Rui Nunes's thoughts and ideas

I'm the Country Manager of MediaResponse™ Group, responsible for developing our major online marketing brands to evolve at the Portuguese Market.

My primary goal with this blog is to be of value to you with my experience and insights as well to be open to your questions and different approaches. Feel free to ask me anything! ;-)

When less is more - Ommwriter Product Strategy

I'm testing this new application named Ommwriter for Mac.
It's a very simple yet exquisite and invaluable platform to express ideas. The main thing is why it was made for Macintosh platforms instead of Windows OS?

Of course, the main designers of the project may love Mac platforms or program better on Cocoa, whatever. But, they're not programming this for their-selves, even if they've done just that at the beginning. They're programing this for people like me. Like you. 
So, why is it that they choose a secondary platform instead of the world giant? Scared of competition? No. I didn't speak to them personally, but I'm pretty sure that they have a well designed strategy and its pretty obvious.

They've designed it for Mac platforms because of the target people. This program is based on simplicity, cleanness and design. What else comes to mind as an operating system when we think on these words? Apple Macintosh products. But it's not all.
In this platform they encounter people with the same values and interests for such a product. Also, they find people used to buy software. The PC users just download cracked versions or free programs. It's very hard to sell simple software on PC market, because people don't buy it. They don't treasure software because normally is free.

On the other hand, Mac people don't mind to pay for simple yet practical stuff like this app. The medium price range for systems like this is 30€ to 50€ when sold separately and not in a bundle. This one is still on beta version so is free for people to test it, report bugs and more importantly to talk about it like I do. Still, someday should be a payable app, and I'm loving it.

In short, nowadays we shouldn't go for the masses unless you've got a product intended to be. But in very segmented niches we can find a very profitable business even because you don't have to advertise it so much. Word gets around... If you have a Mac and like to write without distractions, then download Ommwriter.

By the way, I have no special interest or was payed to do this so called advertising to the product. I just done that because I loved it, just as things should be.

Who said that Matures where not online?

I encounter this kind of myth every time a mature products marketer looks at me with superior knowledge and claims that their target audience is still dumb and info-excluded.

If they want to communicate with this audience massively they choose those soap opera's commercial breaks or those TV boring programs that they watch all day long. Actually, partially they're right. Not the dumb part, obviously, since we only wish to have their life knowledge and experience. The best part is that someday we will ;-). But I understand that a big chunk of their target is still reached by these old strategies.
But, let's make a wake up call to all the marketers. And I say all...
The demographic and life expectancy has changed. People are living longer, they're educated, they're active, they have pension plans and make business investments as well. The paradigm has been breached. They don't spend their time in front of a TV or Radio. They don't sit still and wait to be bombarded by you. They search their interests and believe me when I say, that you'll be surprised about some of those. From making skydiving to visit exotic places, or venture on a new business.
So, why some general products should only communicate online to a defined target of 25 to 45 years old? Or even don't communicate mature products online because they should not be online? They should be in front of a TV.
Come out and see the brand new era. They are out there. They are visiting the same sites, or niche sites, based on their specific and personal interests. And you need to know how to communicate with these people all over again.
According with this study, and you can search for a lot more, the senior and mature target are prolific e-mailers and online shoppers.
People aged 65 and older have a big online activity. Just see the figures:
  • 94% use email in regular basis.
  • 77% shop online.
  • 71% search health and medical information.
  • 70% read news.
  • 59% manage their finances and banking online.
Wow... Now, what are you and your company doing about it? Waiting for the competition moves?
See this study that includes baby-boomers (ages 45 - 64) and the trend is more impressive.
You need to keep up with the trend and be one step ahead. Not behind it.
Please, share with me the strategies or comments you have implemented or under way to succeed at this endeavor.

Posted via email from ruinunes's thoughts and ideas

Twitter isn't losing growth... just the opposite!

Icon_twitter
People are analyzing twitter statistics and already claiming twitters death. As claimed e-mail marketings death.
How wrong... again!

Twitter isn't losing usage and growth. On the contrary. What's happening it's a transition from the web version to the apps version.
Let's face it... Using twitter through their pages it's a pain. Seesmic Web Version is so much better... and Loic (Seesmic founder) has just posted an article mentioning an increasing growth by 30%/month. It's huge.
The fact is, savvy people are using the app's versions. Why? Because it's more convenient, more powerful to keep track and filter the huge following lists by topics and keywords. The functionalities are extremely better through the apps than through twitters web version.
That's the reason. It's not a decline. It's an adaptation...

Biggest waves I've ever seen.

(download)

Great waves at Zambujeira do Mar

One good graph can define an entire essay or book

Now and then we see some graphs very powerful that can define and explain an entire essay or book about a subject.
But this can't be obtain without some very hard work and know-how to do it right.

One of the most experienced and proven gurus of this subject is Phillip Kotler. As you know, people know him best for the nickname "Marketing's Father". But, nevertheless, he could be such marketing guru and not making so wonderful inspiring graphs... but he does.
He has made the synoptic list of guidelines for the previous century marketing as the 4 P's: "Product, Price, Placement (distribution) and Promotion".

Now he define's the new Marketing 3.0 version as this graph:
Phil_kotler_marketing_3
This picture was taken by Guy Kawasaki (all rights to him) founder of Alltop project and you can see his post right here.

As Guy Kawasaki suggested is very interesting to check how Chris Brogan has converted the original 4P's to Social Marketing.

No more

Media_httpfarm1staticflickrcom146405173234a9932b9c30jpg_zefcheywgeknmbm
For several months, I've been updating my blog with content in several languages. But it hasn't been very practical since it takes too much time to translate in every single language, and the online translators give a poor job automating it. So, to post more regularly I've come to a final decision: I'm going to post only in English. After conferencing with my friends and colleagues, @scooterpt and @pgcandeias it has become clear that updating in Portuguese, Spanish and English was not productive. Even because, my usual users understand English. So... from now on, it's going to be only in English. If you anything to say, feel free to use the form bellow.

Google or not to Google... that's the question!

So, who's right?
Rupert Murdoch has started this quarrel about having or not Google indexing their news sites. Then Jason Calacanis backed it up with his vision and try to blink an eye to Microsoft's Bing. So, there's Michael Arrington's turn to try revert the situation from search to content.
Some say that this is going to be an open opportunity for other Fox Group competitors to embrace the news search traffic rank left by the Murdoch's bunch. Others say that this is the way to break Google's advantage and charge for their content. Calacanis uses the expression "kill Google" very often... It's not coincidence that his last Mahalo.com communication said that he's competing directly with Google.
But can a news search blocked indexing really pinch on Google's domain? It depends. If the other publishers agree with Murdoch and also limit their indexation, it can mean some diminish for Google's search results, specially in quality. On other hand it can be the breakthrough for the digital information centers, bloggers, twitters and social search to gain more relevance.
Almost every day people say that they receive the information at press and traditional media way out of time. Today's news at TV, Press, Radio and Magazines it's yesterdays Digital History. 

But let's see the other end. If Google don't negotiate and the biggest media and information groups join forces with Bing, then it can create a niche sector that can be very valuable for Microsoft.
It's hard to define and realize all implications, because we're talking about massive businesses.

In my point of view, this is going to mostly benefit the small content providers. Google is and will be for a good time the prime search system of the world. So, the instant effect of the publishers actions won't reflect immediately. However, it can have medium/long term influence.

(download)

Lisbon Upload 2.0 Event

Media_httpruinunescomwpcontentuploads200911uploadpng_idiaozdnhegcdal
I am sure I'm a little out of timing when most of the people involved (participants and spectators) have published something about what was more or less achieved.

But it's interesting, because I like the reactions during the event and then afterwards with widely differing views.

Therefore, this is my reaction and my impersonation of the Gato Fedorento's sketch about Prof. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa that appeared in the presentation of Rodrigo Moita de Deus:

1. The event was positive? Yes.

2. Could have gone better? It could.

3. But it was worth it to go? Yes.

4. The portfolio of speakers could have been better? It could.

5. But justifying the presence in a rainy Saturday? Some say yes.

6. The speakers have put some effort on it? Not all.

7. Deserved an applause? Deserved.

8. Viewers had corresponded? No.

9. Viewers should have intervened with more value to the discussion? Absolutely.

10. The panel twittergrid exposed at the event to follow the hashtag of twitts was good idea? No.

11. The panel twits should be applied to a more educated and professional audience? Yes.

12. It should be moderated by the organizers of the panel twitter exposed in the event? No.

13. For thus lost the sense? Exactly.

So recapping ...

1. The event was positive? Yes.

2. Could have gone better? It could.

3. But it was worth it to go? Yes.

4. The next event will be better? Yes.

5. Someone has had enough of this cheap copy and meaningless of the Gato Fedorento sketch of Prof. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa? I do.

Now more seriously, I have to confess that for the audience with a little luggage and know-how on the subject, it meant very little. Because, nothing new was discussed. But it was great to make some networking, meeting new people, reviewing others, feeling the absence of some ...

Of all the interventions I had the opportunity to see, I was very pleased with the demonstration of Armando Alves Web Strategist at FullSIX Portugal. Very complete and rich in content. Original and demonstrating that it was designed by a professional with a lot of baggage. I also liked the collection of data and presentation of Sergio Bastos which needs to be follow closely. Although he should bet in a more relaxed attitude and confidence, his work has proved to be the most complete and valuable at the event.

Just one more note to the presentation of Daniel Caeiro and Flávia Paluello of Torke of 2.0 that was relaxed and irreverent. Touched points that I consider very important and the fact that the brands still don't know how to seriously work with social networks, without the support of this new generation which makes everything so natural. I just don't share the enthusiasm about their action so-called "guerrilla marketing" to take by "assault" the Hi5 social system with fake profiles to put a profile photo with the logo of MySpace. I like Torke's innovation and irreverence in its essence, but there are certain procedures that should not be exceeded. Especially when involved brands take years to implement.

To the organizers, just my note of appreciation for the courage and the effort designed to break barriers and to organize events that should have more support and be cherished. Just a mention to the twitter panel on stage that should have been thought in another way. In fact, we must interact using these innovations but who knows if instead of directed to the public, were to be read by speakers on their own monitors so they could interact with them and not be distracted by the contained laughter of the audience which many of them dare to certain comments since they were to be published on the wall and hence the appeal to the individual ego.

In any case: Was it worth it? Undoubtedly yes.  

Google acquisition of AdMob is set to rule the mobile advertising business?

According to a poll made by ClickZAdMob being acquired by Google is translated as a dominant seller of mobile display advertising.

Screenshot made as I voted (11/11/09 at 09:36 GMT):
Screen_shot_2009-11-11_at_9

So, this means that Google is making their best to prevail as the leading online advertising medium in the world. What's doing their competitors? Sleeping under the palm tree?
This was a to buy enterprise since a few months ago. Apparently, with good time to make a strategic buy.

All

(download)

All miscellanous...