CM Comment: Some thoughts about the direction of marketing in 2009, and beyond.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
FireKeepers Heats Up The Internet With New Website
CM Comment: Casino opens summer 2009. Go to their website today, register for their loyalty club, and you can immediately start earning entries for promotions by playing free online games like poker, blackjack and slots. Check it out at www.firekeeperscasino.com.
April 24, 2009: summarized from Battle Creek Enquirer -- FireKeepers Casino, opening its doors in Summer 2009, announced today that guests can get a taste for the excitement the casino will offer by visiting its new website, www.FireKeepersCasino.com.
"Our website offers more than just information, said R. Bruce McKee, General Manager for FireKeepers Casino. "It's a fun, interactive way to get introduced to the FireKeepers brand. The website also provides us with an opportunity to begin building a two-way relationship with our customers."
Not only will website visitors learn more about the great dining, gaming and entertainment that will be available at Southwestern Michigan's newest casino destination, they can join FireKeepers' Red Hot Rewards Club (Club members must be 21 years or older). Members, who will be some of the first to enroll in the Red Hot Rewards Club, can pick up their membership card at the casino when it opens. Members can immediately start earning points and entries for promotions by playing one of the sites' free online casino games, including poker, blackjack and slots.
"In addition to being the first to sign up for the Red Hot Rewards Club, website visitors will also have fun playing the free games available on our site, FireKeeperscasino.com." said Michael Facenda, Director of Marketing for FireKeepers Casino. "The website also features an online store, selling FireKeepers-branded merchandise such as polo shirts, t-shirts, windbreakers, hats and travel mugs."
The website is augmented by links to FireKeepers' Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts, allowing guests multiple options to stay up to date on the casino's latest promotions, progress and news.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/c4jotv
April 24, 2009: summarized from Battle Creek Enquirer -- FireKeepers Casino, opening its doors in Summer 2009, announced today that guests can get a taste for the excitement the casino will offer by visiting its new website, www.FireKeepersCasino.com."Our website offers more than just information, said R. Bruce McKee, General Manager for FireKeepers Casino. "It's a fun, interactive way to get introduced to the FireKeepers brand. The website also provides us with an opportunity to begin building a two-way relationship with our customers."
Not only will website visitors learn more about the great dining, gaming and entertainment that will be available at Southwestern Michigan's newest casino destination, they can join FireKeepers' Red Hot Rewards Club (Club members must be 21 years or older). Members, who will be some of the first to enroll in the Red Hot Rewards Club, can pick up their membership card at the casino when it opens. Members can immediately start earning points and entries for promotions by playing one of the sites' free online casino games, including poker, blackjack and slots.
"In addition to being the first to sign up for the Red Hot Rewards Club, website visitors will also have fun playing the free games available on our site, FireKeeperscasino.com." said Michael Facenda, Director of Marketing for FireKeepers Casino. "The website also features an online store, selling FireKeepers-branded merchandise such as polo shirts, t-shirts, windbreakers, hats and travel mugs."
The website is augmented by links to FireKeepers' Twitter, Facebook and MySpace accounts, allowing guests multiple options to stay up to date on the casino's latest promotions, progress and news.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/c4jotv
Papa John's Not Impressed With iPhone App As Marketing Tool
CM Comment: Despite the hype evidently the iPhone is not always the answer.
May 1, 2009: summarized from mocoNews.net -- Whoa. A company not that impressed with the performance of its iPhone app? Like many other marketers, pizza chain Papa John's took a look around, and after being "bombarded" by mobile companies telling them that such a move would help take their business to the next level, it launched an iPhone app last year. But as it turns out, Papa John's isn't too impressed with the app which lets iPhone users find nearby Papa John outlets and gives them a shortcut to connect to the main mobile site where they can order a pizza.
May 1, 2009: summarized from mocoNews.net -- Whoa. A company not that impressed with the performance of its iPhone app? Like many other marketers, pizza chain Papa John's took a look around, and after being "bombarded" by mobile companies telling them that such a move would help take their business to the next level, it launched an iPhone app last year. But as it turns out, Papa John's isn't too impressed with the app which lets iPhone users find nearby Papa John outlets and gives them a shortcut to connect to the main mobile site where they can order a pizza. According to Media Post, which covered an iPhone apps panel at the OMMA Mobile conference, in terms of mobile marketing, Papa John's hasn't seen anything that has really "delivered for us" as well as mobile display advertising. Moreover, the lack of business the iPhone app is driving to it has made the pizza chain rethink building apps for other devices, such as the Blackberry and the Pre among others. Papa John's marketing manager for emerging channels Jim McDonnell said, "We haven't seen numbers that really made us think we need to be everywhere else yet."
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/djmdbp
The Growing Popularity Of Online Games
April 30, 2009: summarized from Online Media Daily -- Recently the GSN Games Network conducted a research report on the online games industry in conjunction with their network sites including GreatDayGames.com, CrazyMonkeyGames, iWin, Gamesville and Teagames. Nearly 1,500 responses were collected in December 2008 and January in an online survey about online game preferences and attitudes. The final research results highlighted some interesting stats and facts regarding how people are playing and using online games on a daily basis.
What does this potentially mean for marketers interested in deploying games to help drive brand engagement? How can games help increase brand awareness and customer loyalty? Below are some key statistics and insights regarding consumer online game play habits that can help marketers use online gaming to their advantage.
Relaxation and Stimulation are Key Reasons for Playing Free Online Games
Not surprising, people are playing games to relax and also stimulate their minds. More than 60% of respondents play online games daily and spend more than 11 hours a week playing. In addition, the top three reasons for playing free online games include taking a break or relaxing, stimulating the brain and relieving stress. If an advertiser uses games to communicate a brand message, keep game play simple and easy to understand. Difficult games that require a lot of instruction can be confusing and drive people away. Not surprisingly, the research showed that puzzle, word and card games, which are some of the easiest games to play, are preferred.
Evening Time is Fun Time for Game Players
The research also revealed that the most popular time of day for game play is in the evening after dinner. Beginning at about 6 p.m., users start playing games, with play typically dropping off around midnight. This is true for weekdays and weekends as well. Marketers can usually expect their peak game play during this time and any bonus promotions or special messaging might reach the largest audience then.
Online Gamers Find Free Online Gaming More Stimulating Than Watching TV
The Internet has solidified itself as a key part of the overall media mix. 49% of respondents stated that they get more satisfaction out of playing free online games than out of watching TV and 59% stated that playing free online games is their favorite online activity.
Gamers Have Accepted Advertising As Part Of The Gaming Experience
More than 50% of people felt that being able to play games online for free in exchange for watching some advertising is a great deal. Site visitors recognize that free online content is often supported by advertisers and see this as an acceptable practice. Pre or post roll banner ads and/or interstitials are accepted practices in the online world. Custom advergames that integrate an advertiser's message into game play are also a great way to communicate your message while appealing to a player's need for relaxation, stress relief and stimulation.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/d4akj5
What does this potentially mean for marketers interested in deploying games to help drive brand engagement? How can games help increase brand awareness and customer loyalty? Below are some key statistics and insights regarding consumer online game play habits that can help marketers use online gaming to their advantage.
Relaxation and Stimulation are Key Reasons for Playing Free Online Games
Not surprising, people are playing games to relax and also stimulate their minds. More than 60% of respondents play online games daily and spend more than 11 hours a week playing. In addition, the top three reasons for playing free online games include taking a break or relaxing, stimulating the brain and relieving stress. If an advertiser uses games to communicate a brand message, keep game play simple and easy to understand. Difficult games that require a lot of instruction can be confusing and drive people away. Not surprisingly, the research showed that puzzle, word and card games, which are some of the easiest games to play, are preferred.
Evening Time is Fun Time for Game Players
The research also revealed that the most popular time of day for game play is in the evening after dinner. Beginning at about 6 p.m., users start playing games, with play typically dropping off around midnight. This is true for weekdays and weekends as well. Marketers can usually expect their peak game play during this time and any bonus promotions or special messaging might reach the largest audience then.
Online Gamers Find Free Online Gaming More Stimulating Than Watching TV
The Internet has solidified itself as a key part of the overall media mix. 49% of respondents stated that they get more satisfaction out of playing free online games than out of watching TV and 59% stated that playing free online games is their favorite online activity.
Gamers Have Accepted Advertising As Part Of The Gaming Experience
More than 50% of people felt that being able to play games online for free in exchange for watching some advertising is a great deal. Site visitors recognize that free online content is often supported by advertisers and see this as an acceptable practice. Pre or post roll banner ads and/or interstitials are accepted practices in the online world. Custom advergames that integrate an advertiser's message into game play are also a great way to communicate your message while appealing to a player's need for relaxation, stress relief and stimulation.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/d4akj5
The Middle Age of Social Media
CM Comment: Yet another poll showing that Internet/social media is not just for kids anymore.
April 27, 2009: summarized from AdweekMedia -- In the Internet era, we've come to expect that young adults will quickly embrace new technologies and applications. It's more surprising when not-so-young adults get into the act en masse. That's what's happening with social networking, though, as is clear from the findings of a Harris Poll conducted for AdweekMedia among online adults.
As the polling found, lots of certifiably middle-age people not only have Facebook or MySpace accounts but update them often. Asked whether they have a Facebook or MySpace account, 41 percent of 45-54-year-olds and 24 percent of those 55-plus said they do. So did 47 percent of the 35-44s and 74 percent of the 18-34s.
Ten percent of the 45-54s and 3 percent of those 55-plus said they update those accounts at least once a day. Twenty-nine percent of the 18-34s and 17 percent of the 35-44s said the same.
Twittering remains a niche activity across the age spectrum. Eight percent of the 18-34s said they use Twitter, as did 7 percent of the 35-44s, 4 percent of the 45-54s and 1 percent of those 55-plus. The poll's small base of Twitter initiates was split on whether it would be acceptable for Twitter to accept ads in order "to turn a profit." Forty-five percent said this would be a good idea (including 13 percent saying "very good"); 55 percent considered it a bad idea (19 percent "very bad").
The poll (fielded at the end of March and beginning of April) also asked whether social-networking sites threaten the likes of Google and Yahoo. Given a batch of statements and asked to pick the one that best matches their own view, 9 percent said sites like Facebook and MySpace "are becoming so dominant that they may become a real threat to search sites like Google or Yahoo." While agreeing that social-networking sites "are very popular," 45 percent said "they will never pose any real threat to the domination of search sites such as Google or Yahoo." A plurality, 46 percent, chose the answer "not at all sure," an indication that this topic is less than a matter of urgency for the mass of consumers.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/dn6zlq
April 27, 2009: summarized from AdweekMedia -- In the Internet era, we've come to expect that young adults will quickly embrace new technologies and applications. It's more surprising when not-so-young adults get into the act en masse. That's what's happening with social networking, though, as is clear from the findings of a Harris Poll conducted for AdweekMedia among online adults.
As the polling found, lots of certifiably middle-age people not only have Facebook or MySpace accounts but update them often. Asked whether they have a Facebook or MySpace account, 41 percent of 45-54-year-olds and 24 percent of those 55-plus said they do. So did 47 percent of the 35-44s and 74 percent of the 18-34s.
Ten percent of the 45-54s and 3 percent of those 55-plus said they update those accounts at least once a day. Twenty-nine percent of the 18-34s and 17 percent of the 35-44s said the same.
Twittering remains a niche activity across the age spectrum. Eight percent of the 18-34s said they use Twitter, as did 7 percent of the 35-44s, 4 percent of the 45-54s and 1 percent of those 55-plus. The poll's small base of Twitter initiates was split on whether it would be acceptable for Twitter to accept ads in order "to turn a profit." Forty-five percent said this would be a good idea (including 13 percent saying "very good"); 55 percent considered it a bad idea (19 percent "very bad").
The poll (fielded at the end of March and beginning of April) also asked whether social-networking sites threaten the likes of Google and Yahoo. Given a batch of statements and asked to pick the one that best matches their own view, 9 percent said sites like Facebook and MySpace "are becoming so dominant that they may become a real threat to search sites like Google or Yahoo." While agreeing that social-networking sites "are very popular," 45 percent said "they will never pose any real threat to the domination of search sites such as Google or Yahoo." A plurality, 46 percent, chose the answer "not at all sure," an indication that this topic is less than a matter of urgency for the mass of consumers.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/dn6zlq
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
White Paper: Online Landscape, New Report From Nielsen
Online engagement by Internet users is deepening. This increased engagement is in part a result of a shift toward video content and social networking as popular online subcategories.
Highlights include:
Highlights include:
- The number of American users frequenting online video destinations has climbed 339 percent since 2003.
- Time spent on video sites has shot up almost 2,000 percent over the same period.
- In the last year alone, unique viewers of online video grew 10 percent, the number of streams grew 41 percent, the streams per user grew 27 percent and the total minutes engaged with online video grew 71 percent.
- There are 87 percent more online social media users now than in 2003, with 883 percent more time devoted to those sites.
- In the last year alone, time spent on social networking sites has surged 73 percent.
- In February, social network usage exceeded Web-based e-mail usage for the first time.
A New Chance for Online Gambling in the U.S.
CM Comment: The momentum for legalizing Internet gambling in the U.S. seems to be building.
April 27, 2009: summarized from The New York Times -- When the U.S. Congress cracked down on Internet betting in 2006, the big, publicly traded European companies that had dominated the business closed up shop in the United States. Growth in the booming industry shifted away from these companies, once the darlings of the stock market, to private operators in offshore locations like Antigua and the Isle of Man.
But now, executives of some of the European companies whisper excitedly that they may soon get a second chance in the United States. Meanwhile, a number of European countries that have long maintained barriers are moving, under pressure from regulators, to legalize, and tax, online gambling.
The biggest potential change would be in the United States, where, perhaps within days, Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, is expected to introduce legislation aimed at overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Mr. Frank tried and failed to do so once before, in 2007. But advocates of liberalization think they might get a friendlier hearing in Washington this time around. President Barack Obama, they note, boasted of his poker prowess during the election campaign. And the Democrats, who are seen as less hostile to Internet gambling than the Republicans, have tightened their grip on Congress.
Since the 2006 law was passed, North America, once the biggest market, has been passed by Europe and Asia, according to figures from H2 Gambling Capital. The law makes it illegal for financial institutions to handle payments to online gambling sites. But enough people have found ways around it, some by using overseas payment processors, to ensure that online gambling remains a thriving business. H2 says online gambling generated revenue of $6 billion last year in North America, more than a quarter the global total of $22.6 billion, up from $17.6 billion in 2006.
Pulling out of the United States cost PartyGaming about three-quarters of its business. Its position as the biggest online poker provider has been taken over by PokerStars, a privately held operator based on the Isle of Man.
This month, PartyGaming agreed to a $105 million settlement with the U.S.
attorney's office in New York, involving the period before 2006, when it acknowledged that its activities had been "contrary to certain U.S. laws." In turn, the U.S. authorities agreed not to prosecute the company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, or its executives.
The agreement fueled speculation that PartyGaming might be trying to position itself for a return to the U.S. market, if online gambling were legalized.
Analysts say one possibility for European companies like PartyGaming, should the ban be lifted, would be to form partnerships with American casino operators. That would allow the European companies to share their online expertise. Operating alone, they might struggle to obtain licenses, given their history of run-ins with U.S. law enforcement, analysts said.
So far, Las Vegas executives have maintained a cautious stance about legalization of online gambling. Steve Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts, said in an e-mail message that he thought it would be "impossible to regulate."
"Even though it would be a benefit to our company, we are strongly opposed," he said.
But speculation that Las Vegas casino operators were looking into the possibilities was fueled by recent reports that Harrah's Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace and other casinos, recently hired Mitch Garber, former chief executive of PartyGaming, for an unspecified role. Harrah's did not return calls.
Mr. Ryan said that PartyGaming planned to focus on acquisition opportunities to increase its market share in Europe and elsewhere, something that was difficult as long as investors were worried about the U.S. litigation. "We think Mr. Frank's efforts are quite meaningful to the sector," he said.
Several other online gambling companies whose shares are traded in London, including 888 Holdings and Sportingbet, are still in talks with the U.S. Justice Department. Analysts expect them, along with companies like Bwin International, whose stock is traded in Vienna, to be involved in a round of consolidation in the industry - along with a possible eventual move back into the United States.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/c4nkwg
April 27, 2009: summarized from The New York Times -- When the U.S. Congress cracked down on Internet betting in 2006, the big, publicly traded European companies that had dominated the business closed up shop in the United States. Growth in the booming industry shifted away from these companies, once the darlings of the stock market, to private operators in offshore locations like Antigua and the Isle of Man.But now, executives of some of the European companies whisper excitedly that they may soon get a second chance in the United States. Meanwhile, a number of European countries that have long maintained barriers are moving, under pressure from regulators, to legalize, and tax, online gambling.
The biggest potential change would be in the United States, where, perhaps within days, Representative Barney Frank, Democrat of Massachusetts, is expected to introduce legislation aimed at overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.
Mr. Frank tried and failed to do so once before, in 2007. But advocates of liberalization think they might get a friendlier hearing in Washington this time around. President Barack Obama, they note, boasted of his poker prowess during the election campaign. And the Democrats, who are seen as less hostile to Internet gambling than the Republicans, have tightened their grip on Congress.
Since the 2006 law was passed, North America, once the biggest market, has been passed by Europe and Asia, according to figures from H2 Gambling Capital. The law makes it illegal for financial institutions to handle payments to online gambling sites. But enough people have found ways around it, some by using overseas payment processors, to ensure that online gambling remains a thriving business. H2 says online gambling generated revenue of $6 billion last year in North America, more than a quarter the global total of $22.6 billion, up from $17.6 billion in 2006.
Pulling out of the United States cost PartyGaming about three-quarters of its business. Its position as the biggest online poker provider has been taken over by PokerStars, a privately held operator based on the Isle of Man.
This month, PartyGaming agreed to a $105 million settlement with the U.S.
attorney's office in New York, involving the period before 2006, when it acknowledged that its activities had been "contrary to certain U.S. laws." In turn, the U.S. authorities agreed not to prosecute the company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, or its executives.
The agreement fueled speculation that PartyGaming might be trying to position itself for a return to the U.S. market, if online gambling were legalized.
Analysts say one possibility for European companies like PartyGaming, should the ban be lifted, would be to form partnerships with American casino operators. That would allow the European companies to share their online expertise. Operating alone, they might struggle to obtain licenses, given their history of run-ins with U.S. law enforcement, analysts said.
So far, Las Vegas executives have maintained a cautious stance about legalization of online gambling. Steve Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts, said in an e-mail message that he thought it would be "impossible to regulate."
"Even though it would be a benefit to our company, we are strongly opposed," he said.
But speculation that Las Vegas casino operators were looking into the possibilities was fueled by recent reports that Harrah's Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace and other casinos, recently hired Mitch Garber, former chief executive of PartyGaming, for an unspecified role. Harrah's did not return calls.
Mr. Ryan said that PartyGaming planned to focus on acquisition opportunities to increase its market share in Europe and elsewhere, something that was difficult as long as investors were worried about the U.S. litigation. "We think Mr. Frank's efforts are quite meaningful to the sector," he said.
Several other online gambling companies whose shares are traded in London, including 888 Holdings and Sportingbet, are still in talks with the U.S. Justice Department. Analysts expect them, along with companies like Bwin International, whose stock is traded in Vienna, to be involved in a round of consolidation in the industry - along with a possible eventual move back into the United States.
Full story at: http://tinyurl.com/c4nkwg
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