Ads to Come to iPhones: Apple Launches New iAds

Apple, a serious player in the tech game, has shown that is is serious about digital advertising with its new mobile ad venture. Apple has recently allowed advertisers access to publish ads for iPhones, iPads, and Macs in hopes of gaining real success with its iAd business.

Over the past year, Apple has been planning programmatic mobile advertising with hopes of serving up some iAds via companies like AdRoll. In the past, iAd was considered to be a high-end marketing tool for businesses with the most cash.

Apple has wanted to have wanted to create mobile ads in-house for a w
hile, hence, their purchase of Quattro Wireless. Now, with partnerships such as Adroll and The Rubicon, they can begin to meet the benchmark set by Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

How will a partnership with AdRoll help? Well, AdRoll is a firm that allows marketing firms to use their own data to supply ads across a variety of platforms.

Higher-ups at Apple and AdRoll believe that this move will reshape and revamp the mobile advertising scene.

Ads will be given data from the iTunes and App store as well as info from Apple Pay so ads will be targeting appropriately. The ads will show up in apps that allow iAds.

How effective will the ads be in terms of getting consumer attention and making Apple a big player in the mobile ad game? Time will tell. As a Chicago marketing company, we're excited to see how this plays out; it could indeed change the landscape.

Do you want to advertise with iAd? Then contact Integraphix -- a digital marketing firm to help you create great ads that you'd be proud to display on Apple's new advertising platform.

Target Will Be Using Location Based Marketing on Black Friday

Despite the immense popularity with shopping online, it seems the trip to the actual store will dominate this Black Friday as crowds of people head out to get their hands on incredible deals. The only hangup for some brick and mortar stores is how to get through to people who use their smartphones for price scanning.

Target has found the answer: location-based marketing. Their plan this Black Friday is to use location beacons in their stores that communicate to consumers via the Target app, telling the consumers where to go in the store by linking products to a store map. On Black Friday, the app will help shoppers find the best deals within the store they are in, making it a much more personal user experience.

Users of the app will be able to build shopping lists in the app and search for products and find out where they are in the store. As a Chicago marketing company, we think this
is a huge leap forward in enhancing the shopping experience.

The app is Target's attempt to transcend the ideal shopping experience between physical and online stores. A bold move, will it pay off? Another great move that should pay off for them this year is their decision to use Apple Pay. 

As a Chicago marketing agency, we love a great idea that is paired with another great idea, it's what makes for successful marketing. The beacons and the payment system that Target will be offering on Black Friday should give them a nice competitive advantage.

Does your business want to gain more sales and expand its reach? Perhaps take a new approach to its existing target market? Then hire Integraphix, a Chicago creative agency. Call us at 847-537-0067 or visit our site.

Doritos Flavored Mountain Dew. Has It Gone Too Far?

That's right, boys and girls, Mountain Dew is currently in the product testing stage (specifically taste-testing) stage of a Mountain Dew blend that tastes like cheese Doritos, called "Dewitos".

There was a taste testing on the campus of Kent State University, in Ohio. The testing included other flavors such as rainbow sherbet, lemon ginger, and mango habanero.

As a Chicago marketing agency, we weren't sure if this was a real product or a stunt, like the pumpkin spice condoms, but no, this is real. A Pepsi spokesperson confirmed the rumor that they are indeed testing new flavors of Mountain Dew and have given consumers the chance to taste the Doritos-inspired flavor.

Has it gone too far? Our Chicago marketing company understands the Locos Tacos, using a Dorito as the taco shell (it only makes sense, people!). Then they released Doritos that tasted like Doritos Locos Tacos (so a chip based on the taco based on the chip) and now this?

Where does it end? Will there be Doritos-flavored lip balm? (Someone at Frito-Lay might be thinking that's not such a bad idea).

Let us know what you think! Comment below or let us know on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+! 

AOL Rivaling Facebook for Marketing

Facebook is known for its "people-centric" marketing but it is no longer the only player in the game. Now, AOL is making a major play to get in on the social media marketing efforts. AOL claims it has the ability to ID 100 million consumers and target ads at them with great accuracy, even across all devices.

AOL is combining their Adap.TV platform with their AdLearn Open Platform to create One. This new platform will launch in February 2015, giving a much better experience of video programmatic buying and banners/displays. AOL believes it will make marketing much easier for professionals. AOL boasts a 93% accuracy rate for this new platform.

For marketing agencies across the country, especially for a Chicago marketing company, cross-device technology ads are huge and the execution of these marketing tactics are key. Brands are running to be able to effectively target consumers across all devices since so many peo
ple have the ability to be focusing on two screens at once.

Facebook launched Atlas recently to take advantage of data for consumers who are constantly switching between screens.

With One, AOL claims that advertisers are now seeing a 30% increase in the effectiveness of their ads with the new ability to reach such data.

The role of social media marketing, among other internet marketing efforts, is becoming much greater in the world of marketing. As a Chicago marketing agency, we are very excited to see things take shape with both Atlas and One, but time will tell.

Does your business desire to have a greater presence on the web, including social media? Then explore your marketing options with Integraphix!