Undeniably, the social networking fever has caught on with some local businesses here in the Philippines.
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8 years ago
Showing posts with label Social Networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Social Networking. Show all posts
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Digital Engagement: Making the Ripples Count
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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Valentine Sweetness Goes Digital
With the Philippines being the social networking capital of the world, the concept of bringing valentines into the digital space is somehow anticipated.
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Sunday, February 7, 2010
Finally, Dabbling With My Yahoo Meme
It has been more than two years now since I took blogging seriously. And in that course of time, I was exposed to different technologies and tools. More so last year, when online social networking boomed.
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
OLX: A New Philippine Classified Ads Online
I first ventured into online selling with a Philippine based Korean-run auction site a few years ago. A friend and I had a good start and I still sell from time to time. I also do purchase some items. In those experiences, I could say that pre-paid cellphone loads are among the hottest items.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Fitness First Taps Facebook Game for Slimming
Fitness First, a global fitness company, recently launched its very own "Cut the Fat Challenge" Facebook Application, an interactive game about achieving one’s ideal weight through working out and eating the proper diet.
Everyone wants to begin the New Year by shedding pounds gained from the holiday feasting. Fitness First tries to offer just that with its new application on social networking site Facebook. Just like any interactive application on Facebook, the goal is to enjoy the game with your Facebook friends and thereby strengthening the bond of your network.“Dedicated to motivating people to improve their overall health, Fitness First’s Facebook application draws attention to fitness and incorporates actual physical exercise in the digital interaction challenge,” mentions Mark Ellis (Fitness First Philippines Country Manager).
The Cut the Fat Facebook Challenge provides an interactive perspective on the relationship of food intake and its equivalent calories to the overall body mass index and weight. Fitness First continues to merge innovation and fun with their fitness routines to adapt healthy and fit lifestyles, while extending it to the interactive game for the online community.
Just don't get too much addicted to it or you'll be stuck in front of the PC the whole day and end up with less actual exercise. :)
Check out the Facebook app at http://apps.facebook.com/cutthefat/index to start cutting the fat.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
New Friendster Goes Green on Dec 4
The new Friendster has finally revealed its new look and user interface in advance to the online community via a soft launch last night at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City, Philippines
Friendster.com perhaps chose the Philippines for being the recognized new social networking capital of the world.
The Green Day
Rolling out mid-day of Decemeber 4, 2009 (GMT +8) worldwide, the new Friendster.com mainly takes on a green and white color theme in contrast to its closest rival's blue and white theme. The Friendster logo with a tilted regular smiley face also gets a rehash into something more flowing. The whole word 'friendster' is also now part of the official logo printed in script-like font
The new Friendster promises more games and interaction as it introduces new features around the concept of 'fun' and 'simplicity'. It also intends to focus and leverage on it's local advantage in terms of knowledge, exposure, and content.
Moreover, it is retaining one of its key features which initially brought Friendster.com in cyberspace's spotlight with it's customizable profile page. In fact, if you are not so much of a 'green' person, you can change the color scheme into blue or customize it to another color.
Friendster Wallet
Furthermore, the new Frienster.com website introduces the concept of Friendster Wallet with Friendster Coins and Friendster Chips. We'll have a separate blog entry discussing these in details. But for now, think of it as your online money with which you could purchase more advanced gaming weapons in addition to the free basic ones. You could also reload the wallet with a pre-paid reloading card.
Here are some photos of how the New Friendster looks like:
Care for some Friendster doughnuts from Krispy Kreme?
Ben Dunn, VP Philippines and Global Head of Brand Experirence, led the New Friendster layout and user interface presentation. Watch out for the release of our podcast interview with Ben Dunn as he answers the questions shot by the Pinoy Popcast group. Carlo Ople and Homer Nievera were also part of the Freindster Philippines team present.
Check out the new Friendster look as it goes green on December 4, 2009.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Globe, A Tatoo, The Youniverse, and A Dare
Not too long ago, Globe Tatoo is equivalent to Globe Broadband branded as 'hip.' Now, Globe Telecoms rebranded it to cover a myriad of services central to the new Globe Tattoo sim.
In a recent bloggers' launch at M Cafe and Handle Bar in Makati, Globe introduced the Globe Tattoo Sims, Youniverse, ImmortalTXT, and Surf All Day services.
Globe Tattoo Sims
It brought the modern, hip, and rebellious designs of the Globe Tatoo broadband to the Globe Tatoo sim cards. It also promised the fusion of 1 SIM for the mobile phone and internet, aside from fututre new services, and access pass to exclusive discounts and invites. All this at P40. Check details here.
ImmortalTxt 
The new ImmortalTxt boasts of the 'no expiry' text.
Finally, the major telecoms heeded the 'no expiry' cry of the public. For P10, both postpaid and prepaid sunscribers could have 50 texts to Globe/TM and 10 texts to other networks that never expire*.
You still have to register though, text IMMORTAL10 to 8888. There's a minor catch as well, you'd have to maintain a P1 balance. Chekc details here.
*Subject to SIM validity.
*Promo period from August 30 - October 30, 2009. Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 4462, Series of 2009.
Surf All Day (For Mobile Social Networks)
For P20, one can surf different social networking sites the while day with the Surf All Day plan. Get unlimited access to Friendster, Facebook, Wikipedia, Plurk!, andPing.fm.
Upon going to the following sites:
* Friendster: http://m.friendster.com
* Facebook: http://m.facebook.com
* Plurk: http://m.plurk.com
* Wikipedia: http://en.mobile.wikipedia.org
User will be directed to a page where you will be given the option to choose between the regular browsing rate of P0.15 per kb or P5 for 15 minutes or the Globe Surf All Day Plan. To choose the latter, simply click on the Surf All Day P20 link to register and wait for the SMS confirmation of your subscription. Check details here.
** I wonder why there's no links for Twitter and Multiply though; perhaps in the near future.
Youniverse Mashboard
One could visit the mashboard-looking Globe website at http://tattoo.globe.com.ph/ This is where information about all the abovementuoned services can be found as well. It looks to target netizens and social network addicts over its mashboard interface.
However, as its waiver says, it's still in its alpha version, hence not all features are functioning as I've observed the 'Youniverse' to be rather too slow even for my broadband connection. It surely has a lot of room to improve upon, function-wise.
Above is the TVC of the Globe Youniverse and Immortal TXT campaign recently launched on national television. Good for them, the two naked bodies kissing passed the censorship for public TV broadcast. :)
The Dare
And finally, the 'dare'. Globe organizers dared teh crowd to get a real tatoo on the spot and get a chance to take home an HP Mini laptop.
I surely badly needed one but my kelloid-prone skin certainly can't have one. Anyhow, I'll just get that HP mini through other means besides a Globe Tatoo Youniverse gathering :)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Multiply Chat Surprises Netizens
Social Networking Multiply got its users a surprise earlier in the day when they were greeted by a small chat function bar at the lower right side of their multiply.com account screen.
The Multiply Chat serves to enable multiply.com users to talk or chat with other multiply contacts in real-time.
Versus Facebook?
Others view this new technology as a desperate attempt by Multiply to recover its lost audience from Facebook. Facebook's recent uptake in number of members caused other social network giants to suffer. There was a shift of users not only from Multiply but also from Friendster.
For Business Contacts
In the Philippines, where Multiply.com became a semi e-commerce phenomena, the chat function would be a great help in enabling the online merchants to sell their products more effeciently.
If you have an online store, your customers would be too happy to be able to chat/talk with you in real time and ask their questions directly from the seller.
Turning It Off (Disable)
Some multiply users observed a slow down in the day's system attributing it to the new chat function. This is however unverified.
Nonetheless, if you deem the function to be of not much use to you and you want to disable it, just follow these steps:
Quick & Graphical:
Through Your Account:
...and viola, you are back to normal. To enable it, do the reverse.
Personally I like this new chat bar feature. It enables you to chat with your Multiply friends in real-time without having to use other messaging tools.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Boomerang Awards 2009 Winners Announced
Right after the Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit, the Boomerang Awards followed with the announcement of the finalists and awarding of winners.
And without further adieu, the winners are:
Best Cyber Boomerang Awards Category
Palistuhan
by Proximity Philippines
(Gold)
Marlboro Levels
by Arc Worldwide Philippines, CO., Inc
(Silver)
Honda Jazz: The Fun Utility Vehicle
by Honda Cars Inc
(Bronze)
Best Mobile Boomerang Awards Category
Quaker Oats Eat Well and Win Promo
Pampers Hearts Club
by Proximty Philippines / BBDO Guerrero
(Gold)
by Proximity Philippines / BBDO Guerrero
(Silver)
Best Integrated Boomerang Awards Category
Sandbox
Madonna Mania
by: Smart Communications, Inc. and Wolfpac
(Gold)
by EGG
(Silver)
Pepsi 'Kada Can: Get Your Barkada on the Can
by Proximity Philippines / BBDO Guerrero
(Bronze)
Other finalists were:
Style in A Snap
by NuWorks Interactive
Palistuhan Campaign
by Publicis Manila
Best Innovation Boomerang Awards Category
Awesome Philippines Second Life Press Conference
The innovation aspect of Awesome Philippines Second Life Press Conference might have come from the fact that the setting of the press conference was in a virtual island creating the country's newest and 7,108th island in count.
by Philippine Department of Tourism
and Media Contacts Philippines
The virtual press conference was held May 4, 2009 with no other than Sec. Joseph "Ace" Durano himself talking in the conference. It was also the Philippines' first virtual press conference.
The roster of judges include:
That comprises the 2009 Boomerang Awards winners.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
IMMAP Summit Day 1
This is my first time to attend IMMAP's Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit. I got my free delegate pass for this prestigious conference through a blog entry I wrote for a contest together with Regnard.
Held at SMX, Mall of Asia earlier, the event was opened with a speech from IMMAP president Arthur Policarpio. It also had huge international and local names for speakers including Sandra Puno from Nestle Philippines, Rahul Vasudev from MediaCom Interaction and George Foo, Chief Operating Officer of iHub Media Pte. Ltd for Facebook.
Seminar topics ranged from the new marketing landscape in terms of digital media, how to mix digital with the three traditional media outfits, and leveraging on the power of Facebook.
However, some of the talks were somehow rushed to adjust as time allocation between talks were very close.
Although, some speakers discussed only general topics and played it safe, some shared daring viewpoints and presented provocative statements. Most prevalent was James Lafferty's challenge to digital service providers of lowering "down the cost hypercompetitively." This did not rest quietly though with other speakers who said that 'cheap' is actually relative.
Yahoo Head of Marketing for Emerging Markets Bennet Porter also shared insights from their latest digital campaign in the Philippines called Yahoo Purple Hunt.
Tony Sarmiento III of Ace Saaatchi & Saatchi stirred some thoughts on the topic of digital creativity that delivers results. His primary case was that of Burger King's Whopper Sacrifice Facebook application which was so effective it was 'sacrificed' by Facebook itself. :)
The summit was well-attended as I estimate the crowd at about 80% seating capacity. I heard that this 3rd IMMAP conference had the biggest venue compared to the previous years. I just hoped that there were more readily available power outlets for laptop users since the summit is for the digital-savvy audience anyhow.
The summit was also followed by the Boomerang Awards in the evening.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Digital & Essential: The 3rd Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit 2009
With the theme "Digital Delivers," Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) organizes this year's Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit for the third time. It shall be held on August 25-26, 2009 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines.
Digitally Cost-Effective
In this times of global recession and belt-tightening, the marketing budget continues to contract as private companies minimize expenditures. This year's marketing summit focuses on digital marketing's ability to deliver results at noticeably lower cost compared to TV and regular print ads.More than ever, the practicality of digital marketing is most appreciated.
Digitally Growing
Continually growing in leaps, Internet users in the Philippines is now at about 23 million and mobile phone users at 63 million. This sector of users is dominated by the youth who is most adept to new technologies.More than ever, the power of digital marketing is most prevalent.
Digitally Measured
In contrast to TV ads which has a measured audience through estimates and population sampling, digital marketing through ads can be measured through visual impressions and click-throughs. Performance and measurability are highlighted for more objective results in aid of wiser business decision making.More than ever, the effectiveness of digital marketing is most essential.
Digitally Delivering it
With key topics on digital marketing including new trends, viral video, mobile content, and online campaigns, the marketing summit aims to address marketing issues amidst challenging times with a focus on digital marketing.Conference speakers include Nandu Nandkishore (CEO, Nestle Philippines), James Lafferty (General Manager, Procter and Gamble Philippines), Kent Wertime (President, Asia Pacific OgilvyOne Worldwide), Fernando Fernandez (Chairman, Unilever Philippines), Anton Diaz (Awesome Planet), Yahoo, and Smart.
Different case studies of 2009 Boomerang Awards Gold Winners in various categories would also be presented. This shall provide actual learning from real life situations and experiences.
So if you are a chief executive officer, advertising manager, corporate communication manager, or involved in marketing/advertising using the internet and mobile, this conference is for you!
Register online now and get discounts! Check this online reference for details such as program schedule and speakers.
I personally want to attend this two-day event as well for its relevance. I intend to learn more about digital marketing which is very close to the blogging industry. I'm sure I would get a lot of insight from this conference.
I hope to see you at the upcoming Digital Delivers! The 3rd Internet and Mobile Marketing Summit 2009!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
LetsGoSago.net to host "Lets Go Surfing"
Sponsors Main sponsors of the event are the Philippine Dept. of Tourism and Bico Australia. Other sponsors include SM, Starbucks Coffee, and VMV Skin Research Centre + Clinics. The event media partners are Qtube of QTV (Official TV Media Partner), Men’s Health & Women’s Health Magazine (Official Print Media Partner), Web.Com.Ph (Official Web Hosting Partner), Yehey.com (Official Online Media Partner), and CreatiVoices (Official Podcast Partner) It is also supported by Havaianas, GeiserMaclang, Travel Factor, DigitalManila.blogspot.com, and JumpShotsPH.com
The "Lets Go Surfing" anniversary charity project of LetsGoSago.net is finally all-set on August 15 & 16 bringing a bus of bloggers to San Juan La Union! It will be held at the Billabong Surf School and San Juan Surf Resort in Urbiztondo Beach.
Main beneficiary of the event to whom part of the registration fee will be donated to is WWF-Philippines to support their cause and local operations.
Surfing Event
The bloggers and other regular participants are expected to enjoy the two-day event by learning how to surf, not on the internet, but on real ocean waves! The activity goes well with the nature of the organizing Philippine emerging travel blog - Let's Go Sago!.
The surfing lessons are guaranteed to be safe as each student blogger is trained one-on-one by a surfing instructor. The team of surfing instructors are actually led by Philippine top surfer Luke Landrigan (May 2009 Cover of Men' Health Magazine).
Food Trips, Night Beach Party, & Raffle Prizes
Other activites in the event include food trips to La Union's best food stops including Halo-Halo de Iloko and Midway Grill.
The event will also be covered by QTV station's Internet TV show Qtube Filipiono-Australian model Andy Smith.
There will also be a night beach party at the evening of day 01 where awesome raffle prizes like :* (10 pairs) Havaianas Flip Flops
The blogger participants would also be getting lootbags from the sponsors and partners including Starbucks coupons, Men's Health and Women's Health Magazines, Travel Factor travel agency t-shirts, and Web.com.ph webhosting packages.
* Awesome Bico Australia Surfing Accessories
* (3) VMV Hypoallergenics’ Armada Sport 70 Sun+Light Screen worth more than 1K each.
* Webhosting packages from Web.com.ph
* Starbucks Coffee Vouchers from Starbucks Coffee
* Branded loot bags from JumpShotsPH.com
* Travel Factor T-shirts
* More surprise items
and
* the Grand Prize of a free surfing trip to Baler, Aurora including private bus transfers, accommodations, and surfing lesson
On the way back to Manila, the group will also be passing by Tarlac's famous floating restaurant - Isdaan - for some photo opportunity for the shutterbugs.
Register NOW and join Sago in his anniversary charity project - "Lets Go Surfing!"
Monday, June 15, 2009
Find and Be Found: AKA Mobile Directory, Messaging, and More
When Google first came out with a simple-looking web application called the search engine more than a decade ago, it was so ordinary nobody expected it to become what it is today. Now, another unique-sounding application is leveraging on the lucrative industry of search engine technology and messaging systems. It's called AKA.
AKA is basically a Short Messaging Service (SMS) and web based mobile directory system. The AKA Mobile Directory has its own directory-based search engine which allows any registered mobile phone user to search and be searched within the community either through SMS or the internet.
Directory Search
By simply typing AKA FIND 'keywords' (ie: AKA FIND letsgosago philippines) on your cell phones, the system returns a list of alias that matches the specified keywords. If your query results only to one, the directory entry is immediately shown (like in this case).
One can also directly get information about an entity if you already know the alias. For example, type:AKA
Moreover, users can create searchable information within the system which essentially makes them publishers as well. Bring it to another level and you get mini-blogs; just like regular blogs which you can send as SMS, emails, and as widgets. Its flexibility can even accommodate user applications like SMS-based promos, point system, messaging systems, and the likes. This is where future developers' ingenuity can be most harnessed and explore the possibilities of coming up with killer applications that would really 'click'.
Messaging
Currently, its strongest-potential feature would be its integrated messaging system which works on both SMS and the web. Registered users can communicate with each other through individual usernames or group aliases. These messages can then be routed to various channels such as SMS, any AKA Inbox, as an e-mail, or even social networking notifications.
With the Philippine market's penchant for anything SMS-based, and being the top SMS market in the world, it holds a lot of promise.
Interestingly, It uses two simple commands "AKA TELL" and "AKA YELL". As the keywords suggests, The former sends messages to one user within the directory while the latter sends it to a designated group of people called 'watchers'.
AKA TELL
Sending format using AKA Tell is simply:AKA TELL 'message'
The sender can send it using his/her cell phone or from his AKA account on the internet. From the web, the user has the option to send it to the receiver's AKA inbox only, or include his/her cell phone.
There are times that you need to send the same message to a number of people, this is where AKA Yell is most useful. It's a broadcast command which enables the message creator to send it to all you 'Watchers.' Watchers are users who have agreed to receive your broadcast messages. Very similar to blog subscribers.
To Yell to all your watchers:AKA YELL 'message'
AKA YELL 'groupname' 'message'
AKA WATCH 'alias'
Sending both TELL and YELL through the web alone is free but sending it as an SMS message consumes AKA Credits which may be bought in the near future similar to SMS load we have around. Otherwise, your message will be delivered to the target user's AKA Inbox for free.
The SMS search engine utilizes a centralized Sun TxtBlitz Service with the contact number 0922.999.7255. Just like any telecommunication charging schemes, using/sending the AKA commands to the Sun Cellular number incurs cost at the current normal rate of P1.00 (or free if your plan allows you to do so, like my Sun Plan 350 which has unlimited call-and-text SUN to SUN).
Room for Improvement
I hope AKA can provide a good business model soon to allow the Yell feature to be utilized in a cost-effective manner without sacrificing community participation.
The AKA SMS Shoutbox feature such as the PLOG, buy.sell, and BBZ are snazzy applications which can hold great appeal to users and organizers for events.
Currently at beta version, AKA.name is still limited to Philippine-based mobile networks.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Vanity URLs: Facebook Username Gives In
"What's in a name?" is a tired question that has been asked for years. And with the modern era's predilection for branding, a name is almost as important as the product in terms of perception and cognizance. In response to this, Facebook has finally made available the feature of customizing profile usernames. Customize your Facebook username now.
Also called vanity URLs for the conscious, being able to personalize user names ticks the fancy of self-centered individuals which compose much of Facebook users. :) Kidding aside, being able to uniquely label oneself is akin to branding. It provides easy-to-remember URLs for networking purposes compared to the cryptic-alphanumeric combination string previously given. Check this example: http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=lets+go+sago&n=-1&k=400000000010&sf=r&init=q&sid=4a8a704a622823b206c6b3ae4536c6b0#
Facebook enabled this feature today - June 13, 2009 at exactly 12 noon. My online community at Plurk.com was pretty aware of it and was posting a count down by the minutes. Talk about excitement. I was one of them, by the way.
And the clock stroke 12nn. After clicking a button to confirm my inclination for a personalized username, I was offered different options including one with a 'dot' (.) between my first name and last name. Although my primary email is of that nature, I realized that an extra 'dot' syllable can confuse some potential future friends upon networking. Simply said, I settled for my full birth name without the dot: facebook.com/joneluy
One issue to be immediately expected from this is the sudden rush for 'cool' usernames. Good for you if you can get one Facebook hasn't tag as a "generic word." Facebook has warned about generic words not being available as usernames. They did not release a list for this but 'flowers' and 'pizza' were mentioned as among them. Be careful with copyrighted brands as well, since in essence, they are...uhm, copyrighted.
Ok, you did not vie for the facebook.com/cool or facebook.com/microsoft. However, you still cannot get your facebook.com/john.doe. Why? because somebody beat you to it. Your creepy neighbor at the other side of the street has planned pretty much about this long beforehand as a form of revenge when your dog left a poop on his lawn. He just grabbed your well-loved username and you cannot do anything about it.
Well, ok, Facebook user name general information page states that there is still that possibility (however minute; perhaps even if you have the same first name and last name)
Be careful as well by checking the spelling of your intended username before clicking confirm. There is no changing/editing user names after that. It also requires at least five characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and a period.Facebook reserves the right to remove and/or reclaim any username at any time for any reason.
Have you customized your profile username? Check more details about Customizable Facebook Usernames here.
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