Mediaboss Marketing

Small businesses are increasing their use of the Internet and social media platforms to connect with customers and grow their businesses, according to a recent survey by Citibank, with 65 percent of the 749 small business owners surveyed across the United States citing increased marketing activities as a key step in growing their business. The survey also found that smartphones ranked as the best technological solution for small businesses, with nearly half (48 percent) currently using smartphones like the iPhone or Android-powered devices.

While the large majority (70 percent) of respondents used their company website as a marketing channel, 41 percent said they have used social media channels, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, in the last year. Sixty-two percent haven't used email for marketing purposes -- a figure that remains the same from when Citibank first surveyed small business leaders about social media and online marketing in April 2010.

As small business owners are moving online, and relying more heavily on their company website, online channels represent an emerging opportunity to help grow their businesses. In fact, many small businesses plan to use digital and social media tools in the coming year. According to the survey, 60 percent plan to increase activity on their website for marketing purposes, 40 percent intend to use social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter for marketing or expanding their business up 10 points from 2010, and 38 percent plan to leverage email marketing tactics to drive awareness and sales of products and services.

"Although small business owners have been slower to adopt online marketing channels, they are clearly warming up to using these tools to target customers," said Maria Veltre, managing director of small business marketing and customer experience at Citi. "They are seeing that social media platforms can be an efficient and cost effective means to increase awareness of their business, engage with customers and, ultimately, to drive growth."

The number of small businesses selling goods and services online or via email rose from 16 percent to 24 percent since 2010. The use of social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, is up six percentage points during that same time frame. The survey also revealed that nearly three-quarters of small business owners who have a Website find it very or somewhat effective in generating more business for their company. More than one-third (34 percent) said that they plan to use smartphones in the future. In addition, tablet computers like Apple s iPad have penetrated one-quarter of small businesses, and another 23 percent said they planned to use them more or add one in 2012.

Small business owners under the age of 45 were more likely to use digital and social media to address their marketing needs. In the past 12 months, 54 percent of small business executives under the age of 45 used social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, compared to only 36 percent of their peers aged 45 and over. Younger small business owners were also more likely to use a company website (72 percent versus 68 percent of older respondents) and search engine optimization (44 percent versus 33 percent).

"Today, the web is the first place consumers go for information on products and services," said Tracey Weber, managing director of Internet and mobile for North America consumer banking at Citi. "The perception is that these channels are expensive and time-consuming, but the reality is there are simple ways to reach current and prospective customers online. Small businesses have a great opportunity to leverage online tools and social media to market their businesses and to help drive growth."

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Small Businesses Leveraging Social Networks for Marketing, Citibank Finds - Intelligence - News & Reviews - Baseline.com

Withing 20 months of Apple launching the first iPad in the US, local tablet ownership hit 18 per cent, and is forecast to more than double this year to 39 per cent. Photo: Getty Images

THE rapid expansion in the use of social networks as a marketing tool has been underscored in a new survey.

Browsing for product and brand information has increased rapidly, particularly on Facebook, Nielsen's January online ratings report finds.

Among regular internet users, more than one in five shops or researches brands on social media platforms.

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The top categories included retailers, movies and TV, restaurants and bars, technology brands and charities.

The change in the way consumers shop and research products comes as the smartphone replaces other hand-held devices.

By the end of this year, 64 per cent of Australians are expected to own one, up from 51 per cent last year. BlackBerry's market share halved last year, to 4 per cent.

Within 20 months of Apple launching the first iPad in the US, local tablet ownership hit 18 per cent, and is forecast to more than double this year to 39 per cent.

The popularity of Facebook as a marketing tool continues to rise - 57 per cent of online Australians have clicked a Facebook ''like'' button for a brand or organisation last year, up from 46 per cent a year earlier.

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Marketing gets social

By Computerworld New Zealand staff Computerworld New Zealand March 23, 2012

AUCKLAND - New Zealand is among the first countries to have access to a technology developed by Microsoft that identifies and removes images posted on the internet that exploit or endanger children.

Internal Affairs minister Amy Adams says the Internal Affairs Censorship Compliance Unit has been working with Microsoft on the development of PhotoDNA, which will allow investigators to detect and process objectionable images, as well as re-examine the methods they use to review the images.

New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to have access to this technology, which gives investigators another valuable tool to help us in the fight against this problem, Adams says. Millions of objectionable images are circulating the internet and PhotoDNA could help rescue the victims of abuse and find the offenders.

It will also allow a greater level of information sharing with our international partners as more systems come online that use this technology, she says.

Adams says that during forensic analysis it is common for the Unit to review more than 100,000 image files on one computer system.

InternetNZ chief executive Vikram Kumar said his organisation fully supports the government in its efforts to stop the exploitation of children and urges it do more, but he was concerned whether appropriate checks and balances were in place.

The only caution we have is that sometimes what starts off as a really good idea starts being used for other areas which could affect privacy, begin stopping free speech etcetera, Kumar said. At the moment its going really well but without checks and balances there would be an opportunity for abuse of these systems.

Kumar added that it wasnt very clear in the announcement if the PhotoDNA technology would be linked to the existing online child exploitation filter which was an area we have had concerns with.

The ministry seems to be sitting on the fence in that regard, Kumar said.

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Censorship unit works with Microsoft to develop PhotoDNA

21-03-2012 21:37 One of the most storied franchises in history soars to new heights. The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword shakes up the tried-and-true adventure game formula and marks a turning point for the franchise. The introduction of full motion controls to the series enabled by Wii MotionPlus™ technology enhances player movements while offering the most intuitive play control of any game in the series to date. Developed and Published by Nintendo

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Zelda Skyward Sword - Gameplay Walkthrough: Part 6 - Into the Woods (Wii) [HD] - Video

22-03-2012 19:54 Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com The world is waiting for the next big move by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime, after its purging of Bo Xilai. UK's Financial Times quoted sources as saying that Zhou Yongkang has been under control for some time. "Bo was under house arrest while his wife was taken away to help with an investigation into suspected corruption." said the report. None of this information has yet been confirmed by the regime. Analysts identify the news about Zhou Yongkang as reasonably accurate, Judging by information so far received in official CCP reports. After Bo Xilai was removed from office, the spotlight was focused on his open supporter Zhou Yongkang. Zhou was the CCP Politburo Standing Committee member and Secretary of the Central Political and Law Commission. Many varying versions of the "Beijing coup" have been circulating on China's internet over the past few days. All postings' are focused on Zhou Yongkang as the chief protagonist in the affair. On March 21, UK's Financial Times reported that the Wang Lijun incident had caused a political earthquake inside the CCP. It was "the most important political purge in decades". One source with close ties to CCP's security organs has revealed that Zhou has been ordered not to make any public appearances nor attend any high-level meetings, according to the report. Zhou is "already under some degree of control". Zhang Weiguo, chief editor of Hong Kong's Trend ...

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UK Media Confirms Zhou Yongkang Now Under Control - Video