Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Pepsi social vending machine! [video + picture]

PepsiCo have today unveiled a social vending machine that features digital / social vending technology that will enable consumers to better connect with Pepsi brands at the point of purchase.

The Pepsi social vending system enables any user to send a gift to a friend by selecting a drink and entering the recipient's name, mobile number and a personalized text message. Gifts can be further personalised with a short video recorded right at the machine and the gift is delivered with a system code and instructions to redeem it at any Pepsi social vending machine. When the recipient redeems their gift, they're given the option of either thanking the original sender with a gift of their own or forwarding it to another friend.
PepsiCo social vending machineThe PepsiCo social vending system

The Pepsi social vending machine also has an innovative feature that enables "Random Acts of Refreshment" - the ability to buy a drink for a complete stranger through any other Social Vending system!



Pepsi state that this could let 'a consumer send a symbol of encouragement to a city that's experienced some challenging weather, or a congratulatory beverage to a university that just won a championship.'

The prototype of the Pepsi social vending machine will be shown at the National Automatic Merchandising Association's One Show in Chicago between April 27-29 2011. Another interesting example about how digital / social is weaving its way into society and enhancing every day products.

Related posts

David Beckham - Diet Pepsi / California Beach

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Posted by Nick Burcher at 13:36
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Tuesday, 26 April 2011

VW Passat LinkedUit - LinkedIn Top Trumps from Holland!

VW Passat have launched a new campaign based on LinkedIn. LinkedUit uses the LinkedIn API to create a Top Trumps type game where players compete against other LinkedIn contacts with LinkedIn data used for scoring.

A video has been uploaded to Vimeo that illustrates the VW Passat LinkedIn / LinkedUit campaign in action:

Volkswagen Linkeduit on Vimeo

The VW Passat LinkedIn game can be accessed here: http://www.linkeduit.nl (though as it is a Netherlands campaign the LinkedUit is in Dutch.)



Clever stuff and maybe a sign that more LinkedIn activity of this nature is on the way.

Hat tip: Viral blog

Posted by Nick Burcher at 23:32
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Sunday, 10 April 2011

David Beckham - Diet Pepsi / California Beach

"While on the beach in California shooting a commercial for Diet Pepsi, David Beckham shows why he's the world's most famous soccer player."

Not the first time this sort of execution has been seen online, but it's still quite cool!



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Posted by Nick Burcher at 23:57
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Friday, 8 April 2011

US Masters iPad App - excellent and free!

The Official Live Timing and Track Positioning F1 app is a great way of using an iPad to bring an event to life and the Official Cricket World Cup iPad app was fantastic too, however the Official US Masters iPad app looks even better (and it's free!)

A nice bit of video footage welcomes you to 'The Masters' when you open up the US Masters iPad app for the first time:

US Masters iPad app - WelcomeUS Masters iPad app - 'Welcome To The Masters' opening screen

The US Masters app then opens up to offer a wealth of different content - live streams, video highlights, scorecards, latest news and more:

US Masters iPad app - home screen and menusUS Masters iPad app - home screen and menus

Clicking through to the US Masters scoreboard opens up a full screen view of current player positions (with 2 views available):

US Masters iPad app - scoreboardUS Masters iPad app - scoreboard view

Individual players can then be selected, with video highlights of specific US Masters holes available just by clicking a score highlighted with green:

US Masters iPad app - player specific scoreboardUS Masters iPad app - player specific scorecard with video links

The US Masters app can then be personalised through selecting favourite players and allowing either 'General Alerts' or 'Player Alerts' to be served:

US Masters iPad app - personalisationUS Masters iPad app - personalising player notifications

Finally there is a hole by hole overview of the US Masters course that provides the history / story around each hole and a video aerial flyover:

US Masters iPad app - hole by hole indexUS Masters iPad app - hole by hole index

US Masters iPad app - aerial flyoverUS Masters iPad app - aerial flyover of selected hole

The US Masters iPad app appears to be available globally from the iTunes app store and is a fantastic complement to TV coverage - and best of all it's free! Another great example of utility provided by an app and how digital content can improve the terrestrial viewing experience.

[NB the only problem was that on my iPad it seemed to crash from time to time - I wonder if other people have been finding the same problem?]

Related posts

Official Live Timing and Track Position F1 iPad app

Absolut Drinkspiration iPad app

Angry Birds / Rio

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Posted by Nick Burcher at 13:06
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Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Facebook usage statistics 1st April 2011 vs April 2010 vs April 2009

The lastest Facebook usage statistics show some interesting trends.

Latest Facebook usage statistics - Dec 31st 2011 click here

-Facebook is still growing quickly and is far from 'being the new MySpace' as some people have claimed!

- There have been some significant gains across the top 30 Facebook countries by number of users, particularly notable are India, Brazil and Asia (Thailand, Taiwan etc)

- There are now strong signs that Facebook is even starting to seriously challenge in markets where there has been a strong local player - Netherlands, South Korea, Russia (and Facebook is starting to show traction in Japan now too.)

The table below shows the top 30 countries by number of active Facebook users with Facebook data from 1st April 2011 compared to April 2010 and April 2009 Facebook usage statistics (leave a comment if you want to know statistics for other countries.)

Here are the Top 30 countries with highest number of Facebook users (1st Apr 2011 - data from Facebook):
RankCountryNumber of Facebook users April 2009Number of Facebook users April 2010Number of Facebook users 1st April 201112 month growth %24 month growth %
1USA56,796,060114,190,780154,226,96035.1%171.6%
2Indonesia2,325,84020,775,32035,177,26069.3%1412.5%
3UK17,866,14024,378,04029,673,74021.7%66.1%
4Turkey9,759,78020,538,74027,665,28034.7%183.5%
5India1,561,0007,809,80022,956,220193.9%1370.6%
6Mexico2,142,0809,208,56022,799,780147.6%964.4%
7Philippines1,026,30011,561,74022,376,74093.5%2080.3%
8France8,946,14017,317,46021,748,24025.6%143.1%
9Italy8,260,30015,486,48019,143,52023.6%131.8%
10Canada11,597,42013,952,74017,792,28027.5%53.4%
11Germany1,955,2408,454,24017,499,060107%795%
12Brazil395,9403,602,10015,567,620332.2%3831.8%
13Argentina3,406,5208,580,18013,786,02060.7%304.7%
14Spain4,228,2209,292,38013,534,80045.7%220.1%
15Colombia4,838,7608,681,50013,122,30051.2%171.2%
16Malaysia1,197,5605,552,66010,088,72081.7%742.4%
17Australia5,327,2607,922,1409,862,82024.5%85.1%
18Taiwan205,5006,107,1009,053,66048.3%4305.7%
19Thailand284,3402,895,3208,699,080200.5%2959.4%
20Venezuela2,658,1405,765,2408,354,34044.9%214.3%
21Chile4,397,3006,273,0007,884,36025.7%79.3%
22Egypt1,252,1002,816,4806,662,100136.5%432.1%
23Poland293,8002,211,9405,986,640170.7%1937.7%
24Peru454,0001,943,0005,121,860163.6%1028.2%
25Russia201,840906,4404,371,040382.2%2065.6%
26South Korea156,740566,7804,230,500646.4%2599.1%
27Sweden2,052,0803,422,6804,203,50022.8%104.8%
28Netherlands615,5202,292,6004,111,26079.3%567.9%
29Belgium2,125,6003,239,9804,085,36026.1%92.2%
30Pakistan549,5602,006,6004,030,260100.9%633.4%

[*figures are taken from Facebook API and then compared to Facebook usage statistics lists that I have previously compiled (allowing the 12 month and 24 month comparisons.)]

As always, if you want to know the latest Facebook usage statistics for another country (and data is now published for almost every country in the world), leave a comment in the post below and I will post the relevant Facebook user statistics data.

Posted by Nick Burcher at 09:29
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Friday, 1 April 2011

Groupon Royal Wedding April Fools Day national deal - 2 tickets for £8!

Groupon have unveiled a special April Fools Day national deal - 'Two tickets to the Royal Wedding for £8, includes Entry to the After-Party and a Glass of House Wine Each at Westminster Abbey (Value £1200).'

Groupon Royal Wedding Deal April Fools 2011Groupon April Fools Day national deal - Royal Wedding tickets for £8
(click for larger image)

The text on the Groupon April Fools day Royal Wedding deal states:

'Family weddings can be a tedious affair, putting up with Uncle Barry's distasteful jokes, Grandma's dodgy dancing and the Maid of Honour's flirtatious advances. Abandon your own family for someone else's with today's Groupon: two tickets to the Royal Wedding on 29th April for £8.

William (Wills) and Kate Middleton (Kate) will be joined in holy matrimony in the luxurious surroundings of Westminster Abbey. Share in the special day of our future King and Queen by throwing Chinese grains at them. After the ceremony, you and your date will gain entry to the after-party in a marquee/tent at Buckingham Palace. Expect cake-cutting, a special best man's speech written by Jimmy Carr, and music from DJ Hazbo (Harry) with classics such as ABBA and Status Quo.'

With the reviews section of the Groupon Royal Wedding offer stating:

'Despite attracting over one million visitors each year, reviews of Westminster Abbey have been polarised, with many allegedly disappointed by Prince Philip's disorganised tour management. Buckingham Palace has also come under scrutiny from the public, who claim television and photographic depictions are better than the real thing. Despite this, many have commented on The Queen's excellent hosting skills, as well as noting Prince Harry's ability to get the party started. Prince William's status as a national treasure is greater than ever, backed up by 10,000 followers on Twitter!'

(see the full details of the Groupon April Fools Day Royal Wedding deal here)

Entertaining and I'm sure most people will get the joke, but maybe should have a more prominent April Fool disclaimer?

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Posted by Nick Burcher at 09:32
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Google launch Gmail Motion! (April Fools day 2011)

Possibly the best 2011 April Fool yet, Google and Gmail introduce Gmail Motion!

"The mouse and keyboard were invented before the Internet even existed. Since then, countless technological advancements have allowed for much more efficient human computer interaction. Why then do we continue to use outdated technology? Introducing Gmail Motion -- now you can control Gmail with your body!!!"

Gmail motion from Google April Fools
Google Gmail Motion actions (click for larger image)

Gmail motion even claims to be able to increase productivity by 12% - Paul McDonald explains more:


Another nice example of Google April Fools entertainment!

Posted by Nick Burcher at 07:35
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BMW April Fools Day 2011 - Royal Edition BMW M3 [image]

BMW, April Fools Day 2011, BMW M3 Royal Edition!

BMW April Fools 2011 M3 Royal EditionBMW April Fools Day 2011 Royal Edition M3!
(click for larger image)

BMW have a long history of running April Fools Day ads and this has been continued for April Fools Day 2011. This year the BMW April Fools Day ad is based around the Royal Wedding as they announce the BMW M3 Royal Edition!

The text on the BMW April Fools ad reads:

'MARQUE THE OCCASION.

To celebrate the forthcoming wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton, a very special Royal Edition of the BMW M3 Coupe will be available at BMW dealerships throughout the country from today, and for this month only. The majestic Royal edition is available in three colours - Regal Red, Bridal White and Imperial Blue. It is resplendently upholstered in Windsor White Dakota leather and adorned with our commemorative 'Will' emblem.

For more information, call 0800 777 120 or contact pauline.yourlegg@bmw.co.uk

THE NEW BMW M3 ROYAL EDITION.'

Another great, topical April Fools ad from BMW!

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BMW April Fools Day 2010 - Political Roundel

BMW April Fools Day 2009 - Magnetic Tow Technology

BMW April Fools Day 2008 - Canine Repellent Alloy Protection System

Groupon Royal Wedding deal - April Fools Day 2011

French Connection Kitten Couture - April Fools Day 2011

Posted by Nick Burcher at 01:10
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French Connection Kitten Couture - April Fool 2011

French Connection have launched 'a new range of Kitten Couture' - just in time for April Fools Day 2011!

French Connection April Fools Day 2011 Kitten CoutureFrench Connection April Fools 2011 - Kitten Couture
(click for larger image)

The French Connection April Fools Day ad in today's UK newspapers simply states 'keep your feline bang on trend with our latest paw-geous designs from our Spring collection.' The Kitten Couture ad text also encourages readers to 'watch the little kittens rock out' on YouTube:



Related posts

BMW April Fools Day 2011 - Royal Edition!

Posted by Nick Burcher at 01:05
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