We rocked the Google+ Hangout

As we've said time and time again, Google + has potential but it's a little late to the party. The bells and whistles are tempting, but they seem to be under used.  Well, just last night I gave Google+ Hangout a test run with a virtual baby shower.

A Google+ Baby Shower Hangout 

I invited my sister-in-law's friends from across the country to celebrate the soon-to-arrive baby boy.  At 6 pm, ladies from MN, KY, TX and LA logged on and joined the hangout.  Everyone except me was new to Google +, so it took 15 minutes or so (and a number of phone calls) to get everyone up and running. 

We played games, caught everyone up on life, had some shower-ish food and great virtual laughs. There were a few snags, like when some party-goers couldn't hear others, which lead to translators. Certain locations were stuck as the larger picture even when someone else was 'talking the loudest' and people kept getting logged out and needed to rejoin.

Overall it was a great 3 hours hanging out with friends scattered across the country...and then pictures from the shower and comments about the fun times were posted on Facebook.

How are you using Google+?

Video Post: Axiom @ Wilsonart Video Project in Bryan, OH

What do Dum Dum Suckers, an Etch-a-Sketch and huge tires have in common? They all call Bryan, Ohio, home. Dave Sniadak recently traveled to Bryan to produce another (Up)Date Night video series for Wilsonart International, and shares his experience in our latest Axiom @ video.

Wordless Wednesday: If Web Browsers Were Celebrities

Shopping Apps Offer Big Deals

I know you may cringe at the thought of the Holiday season so soon (the snow, the traffic, the mad shopping rush), but the truth is it will be here before you know it. This is especially true for all of you Black Friday shoppers. The season is expected to be very different this year, with the popularity of mobile, social and daily deals shaking things up in the marketing and commerce scene.

Tablets and smartphones have become a convenient and preferred way to shop. According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, more than 50% of smartphone and tablet owners will use their devices to shop this holiday season. This includes researching products and prices, purchasing and redeeming coupons. Retailers and brands should take advantage of these statistics by making sure their mobile and tablet commerce-enabled sites are ready and able.

App developers have already recognized the power of mobile shoppers, and have come up with quite a few nice apps. One of which, Shoparazzi, developed by Geocast, allows you to track your favorite shops and brands and see when they're discounted in your area.

The Shoparazzi service (which is currently only for iPhone), draws on a database of store locations and websites and also aggregates social media feeds and email newsletters from fashion labels and retailers. The service is curated by editors who then update sales locations, says the company. Users are then sent alerts when their favorite retailers have a promotion, or when shops discount items they are looking for.

Mobile technology now allows consumers to access the best deals in a more efficient and personalized manner. Most importantly, retailers need to be prepared for the amount of customer engagement on mobile that will occur this year.

Facebook Friday: It's All in the Numbers

The average U.S. Facebook user spends 7 hours and 46 minutes per month on Facebook. Are you one of them? How about a fan of one of the top five brand pages on Facebook? If it's Coca-Cola, Disney or Starbucks you like, then consider yourself part of the club. Check out today's infographic for more Facebook facts.