From worrying over divided attention to leveraging the potential of the portable screen, marketers have started linking the ‘second screen’ (tablets and mobile phones) with the ‘first screen’ (TV) to raise levels of engagement.

“The second screen can turn TV viewing into a shared experience, enable fans to go deeper into the story world, allow instant follow-up on a call to action, extend a message beyond the limits of 30 seconds—and the list goes on,” says Ann Mack, director of trendspotting for JWT.

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Listening to CEO and co-founder Ben Silbermann describe how he abandoned plans to become a medical practitioner to found Pinterest, it is easy to forget that every novel, differentiated idea that takes the limelight also comes with a risk—overhype.

Google looks like it could be following Amazon and opening a retail store. Unlike Amazon Google is reported to be planning to open its store in Europe.

We wrote earlier this week about how Amazon was planning to open its first Kindle store taking a leaf out of Apple’s book. Read More »

Amazon.com is to take a leaf out of Apple’s (e)book as the world’s largest online retailer looks set to open its first retail store in Seattle focusing on the Kindle.

Like Apple’s hugely success and styling stores Amazon is going to use them to give a more hands on support and help to shoppers who are snapping up its e-reader Kindle products. Read More »

Please someone speak to Amazon about its ads and its use of leggy models and bikini clad babes. Amazon’s latest TV ad for its Kindle Fire tablet features Spanish model Karme Boixadera stretching her long legs in New York City where she apparently finds a package on a doorstep (at this point, we don’t know if its hers, but really who leaves an Amazon package on a doorstep in any city!!). Read More »

You’ve already heard my views on the subtle ways that realtime media, user-generated content and networks are fundamentally changing the world of journalism. As digital technology weaves its way into every part of our lives, it’s also starting to drastically change consumer behaviour – and with it, the industries and products around us.

The publishing industry has seen some dramatic changes over the past year, and that shows few signs of slowing down in 2012. A few years ago, it was simple – books were published by publishing houses, we bought them from bookshops or online retailers such as Amazon and the author was paid a small royalty for every sale. It was a formula that worked on a basic level.

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Procter & Gamble has launched six new Facebook stores for its  Tide, Gillette, Olay, Gain, CoverGirl, Luvs and Febreze brands.

It follows the launch of a pilot store last year selling a mix of 29 P&G products, which it did in association with Amazon. Interesting move, but you have to wonder why it hasn’t tweaked its offer on Facebook to have some point of difference for fans. Read More »

This will make you feel old…or not. A great infograhic (of sorts) from Tumblr blog WhentheWhat, which dedicated to hand drawn timelines.

This one details the dawn of the web and when some of the most important internet firms were founded back in the early 1990s when Margaret Thatcher had not long left office and the Stone Roses second album was still eagerly awaited. Yahoo!, Drudge, eBay, Hotmail and Craigslist are all there. Others are gone. Read More »

You’ve probably read the articles here and there about how social commerce is set to be one of the big trends of 2011. I’ve heard from lots agencies who are working on projects with clients to try Facebook stores.

So far this year we’ve already seen fashion brands Asos.com and French Connection open stores on Facebook and now FMCG giant Heinz is getting in on the action selling Ketchup on Facebook. Read More »

It is being reported that Google is planning to launch an unlimited subscription service for movies and is considering starting it in the UK first to avoid stiff US competition from Amazon and Netflix.

Google is said to have been in talks with Hollywood studios for months and will look to launch in the UK before expanding to the US. Read More »