effinite wisdom

effinity's thoughts on digital marketing and the world around us.
Tags >> Advergaming

Knowing that apps are projected to continue their upward trend in popularity, you’ve probably asked yourself if your brand should make one. If you haven’t decided yet, remember: only do it if you’re positive that your app can meet these two guidelines:

 


I was browsing the web today, and I found a media placement that was hurt by its own intelligence.



Playstation is a great product name.  If you've been living in a cave or just not aware of what the Playstation is, you can pretty easily figure it out.  A great product name goes a long way, and a bad one can really hurt the brand.  This blog lists some of the worst product names in history.  I recently fell victim to a confusing product name myself.

Anyone from Chicago can tell you how hard the winter is to get through, and walking a few blocks in paper-thin dress pants everyday started to take its toll.  I decided to invest in some long underwear to keep my legs from going numb.  I walked into Dick's Sporting Goods eager to look at all my leg warming options.

I saw the Under Armor apparel right in the front of the store.  I had heard great things about their products and decided to go with the "Heat Gear" pants.  The next morning, I eagerly stepped outside sporting my newly acquired pants.  Strangely, I felt as if my legs were colder than usual, and by the time I got to the train, I could barely feel them.

After discussing this with a friend, I realized I had purchased pants designed to keep your legs cool in warm weather.  I had no idea that Under Armor also sold "Cold Gear.”

The name of the product or service should be easy to understand.  With product names that make little sense, Under Armor is going to have bunch of angry customers with cold legs.


For most companies the idea of Web 2.0 seems irrelevant and sometimes inappropriate. Business can be slow to change, but in the active world of the digital age, utilizing the web for your company’s business goals has never been easier. 


Now it’s time for some trivia! 


Merry Christmas

Posted by: Matt Henkle

Tagged in: Advergaming

And a happy effin' new year!

Click to hear the effinity carolers 


Since 2005, the biggest increase in internet-use has been with 70-75 year-olds. 45% of 70-75 year-olds are currently online.
(2009 study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project)

84% of Germans aged 19-29 said they would rather do without their current partner or their car than forego their connection to the Web. Living without a mobile phone was also unthinkable for 97% of those questioned in that age range.
(itfacts.biz)

73% of Americans go online in November 2008
(itfacts.biz)

As of May, 2009, 58% of online consumers currently own a mobile phone capable of connecting to the Web. Of the online consumers with Web-enabled phones, 21% own a smartphone, 8% own an iPhone(TM), and 29% own another type of Web-enabled phone.
(itfacts.biz)

57% of TV viewers in the US who have Internet access use both mediums at the same time at least once a month
(itfacts.biz)


12% of Americans create or work their own online journal or blog, while 23% of Americans contribute writing, files or other content to their employer’s website.
(itfacts.biz)

An average US household spent $1,229 on consumer electronics products in the past 12 months, $176 less than in the prior year, according to Consumer Electronics Association.


For a few years now the average American has been engaged in what has lovingly been coined, “Social Networking.” Social Networking is defined as a website or online community where people with shared interests and/or activities are attracted to places on the web where they can share those interests with others.
You can reconnect with old friends from high school on Facebook, find a local band on MySpace, request a recommendation on LinkedIn, or read celebrity tweets on Twitter.  Sounds great, but “user” beware, not all social networking is good social networking. Here are 7 cons of social networking that some don’t consider: 


1.    Time Suck- according to Facbook.com, more than 8 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day (worldwide). Wow.


Fortune 500 companies are taking notice of the overwhelming success of online gaming, and incorporating interactive games into their digital marketing strategy.  McDonalds has created a Virtual Game World for kids, which allow the consumers to interact with the brand and product long after they have left the fast-food establishment.  Red Bull promotes events and products by allowing individuals to personalize and play interactive web games, such as “Craft Builder” and “Top Ten Crashes.”  As major companies experience success using interactive gaming in their digital strategy, others are following suit by adding an interactive element to their websites and e-banners.


According to Forrester Research’s “Why Game Marketing Matters” report, “18% of those who play advergames say that advertisements help them decide what to buy, compared with only 12% of nongamers.”  These advergames allow the consumer to interact with the product and product message through a fun game, increasing emotional involvement and building brand loyalty.  See chart below to see how the US In-Game Video Ad Revenue is expected to increase in the coming years.


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m. charles egan

M. Charles Egan (Charlie) is the Managing Partner and the head of strategy at effinity. Charlie is in charge of new business development for effinity and helps clients develop effective digital solutions. Within the company, he oversees sales, strategy and client service. Charlie leverages his extensive knowledge of marketing, interactive media, usability, and search engine optimization to develop effective business tools that are specific to client's needs and budgets.

Before starting effinity, Charlie help build a start-up and worked as a digital creative director on the Chicago Board of Trade, MF Global accounts as well as building digital marketing efforts for a varity of business ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.

Charlie also leads effinity's web design and solution development collaboration with partner agencies in the Chicago area. He maintains an active presence within the design programs at many local universities and colleges, and is a graduate of the Loyola University of Chicago.

With three young children and a small business the small amount of free time Charlie has is spent trying to find time to ski, rooting for the Bears, learning woodworking, and cooking.

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michael tomasino

Mr. Tomasino has served with effinity since its inception. Michael supervises web production and has a wealth of experience managing development teams. Michael is results focused and has an expertise in implementing open source solutions. He diligently manages schedules to ensure deliverables are on time and on budget.

Michael’s goal is to make sure that client’s messages are optimized and adapted to fully utilize the presentation media. Michael graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Visual Communications.

In his free time, (and also not so free time), Michael is an avid tech enthusiast, dedicating most of his tweets and retweets to it. He strives to adhere to an active lifestyle naming snowboarding, soccer, basketball and running as a few favorite activities.

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matt henkle

Mr. Henkle has worked with effinity since August 2008 as the head of Client Relations. He works to develop solution based marketing strategies and manages effinity’s social media department. Matt is instrumental in identifying marketing opportunities that allow clients to optimize their integrated marketing strategy through a wide array of marketing channels.

 

With years of experience in social media and nontraditional marketing, Matt prides himself with staying ahead of pace with the latest forms of economical outreach. Matt graduated from DePaul University with a BA in Art History with a concentration in Design.

 

Outside of work Matt enjoys writing music, taking pictures and being outdoors.

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