iPhone Love: There’s always talk about how we are all attached at the hip to our smartphones, that we are addicted to them. But new research suggests that it’s not about addiction; it’s about love. Branding consultant Martin Lindstrom conducted an experiment using neuroimaging technology and found that when people heard or saw an iPhone, their brain activity resembled the same brain activity that is associated with very close human bonds. As Lindstrom writes in this New York Times piece:
For many, the iPhone has become a best friend, partner, lifeline, companion and, yes, even a Valentine. The man or woman we love most may be seated across from us in a romantic Paris bistro, but his or her 8GB, 16GB or 32GB rival lies in wait inside our pockets and purses.
Le sigh. If this is true, it’s just another sad marker of how much technology has not only changed the way we live, but also how our minds work. However, there is still hope. As Tal Yarkoni, a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado at Boulder, points out on his blog, Lindstrom’s research is not really conclusive and has a lot of flaws. NYT
Kim Jong-Il’s Grandson on Facebook: Kim Han-Sol is just a regular teenage kid from the looks of his Facebook page — except that he is the grandson of Kim Jon-Il and the son of Kim Jon-Il’s exiled eldest son, Jong-Nam. Han-Sol, like his father, seems to appreciate Western culture. He has a blog and Twitter account, lists American movies as some of his favorites and apparently prefers democracy over communism. The Chosunilbo
Tweet of the Day: A true meeting of the minds, Internet sensations Vanessa Black and Kreayshawn met for the first time, as you can see from this Twitpic that Kreayshawn posted. I smell a collaboration viral sensation in the works. The Daily Dot
Tumblr of the Day: Everyone who reads Digiday should also regularly check this Tumblr A Bajillion Hits as a supplementary source for social media marketing tips and digital media industry insight. You will find such gems as this list of tips on how to optimize your Twitter bio or this video on how to accept a Webby.
Don’t Forge to Log Out: Don’t leave your Facebook unattended, unless you want to make yourself a target for “Frape,” as HappyPlaces puts it; you know, Facebook Rape, when someone hijacks your Facebook and posts embarrassing status updates like these choice examples. HappyPlace
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Inside the NFL’s youth-focused social strategy
As part of the NFL Content Creator Network, which expands the features of youth-focused platforms, the league is engaging with fans in new, innovative ways through games, technologies, or just through creative social media engagement through a variety of creative tools and platforms. Creators are targeted within strategic verticals such as fashion, gaming, wellness, and music, as well as those from TikTok, SnapChat, Twitter, and Instagram focusing on humor, food, art, animals, or football-related content on and off the field
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Publishers test personalizing newsletters with varying degrees of success
Publishers are testing personalizing newsletter content based on readers’ interests - but it doesn't always work.
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Indie agency Known beats out incumbents to land AMC Networks’ media business
In essence, Known is helping AMC Networks become more of a direct-to-consumer client as the programmer expands into more streaming options on top of its linear foothold.
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Sponsored<strong>How marketers are responding to shoppers’ wants this holiday season</strong>
Matthew Tilley, executive director, marketing, Vericast With the holidays right around the corner, the economy may force some consumers to adjust their plans and stretch their dollars even further. While some shoppers may rein in their spending, others will still go all out despite a cloudy economic outlook. Given the current economic climate, consumers are […]
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How agencies adapt as bots evolve
Social media bots may represent just a sliver of an app's total users, but it turns out they may be generating more content than we were previously aware. The challenge is separating the good ones from the bad.
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Publishers feel the crunch of cookieless browsers like Apple’s Safari
Bid enrichment provides publishers the means of sprucing up their cookieless impressions to improve their value in advertisers’ eyes.
