Human 4G Hotspots

We have all experienced situations where mobile data coverage has been poor. Well advertising and communcations firm BBH New York, have initiated a charity campaign called "Homeless Hotspots".  Homeless people were engaged to roam the streets of Austin Texas during the SXSW Awards week in March 2012, wearing T-Shirts reading "I am a 4G Hotspot" and offering conference-goers and other passersby access to the 4G Mobile data network for a donation.  

BBH New York, states that "this charitable innovation initiative attempts to modernise the Street Newspaper model employed to support homeless population. At the same time providing a service to the data hungry public and a financial benefit to the homeless. 

There have been mixed reactions to this campaign.  Call it a PR stunt or truely charitable gesture by BHH New York, either way the idea is a innovative one. 

Is this a PR stunt that is objectifying the homeless or is it truely innovative WiFi concept at the same time increasing awareness of the homeless, what do you think?

Human mobile data access points, Telco and ISP product managers take note!

Image Source: Callier Richmond

DOGTV

DOGTV have launched a 24/7 cable television channel in San Diego to keep pooches entertained while left alone by their owners. The channel features specialist content that has been researched, produced and "pup approved" with the assistance of pet behaviour experts.

There are three types of programming on offer, stimulating and relaxing content followed by positive behaviour reinforcement. As DOGTV states "DOGTV's programming meets a dog's typical daily routine and helps prevent mental fatigue, depression and boredom". The concept is aimed to reduce the dog's stress levels when left alone by their owners.

In 2010, worldwide sales of pet products and services reached $81 billion with the US contributing $48 billion to those sales figures (Source: About.com). Other countries such as China and India are also experiencing unprescedented growth in the pet market, as a result DOGTV have spotted a huge potential untapped niche segment withn the pet market. 

Hello IPTV, cable, content and production companies,  one to take note and introduce to all the pooches on your side of the planet. 

Flight Seats Going Social

We have all had one of those awkward flight boarding moments where we had thoughts such as "hope I don't sit next to …..". Well Dutch Airline KLM is now making flying more social and hopefully preventing these awkward moments for travellers.

KLM has launched the "Meet & Seat" program where travellers can select their "seatmate" by evaluating Facebook and LinkedIn profiles prior to take off.

The service is available to travellers who have confirmed their flight reservation and who have opted-in to the service by connecting their social profiles to their booking. After deciding on the amount of social profile information they wish to share, travellers are presented with seat maps showing where others that have shared their social profiles are seated. Travellers can then select a seat if available, next to someone they find interesting and in turn the other person receives a message with the other travellers profile details.

Currently the service is only available on flights between Amsterdam and New York and San Francisco and Sao Paolo.

With 500 million active Facebook users and possibly 8 million of those flying daily, there is a potential high take up rate for these types of social services. Great concept to explore for other types of markets where social media can provide a value add to customers.

Ultimate Mile-High Club

There are some real over the top business ideas that we have seen over the years but this concept probably takes the cake.

Belgian company Dinner in the Sky offers event organisers a new option for their events that will shock and awe its clients and guests. Dinner In the Sky as the name suggests, host events such as weddings, dinners and entertainment events suspended via a crane 50 meters above cities in 40 countries around the world.

Their latest platform is more like a real restaurant. Patrons are seated in a roller coaster style seating with a seat belt and are served by waiters and chefs while they enjoy the view and experience. The platform can be customised to varies formations from one large table to 8 tables with 4 guests per table situated around a central bar.

Festivals are going to new levels to attract punters by adopting this concept. In an Australian first, an airborne bar named the Ele[V]ator will hold 20 fans suspended 50 meters above the concert crowd via a crane. On the 26th February 2012, as part of the Soundwave 2012 festival in Sydney, Foxtel TV music Channel [V] will be hosting the airborne suspended bar which will rotate above the crowd allowing high flying punters to look down onto the band stage.

Access to the Ele[V]ator is invitation only, via a competition run by Channel [V] through social media. Great innovative marketing and PR by Channel [V] at the same time providing shock and awe experience to punters and fans they will never forget.

Brands, great PR idea for your next major event!

Rate That Agent

From a buyers and sellers perspective, public perception on real estate agents has not been so positive over the years. Like any industry, you have your good and bad seeds.

Following similar concepts such as eBay and other social media sites where the crowd provides reviews and ratings on products and services, Sydney based startup Rate that Agent is planning to change the public perception about real estate agents.

Launched in June 2011 by former Sydney real estate agent Michael Jackson,  Rate that Agent provides a platform for sellers and buyers to search, review and rate real estate agents. 

The site is free for consumers. Basic package is free for real estate agents but  have the option to upgrade to a paid package providing enhance features such as SEO, videos, photos, Blog and increase in location coverage.

Providing consumers the power and benefit of unbiased feedback and advice from the crowd and inturn driving real estate agents to be on top of their game.