How Consumers Are Using Tablet Technology

The iPad was one of the hottest selling items during last year’s holiday
shopping season and tablets look to be in demand this year as well.
There is a new study showing just how much people like their tablets and
how they use them.

• Two-thirds of tablet owners use their devices while doing other things – watching TV, spending time with friends, ect.
• Nearly half of tablet owners said that tablets allow them to have
  new & different experiences with content on several platforms – online, TV, print
• 47% said they spend more time with media because of tablets

Tablet owners also really like their news applications. They said they would rather give up these than lose their news apps

• Sports – 47%
• Coffee – 44%
• Facebook – 44%

What Does This Mean To You?

Tablets are becoming much more prevalent and once people start using them, they often become their device of choice. For more information on how you can benefit from in-app visibility, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407-420-5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Starcom MediaVest; Mashable

Mobile Shopping Trends For 2012

Mobile shopping is not just a passing fad. In fact, new information is pointing to
huge growth in mobile commerce.

Some of the factors fueling this trend:

• By the end of 2012 mobile commerce is expected
  to grow to $10 billion
• By 2015 mobile commerce is expected to reach $31 billion
• Half of all new cell phone purchases are for smart phones
• 60% of mobile shoppers are using their devices in-store

What Does This Mean To You?

If you don’t have a mobile strategy, you need to develop one. In today’s business climate, a mobile site is crucial to the success of your business. With so much search and product research being done on mobile devices – your company’s information needs to be easily viewed on these devices. And with mobile commerce growing to over $30 billion in the next 5 years, your customers
also need to be able to purchase things from your mobile site. For more information on how to maximize your return on mobile technology, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Al Fiala
407-420-5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Mobile Commerce Daily; Forester; PayPal

What Happens After The Like

Many companies have put a premium on consumers “Liking” their brand on FaceBook or following them on Twitter. But meeting followers’ social media expectations is very important to keeping them as loyal customers and influencers among their peers.

• Nearly 60% of those who “Liked” a brand expect
  to receive exclusive content and discounts
• Nearly half expect to receive product updates in
  their newsfeeds
• Nearly four in 10 anticipate brands posting photos and videos in their newsfeeds and that companies will share this with users friends and families
• Over 35% of those who “Like” think that the name of company or brand will show up in their profile or that companies will send them relevant content based on their profile and that companies will interact with their FaceBook page
• Almost 40% of those who “Like” expect nothing to happen

What Does This Mean To You?

How you interact with customers through social media is rapidly becoming just as important as how you interact with them face to face. When you get people to “Like” your brand, it is an indication that they will likely purchase your products or visit your location. It also gives you the ability to further target your consumer base. For more information about optimizing your
social media offerings, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: EMarketer; Exact Target

Online Holiday Shopping

Last year, the number of people who shopped for holiday gifts online jumped from 41%  in 2009, to nearly 60%.  Overall it was a 44% increase and experts
think that number will rise again this year.  One of the most interesting things is why people decide to shop online:

• Nearly 75% of consumers said that free shipping would be the most likely reason they would shop for holiday gifts online this year
• 6 in 10 said discounted prices vs. in store
• Nearly half said to avoid crowds
• 46% of consumers cited easy to use websites or the fact that no sales tax is collected
• Roughly one-third said that the ability to return to a store or free returns would be a determining factor

What Does This Mean To You?

Are you ready for the holiday season? Have you planned for mobile & online shoppers? With nearly 60% of shoppers turning to the web as holiday solution, it makes sense that you be digitally visible.  To make sure that these online holiday shoppers buy from your business, don’t just utilize - but also promote the fact you offer determining factors such as free shipping.  For more information on how to monetize your digital offerings this holiday season, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Mobile Commerce Daily; Accenture

Affluent Smart Phones Owners And Holiday Shopping

A new report from Accenture shows that affluent smart phone owners are very likely to use mobile technology during holiday shopping this season.
While 72% of U.S. consumers plan on controlling holiday shopping, more than 7 in 10 affluent shoppers plan on spending more than $500 on gifts this year.  And Mobile is going to play a big part.

• Over half of affluent shoppers plan on using smart phones and tablets in stores during their holiday shopping
• 54% plan on using smart phones in stores to check prices
• 43% plan to use smart phones to find a better deal
• 40% plan on using smart phones  to stay out of crowded stores

 What Does This Mean To You?

This is just more evidence of how much mobile will effect holiday shopping this year.  Not having mobile visibility might mean the difference between a happy holiday season and one that resembles a lump of coal.  For more information on how you can utilize mobile technology for bigger sales this holiday season, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Mobile Commerce Daily; Accenture

Men and Women Holiday Shopping Preferences

New research from InsightExpress shows us how men and women plan use mobile devices during holiday shopping.
This holiday season, men are more likely to use mobile devices for:

• Shopping (M: 50% / W: 45%)
• Comparing brands (M: 67% / W: 54%)
• Checking reviews (M: 69% / W: 59%)
• Comparing prices: (M:53% / W 38%)
• Use 3^rd party sites or apps while in-store (M: 25% / W:13%)

Woman are more likely to utilize retailers sites while in- store (M: 10% / W:18%)

What Does This Means To You?

No matter who you are trying to reach this holiday season,
mobile is most likely where they are starting the purchase process.
Mobile marketing puts your message in the palms of  consumer’s hands no matter where they are.   For more information on how your business can benefit from mobile solutions, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: InsightExpress

Mobile Shopping and Thanksgiving

The time after Thanksgiving Dinner used to mean tryptophan induced snoozes on the couch or watching the Lions lose another game.  But all that is
changing. First, the Lions are actually playing good football and mobile technology has started Black Friday shopping early.

• 46% of consumes plan to make holiday purchases
  on a mobile devices
• 60% of mobile shopping will take place at home
• More than one third of mobile purchases are spontaneous

 What Does This Mean To You?
All of these behaviors are leading to something called Thanksgiving Couch Commerce.  And people probably won’t just be shopping for small gifts on mobile devices, nearly one quarter of mobile shoppers spent more than $100 on their last purchase.  For more information on how to make the holiday shopping season started early and get buyers more often, please  contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative, or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: EMarketer; Information Solutions Group

Incentivized Ads And Online Consumers

Many companies don’t view online incentives as a worthwhile part of a marketing campaign.  New research with consumer products ads are actually showing that online incentives not only build the brand, but the brand
involved is very important to the success of the incentive.

• Nearly half of the people who interacted with an incentivized ad initially acted because of the incentive but ended up paying attention to the brand
• 31% acted because of the incentive and the brand equally
• Just 20% acted based totally on the brand or incentive

Behaviors that changed after exposure to incentivized ads

• There was a 116% increase in likelihood of
  visitation to the brands website
• 42% increase in likelihood of looking for the
  brand in stores
• 32% increase in likelihood of buying the product
• 23% increase in consideration over the brands
  competitors

What Does This Mean To You?

Consumers are looking for deals and offering a good deal can help you turn a consumer into a customer.  While this research is based on consumer products, incentivizing your offerings can help your business as well.  Things like
offering coupons, instant discount codes, charitable donations, and even things
without tangible values like social currency can mean a boost to your bottom
line.  For more information on how to direct more attention to your online ads, please  contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: EMarketer; Information Solutions Group

Why Consumers Don’t “Like” Brands

Just because consumers “Like” a brand, doesn’t give you carte blanche to market anything and everything to them.  For a snapshot into do’s and don’ts of
marketing to your followers, it’s good to look at the reasons why people don’t
“Like” brands.

• Over 50% of social networkers don’t want to be
  bombarded with ads or messages
• 45% don’t want to give companies access to their
  person information
• Roughly 3 in 10 don’t want things pushed into their friends newsfeeds or want companies to contact them through social media
• Approximately 20% don’t want to impose their views on others or see any benefit in “Liking” a brand on FaceBook

What Does This Mean To You?
Once you have a consumer “Liking” you on FaceBook or following you through other social media, you should not abuse that privilege. Over 35% of social media users disengage with brands after a short time because they don’t see a value or the feel inundated with messages.  By optimizing your social media presence you
can increase loyalty and drive consumers to your locations. For more information on how to engage customers through social media, please contact
your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative, or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: EMarketer; Exact Target

Who Are Casual Social Gamers

When some people think of gamers, they automatically assume they are teens or those who still dwell in their parents basement.  But they are actually a lucrative consumer group that could mean opportuntity for your business.

• Roughly 40% of Internet users play social games online
• More than 60% of casual social gamers are female
• Over 60% are age 40+
• 31% of casual social gamers are Hispanic and 36%
  are African-American

What Does This Mean To You?
Social games give you a great opportunity to brand your business with a highly engaged audience.  It also can put your message into the hands of important gender and ethnic targets.  The trend toward social gaming is very likely to continue; nearly one in four social games said they plan on spending more time with gaming content in the next year.  For more information on how to increase your bottom line through social gaming, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Al Fiala
407.420.5702
afiala@orlandosentinel.com

Source: EMarketer; Information Solutions Group