2010: PR’s year for mobile
Today’s announcement from Google on its entry into the cellphone market with the Nexus One only reinforces my recent thoughts about cell phones becoming the new laptops.
Over the holiday break I became the proud owner of a IPOD Touch (thanks again Hodgers), and a Motorola DROID. Now instead of sitting at the desktop or laptop, I find myself in my favorite chair, curled up in a Snuggie, with both devices on the table sitting next to me. I alternate using them to check email, Facebook, Twitter, the web and even watched NFL football on them through Directv.
So of course the mind now wanders. What are the best ways to translate that into better public relations for clients?
- Branded APPS: I have already downloaded the branded New York Jets keyboard into my DROID. Theme applications like these are great ways to expand brand loyalty.
- Games: See Branded APPS
- Expanding social media presence across the board: Now people are even less tied to their computers and with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin and others now included as almost standard issue, you MUST be in it to win it. Also new fun social games like Foursquare make consumerism into a contest where your phone is your game piece.
- Content: The web is a key component because browser speed on these units are less of an issue. PR folks are the content kings, we must look for ways to tailor that content even better for these devices.
With new devices on the horizon like the much-awaited Apple Tablet, this opening salvo is just the beginning. These will be the “game changers” that will change the way we all consume media in the future and provide new PR, media relations and social media opportunities.
I’d love to hear your thoughts as well.
Jon Newman
In 2002 Jon cofounded The Hodges Partnership and has helped to grow it into one of the country’s largest public relations firms (based on O’Dwyer’s annual rankings). Jon has taught communications as an adjunct professor at VCU, speaks regularly at conferences and meetings and blogs and tweets about public relations and marketing issues.
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