#DigitalDip
Taking a Quick Dip Into Digital with Sarah Frohman
Hulu’s high hopes
The Hulu versus Hulu Plus confusion has passed (there is no longer a difference, so don’t worry if you’re like, “What is she talking about?!”), and now the platform can focus on giving Netflix a run for their money. Hulu is looking to get into the ring with Netflix by offering an ad-free subscription option for $13/month that will be rolled out this fall. (P.S. Netflix has around 65.6 million suscribers, while Hulu sits at around 9 million. Knock out.)
To read more, visit: http://adage.com/article/media/hulu-reportedly-add-ad-free-service/299526/ and http://adage.com/article/media/netflix-global-audience-soars/299504/
Hooked on Facebook
If you’re saying to yourself, “Wow, I am sick of hearing about Facebook. I feel like they do something new every week,” then you’re right. The flurry around the Instant News Service has just settled, and that means it’s time for Facebook to announce it’s next move.
Need a new pair of sneakers? Maybe a watch or a pair of pants? A tie? Whatever it is, Facebook’s got it. They are creating something similar to their Instant News Service, but with online shopping. Instead of just advertising products, Facebook actually wants to sell them, without taking users out of the network. During beta testing, Facebook will not take a cut from sales completed within the Facebook Mall, but Facebook always has a trick up their sleeve, so I have no doubt that they are planning a creative way to make a profit in the future.
Another perk? Facebook will be able to give retailers precise data as to who their customers are, since all shopping will be done through Facebook accounts. Watch out Amazon and Google, there’s a new kid in town!
To read more, visit: http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-retailers-set-shop-site/299509/ and http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/ways-facebook-execute-video/299433/
I stream, you stream, we all stream for... Comcast
Dear Cord-Cutters (and those who want to watch TV without needing a TV), Comcast has found a way that will hopefully stop you in your tracks and make you leave the cord intact: Comcast Stream. For $15/month, you can stream a bundle of broadcast stations plus HBO onto your computer or mobile device using Comcast’s Xfinity TV Go apps and site. The service will not require a cable subscription, but the catch is that you have to use the service on your home’s Comcast internet…hence, you better not cut the Comcast cord! Users will also be allotted 20 hours of recording capacity in the cloud-DVR service. That’s a lot of Housewives episodes!
It seems that Comcast Stream is most comparable to Sling TV, but for now, Sling will win out because they offer more content and fewer limitations on where you can watch. If you live in Boston and have Comcast, let us know how you like the new service, because you will be the first to try it come the end of August.
To read more, visit: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/what-you-need-to-know-about-comcast-stream-124005804414.html , http://adage.com/article/media/comcast-s-internet-tv-service-offers-limited-channel-lineup/299455/ , http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/12/8942313/comcast-stream-streaming-tv-xfinity-subscribers and http://digiday.com/platforms/tv-bundle-isnt-going-anywhere/
Dinner with a side of data
AllRecipes.com (owned by publisher Meredith Corporation) has acquired Grocery Server, a digital shopper marketing platform that can show shoppers where to buy ingredients. Now, this doesn’t seem too creative or exciting…until you hear what happens next. The Grocery Server technology also serves native ads, deals, and contextual product recommendations, based on the recipe you search. So tonight, you’re making Sloppy Joe’s for dinner. You find a good recipe on AllRecipes.com, you are told where to shop to get your ingredients, and you are even given a coupon to buy paper towels (because after all, this dish is called “sloppy” for a reason).
Meredith sees this type of native advertising as futuristic, because it is extremely innovative and beneficial to all parties involved. Here’s what the experts are saying: “[The service] is an extremely powerful way for brands to connect with consumers at their moment of intent.” Data even shows that consumers follow-up on their searches and complete the call-to-action.
To read more, visit: http://adage.com/article/media/meredith-coproration-continues-digital-drive-grocery-server/299467/
Snapchat for 2016
If you watch Snapchat Stories, you might be greeted by your favorite Presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders, Jeb Bush, and Hillary Clinton are the only ones (so far) to be spotted in the Live Feed, but we still have 16 months until the Election…
To read more, visit: http://recode.net/2015/07/19/the-snapchat-elections-begin-with-bernie-hillary-and-jeb/
Build-a-Bear Workshop: Coming Soon to a Computer Near You
I mentioned in a previous #DigitalDip (https://www.smore.com/0u6vd-digitaldip) that kids growing up today are embracing digital in a big way: they are tablet obsessed, mobile maniacs. And now, it seems that even their plush and cozy toys are taking a walk down Digital Drive.
Build-a-Bear is making some changes so that they can adapt to the digital world. They are focusing “beyond the plush” in order to build a digital, interactive online experience to complement what already exists in-store. Their first dip into digital (lol) came a few years back when the company created a “Bearville Alive” YouTube series as an extension of their “Bearville” site where users could make their Bears come to life.
But, now, all of the Bears who lived in “Bearville” are packing their moving vans and heading to “Build-a-Bear Play.” “Build-a-Bear Play” is similar to “Bearville,” but it includes a more extensive game center and increased opportunities for virtual interaction.
Plus, “Build-a-Bear Play” is optimized for mobile. Does this mean kids will start to cuddle with phones and tablets instead of their teddy bear?
To read more, visit: http://digiday.com/brands/beyond-plush-build-bear-revamps-digital/
The shoe doesn’t fit
Advertising is not one size fits all, especially when taking the difference between digital and linear into consideration. They are different platforms with different capabilities and different purposes, so logically, the manner in which we advertise should be different, too.
Online video and DVR give viewers control and allow them to focus on content. So, why can’t the viewer control their ad experience to match? Rather than relying on pre, mid, and post roll ads (like as done on TV), what if we allowed the viewer to take the ad break when he or she chooses to? That way, if an ad is interesting to the viewer (as it should be, thanks to data targeting), the viewer can truly engage instead of feeling annoyed by an unwanted interruption.
With a move away from pre, mid, and post roll digital ads, the potential for product placement would skyrocket. Imagine if viewers could pause their DVR when watching The Voice because they love Adam Levine’s shirt and would like to buy it for themselves. Sugar, yes please!!
To read more, visit: http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/brands-create-awareness-streaming-video/299363/
Interested in reading previous #DigitalDips?
A take on the team
SPOTLIGHT ON: Aldrin Arche
Bio: Believe it or not, Ad Ops wasn’t my first career out of college. I graduated from Oakland University (not California) Rochester (not NY), Michigan. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theater and was my first career out of college – which brought me to NYC. I had the privilege of working successfully, in my twenties, as a stage actor travelling all over the US. Just before my career change to Ad Ops, I performed a TV segment on the Weekend Today show with a singing group called Uptown Express. It was fate. A year later, I got the job at NBC – and six and a half years later here I am!
What is the best gift you have ever received? Given? A handcrafted and quilted man bag from my mother. Given…I suppose craftiness runs in the family! I’ve created custom knitwear for my fellow co-workers. Just ask Nicole and Elizabeth Parsons about my work
What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? Balut. It’s a Filipino delicacy. Let’s just say I had to eat it in the dark. click here
If you ruled the world, what would be the first thing you changed? I don’t know if I’d change anything. I’m an optimist. I think humanity is doing a pretty good job so far – especially the progress we’ve made in 2015!
What is your favorite class you have ever taken? Mime class. And no…it wasn’t a class of students trapped in an invisible box.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Chris Gironda
Bio: My name is Chris Gironda, I am 24 years old and from Yorktown Heights, NY in Westchester County (it is a small town in Northern Westchester where it almost starts to feel like upstate, we have farms and our team mascot was the Corn Husker, but we’re also just an hour away from the city so I grew up with the best of both worlds I suppose). I went to Fordham University in the Bronx (go rams), where I studied English and Philosophy, and I currently live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I love live music, Game of Thrones, and snowboarding. When not at work I am most often jamming with my band or catching a live show with friends.
What is the best gift you have ever received? Given? I think kindness and friendship are the best gifts you can give and receive.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? Hmmm... one time I went to this Polish restaurant and we ordered a "meat boat" and split it between four people (my roommate had been there and swore by it). It was a mixture of all sorts of random Polish food (pork shoulder, blood sausage, perogies, etc) and presented on a wooden boat. I didn't even know what I was eating half the time, but it was delicious. Maybe not the most out there but it was definitely something different.
If you ruled the world, what would be the first thing you changed? Four day weekends for everyone!
What is your favorite class you have ever taken? I took an English lit class called "Hobbits, Heroes, and Hubris" where we studied the Lord of the Rings trilogy, among other classic stories like The Odyssey and The Iliad, it was pretty sweet.