Twitter for Business

With the advent of Web 2.0, not only has the functionality of the Internet been enhanced but it has also changed the way we interact as individuals, and on a mass scale. Almost inevitably, it has also affected the way some business approach their customers. In many cases, companies use social networks to communicate to consumers at a more personal level. An example of which is Twitter. [See video below]

As the video explains, Twitter is a social network service that revolves around the question: “What are you doing?” And since its launch in 2006, Twitter has amassed a huge following, generating millions of users online.

It is based on a simple concept, but has evolved to serve a variety of functions for companies including consumer insight. Many large companies, such as Dell, JetBlue, and Comcast, have realized the business worth of services like Twitter and have utilized it to their advantage. In this post, we will briefly explore the different uses of micro-blogging for the enterprise.

Internal Communication

Riding on the success of Twitter, several startup companies have emerged with similar services focused on efficiency in the workplace.

Yammer, winner of the TechCrunch 50, is a social network service identical to Twitter that is focused on helping "companies and organizations (be) more productive through the exchange of short frequent answers to one simple question: "What are you working on?"

"As employees answer that question, a feed is created in one central location enabling co-workers to discuss ideas, post news, ask questions, and share links and other information. Yammer also serves as a company directory in which every employee has a profile and as a knowledge base where past conversations can be easily accessed and referenced." [CrunchBase]

Social Text, another social network tool, combines the functions of Twitter, Facebook, and Wiki’s that is, again, meant to streamline tasks and increase productivity. [See video below]

Customer Service

With millions of users sharing information on Twitter, companies have realized the wealth of information being shared on Twitter, and have utilized it as another branch for customer service.

Take for example the case of Comcast.

By monitoring Twitter messages, otherwise known as Tweets, companies are able to analyze and gain info in regards to: customer insight and competitive awareness [See article] It is notable that "the attention to Twitter reflects the power of new social media tools in letting consumers shape public discussion over brands." [BusinessWeek]

Marketing

Recently, marketing has been a growing appearance on Twitter. Through Twitter, businesses are able use the site as a platform to broadcast deals, coupons, and other promotions. With the amount of advertising on Twitter, there are even tools and services to help businesses advertise more effectively. Cherp, for example, is an agency that does exactly that. Cherp consists of marketing professionals that offer services in "branding and marketing to promote on Twitter." [Profy]


With the many products of Web 2.0, it is always important to stay within the know and take these as opportunities to enhance business.


For more on Twitter in Business visit: Is the Enterprise Really for Micro-Blogging Tools Like Twitter?

The Return of Electro

written by Errol Veloso and Kevin Walker

Photo by: Maschinenraum

Brush up those robot skills, electro is making a comeback! A renewed interest in this genre among underground and mainstream artists has fueled the revival of the electro music style. Characterized by use of mainly electronic devices, such as drum machines and synthesizers, this genre has no set template allowing artists to freely explore and experiment whatever their imagination comes up with.

The electro genre hit full swing back in May 1982 when Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force debuted "Planet Rock." The song essentially paved the way for other genres including house, techno, and hip-hop. Today, electro comes full circle, utilized by many up-and-coming and established artists as the main direction or as an element to integrate with another genre (electro/hip-hop). Although mixing electro with hip-hop has been around for a while, there has been a recent influx of songs with an electro influence.

Photo by: jurvetson

One notable case involves the Louis Vuitton don, Kanye West. His 2007 hit single, "Stronger," is a perfect example of the use and integration of electro. The song features a vocal sample from Daft Punk’s "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," and retains the electro/house direction they intended. Kanye’s version combines electro with hip-hop creating a fresh take on the genre.

The move to utilize the original electro/house song is credited to A-Trak (Kanye West’s DJ) after introducing Kanye to the original track. A-Trak, who is known to "ride the line between hip hop and electronic beats," [1] played a key role in Graduation influencing the music direction of the album. On A-Trak’s blog, he makes a bold statement about the current state of music today, saying, "no longer is it a crime to mash a hip-hop acapella into a techno track."[1]

In the video interview below, A-Trak briefly explains his transition to electro (3:50)

Another more current example is up-and-coming music group Chromeo. The duo, consisting of Dave 1 (A-Trak’s brother) and P-Thugg, first formed in order to explore the sub-genre of electro-funk. The two have solid backgrounds in hip-hop, but made the transition to electro-funk. Their latest release "Momma’s Boy" has been featured on FNMTV, and continues to gain popularity.

For a closer look at Chromeo please visit www.killahbeez.com

Next generation of Electro Boogie masters:

• Sa-Ra Creative Partners – LA Based production trio that specializes in the retro futuristic sounds of early 80’s funk.
  

Taz Arnold of Sa-Ra, Kevin Walker of CultureLab, and Shaafyq of Sa-Ra

• Dam Funk- LA based producer/DJ, single handedly has been the chief promoter of retro electro-boogie.

Other examples of electro in 2008:

• John Legend ft. Andre 3000- Greenlight

• Common ft. Pharrell- Universal Mind Control

• Kid Sister ft. Kanye West- Pro Nails

[1] www.djatrak.com

Top Fashion Trends Among Urbanized Youth and Young Adults

Late 80's-

• The Look: Bright vivid colors, leggings, shutter shades, retro track jackets, and colored skinny jeans are just a few example elements to this style. Fanny Pack of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew is a clear representation of late 80's fashion in the new era.

Photos by: icanteachyouhowtodoit, Kerosene Photography, Molly Bewigged, childish.idv.st

Urban Streetwear/Skate Punk-

• The Look: Independent urban labels (Huf, The Hundreds, Crooks and Castles), graphic tees, fitted caps, and exclusive sneakers (Nike SB Dunks, for example). The Urban Streetwear and Skate Punk styles are interchangeable, borrowing various elements from one another (with the exception of skinny jeans, which is a fashion component of the skate punk look.)
  

A sub-genre to this fashion style brings back retro accessories, such as "Dookie-Rope Chains" and Cazal sunglasses, to 2008.

Photos by: childish.idv.st, harry525, mr.l, 416style

"Gettro"-

• The Look: Fitted shirts and jeans, v-neck shirts, flashy jewelry, and wallet-chains. "Gettro" is a coined-term [1] which refers to a mix of Ghetto and Metro fashion styles. Music artist, Lil' Wayne is among the current celebrities sporting this style.

Visit links below for photos and video:

Lil Wayne- Gettro
Lil Wayne Fashion
Fitted jean + wallet-chain


Metro Casual-

• The Look: Primarily dark colors, dress shirts, vests, fedora hats, fitted jeans, and converse sneakers.Photos by: icanteachyouhowtodoit, Hubert Duong
  

[1] Credit to: Brian Surigao

Google Chrome

written by Priyanka Patel
photo by Matthew Oliphant + Pascal H

You usually don’t have a comic book where the heroine/hero is a piece of technology, but you do with Google Chrome. Google has recently come out with a comic book explaining their new browser, Google Chrome. It is touted to be the browser that deals with “the next generation of web applications that aren't even possible in today's browsers” according the Google Blog.

The beta phase of Google Chrome was released September 2, 2008 and will soon be released to everyone to download.

Google Chrome’s features include:

• Tabbed browsing where each tab gets its own process, leading to faster and more stable browsing. If one tab crashes, the whole browser doesn’t go down with it.

• A distinct user interface that places tabs on top of the browser window instead of right below the address bar.

• An “incognito” mode that lets you browse the web in complete privacy because it doesn’t record any of your activity.

• A new JavaScript engine built from the ground up for speed.

• Malware and phishing lists that automatically update themselves and warn you of bad websites.

• A default homepage that displays your most commonly used sites and other personalized information

Google Chrome Screenshot:

It sounds too good to be true -- I’ll have to wait and see.

Tags: Google, Chrome

The Hundreds is HUGE!!

photos by Tony Mendoza

In the past few years, urban street wear has become one of the fashion trend to watch. Today, if you visit the Fairfax district in L.A. or Haight St. in San Fransisco, its not all too surprising to see a long line wrapping around the corner of people of all ages, races, and social classes just to get the latest fitted caps. To illustrate how big a phenomenon urban street wear is, take The Hundreds clothing company for example.

The Hundreds can be described as a clothing company "inspired by LOS ANGELES LIFESTYLE / CALIFORNIA CULTURE and Southern California’s skateboarding, surf, punk, and hip-hop cultures." The company has steadily grown in the past five years and has caught the attention of many industry giants. They have been featured in New York Times Magazine, CNN Money, Giant Robot, KoreAm, MuchMusic Television, and T Magazine.

How huge is The Hundreds? Big enough to draw attention from media and entertainment behemoth, Disney. The Hundreds booth at the recent MAGIC 2008 Conference (Mens Apparel Guild In California) displayed several photos of Disney created characters outfitted in the urban street wear style. The Walt Disney Company has chosen to team up with The Hundreds in a unknown project, however their collaboration has not been made official just yet.

For more information on The Hundreds visit the following links:
The Hundreds
Murketing

Source: The Hundreds

Tags: Collaboration, Disney, The Hundreds

What’s going in the LAB

CultureLab has really taken off over the last couple of months and we have been BUSY. We have added new capabilities in the areas of quantitative research, trendspotting/cultural anthropology, digital communications planning and CRM/Metrics.

Also check out our billboard for Dr.Pepper in front of Texas Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play, at the juncture 183 and 114.

CultureLab has recently done work for, Saatchi NY, Dr Pepper national account sales, and EDS Credit Union. To learn more, visit us at http://www.culturelabcreative.com/

Rise of the Black Hipsters in the Post Hip Hop Age

written by Kevin Walker

It is pretty much a universal belief in the advertising/entertainment circles that African American youth are pretty much the initiators of many trends that eventually reach the mainstream. Is that still true?

As an agency that prides ourselves on being rooted in research we are seeing that this is not necessarily the case.

We recently went to LA and Atlanta to do some trendspotting on behalf of one of our Clients, and what we saw developing was antithetical to that traditional belief that Black kids start trends. What we witnessed was that many African American youth are mimicking the fashion, musical taste, and activities of the Williamsburg, Brooklyn “hipsters” and West Coast skate punks. We are talking about young people wearing skinny jeans, the hipster scarfs, backpacks, streetwear graphic tees, etc. In addition to the fashions, we noticed that many Black youth in Atlanta and LA were into skateboarding and BMX biking. The icons of this Black hipster movement are Kanye West, Spankrock, The Gym Class Heroes, and Pharrell Williams. The cool clothing brands are no longer Phat Farm, and Sean Jean, they are now Hollister, Ed Hardy, Abercrombie and Fitch, Krewe, The Hundreds, and Crooks and Castles. It should be noted that none of these brands originated from urban hip-hop icons.

Did skateboarding originate in the hood? What about BMX biking? Or the skinny jeans trend? The answer is no. As you may or may not know, these are activities that emanate from the Southern California suburban areas.. So we see this new dynamic at work where suburban trends are shaping the taste of Black urbanites. Our research points to the internet being one of the key catalyst for this new dynamic. My Space, Youtube, celebtity gossip blogs have democratized informational flow. So the influence dynamic becomes two way (suburban to urban, urban to suburban). This is a HUGE trend we see developing that will shape attitudes towards racial identity, and youth trends for years to come. Issues of class also come into play here. The bottom line is that corporations and marketers cannot continue to live on past assumptions. Dynamics are different and agencies like ours will become more valued partners as these dynamucs change so quickly.. Real time research and trendspotting will continue to gain in stature.

Technorati Tags: Black Hipster, Hipster, Youth Trends

Double your pleasure, Double your fun?

written by Priyanka Patel

Recently, I was jamming out to my new favorite song, "Forever" by Chris Brown, when I caught part of the lyrics,"double your pleasure, double your fun." "Hmm, that’s weird," I thought, "was Chris Brown even alive when that Wrigley’s Doublemint ad came out? You know the one, where there is a video montage of a variety of twins doing a variety of activities all while supposedly chewing on Doublemint gum, with a voice over proclaiming "double the pleasure, double the fun!"

I later mentioned my thoughts to my boss and he informed me, (much to my shock) that Wrigley’s had actually commissioned Chris Brown to write an extended version of their old Doublemint jingle in the form of what is now the song "Forever."



Now as someone in the advertising industry, I know I should be applauding the innovative way that we can now market products, but I don't. In fact, I feel that this is a deceptive way to market because the audience doesn’t even know they are being marketed to. I know the old adage "what you don’t know won’t hurt you," but in this case it does. It hurts the ad industry because when people do find out, a lot are outraged at the fact and feel deceived, which could cause industry backlash. Industry backlash could happen in a variety of forms from boycotts to tighter advertising and marketing laws which would end up restricting the ad industry even more than before. It hurts the audience because they become even more jaded overall about advertising causing them to pay less attention to it, which in the end hurts us all.

Tags: Chris Brown, Forever, Advertising Industry, Industry Backlash

Toy Punks Vol. 1

With the rising popularity of vinyl toys, its not all too surprising to see the designer toy culture as the next subject for a documentary. Toy Punks exposes the world of vinyl toys, and more specifically, "the intersection of Japanese toys, fashion and punk rock. Volume 1 of the series (released November 15, 2007) was shot on location in Japan and the US, and "explores a profound cross-cultural exchange between American and Japanese creators."

For more information visit www.toypunks.com

Technorati Tags: Designer Toy, Documentary, Toy Punks, Urban Vinyl

Mobile Technology, and the Youth Market

Needed to send an email, but had no internet access? Wanted to send a text but had your hands tied? Queue in Jott, a free service that transcribes your voice to SMS text, email, or even a blog post.

Scenario: You are on your way to work but get caught in morning rush-hour traffic. You needed to send an important email to a client, but had no way of getting internet access. Simply call Jott’s 866 number, choose your contact, speak, and it’s sent! Fast, efficient and easy to use. It even allows you and the recipient to review the recording, just in case there were any speech-to-text errors. See list below for other things you can accomplish through Jott:

- Schedule events

-Set up a Reminder

-Text message yourself, a friend, or a group

-Make a blog post

-Search for items, and receive the results in your email

- Get the latest updates on news, weather, and blog updates right in your ear

- Email yourself, a friend, or a group

Visit http://jott.com/jott/learn-more.html for more of Jott’s services.

Living in the digital age, youth and adults alike know the importance of staying connected. And with the California Texting and Driving Law in-effect, it is also important to stay safe and legal. Jott lets us accomplish both through its easy to use service; a perfect solution for our many needs.

Youth and Mobile Tech

Services like this seem to be a natural step in the evolution of mobile technology. With that said, it is critical to acknowledge the importance of mobile tech and services.

Youth and Mobile Facts

- 1.1 billion youth own a mobile phone

- The lifetime value of a mobile youth consumer is $28,000

- By 2010 youth will spend $300 billion on mobile phones and services

Clearly, a market that cannot be ignored.

In the political world, mobile technology has already been recognized as a powerful tool to help reach out and connect with young adults. The Jott the Vote service, for instance, allowed anyone to call and leave a message for any of the presidential candidates.

Even the Pope has recognized its importance, and has used mobile technology to reach out to youth!

Pope Goes Digital to Better Connect with Youth

Sources: mobileYouth

Images by:
CayleeChristinePhotograph y
astrocoz
DeaPeaJay
PaulResh

Technorati Tags: Jott, Mobile Technology, Youth

Diversity Changes in U.S. Population

photo by swanksalot


The following New York Times article discusses America's growing diversity, stating that "one in four American counties have passed or are approaching the tipping point where black, Hispanic and Asian children constitute a majority of the under-20 population"

Please Visit www.nytimes.com for the full article

Technorati Tags: diversity, u.s. population

Chromeo- Momma's Boy

photo by divertingbailey
Straying from their hip hop roots, Chromeo (consisting of artists Dave 1 and P-Thugg) put down their vinyls, and dust off their synthesizers, keyboards, and talk-boxes to explore the genre of electro-funk.
Please visit TurboRecordings.com for the duo's bio.

More to come on the return of electro-funk.


Technorati Tags: Chromeo, elctro funk, music video