There's A Rash Of 'Jash' On YouTube's First-Ever 'Comedy Week' [Videos]

Ron Callari — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:41:39 -0700

To understand Jash, you need to know what the YouTube Channel Initiative is all about. Funded by Google with the specific goal of bringing innovative content to YouTube, it's a 100 million dollar program that kickstarted Google TV's entree into original programming.

Gain Additional Clout on Klout When You Play For No Pay?

Ron Callari — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:12:04 -0700

While still considered a punchline by many, for others that are happy to receive the perk of free access to American Airlines Admirals Club, Klout has been diligently trying to find ways to up its game. No longer content in just assessing one's social media score, Klout is morphing into a social network of sorts.

Redditors Willing To Meme Their Opposition To Death

Ron Callari — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:15:26 -0700

While the "Party of No" desperately seeks something to say yes to, their fight to rebrand themselves is met by aggressive social media opposition by the Redditors. While bookmarking sites the likes of Digg have withered on the digital vine over the past few years, Reddit seems to be not only the one with staying power, but the one whose "up" or "down" votes can sway public opinion quickly.

Google Glass Sees Its Users As Big Brother [Video]

Ron Callari — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:39:19 -0700

Quicker than George Orwell's ink could dry on the page, "1984" introduced the world to a whole new level of paranoia that's kept us looking over our shoulders for the last sixty years or so. From the "Red scare" of the 1950s to Presidents justifying unjustifiable wars in the 21st Century, to the Patriot Acts's reduction of citizen rights -- right up to today's CCTV cameras surveilling us à la 'Person of Interest,' Big Brother has carved out a permanent foothold in our society.

Marissa Mayer's Intuitive Search Meets Work Ethic At The Corner Of Bing & Yahoo

Ron Callari — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:42:02 -0700

What's a $36 Million-Dollar lady to do after bailing from the world's largest search engine only to join the ranks of a bit player the likes of Yahoo? A player that was losing so much market share, it needed to enter a 10-year partnership agreement with Microsoft's Bing to stop the bleeding.

The Omnipotent, Omniscient & Ubiquitous Google Continues To Up The Ante

Ron Callari — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:11:02 -0800

'To Google' has become the universal generic term, meaning "to search." In the last 70 days there has been 38 new products added to the Search King's arsenal of tools. Even with Bing's 100 million advertising campaign, nothing seems to be able to impede the Google machine or crack a chink in its fortified armor. Today, with approximately 70 percent domination of the global search market, the omnipotent, omniscient, omnivorous and ubiquitous Google keeps upping the ante to stay on top of the search engine game. And here is why...

Caveat Emptor, When Rippln Comes Rippln [Videos]

Ron Callari — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:35:08 -0700

Normally, MLM (multiple level marketing) pyramid schemes appeal to desperate folks who are down on their luck and/or are willing to buy into anything that promises them a quick return. It's built off a non-sustainable business model that promises payments or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment of sales of legitimate products and services.

'iSteve' Movie Examines An Unexamined Life From The Great iBeyond

Ron Callari — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:03:56 -0700

The just released movie "iSteve" is a creative spoof satirizing the life and times of Steve Jobs, in a way that not only takes liberty with the historical facts but also ironically casts in the title role the actor that helped make "Mac" a household name. That's right, while Ashton Kuthcher's portrayal of Jobs is still a way's off, Justin Long of "I'm a Mac" fame has assumed the role of iSteve in this online mockumentary, available to any and all, on a computer near you!

Branson & Virgin Altantic Use Hard Sell To Poke The Competition

Ron Callari — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:19:50 -0700

When the competition goes highbrow, what's the CEO of a competing airline to do? Well, if you're Richard Branson you might seek out advertising space that goes below the belt. That's right. . . while politicians, the likes of U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner have lost their jobs over public images pertaining to to their 'junk,' Virgin Atlantic's number one publicity junkie exposes himself to the world at large - and to boot - getting off "Scot" free (literally)!

Tiffany Shlain Melds Collaboration & Cloudsourcing Into Cloud Filmmaking [Video]

Ron Callari — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:28:55 -0800

There's a myriad number of techie memes that have entered our zeitgeist derived from a term we use to simply call "collaboration." Pre-Internet, dating back to the idiom or trope of "Hey, Lets Put On A Show," Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were the first in movies to introduce a plot line signaling the need for collaboration. Today, instead of orphans trying to raise money to turn a barn into a stage, filmmakers are looking to the clouds not only for funding but also inspiration.

Facebook Hits A Homer, While G+ Strikes Out? [Videos] [Updated]

Ron Callari — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:31:04 -0700

When Facebook rounds 3rd base for a home run On April 12th -- with it's new Android app called "Home" -- one has to wonder if Google missed a golden opportunity? With a stock uptick of 3% as a result of this announcement, the new FB app is boasting its functionality to turn any compatible Android phone into a socially-smart Facebook phone.

Whole Foods' Brand Patina & Magnetic Marketing Expands Into Travel

Ron Callari — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:50:25 -0700

Sometimes it takes a brand decades to use its specific combination of logo, words, font type, design, colors and value to evolve into a lifestyle choice. The promise, look, personality and feel is the brand's patina. It transcends the commercial transaction igniting what I call 'magnetic marketing,' or the time when the buyer and seller travel on the same wavelength, where they are more tightly attracted to each other, than any other time in the customer-brand relationship cycle.

RIP YouTube [2005-2013], The End Of An Era

Ron Callari — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:55:41 -0700

Man, we were all fooled. We're being told today, YouTube was launched in 2005 with one sole goal in mind -- to surface the best video of all time. It's taken 8 short years, but the panel of judges are now ready to get down to brass tacks and start the hard work, which according to Google will take 10 long years hence.

Ubiquitous Marriage Equality Symbol's Evolution

Ron Callari — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 06:42:01 -0700

Unless you've been living under a rock, sworn off using social networks or have been on an extended vacation, you've probably been stumbling over the marriage equality symbol that's cyberventilating its way across Facebook and Twitter. The pink equal sign on red background, with all it's various permutations is now considered the de facto logo of supporters of gay marriage. And as such, according to Chris Gayomali at theweek.com, "it ticks all the requisite checkboxes. . . it's simple, instantly recognizable, and well, everywhere."

Steganography, The Art Of Data Hiding vs Data Mining

Ron Callari — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:24:31 -0700

While conspiracy theories abound in all fields, the digital age has added a new playground for the nefarious to up their game. The next time you make a Skype call, you might want to be aware how third-parties could possibly hi-jack your transmission and encrypt a secret message with callers none the wiser.

Mr. Zuckerberg Goes To Washington To Establish The Facebook Party?

Ron Callari — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:32:40 -0700

There's been rumblings that the world's largest social network just might want to start using it's membership clout to affect change in government, or at least support the candidates that have their best interest at heart. With over 1 billion followers, the house that Zuckerberg built is indeed the size of a prominent sovereign state, second only to China and India.

British Airways' 'Innovation Lab In The Sky' Sequesters Silicon Valley Techies

Ron Callari — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:44:54 -0700

Everyone in the States at this point in time is very familiar with the term "sequester" as it applies to limiting the size of the U.S. federal budget. British Airways, on the other hand is using the concept as originally defined -- "to cause to withdraw, into seclusion." British Airways' latest innovation is titled, 'Innovation Lab In The Sky,' and their sequestration will not be limiting at all, because their plan is to expand upon talent and opportunities, with a little help from their friends.

Pheed, NOT Your Grandmother's Social Network, Outpaces Twitter & Facebook?

Ron Callari — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:02:19 -0700

Pent-up demand, content monetization and copyright stamps have been instrumental in distinguishing the new social network called Pheed from the pack. It became the No.1 free social networking app in Apple's App Store for the month of February, out pacing competitors like Twitter and Facebook.

From Afghanistan To Corporate Greed,Cartoonist Kickstarts His Way Into 21st Century

Ron Callari — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:16:34 -0700

Political cartoons have distinguished Matt Bors from the pack of modern-day cartoonists. While comics with a message have been around since the Yellow Kid in the early 1900s, most cartooning is created for the quick chuckle versus the reflective guffaw that comes from satirical illustrations.

To H20 Or Not To H20, Matt Damon's Conflicted Water.org Charity Strike [Videos]

Ron Callari — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:40:15 -0700

“Anybody have any idea what invention has saved more lives than any other in the history of humankind?” Matt Damon asked a room filled with reporters. The answer? “The toilet.” But how serious is this actor in requesting the world to relinquish use of the most important innovation known to modern man?

Cory Booker, The Social Media Mayor's #Waywire Disrupts The News Via Video [Videos]

Ron Callari — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:03:34 -0700

We're familiar with celebrities tipping their toes in the social media waters. A number of actors now have their a number of pet projects. Some like Ashton Kutcher actually head up social media marketing firm like the Katalyst Network or Ian Somerhalder and his news activist site in beta called "Ryot," or Justin Timberlakes' current attempt at welcoming defectors back to MySpace. But up till now, there's been no political figures actively involved in a social media enterprise. That was, until Cory Booker created #waywire.

'Breaking the Fourth Wall' From Shakespeare To The Office To Leigh Singer [Video]

Ron Callari — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:45:06 -0700

The "Fourth Wall' is a theatrical term for the imaginary wall that exists between actors and their audiences. Originating from Ancient Greek theater, while the open-box arena of a theater stage makes up three walls, theater-goers are seen as the fourth wall. "Breaking the fourth wall" is considered a technique of metafiction, as it penetrates the boundaries normally set up by works of fiction by reaching out to the audience.

Will The Next Pontiff Be A Social Media Pope?

Ron Callari — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:42:39 -0800

It's been said that the selection process for deciding the next Pope is cloaked in smoke and mirrors - before the actual white smoke rises. Like a literal interpretation of a Greek Tragedy's 'Deus ex Machina' - a seemingly difficult challenge is overcome by the intervention of God - where divine inspiration finally saves the day. Which poses an interesting question, might the All Mighty think the time is right fora more aggressive Social Media Pope?

Why Do Social Networks 'Acqhire' vs Acquire Only To Super-Size?

Ron Callari — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:21:29 -0800

Commericial acquisitions and mergers were a 20th Century phenomenon that allowed companies to grow and prosper. In the first and second decades of the 21st Century, those types of business practices may be antiquated. "Acqhire," is a neologism recently added to our lexicon to indicate when a social networking company is acquiring a start-up company mainly for its talent versus its infrastructure.

Hotels Get 'Scroogled' & 'Facebucked' With Google & Facebook Search

Ron Callari — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:31:27 -0800

Getting "Scroogled" was entered into our lexicon as the result of recent TV commercial campaign launched by Microsoft. To get "Facebucked" was a term associated with the graphic novel satire, "Facebucks & Dumb F*cks" published in 2010. Both are aptly associated with advertising strategies used by Google and Facebook as they apply to the hotel industry.

Fighting Cold War II In Cyberspace With "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named"?

Ron Callari — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 07:53:58 -0800

In Harry Potter, the most evil of villains was referred to as "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." The inference being that saying the name aloud would strike fear in the hearts and minds of the general public -- but, more importantly would also would wreak additional menace and havoc at the hands of the evil wizard, Voldemort. This analogy holds true today with a new Cold War and a new enemy.

Harlem Shake Shakes Up The YouTube Monetization Model

Ron Callari — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 06:36:33 -0800

Have you wondered why the "Harlem Shake" meme became such a world-class phenomenon in such a short time? To say it shook up the music industry is an understatement. But why? It doesn't have the innovative dance moves of a "Gangnam Style," and the actual song is only 30-seconds long. By all rights, the folks that should be seeing a monetary return from today's multi-million dollar hit is the family of a Harlem resident who went by the name of "Al B," since he was the first to introduce the dance back in 1981.

Graphic Artist Irma Zimmermann's Toons Cut Through Social Media Clutter

Ron Callari — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 08:10:34 -0800

Back in the early '80s, Irma Zimmermann's first position out of art school was that of a 'junior artist' for BBDO, one of the world's most awarded and prestigious advertising agencies. Pre-Internet, ad campaigns consisted of laboring over story-boards by hand and burning the midnight oil to meet pressing deadlines. However, it was the necessary incubation period, where this graphic artist learned her craft and prepared her for a life of creativity.

Augmented Reality Advancements Slowed Due to Hotel 626 Closing Doors? [Videos]

Ron Callari — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 11:03:25 -0800

Hotels are known to be 24/7 operations. So why did Hotel 626 shutter its doors back in 2010, after checking in guests for only a couple of years? Namely because this hotel is not your typical hostelry. It was an advergame created to promote Dorito's snacks. It was indeed a social network for horror-philes who prefer their 'bumps in the night' to be filled with primal screams, where their room keys were triggered by Augmented Reality.

Apple's Labotomy Of Siri & The Rise Of The Virtual Personal Assistant Market

Ron Callari — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:29:44 -0800

Seriously Siri, you ain't what you use to be. Back in May, 2009, I wrote about the first iteration of Siri, titled: "Siri, Advice from Virtual Personal Assistants." For those who haven't followed the iPhone evolution, while Siri was first integrated into iPhone's operating system with their "4S" launch, it existed as stand-alone app previously. Fueled by artificial intelligence, it was a harbinger of what was to come in the new age of Web 3.0 and semantic technology.