US gangs use social media to daunt, flaunt and taunt

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Mike Johns

This post is by regular contributor and US hip-hop technology legend Mike Johns, who tweets here and is heading up iAM DIGITAL: MUSIC & TECH Symposium at this year’s CTIA

We’ve seen how social media has played an important role in creating cause awareness, inciting revolutions, and toppling Government regimes.

However, who could have ever imagined that these powerful tools would be used by US gangs across America? In cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, gang members often use Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets to spread vitriolic ‘diss’ messages and encourage rival gangs to respond. Continue reading →

After the smoke has settled, what really went on at MWC 2013?

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Hugh Griffiths

This contribution is by new contributor and mobile veteran Hugh Griffiths, Director of Digital Potential who tweets here

Overview/Main Themes

This year saw unseasonably cold weather in Barcelona along with a new location (Fira de Barcelona, 2km west of the previous venue, Fira de Montjuic), which spread the event over a much larger area.

A reported 72,000 people attended on Day 2 (traditionally the busiest), with a mood that was generally positive. The big themes for this year were 4G, smartphones (due to the increase from 1.5 billion devices to 1.9 billion by the year end), regulation, multiple screen experiences and new revenue streams. Continue reading →

Retailers have survived the first digital coming, but what’s next?

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Lloyd Gofton

By regular contributor Lloyd Gofton who tweets here

HMV’s recent demise was hardly a surprise. The writing has been on the wall for so long that it’s been painted over and graffitied many times since.

If we rewind ten years to 2003, the conversation around retail was focused on the importance of the web Continue reading →

Three things that need to happen before mobile couponing kicks off

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Rob Thurner

Today’s shoppers are more promiscuous than ever. The double-dip recession is putting customer loyalty under sustained pressure as shoppers expect extended sales or short term deals on a range of products on and off the High Street. Continue reading →