Wednesday, July 06, 2011
WHAT’S HOT1. Google+: Sharing is a huge part of the web, a part that we think could be a lot simpler. That’s why we’ve been working on adding a few new things to Google: to make connecting with people on the web more like connecting with them in the real world. We hope you like what we’ve cooked up so far. And stay tuned, because there’s more to come. Click the link or the logo to learn more about how Google+ works.
2. Google+ for Brands: We have been watching Google+ take shape over the last week and we’ve seen some really great companies get involved. But frankly we know our product as it stands is not optimally suited to their needs. In fact, it was kind of an awkward moment for us when we asked Ford for his (or was it her?) gender!
How users communicate with each other is different from how they communicate with brands, and we want to create an optimal experience for both. We have a great team of engineers actively building an amazing Google+ experience for businesses, and we will have something to show the world later this year.
The business experience we are creating should far exceed the consumer profile in terms of its usefulness to businesses. We just ask for your patience while we build it. In the meantime, we are discouraging businesses from using regular profiles to connect with Google+ users. Our policy team will actively work with profile owners to shut down non-user profiles.
Over the next few months we are going to be running a small experiment with a few marketing partners to see the effect of including brands in the Google+ experience. We’ll begin this pilot with a small number of named partners. If you represent a “non-user entity” (e.g. business, organization, place, team, etc.) and would like to apply for consideration in our limited program (and be amongst the first to be alerted when the business product launches) you can sign up here: http://goo.gl/zq95C
3. Google Wallet: Google Wallet is an Android app that makes your phone your wallet. It stores virtual versions of your existing plastic cards on your phone. Simply tap your phone to pay and redeem offers using near field communication, or NFC. Learn more by clicking on the link.
4. The Google CPG Blog: The Google CPG Blog is always hot. For all of the latest news and updates in the world of CPG digital marketing, please visit: http://google-cpg.blogspot.com/. We are updating the site a couple of times per week now, so check back often. This week you can read a guest post by Patrick Tedjamulia about how to create a digital dashboard for your brand and download the Zero Moment of Truth E-book.
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STAT OF THE WEEK
Consumers can’t seem to get enough video. Video delivered “over-the-top” via the internet to a growing range of devices is fueling this newfound passion. The only limit to video viewing, it seems, is the number of hours in a day.
Media usage is changing rapidly as more internet-enabled devices enter the home, and are used in front of the TV. Consumers’ digital media habits are shifting significantly—and perhaps permanently—away from the TV set to other screens.
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GOOGLE NEWS
Google Scoops Up 5 Creative Awards at Cannes Lions Ad Festival
Google, a company that has made its name off search and has famously eschewed brand advertising for over 10 years, have picked up five awards for creative and inventive advertising campaigns. You can’t tell me that you didn’t love that Dear Sophie Lee spot!
Evolving the Google Design & Experience
Starting last week, you might have noticed that things look a little different across Google products. We’re working on a project to bring you a new and improved Google experience, and over the next few months, you’ll continue to see more updates to our look and feel. Even our classic homepage is getting a bit of a makeover.
