ARE TELECOMMUNICATION GIANTS DRIVING DIGITAL CONTENT SALES?
April 30, 2010 by Monique Moss · 7 Comments
There are numerous factors driving the move toward digitization – the conversion of traditional printed words into electronic formats – beginning with consumer demand. As digital reading devices become more affordable as well as easier to use, digital content becomes simpler to access. Consumer attitudes are evolving nearly as quickly as advances in digital technologies which aim to perfect the process that allows any laptop or mobile device to be “transformed” into a virtual e-reader.
While digitization of books opens up new avenues of strategic partnership, perhaps nothing lends itself more to collaboration than mobile telecommunications companies. While the popularity of e-book readers is steadily increasing, there are many people, including industry heavyweights, who believe that the growth of simple, dedicated devices used to read books electronically, may not be sustainable without advanced mobile technology. For example, more than 12 million e-books have been downloaded by the 18-month old Stanza e-reader iPhone application, which converts a cell phone into a small-screen e-reader.
It is a given that one of the biggest challenges for the entire digital reading market has been the price of these new devices ($189 – $829) plus the cost of digital content ($2.99 – $14.99), which in a perfect world is delivered via wireless modem (e.g., $30 monthly for iPad 3G connectivity). Considering the necessary delivery mode, major telecommunications companies are beginning to develop their own digital readers or, at the very least, exclusive access to specific partners (for high-speed connectivity) as is the practice with “smart phone” applications. It is logical, many believe, that smart phones and 3G data networks will become the most important drivers of digital content sales. Eventually, we may see the e-reader without two-way connectivity go the way of the eight-track tape player.
The availability of choices the e-book consumer has today is staggering. Each of the leaders – the Kindle, iPad, Sony Reader, Barnes and Noble Nook and PC – offers its own set of strengths and weaknesses. While one offers the ultimate portability, another allows for interactivity. Nevertheless, there is a vast and growing supply of increasingly savvy online users who are adept at operating multiple devices and can maneuver easily through free content, no matter the device. The answer may lie in consumers operating multiple devices with an integrated content flow from platform to platform: the right e-reader device for the corresponding end user with appropriate content for the specific electronic platform and/or device.
Differential rates of digital adoption by certain demographics require a need to explore both the various platforms on which readers can access content and the way segmented audiences’ prefer to consume content. The challenge, then, is finding the most efficient ways in which traditional and non-traditional publishers can reach consumers effectively while providing the widest variety of content at competitive prices in a fluctuating marketplace. Integrated technologies are allowing the consumer to access content efficiently (e.g., Kindle released a free application for MAC users to turn their laptop into an e-reader last month). Digital content consumption may vary from one demographic to another, dependent on need, usability, access and preference but the fluidity of digitization is opening creative channels to a multi-pronged approach – which includes strategic combination of publicity and marketing tactics – impacting diverse, segmented audiences toward increased book sales.
For more, email: monique@integrated-pr.com
Online Content Management
April 15, 2010 by Stacey Pokluda · 1 Comment
Below are some of the services performed as part of our online content management package to help keep your campaign growing:
- Regular website & social media updates (i.e. MySpace, Facebook & Twitter )
- We create valuable content in posts including upcoming tour dates, news & announcements, press items, television appearances, new media (i.e. video, photos, audio) + featured YouTube videos, merchandise, web store updates, etc
- YouTube Maintenance (Including comments)
- We send out a monthly email newsletter + targeted email marketing blasts
- Fan replies in Email, Facebook & Twitter (with client’s approved response)
- Social Bookmarking of videos, press items and new content
- Daily Tweets report w/ everything tweeted about you each day
- Monthly analytics report
Please contact stacey@integrated-pr.com for more information. Also, check out this article about marketing yourself online.
COPS 4 CAUSES Honors American Heroes w/ SRO Fundraiser at Laugh Factory: Tommy Davidson Headlines
April 14, 2010 by Monique Moss · Leave a Comment
Cops 4 Causes, a leading non-profit organization of law enforcement officers, responded to the news of the tragic deaths of Marine Sgt Major Robert J. Cottle (LAPD Metropolitan Division/SWAT officer) and Lance Cpl Rick J. Centanni (son of Santa Ana Police Sgt Jon Centanni) with a benefit tribute honoring both men at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach on Thursday, April 8, 2010. Tommy Davidson served as headliner, Frasier Smith MC’d and stellar performances were donated by Bret Ernst, Aries Spears and Bryan Callen.
LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck and LBPD Chief Jim McDonnell, along with Long Beach Fire Department Chief, showed unified support along with 600 guests for a most worthy cause. LAPD SWAT and the Marines had static display vehicles parked for the community to see and enjoy. Partnering organizations selflessly donating services included LAPD Metropolitan Division, Los Angeles Police Protective League, Long Beach Police Dept. , the Santa Ana Police Dept. and the Laugh Factory Long Beach.
$11,000 was raised to establish the “Robert J. Cottle Returning Veterans Hero LAPD SWAT and the Marines had static display vehicles parked for the community to see and enjoy. es Fund” and “Rick J. Centanni Fallen Heroes Scholarship,” according to Cops 4 Causes President, Christopher T. Landavazo.
To donate or learn more about the nonprofit organization: http://cops4causes.org/index.asp
The Art of Personal Branding
April 12, 2010 by Stacey Pokluda · 5 Comments
Personal branding is a process that could have a big impact on your career. It’s not just big brands that deal with reputation management anymore. Regardless of your career, age or position, everyone needs to understand the importance of branding. You are the CEO of your own company and that company is YOU. It’s time you took a lesson from the big brands if you want to stand out and prosper.
Anyone can have a website and everyone does. Not only should your website be integrated with your social media outlets, but it should also incorporate a blog. If you’re not much of a writer, you might try a video blog. Improving your online visibility and keeping your visitors engaged and coming back for more will help grow your audience. These days, ordinary people can create a brand for themselves just as easily as celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears. Personal branding is simply the process in which you market yourself.
When it comes to personal branding, the first name that comes to mind is Gary Vaynerchuk, the wine guru and founder of Wine Library TV. Gary has built a small empire on his obsession with wine, the internet and business. I had the pleasure of meeting with Gary when I was at B|W|R Public Relations. We met to discuss publicity as he was in discussions for a TV deal based on the success of his video blog. He turned his family’s small New Jersey liquor store into a wine empire that grosses over $60 million a year; more than 100,000 viewers watch his daily video blog; he’s a sought-after speaker; he released his first book, Crush It! last year and he’s signed on to write nine more business books for Harper Collins.
Check out Gary’s interview in Business Week.
Also, check out Gary’s appearance at Web 2.0 Expo NY where he discusses Building the Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape.
For further reading about personal branding, we recommend these articles:
http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/29/personal.brand.internet/index.html
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/10/brandyou.html
Branding Packages
April 11, 2010 by Stacey Pokluda · 1 Comment
Brand\brand\ n. is a name, sign, symbol, slogan or anything that is used to identify and distinguish a specific product, service, individual or business. Careful brand management seeks to make the product or services relevant to the target audience.
At Integrated PR, we use various tools to build and establish brand identity. In early days, TV was the most effective brand building tool. Nowadays, the internet is the most effective tool. In January 2010, Nielsen ratings confirmed the amount of time the average person spent on Facebook was more than seven hours per month, which amounts to more than 14 minutes per day. The Internet has made it easier than ever to reach out to your target audience. Blogging and social networking are powerful and readily accessible ways to promote yourself.
Your online presence should reflect what you do as well as your personal style. It takes only three to five seconds to make a first impression, but it can take a whole career to undo it. Your business cards, website/ blog, press kit, Linked In Profile, Facebook Profile, Twitter Profile and YouTube Channel should all be reflective of your brand.
What’s equally important as creating a good first impression is controlling the content that’s out there. It’s not just big brands that deal with reputation management anymore. We custom design and fully manage client’s official website with social media integration as a turnkey solution for promoting your business, product or career.
Below are some packages we’ve put together to help you build your brand identity. We have a team of amazing designers who are available to help you with customization. Feel free to contact stacey@integrated-pr.com to discuss what might be the best solution for you.
Online Branding Accelerated Package
- Includes custom built site (Wordpress or Yggle)
- MySpace/ YouTube/ Twitter/ Email Template/ Facebook Fan Page Banner or Splash Page designed to match your website
Online Branding Starter Package
- Includes Wordpress site (limited themes & graphics)
- MySpace/ YouTube/ Twitter/ Email Template/ Facebook Fan Page Banner or Splash Page designed to match your website
Social Media Package
- Custom MySpace template to match your website
- Custon YouTube template to match your website
- Custom Twitter template to match your website
- Custom Email template to match your website
- Facebook Fan Page Banner or Splash Page designed to match your website
Branding Starter Package
- Logo Design
- Biz Cards
- Flyer template
- Poster template
Check out Ralphie May’s first style piece for Complex Magazine!
April 1, 2010 by Stacey Pokluda · 2 Comments
Street Detail: Ralphie in Nashville
11:54 am | Thursday, April 1st, 2010
NAME: Ralphie
AGE: 38
OCCUPATION: Lover of the world!
HOME BASE: Los Angeles and Nashville
SHIRT: Mighty Big Man
SUNGLASSES: Prada
PANTS: Calvin Klein
SHOES: Timberland Blue Jean Couture
What’s your must-have item for spring? Sunglasses.
What’s going to be the big spring trend? Gold Bond Powder. You’re gonna wear skinny jeans, and then wear two shirts on top? There’s too much moisture, playboy! Better get some Gold Bond. That’s gonna be the biggest accessory for these hipsters.
What sneaker style are you rocking this season? Prada. I like the sneakers, they’re comfortable, they’re made in Italy, so I don’t have to worry about slave labor.
Vote on whether today’s subject is “Stylin” or “Wildin” below…
Who/what inspires your style? I’m kind of a trendsetter, because there’s not that many hip fat guys out there, you know?
What city/country has the best style? I’d have to say Italy, having gone there because I wear a lot of Italian clothes.
Who has wack style? Rush Limbaugh. I mean, as a fellow fat guy, c’mon. You could step it up a notch. But he’s like ancient. And mean. I think that Seth Rogen has horrible, horrible style. He’s in shape, he looks great, there’s no reason for him to wear horrible clothes, and yet he always does.
What trend do you want to see die? Tight-pants dudes with camel toe. Dudes cannot have camel toe, all right? If you get pants that allow camel toe, you’re gonna regret it.
Last clothing item you purchased? I got a pair of Prada sneakers a week ago.
Most money you ever spent on a single item of clothing? $3500 on an Italian patent leather orange jacket that I wore on my comedy special Austin-Tatious.
What do chicks dig about your style? My cologne. I always smell good. I wear Versace aftershave, and it goes well with Allure Homme Edition Blanche Chanel cologne. They like the combination. It’s a unique scent and you can’t get it over the counter, if you mix it up like that.
What’s the most common statement people make about your style? “For a fat guy you look great.” And it’s like, “Damn! You gotta qualify it?”
What’s the item currently in your closet you most regret buying? I got a pink Polo knit collared shirt that I’m like, “What the fuck am I gonna wear this with?” I just look like a big-ass strawberry walking down the street in that son of a bitch, but I did it because I was gonna go play golf at this place in Arizona with some radio buddies of mine, and you had to have a collared shirt. I stopped by a fat guy store and I’m like, “All right, if I’m gonna have a collared shirt, I’m gonna get the most annoying collared shirt that they have.” Turned out I did.
What is your favorite city? New York. It’s a fun town, man.
What is your dream job? I’m a radio geek, and my dream job would be Artie Lang’s job on Howard Stern.
Who is your dream date? I’m married, so I mean, my dream date… is not with a lawyer! I like that chick Megan Fox, but her hands are creepy. Have you seen her hands? Jesus, what the fuck! She’s got like man hands. Easy on the eyes, tough on the hands!
Last book read? I reread Catcher in the Rye last week. I hadn’t read it in 20 years, and picked it back up and was like, “Wow, man. Why didn’t I fucking read this all the time?” It’s beautiful.
What is your trend-proof style advice for our readers? White shirt and blue jeans and boots.
To see it online, check out http://www.complex.com