Profectio

iPhone 4 Launch On Rogers Tomorrow, Are You Buying One?

Dave Forde — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:10:33 +0000

Rogers just added a new blog post to let folks know the Apple iPhone 4 will be available on their network tomorrow. Rogers will also offer special pricing for upgrades from earlier models.

Rogers iPhone 4 Offering

(from the blog post)
Return of special smartphone $30/6 GB plan
Effective July 30, and as a limited time promotional offer for smartphone customers who activate on a three-year contract, Rogers is offering 6GB of data for $30. This data plan can be added to any in-market voice plan before September 30, 2010.

Share with your family
Now that you’ve upgraded to iPhone 4, what do you do with your 3GS? Pass it on through our Family Share Plans and share minutes, messaging and data. Starting August 4, add additional voice and data lines for just $25 per month (plus Government Regulatory Recovery Fee) on a three-year term for up to five people!

*New* smartphone and iPad sharing plans
You’ve told us you love our in-market iPad plans and the ease of activation on Rogers – but some of you have asked for device sharing and we’ve listened. Starting July 30, and for a limited time until Sept. 30, customers on a 6 GB plan will be able to share data between iPhones and iPads for an extra $20 (plus Government Regulatory Recovery Fee). For details, visit a Rogers retail location.

Let’s hope this model will work for Canadians!

We Are Telus, “You Are Broke And Deadbeats”, States The TELUS Website

Dave Forde — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:19:38 +0000

According to a post on Techvibes yesterday, Canadaian telecommnications company TELUS made a slight “boo boo” yesterday. It seems the company made a derogatory statement on their website which was later removed:

[Consumer:] Why do I need a credit check?
[Telus:] You may be broke, therefore highly unlikely to pay your bill.
We just don’t want to lose money, you dead beat. You know how it is…

Got iPad App, Got Buyers?

Dave Forde — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:29:30 +0000

We’ve been seeing a lot of companies launch mobile apps over the last few months and now that the Apple iPad is finally made its way to Canada a number of organizations are jumping at the opportunity to launch their own app on the platform. Globe and Mail launched a free app for the iPad and time will tell whether it is a success or not. Apps such as the Globe’s are supported by advertising revenue, but a number of publishers have gone another route – paid apps. While consumers will continue to despise ads in the middle of their favourite content (radio, print, online, TV or movies) it is a here and probably here to stay. Organizations such as Major League Baseball have gone to a paid model for their app and it seems to be working!
Yesterday they announced that 100,000 iPad devices are now using the app and have paid $15 per download and purchase, which brings in over $1 million in revenue after Apple’s 30% cut. According to the MLB 40,000 people use the app on a daily basis which is a pretty low number but might be a good indication of what’s to come with apps, many will download them but few will actually use them once installed.

The Globe and Mail Launches iPad App, News On The Go

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:10:53 +0000

The Globe and Mail is joining other news organizations who have recognized the importance of giving your readers choice when it comes to delivering the news has announced the launch of their Apple iPad app which is available through iTunes or the Globe and Mail’s site for free.
The app provides readers with breaking news and analysis, a daily photo gallery and the ability to download content for offline reading. The app also includes feature content selected specifically for the iPad which will take advantage of the devices graphic capabilities and leverage the Globe’s daily photo gallery and feature content.

“The Globe and Mail continues to evolve products and news offerings to anticipate the needs of our readers and now with The Globe’s iPad app, we’re bringing the experience of The Globe and Mail directly to our readers at home, at work and on the go,” said Phillip Crawley, Publisher and CEO, The Globe and Mail. “Whether mobile readers, digital newspapers or traditional print products, The Globe and Mail delivers award-winning journalism into the hands, devices and browsers that are most relevant to our readers.”

The app was developed by Toronto-based Spreed Inc.

ING DIRECT Canada TAPS Dashboard As Interactive Agency Of Record

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:10:22 +0000

ING DIRECT Canada who has been very quick to leverage mobile apps has given the green light to Toronto-based Dashboard as their new interactive agency of record. Dashboard will provide strategic and creative interactive services to ING DIRECT. Dashboard will work to support the overall business, strategy, marketing and advertising objectives.

“With a proven track record and in-depth knowledge of our industry, Dashboard, is a valuable asset and a welcome addition to our team. Dashboard brings expert resources and strategic thinking to our business,” said Mark Nicholson, Head of Online Experience, ING DIRECT Canada. “We needed a partner who knows digital inside and out and Dashboard’s expertise is evident in our daily interactions with them. We’ve already begun working together on several campaigns and the partnership is certainly meeting our expectations.”

“We are thrilled to add ING DIRECT to our growing roster of excellent clients,” said Daryl Aitken, President, Dashboard. “ING DIRECT was one of the first digital marketers in Canada, essentially digital veterans, so they are ready to go to the next tier of digital presence that Dashboard delivers on time and time again. Our team is already at work doing smart and innovative work.”

ING DIRECT continues to evolve and offers various service to Canadians since its inception 13 years ago.

It is Official, Rogers Launch Chatr, Unlimited Talk And Text Plans Hit Canada

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:44:37 +0000

Well Canada has gone from having pretty much no competition in the wireless sector with only three major providers to now a slew of choices. Today marks the official launch of another brand from Rogers called Chatr which we’ve covered over the last few weeks. The launch makes a direct play against other new competitors WIND Mobile and Mobilcity.

Chatr Wireless has launched in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa, with Montreal to follow, and would offer an unlimited talk plan for $35 and an unlimited talk-and-text plan for $45. Since it is a discount brand, no contracts or handset subsidies will be offered and , and is offering a variety of cheap cellphones, some as low as $60.

Prior to the launch, WIND Mobile was offering chatr and Rogers customers a $150 credit if they switched over to WIND in anticipation for today’s launch and part of a number of promotional activities WIND Mobile has planned.

The new service will be very basic offering two options, a $35 (Unlimited Talk) and $45 per month (Unlimited Talk & Text) and payment can be done through AutoPay (monthly credit card bill) or Self Pay (pay as you go).

WIND Mobile Says, We Welcome Chatr Wireless, Bring On The Competition, No Whammies

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:39:47 +0000

Now that Rogers new Chatr Wireless is officially hear WIND Mobile continues to celebrate with a number of promotional activities. Today Anthony Lacavera, Chairman of Globalive and WIND Mobile and Ken Campbell, CEO of WIND Mobile were hand in downtown Toronto at Yonge & Dundas where were selling “fair priced” hot dogs for one dollar (a reference to their TV commercial featuring a hot dog cart) see video below:

So it looks like WIND Mobile is serious about offering Canadians “No Whammies” and is ready to say “Let’s Make A Deal”

Transcontinental Delivers Streetcar Updates For Toronto Transit Commission

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:59:33 +0000

While the TTC is looking for a solution to deliver cell service to the train’s underground Transcontinental has announced it will be providing a text messaging service for Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) customers to receive up-to-the-minute arrival times for streetcar routes. Using their cellphone or other wireless device, transit riders text the five-digit stop number specific to their stop to 898882 (TXTTTC) and seconds later, a text message is sent back to them with the arrival times of upcoming streetcars, determined by Global Positioning Systems (GPS.)

This text messaging service to deliver next vehicle arrival predictions to a mobile device was developed by LIPSO (a company Transcontinental acquired earlier this year).

“The TTC is the third largest public transit system in North America servicing some 4.5 million people in the Greater Toronto Area,” said Christian Trudeau, President, Marketing Communications Sector, Transcontinental. “We’re thrilled that the mobile solution we’ve developed allows the TTC to provide its customers the timely, accurate information they need to help them get where they want to be.”

Transcontinental’s LIPSO has also developed mobile solution used by CBC/Radio-Canada and Groupe Dynamite (Garage and Dynamite brands), among others.

Score Media Releases iPad App, Offers Exclusive Video Content

Dave Forde — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:50:09 +0000

Score Media Inc. launched their first Apple iPad app this week, theScore iPad Edition is now available free for download from iTunes or the The Score’s site and offers uses the latest stats, news, scores and standings from every major sports league.

“It took Apple only 80 days to sell 3 million iPads worldwide and with the exception of iPhone 4, that is faster than any other iDevice it’s sold in the past. The iPad is yet another disruptive device that will transform how people consume and share content,” says Jonathan Savage, Vice President, Digital, Score Media Inc. He adds, “We believe theScore iPad Edition is the best sports app for iPad on the market, period. And just like ScoreMobile, our leading mobile property, it’s free, fast and fundamental to sports fans anywhere.”

theScore iPad Edition will also exclusive offer users Original digital video segments available from Score Media web shows such as The Break and The Footy Show, a news program and podcast dedicated to covering all of the latest soccer news and highlights. The app will also deliver content from Cabral “Cabbie” Richards, a Score Media report as well asthe NBA web show, The Basketball Jones.

“theScore iPad Edition takes advantage of all the great features the iPad has to offer and leverages its native performance and flexible web views,” says Jeff Brenner, Co-Founder, NuLayer. “It’s an awesome app that provides a socially-integrated way to explore the sports world. Fans are going to love it.”

Event Review: Cross Media Toronto

Taia Postolati — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:48:51 +0000

The good news is last week Cross Media conference finally landed in Toronto, the bad news is it took organizers and fellow Canadians, JumpWire (New Yorker Gavin McGarry excluded ) a few years and several international pit stops to come back home! But I’m not going to go into the state of Canadian tech center here; it was worth the wait for Cross Media T.O.
Jumpwire’s president and the evening’s moderator Gavin kept the evening well paced in pert style, presenting a total of 13 speakers including case studies from Steve Pratt – Director CBC Radio 3, CBC Radio 3 & Siobhan O’Flynn – PhD, Transmedia Consultant, Narrative Now. A debate on the future of Advertising from Colleen DeCourcy – Former Chief Digital Officer for TBWA Worldwide & Richard Bernstein – S.V.P. Managing Director, Arc Worldwide, A Leo Burnett Company . A panel discussion featuring Sabrina Geremia – Head of Agency Relations, Google Canada , Chris Van Noy – Chief Strategist, Akamai , Lisa Charters – SVP Director Digital, Random House of Canada Limited , Michael Schmalz – President, Digital Extremes Ltd. & Pete Watson – Senior Business Development Manager: Consumer Partners, Research In Motion Limited (RIM) / BlackBerry . And a showcase of 3 young cross media startups Douglas Edwards – CEO, ES3, Adrian Carter – Director, Producer and Creative Director, Shark Teeth Films & Jacob Blackstock – CEO, Creative Director and Lead Designer, Bitstrips. Several presenters started their digital companies at MaRs Center, where the conference was held.
There’s a lot of talk these days about what it means to be a cross-media brand or product, and too little in the way of action. Is it having a Face Book page for your business? No. Is it having the most downloadable app? Not really. But imagine pushing the boundaries between where traditional media ends and digital media begins.

What is cross media?

Compliments other channels by driving engagement across platforms
Leveraging the unique functionality and audience reach of digital media channels, like web, social and mobile to improve traditional media reach and relevance
Changing audience engagement patterns with traditional media like radio, tv and print
Using digital measurement capabilities as a barometer of traditional media reach

How do you become cross media brand?

Start to think cross-channel at first stages of campaign conceptualization
Send out the creative brief to all channels
Engage traditional/digital media channels simultaneously
Ensure every media channel adds engagement value and instead of simply duplicating the message

How can you turn traditional media brand in to a cross media experience?

Strip your product to its core audience value, the reason audiences come to you
Look at where else in digital media does your audience go to gain this value
Take your brand to the new media with full product functionality
Replicate your audiences’ digital media consumption pattern with your product

The secret of every good chef is to leave his guests wanting more, and Gavin’s cooked up a great dish. As the evening progressed with fast pace and quick changes it became clear how much more each speaker had to contribute and this left the audience wanting more. The conference does continue with a hands on media strategy workshop, called Hive, being held in Toronto in September and designed to help anyone who is interested apply cross-media practices to their brand with the help of some of the conferences’ expert speakers. Look forward to next year’s Corss Media event, great work JumpWire.

Profectio

iPhone 4 Launch On Rogers Tomorrow, Are You Buying One?

Rogers iPhone 4 Offering

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We Are Telus, “You Are Broke And Deadbeats”, States The TELUS Website

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Got iPad App, Got Buyers?

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The Globe and Mail Launches iPad App, News On The Go

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ING DIRECT Canada TAPS Dashboard As Interactive Agency Of Record

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It is Official, Rogers Launch Chatr, Unlimited Talk And Text Plans Hit Canada

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Event Review: Cross Media Toronto

What is cross media?

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How can you turn traditional media brand in to a cross media experience?

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