I could attempt to try to describe this Hallmark “Tell Them” campaign. But all you need to do is watch this commercial. Come on, it’s only 30-seconds. Watch it-

And here’s the Facebook App we helped develop and launch this week:

The most notable innovation about this project?

50% of the 845+ million active monthly Facebook users browse the social network via an “App”. Meaning- they use a smartphone to do it. Not a desktop computer. Until recently, the Facebook App did not let users view “Page Tabs” or FBML/iFramed pages. Most Pages today, when you click links from Pages on your News Feed you’re redirected to the Wall. However, in Dec/January 2012 Facebook released capabilities to select preferred developers to allow for mobile optimization. Very few brands and businesses have taken advantage of this feature since it’s so new.

…our DEG CSS ninjas pulled it off!

http://inv.lv/z3WkU7 <<– click on this with your iPhone or Android phone. You’ll notice the same desktop, full browser experience- on mobile, using iOS or Android!

Please make your vow- and take it for a test-drive …and be sure to watch for the national TV campaign (now through Valentines Day) that exclusively has a TV end-frame driving traffic to our Facebook App!
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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

A few days later I got an email from Google asking to feature it on a few of their Gmail blogs/SoMe. Check it out! (btw, if you want to buy these gmail stickers you can here)

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

‎**my apologies- i mistakenly read the Speed Test App numbers when I filmed this as “megabytes” and it’s actually megabits**

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

Read any digital marketing or social media blog or publication in the past year- chances are you’ll come across articles featuring or highlighting the social influence scoring system Klout. They’re positioned as a influence measurement platform that makes it easy to identify whom is influential online (this is measured by analyzing: RT, mentions, Facebook comments/likes, Google +1′s etc.).

Typically, to see Klout scores for any given person- you have to go to Klout.com/[INSERT-NAME-HERE] (or tools like CoTweet have plugins built in to see scores). However, I came across this nifty plugin that was developed at Klout’s own internal hackathon. This allows you to see the scores on Twitter.com right next to each Tweet like this:

Yeah- pretty slick isn’t it?! I think so.

You can download and grab the plugins here:

• Chrome Klout Extension
• Firefox Klout Add-on Extension

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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

Working closely with the client- we determined that one strategic objective for this project was understanding that the blog can be a channel- that (with the right content and outreach/distribution) can demonstrate enduring relevance (past and present) as helpful experts around the topics and services regarding taxes.

The graphics used, copy & text, and functional features we built into the blog were all strategic- in order to best communicate with design elements of “trust”, “innovation”, and “relevance” regarding the brand.

…so go ahead and take the blog for a test-drive. Feel free to look around and ask me questions if you’d like in the comments  http://blogs.hrblock.com

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

Here are the 5 devices I highlighted in the interview:

1.) Dell XPS 13 – “Ultrabook”

2.) HTC Titan 2 – Smartphone

3.) Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga – Laptop

4.) simple TV

5.) i’m watch

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

(and they didn’t pay me to write that hahaha )

the concept + context of the experience for this video is the end result of what happens when customers scanned a QR code in a magazine or at a retail store (that was our project assignment). the idea here was to acknowledge the fact the customer scanned a QR code, then SHOW them how the boot in their hand is tear resistant, water resistant, puncture resistant AND can take the heat!

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

It’s also interesting to note the biggest technology companies on the planet do not show up to CES: Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google and soon Microsoft. They have followed suit with Apple- hold your own private event, control and contain the announcement(s) on your terms and turf <– yet they are at CES because all of these companies are “in” the devices.

I think CES has become less relevant- because technology innovation has shifted more to the software side (the cloud + software as a service). Over the recent years, many of the biggest announcements at CES were just for Apps and services. And that shift has illustrated that it’s less about the hardware. This is because the death of the spec has set in. No longer does only the “biggest, fastest, and lightest” win consumers over. Consumers want devices that perform the best, have a digital ecosystem around it (apps and content), and is priced right. The average person simply asks of their electronic devices, “I want it to be easy and I just want it to work”.

Make no mistake- the show is still important to many retailers and device manufactures. Companies still need to sell their products to retailers and take orders (many people forget, a ton of business takes place at CES).

I don’t think CES should go away. And I don’t think it will shut down. However, it’s already transitioned to being less of “the exclusive” and first place to debut electronics- and more of what it ultimately is, just a trade show.

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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

Copy and paste this 1-line of code:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ^TS</p>&mdash; Twitter API (@twitterapi) <a href="PUT-THE-TWEET-URL-HERE"></a></blockquote>

*Please note, you need to copy this on the HTML editor not the Visual tab

The result should look like this:

^TS

— Twitter API (@twitterapi)

Pretty slick huh? Tell your blogger friends- or better yet, click the RT button above

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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

• “1.2 billion apps were downloaded in the last week of December”
• “Looking forward to 2012, Flurry expects breaking the one billion download barrier per week”
• “Google confirmed that more than 3.7 million Android devices were activated over the Christmas weekend.”
• “6.8 million new iOS and Android devices activated on Christmas Day alone, 353% increase.”
• On Christmas Day alone, people downloaded an estimated 10 million apps per hour.

And I shared this study recently…

— Twitter API (@twitterapi)

What does this all mean?

First and foremost- this doesn’t mean if you’re a brand or business you need to go design and create an App. Stop. Do not assume it’s as easy to think if you invest money in building an app- “they will come (or even use it)”. There are over 500,000+ Apps in iOS, and 400,000+ in Android Market ← it’s a very crowded space

It’s also important to understand there is a distinct difference between the need to develop an App and building a mobile optimized website (and significant cost difference for upkeep). A careful needs assessment should be done to evaluate if an App is really necessary.

I suggest to first ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve first. Are you creating a resource, utility, function or broadly helpful tool? Or are you just repurposing the content from your company website? Asking a user to download an App is not only a hurdle from an awareness perspective (they have to know it exists) but from a user experience standpoint- unless the utility or content you provide is high, the user may not even do it.

Think about if you- yourself would download your own App? Or why you would visit your own business or brand website? What functional/practical expectations do you would need to exist?

From a mobile design perspective, always keep in mind the context of their users visit is from their phone ← it’s very different than full desktop browsing. and knowing someone has a phone in their hand is helpful- it should narrow the focus on features and navigation options (you know more context than you do with a website: they have a mobile phone in their hand- and you can use hardware features to detect location and customize content and the experience). the golden rule: mobile forces you to focus on only the most important data and actions (top tasks needed to be accomplished).

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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

2011 was the Digital Music Cloud Revolution

2011 marked the year that digital music made it’s giant leap to the cloud. Services like Spotify, iTunes Match, Google Music, Amazon Cloud, and MOG provide 2 types of digital options for users:

1- digital “locker” music storage
2- unlimited music streaming

And the reality is this is more than just “the next big thing”. The revolution is happening now. Over 2.5 million+ people are paying for premium streaming music on Spotify today (and that’s just 1 of the services…)

YouTube is the new MTV

More people are turning off MTV and turn to YouTube for their music. Nielsen conducted a study that found that more people watch music on YouTube than download it. Turns out, audio streaming is actually more popular than legal digital downloads.

…but our kids won’t get it

We need to understand that Digital Natives will not understand the same concept of what it’s like to own a physical copy of music. They won’t understand what we mean when tell them how hard it is (was) to try to pick and tear open the clear wrapping on a new CD. Moreso, they won’t care either because they won’t see the value in a physical disc or even a .MP3 file.

It begs the question: why do we need to own copies of our music? Only us old-timers carry the nostalgic baggage of needing wanting to own a physical copy of our music. But the question is why? Is there any real need to have a physical copy? Both the cloud and streaming services offer temporary “offline download storage and sync” so you can still listen to your favorite music or playlists even when you don’t have 3G or WiFi. Digital Darwinism has changed music for both consumers and the industry- it’s a disruption and evolution.

Chances are you’re already carrying your phone or are at a computer with you when you want to listen to music. So why do we need to carry CDs or even an iPod with you?

The definition of “owning” our music- has changed.

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I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

note: you can disable group messaging (<--scroll down on that link)

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

While we were there- we were lucky enough to walk over when a few of the lions were “talking to each other”. This is crazy to hear IRL! Watch and listen.

From left to right (below) that’s a tiger, liger, and a lion!

I was amazed at how gorgeous the tigers were up close…

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

This is what iMovie looks like in the iPhone. I shot this video blog only using the front-cam + iMovie to edit <– so you can see what a single iPhone can do, it’s not amazing- but it does the trick –> http://youtu.be/ztetXlbRW2Y?hd=1

The video blog is a preview of a new restaurant opening here in Kansas City at the Country Club Plaza called Seasons 52. It’s not local- but still an interesting concept: everything on the menu is under 475 calories. The atmosphere is a perfect “date place” (but not exactly on-the-cheap) runs $25-$69 per person for lunch/dinner. They have 100+ wines, 20 by the glass. Seasons 52 opens in Kansas City on November 7th.

Here’s the video blog i shot with the front-camera on the new iPhone 4S:

These photos were also taken with the new iPhone 4S:

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

My thoughts? So no iPhone 5. But it’s now on Sprint! And the iPhone 4S + iOS5 + iCloud is awesome. Photogs and @instagram lovers, the new camera on the #iPhone 4S is incredible. It’s faster (1.1 sec), 8-megapixels, f/2.4 aperture, sharper. It’s amazing the expectations Apple has set for themselves when they release a phone. No iPhone 5, but this is the best cell phone ever made. So why no #iPhone 5? I think the hardware isn’t there yet. And they need to figure out mobile payment. When they do, then we’ll get iPhone 5. I think Apple will keep a close eye on the wins / failures of Google Wallet, then steal best of breed and put it in the #iPhone 5. BTW, I’m shocked @Sprint PR/CC has nothing on Sprint.com or http://newsroom.sprint.com RE: iPhone. On Twitter they’re sending people to Apple.com. Shocking they’re missing such an opportunity here.

Here’s the official Apple commercial for the new iPhone 4S:

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I’ve been a HUGE fan of this new iPhone app called HDR Pro, that takes some amazing pictures. Check out the one i took at the top with my phone:

And I’m also obsessed with another iPhone photo app called 360. Look at the stitched/panoramic photos i shot with my iPhone:

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

btw, Pat (who works with me at @digitalev) was behind the camera and did all the edits <– which i think he did awesome!

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

BTW, my mic + audio got jacked, so you’ll noticed i had to re-dub the last parts of the audio on the later cuts in video. [sigh]

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen

We just launched a new Facebook giveaway app for Title Boxing (a client). Here are 3 learnings I wanted to share given the many clients we work with for these types of promotions. 3 tips to keep in mind when developing a giveway or contest:

1.) The “5-second rule” applies.
When deciding on a contest or giveaway, it should take less than 5-seconds to understand what it is and how to enter. “Clever” isn’t always the most effective. And far too often in the boardrooms and those posh marketing conference rooms people get caught up in complicated promotions. The attention span of a user on Facebook is much lower than the average user. Facebook is inherently designed for media snacking, so a contest that takes time and work is typically less successful. Rule of thumb: make it simple and tell them in words how “easy it is to enter”.

2.) Ask for their email address.
Giveaways and contests are highly effective email acquisition tactics. We believe you have to “give to get”. And customers are ok with this. So make the [email address] field required. Also, the information you require on the form should be dependent upon the minimum amount of data you need to segment and take action on from an email and CRM perspective. Don’t get greedy and ask for more. Remember my advice from Rule #1.

Also, in compliance with Facebook Promotions Guidelines, you cannot use Facebook to notify winners, such as by sending them a message, chat, or wall post alerting them to their win. So having their email address is vital.

3.) When you build it, they won’t enter.
Just because you build an amazing contest or giveaway app, it doesn’t mean hundreds or thousands of people will flock to enter. Cascade and flex your digital channels (email, website, twitter, facebook) with a drip roll-out to drive traffic, stimulate buzz, and attention about contest. Bonus Tip: one of the best promotional strategies for a giveaway or contest is to work with influential bloggers or existing communities to push and support the promotion <– coorindate this prior to the launch

I like to Tweet about tech: http://twitter.com/rm And you can friend me: http://facebook.com/ramseymohsen