Heightened activity and interest in mobile retail (spurred on by holiday shopping and the rapid uptake of price comparison services and apps), has paved the way for a variety of new and immersive mobile experiences that insert marketing messages and campaigns into our daily shopping routines. From mobile codes (specifically, barcodes) to mobile coupons, companies are enlarging their arsenal of capabilities to capture our attention while we shop. Where does social fit in? All have a social element. Q: How about the mobile search? MORE >>

There were several takeaways from Nielsen’s recent mobile study surrounding restaurants, travel, and the automotive industry, but the one that surprised me the most was that 43% of automotive searches on mobile devices were done to do price comparisons. The rise of mobile in our daily lives means that many of the activities that once tethered us to our desks at home or at work can now be done on the go, so I knew instinctively that the number of people comparing prices while out on the lot was probably high. simply had no idea it was THAT high. MORE >>

Social networks allow us to share and discuss our passions with people everywhere on the planet. Up until now this free exchange has known only one barrier: the digital fence erected by the social network provider. But a new mobile app from Atlas Premium Brands (APB) could do more than turn the tables on the likes of Facebook ; it could also provide brands and advertisers a much-needed opportunity to join the conversation. When it comes to mobile sports content, Atlas is a major league player with an innovative mobile business model. Brands get social. MORE >>

Social search will flex its muscle. Social commerce will flex its muscle. Companies will try to determine how best to integrate with the explosion of social gaming. Twitter will be acquired, most likely by a media company like CNN. If you don’t have a mobile version of your site today, you are already behind. See social commerce and social search above.). Social media technologies will start to consolidate and only the strong will survive: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. There will be fewer “social media&# gurus. MORE >>

Social media marketing has gone well beyond the hype stage and is now mainstream business practice. Still, questions remain: how do I use social media most effectively across the enterprise? Which social media monitoring tools should I use? What social media developments and trends should I be watching? And of course, there’s the ongoing social media ROI debate : how do I measure this? Can social media ROI really be measured? Social Media Strategy and Best Practices. Social Media Tools. MORE >>