MONDAY, MAY 21

Local Social Ad Spending Set to Surge

Most social network ad spending in the US is national, but locally targeted spending is set to rise from one-quarter of the total this year to nearly one-third by 2016. Geolocation is the main driver behind the growth in local spending on social media. Full Article

Mobile Devices Keep Execs Connected on Vacation, Weekends

The swift adoption of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets among the US population is altering the consumer-media dynamic into an always on, anywhere experience. Business executives in particular remain tethered to these devices even when they’re off the clock. Full Article

Mobile Phone User Growth Plateaus in Argentina

More than half of the world’s population used a mobile phone in 2011, but some countries have been ahead of the curve for quite a while. In Argentina, as mobile phone user penetration nears saturation, growth will plateau, but users will increase in sophistication, specifically in mobile internet usage. Full Article

FRIDAY, MAY 18

Women Click on More Facebook Ads

Women are well-known as social media mavens, and around the world they are not only more active on social networking sites, but also click on more Facebook ads than their male counterparts. The difference is less pronounced in the US, although women are still more likely than men to click on ads on the social networking giant. Full Article

Beam Looks to Digital to Extend the In-Person Experience

Kevin George, SVP and global CMO, spoke to eMarketer about how spirits producer Beam is moving beyond traditional channels to create digital campaigns that tap into the social behaviors of its consumers and leveraging online video to maximize campaigns' viral spread. Full Article

Ecommerce Booming Down Under

eMarketer forecasts ecommerce sales in Australia to hit $13.3 billion in 2012, a 26.7% increase over 2011. GroupM estimates that online buyers will spend an average $2,108 per person in 2012, a key factor in the overall ecommerce sales increase. Favorable exchange rates and low duties on imported goods are also opening the market to foreign retailers. Full Article

THURSDAY, MAY 17

Paywall Resistance Softens When Content Is Right

Most internet users have come to expect free digital content, but a good portion will consider paying to enter a paywall. However, not all types of content are created equal when deciding where to dish out dollars for access. Full Article

Are Marketers Missing Multichannel Opportunities?

There’s no question that consumers are living in a multiscreen world, and marketers recognize that users expect a seamless media experience from one platform to the next. But for most brands and agencies, creating those experiences is taking a back seat to more basic steps like measuring ROI. Full Article

Digital Is the Place to Reach US Asians

The Asian population in the US is highly connected, and more likely than their counterparts of other races and ethnicities to conduct a range of advanced online activities. Conversely, they are not as keen on traditional media like TV. With their spending power increasing, this gives digital marketers an advantage. Full Article

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

Mobile Phone Shoppers Show Growing Preference for Text Marketing

Increased mobile phone penetration has given more people the ability to shop and make purchases on the go. A recent survey found that one in five respondents had used their phone to buy something online. And a growing number of people saw the value in texts that alerted them to a sale, promotion or other marketing message. Full Article

TV Viewers Carry the Conversation to Social Networks

The pairing of social media use and television watching has given rise to social TV. Viewers are now heading online to have conversations about their favorite shows, as well as seeking out new programs through recommendations from their social networks. Full Article

Mobile Social Network Usage Catches Fire in France

eMarketer estimates that the popularity in France of social networking via mobile devices will increase significantly, and by 2013, account for almost half of total social network users. Several factors will contribute to this popularity: an increase in smartphone penetration, younger demographic uptake and mobile site optimization. Full Article

TUESDAY, MAY 15

Millennials Lead the Quest for Mobile-Enabled, Just-in-Time Information

With access to the mobile web and apps at their fingertips, smartphone owners are using their devices to find answers and make decisions on an ever-more instantaneous basis. Younger consumers are leading the trend. Full Article

Tablets Take Flight

Frequent flyers know that tablets are a frequent site in-flight, and research shows they are one of the top electronic devices used by travelers, especially air travelers. As sales worldwide continue to rise, tablets will gain greater share as the preferred device of those trying to pass the time en route. Full Article

Facebook Adoption High, Ad Rates Low in Spain

Despite negative economic news coming out of Spain, Facebook adoption in the country is barreling along at full steam, and the site continues to gain share over the local social network competitor. Although the site's usage is high, ad rates in Spain are lower than the worldwide average. Full Article

MONDAY, MAY 14

Mobile Wallets Have Uphill Climb to Consumer Acceptance

Are mobile wallets the future of payment? Despite enthusiasm from the tech industry and some early adopters, most consumers aren’t interested in giving up their old-fashioned wallets, at least not without some persuasion that the benefits outweigh the risks. Full Article

Hunger for Online Content Remains Undiminished

Online content’s popularity has no doubt been helped along by faster internet connections, as well as internet-enabled mobile devices. And that trend shows no signs of slowing down. One study found that almost nine in 10 internet users consumed 11 hours or more of online content either at home or at work, helping bring online video, in particular, closer to mass-media status. Full Article

Ad Spending in the Middle East Poised for Recovery

In 2011, significant upheaval in much of the Middle East and North Africa resonated beyond politics and culture, affecting business as well. Marketing spending in the region dropped about 10%, but as media outlets and advertisers regain their footing, spending is expected to rebound, led by strong growth in digital media. Full Article

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Marketers Use Growing Number of Tools to Spur Website Engagement

Marketers have a seemingly endless number of ways to engage with audiences online. But the most common methods are straightforward emails and email newsletters, according to research by Chief Marketer. Video is also quickly emerging as a valuable tool to engage with users. Full Article

Web Content No. 1 Differentiator for Hotel Marketers

Max Starkov, president and CEO of hospitality industry consulting firm Hospitality eBusiness Solutions, spoke to eMarketer about the evolution of search for the hotel industry and how content optimization affects customer response. Full Article

Men in Asia-Pacific Active on Social Networks

Social network growth in Asia-Pacific is significant—projected to increase by more than 100 million users from 2011 to 2012—and showing no signs of slowing down. Among this huge social network audience, men are an active and engaged demographic segment. Full Article

THURSDAY, MAY 10

Luxury Brand Apps Can Open the Mcommerce Door

Wealthy US shoppers—those who make at least $150,000 annually—have downloaded luxury brand apps in small numbers. But there is room for growth, since wealthy Americans are fast adopters of smart-device technology. Most importantly for luxury product mcommerce, more than 40% of wealthy smartphone owners willing to download a mobile app expressed interest in the ability to make secure and convenient in-app mcommerce purchases of luxury goods. Full Article

Online Sales per User Continue to Climb in North America

Internet users in the US and Canada are expected to spend more than $1,000 each this year on online purchases, with US internet users outspending their counterparts in Canada by $33 on average, according to one estimate. Retailers, in turn, are ramping up online advertising to reach these ecommerce buyers. Full Article

Ecommerce in Brazil Surges with Middle-Class Adoption

The future of ecommerce in Brazil is looking bright. According to research, the number of online buyers increased by nearly 9 million in 2011, and 61% of new buyers were from the country’s rising middle class. New growth has been largely driven by smaller sales, like digital downloads and toiletries. Full Article

WEDNESDAY, MAY 09

Marketers Increasingly Eye Tablet, Mobile RTB Display Ad Inventory

Real-time bidding for display ad inventory continues to garner greater ad spending from marketers, especially as they look to secure video ad inventory both online and on mobile devices. Full Article

Smartphones Are Mom’s New Babysitter

When the little ones get bored or cranky, moms are likely to pass their mobile devices to their kids to keep them busy with videos or games. The practice has become so common that one-third of children under age 4 have used smartphones. The lesson for marketers is clear: appeal to both moms and kids in messaging. Full Article

Broadband Penetration Increases, but Connections Still Weak in Russia

eMarketer predicts that in 2012 a quarter of all homes in Russia will have a fixed broadband connection, but telecom operators are struggling to keep up with advanced technologies in the geographically vast country. Most connections are via ADSL, a cheaper but less robust technology, while faster but more expensive fiber still accounts for only a fraction of total connections. Full Article

TUESDAY, MAY 08

Home Is Where the Tablet Is

One of the major selling points of tablets is their portability, but research suggests that tablet owners are content to use their devices most often at home. Bedrooms and living rooms are the most popular places for tablets to be used, suggesting that owners rely on them largely for at-home entertainment. Full Article

Digital Tools Key for Grocery Shopping, Online and Off

A new eMarketer report explores the US digital grocery market. Despite a relatively small number of online grocery shoppers, digital tools are becoming key to the grocery shopping process both online and in stores. Shoppers are relying on mobile technology to help them make lists, check prices and find more information about the foods they buy for their families. Full Article

Tencent’s Qzone Still Reigns in China Despite Sina Weibo’s Buzz

While Tencent Weibo often plays second-fiddle in the marketing press to competitor Sina Weibo, Tencent’s Qzone is the No. 1 social media site in China, according to research. With a popular, easy-to-use interface focused on updates, photos and videos and a potential reach of 700 million QQ users, Qzone is a force to be reckoned with. Full Article

MONDAY, MAY 07

Tumblr Boasts Rapid Growth and New Advertising Opportunities

After a long holdout, Tumblr began selling ad units on May 2. The blogging platform, which now hosts more than 50 million blogs, has reported high user engagement and continues to grow at an impressive rate. Full Article

Mobile Is the Gateway to Small-Business Owners, SMBs

Small-business owners believe most companies and brands make little effort to understand their business and their needs, and as a result, they do not market to them effectively. Mobile is proving an increasingly vital channel for SMBs, and marketers could have better luck reaching this audience on smartphones and tablets. Full Article

Users Tune in to Online Video in Canada, Ad Spending Follows

Online video’s popularity among internet users in Canada has taken off, and marketers are investing heavily in the format. eMarketer estimates that online video ad spending in the country doubled between 2010 and 2011, and expects it to double again from 2012 to 2016, for a total that year of CA$369.7 million ($373.4 million). Full Article

FRIDAY, MAY 04

Is Your Social Media Strategy Global?

A new eMarketer report analyzes the need for marketers to strategize carefully about their social media plans in countries around the world. Many companies have taken a bottom-up approach to global social efforts so far, but more internal organization may be required as markets outside North America grow and gain importance. Full Article

With Smartphones, Clorox Meets Moms in the Shopping Aisle

Tiffany Tan, senior group manager of consumer and shopper promotions, and Davis Kellis, director of public relations and socia media, spoke with eMarketer about one of The Clorox Company’s key demographics—moms—and how the group is reached on smartphones. Full Article

Internet Users in Mexico Embrace Online Entertainment

Highly engaged internet users in Mexico spend a significant amount of time on entertainment websites. User trends and a timely joint venture between incumbent players in the telecom and music industries could herald a brighter future for record labels in a market where piracy and illegal sharing are commonplace today. Full Article

THURSDAY, MAY 03

Marketers Attempt to Align Online Video and TV Campaigns

Measuring marketing success across multiple screens may pose a challenge, but more advertisers are embracing brand engagement as their primary video campaign metric. Marketers view TV as more complementary to online video than display advertising. Full Article

In Western Europe, Internet Behavior Differences Slight but Significant

A new eMarketer report analyzes internet access and usage patterns across Western Europe, where nearly two-thirds of the population will go online this year. The major countries in the region share many characteristics in terms of digital behavior, but there is enough variation to keep marketers on their toes. Full Article

Mobile Internet Adoption in Italy Makes Inroads

Italians have long loved their SIM-card-based mobile devices. According to eMarketer estimates, as early as 2009, there were 1.5 mobile phone subscriptions per person in the country. Actual user numbers are quite a bit lower and at saturation level, but newer, more advanced phones mean room for growth in the mobile internet arena. Full Article

WEDNESDAY, MAY 02

The ‘Smartphone Class’: Always On, Always Consuming Content

A new eMarketer report examines the group of Americans that have adopted smartphones and made them an essential part of daily life: the smartphone class. They are not defined by age, gender, income or race, but by their shared behaviors—particularly, continually snacking on a stream of bite-sized digital content. Full Article

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