Facebook and the consumer/brand connection is a revolution: online expert

By Keri Algar 

SYDNEY, NSW: It’s not news, it’s a matter of fact: social media impacts brand awareness and opinions, according to the latest Nielsen report which says almost three quarters of Australians are “tapping” into other consumers’ opinions as seen on social media sites.

The increased facility social media sites, such as Facebook, offer consumers and brands to interact – whether with complaints or compliments – is allowing brands unique (and often affordable) market research insight and is simultaneously offering consumers greater brand transparency.

It is a revolution in terms of consumer and brand connections, said Melanie Ingrey, director of market research at Nielsen Online. Ingrey said Australian consumers are increasing their engagement with social commerce and “this decade’s favourite site – Facebook”.

“Social media has truly been a revolution for online Australians with the most common activity, (done by 73 per cent of online Australians) being tapping into other consumers’ opinions found on social media,” said Ingrey.

“It has been a revolution in the methods by which consumers can connect with brands, connect with other consumers to discuss brands, and source other consumers’ opinions about brands. 

“To keep pace with this revolution marketers have had to evolve. Social media has provided them with more customer touch points, more methods of content and communication distribution, and more information about customers and their preferences.

“While it has not yet revolutionised marketing, social media has certainly forced a revolution in the behaviours of consumers, and an evolution of the way marketers and providers interact with those consumers and distribute content.”

Aussies work more and play less

By Keri Algar (current.com.au)

SYDNEY, NSW: It comes as no surprise to many that analysts are predicting Australians will have less leisure time and work more thanks to racked up house related debt. What Aussies plan to do with their dwindling free time, however, might come as a shock.

Gone are the days of prawns on the barbie, according to industry analysts IbisWorld, who have listed using the internet and playing video games as Australian’s favourite pastimes. Yes, really.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, internet use – including social networking, web browsing, watching TV and movies online and online shopping – will continue to soak up more of our time as we head towards 2020,” said the IbisWorld report.

The good news for consumer electronics retailers is that video gaming is set to more than double its current industry revenue of $3.6 billion over the next ten years.

“The last decade has seen the market for video games shift from a young, male dominated audience towards an older and increasingly female demographic – with the average age of the Australian gamer now estimated at 30, and 45 per cent of all gamers being female.”

And of course by delving into the online world more each year, IbisWorld predicts the retail landscape will undergo a “significant cybershift by 2020”.

“In 2010 – 2011, IbisWorld expects online retail sales to grow by 5 per cent to $12.9 billion to account for about 3.4 per cent of Australia’s overall retail spending. By 2020 IbisWorld believes this could be in the range of 6  to 10 per cent, with growth spurred by increasing computer literacy, greater focus by e-tailers on the layout, efficiency, security and reliability of their websites, and continued shift towards online shopping by time-poor, cashed-up consumers.”

New Harvey Norman store, TerBorg comments

By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: Staff at the new Harvey Norman in Ipswich were run off their feet yesterday in a boxing day-like shopping frenzy after the store was opened by the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale.

The new store has been earmarked by the local community as the urgent shot in the arm needed to stimulate the commercial centre, which locals say is stagnant.

“There’s a lot of residential development going around in the area so it’s becomes necessary for the town and city centre to provide more services for people to access,” said Miriam TerBorg, who works near Ipswich. 

“It will keep people coming to Ipswich, because at the moment there are a lot of new supercenters going on around the outer suburbs, so in that respect it will keep the community alive, the Ipswich business centre alive and vibrant.”

Peter Savas, the store’s electrical appliance franchisee told Current.com.au that the opening day had gone “phenomenally well” and that there had been a lot of “ooohs and aaahs” from customers as they wandered about the 3066-square metre super centre.

Savas said they had not advertised sales prior to the opening but had offered some exceptional specials on the day including a 1-terabyte hard drive for $78 and toasters and kettles for $5.

As for other consumer electronics stores in the area that might feel the pinch, Savas said that they were probably a bit nervous and would step up their game, since Harvey Norman was always a “step up”.

Art house films, meet gamers

By Keri Algar

SYDNEY, NSW: Sony’s traditional gaming device, the PlayStation 3, has today opened itself up to a world of art house films that can be streamed from a web-based service called Mubi, giving consumers a very different reason to purchase a PS3.

Comedian Tom Gleeson hosted the unveiling last night, which he described as “flogging some software for Sony”, from the Chauvel Cinema in Sydney to a crowd where cinephiles by far outnumbered gamers. Gleeson was joined by actress Miranda Otto (Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings) and director Abe Forsythe (Shock, Being Carl Williams).

There are over 1 million PS3 users in Australia already, 63 per cent of which are connected to the PS network, according to Sony Entertainment MD Michael Ephraim. The clash of culture between art house film fans and gamers was batted aside by Ephraim who said broadening the potential audience can only be a good thing for Sony.

“We are excited to be partnering with such a unique and innovative film service, that will inspire our current fans and also bring a new community of film enthusiasts to the world of PlayStation,” said Ephraim. “Mubi is a fantastic addition to the PS3 on demand entertainment experience that stretches beyond great games and adds an exciting new layer to PlayStation Network’s film offering.”

Efe Cakarel, the charismatic creator of Mubi said the service would offer people the chance to watch films they could not otherwise find. “Bringing Mubi to PlayStation opens up the world of independent, foreign and classic films. It is about making great films fun and accessible, tearing away the mystique and letting members go on the most unexpected journeys,” said Cakarel in an exotic accent to match his name.

As well as a shot in the arm for the independent film industry, Mubi will widen the potential PS3 audience for Sony. As Cakarel said, “People will always pay for convenience and access.”

Downloading the Mubi app is free. Short films can be purchased for 7 days for RRP $1.75, feature-length films can be purchased for 7 days for RRP $6.25 or an unlimited 30-day subscription can be purchased for RRP $19.95. Mubi launched today in over 18 countries and is available to the 38 million PS3 units that have been sold globally.

LG asks Mark Webber to dance in 3D

By Keri Algar

Mark Webber wins the Monaco Formula 1 Gran Prix

SYDNEY, NSW: Making a rare appearance on Australian soil, Mark Webber stepped out of the hot seat and onto the dance floor last night to demonstrate LG’s new range of 3D capable technologies.

The lanky Formula One driver was strapped into his dancing shoes to showcase the new Microsoft XBox 360 Kinect on the LG 2D-3D Plasma TV in front of an encouraging crowd of spectators. Kinect technology uses full body movement, motion and depth sensors to control the game, thus removing the need for a hand-held controller.

Tim Barnes, the new marketing manager for LG home entertainment was there to introduce the new range he described as “pinnacle” and “exciting”. The 2D-3D TV is the first of its kind to attain a George Lucas endorsed TXH Certification, originally developed for cinematic sound, but now used to test cinematic vision. The TV is accompanied by a 3D Recorder and Blu-ray player.

LG said it hopes that the TV’s ability to convert 2D to 3D (20 different levels of depth are available) will combat the thorn in the side of the industry – the lack of 3D content available.

Speaking with Barnes, Webber said that technology played an important role in the aerodynamics of the vehicles and in coordinating the hundreds of people in his racing team. Webber said that “competitor analysis” and learning from past mistakes were essential to improving ones game.