type businesses in a given market. Even if competitors participate.

The goal is to keep shoppers or buyers within the group. Sort of like a mall but without the walls. Referrals are the best form of generating new business and keeping existing customers because the recipient of a referral place some trust in the referrer and in most cases will try the business and or service referred.

Networking is another concept that's been around for a long time. Members are selected by other members and usually only one business per category is permitted. They all meet regularly with each member given time to present their products and/or services. Each member is required to refer other member services.

First the Internet upset the norm for how businesses conduct business and advertise. But now wireless technology has gone way beyond the Internet and has drastically changed business, advertising, shopping and buying.

Technology has finally made the private ad exchange network a viable source of new business, income, revenue, market penetration, real time data, sales, promotions, customer reviews and advertising for any business. 

Smartphones are a part of consumers’ everyday lives now

Forrester Research
"How Consumers Discover New Brands, Products, And Services," Forrester found that U.S. online adults who own a smartphone are significantly more likely to actively seek information about brands, products and services than those who do not own a smartphone. The results show that 57 percent of smartphone owners actively seek out new product information compared to 41 percent of non-smartphone owners.

The report finds that there is a clear opportunity for companies to use mobile marketing to bring relevant new brands, products and services to consumers' attention. 

Forrester found that 79 percent of consumers conduct Internet searches via search engines to find new products, 32 percent view general online ads, 30 percent look at online consumer review sites, 23 percent read and post messages on Facebook, 23 percent see ads on Facebook, 17 percent use coupon apps and services, 7 percent read and post on Twitter, 7 percent see ads on Twitter, 6 percent read and post messages on Pinterest and 4 percent see ads on Pinterest.
The most popular discovery methods for word-of-mouth channels are online review sites, with 81 percent actively seeking this information doing so in this way while 72 percent speak with people and 69 percent seek out online customer communities.

For marketers, the results point to the need to be relevant and to be in the right place at the right time with the right message with their mobile efforts.

How are you using mobile marketing for your business?

Thanksgiving Leftovers

It's been 5 days since turkey day. I finished mine with a great sandwich this past Sunday. You can't get any better than that. Especially with an exciting football game. Turkey really does get better with age.

I'm sure you have more leftover turkey meals than just a great sandwich. How many ways do you serve leftover turkey? What's your favorite leftover turkey dish?

Looking for Showroomers on Black Friday

Took the opportunity to go shopping with my kids this Black Friday. The outside mall we visited was very crowded as predicted. Spent quite a bit of time looking for shoppers that may have been showrooming but in the stores I visited did not see any that I could tell.

If you were out shopping did you see any shoppers showrooming? Did you compare prices on your smartphone or any other wireless device?

Wasn't, in modern times, the old BBS (bulletin board service) the original social media? And, all others now are just a variation? What's old is new.