As digital marketers, we’re frequently reminded magic formulas don’t really exist. Still, our experimentation and experiences often lead to insights about “what’s next.” Hopefully, the following insights and sample tools mentioned in this article will inspire your consideration (and actions) for 2012. What Happened in 2011 For most brands, perhaps the most predominant focus with [...]

In 2011, senior citizens embraced Facebook, Google’s Panda caused a stir, sales of Amazon’s digital books surpassed those of physical books, and venture capitalists hailed the IPOs of LinkedIn and Groupon. As we look ahead to 2012, here are some predictions for what portends to be another technologically eventful year. Mobile search and purchase are [...]

There are almost limitless ways to market to consumers online. However, with so many choices, many businesses choose options that are too costly or are just plain ineffective. Worse yet, if you try to emulate competitors who are making digital mistakes, you end up going down the same path. Here are five strategic mistakes to [...]

“Everything is digital,” Y&R’s global CEO, David Sable said recently, “but digital isn’t everything.” How do marketers engage with digital without losing sight of what matters underneath all the technology? South Africa has been a couple of years behind more developed markets, largely because a relatively low reach and a lack of knowledge has scared [...]

MXit has taken Africa by storm. Already the continent’s largest mobile social platform, the website this month sealed a partnership with software company Opera to make its presence even stronger. With a global user base of 44 million, MXit can be used on any of the major platforms – Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac OS X, Android, iOS, [...]

A report by the world’s largest research company has revealed how brands are not connecting with consumers online, with many people resenting ‘big brands’ invading their timelines. The global study, the TNS Digital Life Survey 2011, says businesses are “wasting time and money” by not listening to what consumers want. Consumers in 60 countries were [...]

The first exchange-traded fund aiming to replicate the performance of social-media stocks is set to launch Tuesday, and it offers significant exposure to Chinese Internet firms. Tracking 25 stocks—including some launched in this year’s most closely watched initial public offerings, such as LinkedIn Corp.—the Global X Social Media ETF is structured as “a pretty simple [...]

As a small business owner, it can be difficult to decide where your time is best spent, especially since your time really does equal money. Technology may make marketing and customer service easier, but it can also be more time consuming with existing, and potential, clients expecting a 24/7 social media presence, and business owners [...]