A lot can happen in the matter of just a few weeks, so I’ve decided to bring you up to speed. Being in the loop is not only informational, but fashionable as well. As the Crocs shoe gets an update from unfashionably bulky, hole laden clog to streamlined and chic peep toe flat, the online marketing world is abuzz with updates regarding MySpace and Facial Recognition Software.
MySpace
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| http://www.crocs.com/spring-collection/spring-collection,default,sc.html |
Let’s face it, Crocs, although very comfortable, are arguably one of the worst fashion trends to ever set foot on this planet. Adorable on babies, the adult versions of this shoe are unfashionable and worst of all, unflattering. MySpace, which I previously compared to the “mom jean”, also suffered from the unfashionable curse. This week, however, MySpace managed to turn their luck around as they ranked a fashionable #38 in the United States in terms of traffic. By streaming live music from SXSW music festival, MySpace managed to reach its 63 million visitors and capitalized on their musical strengths by connecting users directly to the festival.
If Crocs can morph into a chic and comfortable spring fashion staple, I am quite convinced that MySpace can make a comeback by capitalizing on its strengths and improving on their weaknesses just as Crocs did. Crocs took an ugly, super comfortable shoe and transformed it into a chic, yet still super comfortable shoe. Hopefully MySpace can take their site and transform it from unfashionable and forgotten, to fashionably popular.
Facial Recognition Search
Last week I wrote about Google’s facial recognition software patent and the controversy that surrounds it. Now, Facebook, the dominant force of the social network, has been granted a new search patent that similarly exposes our online lives. The patent is called “Visual tags for search results generated from social network information”. As the name implies, the patent allows search results to be prioritized based on your overall social network’s preferences.
This patent could be huge for Facebook by filtering search results based on what the majority of your social network prefers and can ultimately make searching online less overwhelming. Let’s say I am searching for a new dress, my search will produce a list of results that includes recommended items and where I can purchase them. This will make searching much easier for me; however, it will make it harder to search for less popular items. One thing’s for sure, anything that makes shopping easier for me is a fashion necessity.
Sources:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,890,501.PN.&OS=PN/7,890,501&RS=PN/7,890,501
This new line of Crocs demonstrates how a company can always reinvent itself through its products. Crocs strategy to leave behind the doubtful honor of being "the ugliest shoes in the market" (known worldwide) has been a total success. It might sound as a joke but I'm sure many companies wish to have the same acknowledgment.
ReplyDeleteAll the luck to MySpace with that!
I think MySpace definitely had a smart idea when it decided to use SXSW as a way to get more people to revisit the site. MySpace can still have a chance at reviving itself if it could focus on events like that. Events that draw large crowds and even larger crowds that can't always get there in person. I think its all about their approach. If they continue to appeal to a more artistic center it might just be the light at the end of the tunnel. They can target other large music festivals possibly Ultra and Bamboozle fanatics that might not be able to be there in person and give them at least a taste of the experience. They can team up with music and art icons to give it a new vibe not just a place to friend random people but those that might be going to the same events you are. And with the new facebook patent you can easily search for the dress you saw on a girl at an event. They could both help satisfy our needs for music, friends and technology.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog for one. Secondly, I totally agree with you in that MySpace can definitely make a huge comeback using the music industry as it's strong asset. Now regarding Facebook and the NFC I like how they are making social networking more integrated now, but also it makes it harder for us marketers to advertised certain products because it doesn't depend on how well we try to attract the consumer but also the are bias on what other people think. It is taking peer pressure to another level as well.
ReplyDelete