So far, I've been trying to write blog posts that "hang together," but part of the fun of SXSW is the way that you're constantly bombarded with amazing and interesting details and experiences. In the interest of sharing as many different angles on the event as possible about the event, I'm abandoning that format today in favor of sharing some shorter notes I've collected over the past few days.

• You have probably never seen as many smartphones, tablets, and laptops in your life as I've seen at SXSW. You have definitely never seen people so incapable of putting them away (she says, as she blogs from her smartphone). It's a little bit disturbing, actually. Mobile platforms are definitely the "now," but I'm not really sure that they're also the "future." There has to be tech fatigue at some point.
• Everything here is covered in QR codes. Everything. Most of them seem to rely on the hope that people will be inherently intrigued by the presence of a scannable code, and they'll check it out on the strength of that curiosity. When everything is covered in codes, that's a pretty bad assumption. I was highly intrigued by the idea of a QR coded cupcake, but not so much that I didn't stuff the entire thing in my mouth without scanning it. (A friend did try to scan the code, but apparently edible ink doesn't hold up well enough for it to register). The only code I've actually scanned was on a sticker that I liked the design of, and the only reason I scanned it was to verify that it didn't point to anything I found objectionable. QR codes are cool technology, but I'm not sure people have quite figured out what to do with them.
• I have never stood in so many lines in my life.
• My favorite one-line gem of the week: "If you think you can multitask well, your work should be judged by somebody only doing one thing at a time."
• At an event like this, it's worth seeing some of the "web personalities" speak, even if you don't immediately see the connection between their work and yours. After seeing Mathew Inman ("The Oatmeal") and Felicia Day speak, I've realized that these people are successful at what they do because they are passionate about their work. There is definitely something to be learned from their process, even if your projects are very different.
• I am obsessed with the brilliance of the cheese-wedge-shaped restaurant in the convention center that only serves grilled cheese, large grilled cheese, and tomato soup. They're making great use of a concept that so many people are trying to advocate for in other spheres: do one thing really, really well. Grilled cheese as inspiration for a web development philosophy? Why not?
• No, really - I have never, ever stood in so many lines. I am trying to learn patience along with all of the cool tech inspiration I'm getting, but it's not easy. I mention this fact because I'm trying to convince myself that no experience is wasted time; maybe if I commit the idea to "paper," the concept will sink in a little bit.
• The most important thing I've learned about the emerging web technologies (HTML5 and CSS3, to name two of the biggest ones), is that it's not yet time to jump in with both feet. The specs haven't been finished yet, and they're still moving targets. Experimenting with the technology will be fun, but it's not time to start large projects that rely on the bleeding edge features.

Tomorrow was going to be more of a "wrap-up" post, but after catching the encore presentation of "Worst Website Ever," I'm definitely going to write about that tomorrow, once I've had a chance to let it marinate. As much as the panel was presented as humor, it also might have been the most inspiring and insightful panel I saw. (So there's your preview for tomorrow!)

Labels: CSS3, front end development, HTML5, mobile, sxsw

Attending the Sears Digital Summit today at MPG. Working more closely with our brethren in the full-line store marketing team will only make us stronger/better/faster, just like the six million dollar man (great show by the way). We are talking about re-marketing to consumers, leveraging cookies and serving relevant ad units based on the consumer's actions/behaviors/traffic patterns. Also talking about leveraging dynamic ad generation for this, which is something we need to build for Sears.com. Tackling data analytics to deliver more relevant/accurate advertising to consumers. In the afternoon we are going to cover social games, local/social platforms and mobile all from a marketing perspective. What I think will be key will be how all of this leads to sales online and off and how we can drive conversion in it's many forms.

Labels: digital summit, Integrated marketing communications, mobile, online advertising, Sears

Image by DrewVigal via Flickr

Since well before we got the darn thing in our hands, my team and I have been thinking quite a bit about the iPad.

A new category of device doesn't come along all that often. With over 2 million iPad sold in the first two months, it's pretty clear that the tablet experience is here to stay. Those of us in the business of selling, especial in the retail space, have been trying to figure out what the opportunity really is.

This exercise has lead us to have plenty of conversations about, "context of use," for the iPad.

It boils down to thinking about it this way... CREATION vs. CONSUMPTION of CONTENT.

Let's think about this as a spectrum of devices and experiences from small (and intimate) to large. (and more formal)

iPhone = the most intimate, but not something I want to stare at / work on for any length of time. Any media I consume there must be the most “snackable.” I carry an iPhone, only because I can’t have it implanted yet.

iPad = A great device for CONSUMING content, even reading emails. It’s big enough to make the experience comfortable, but small enough to be unobtrusive and easy to carry. Which is why I love it in meetings. It’s great for firing off a few quick emails.

Laptop = This is still my weapon of choice for CREATING content. I really don’t want to build wireframes or slides on my iPad. I don’t want to spend 20 minutes processing my inbox hunched over an iPad. I still want a good chair, a big screen, and for now, a mouse and a real keyboard when I have some heavy-lifting to do.

Ignore the context of use at your peril. Brands that think hard about how their customers use the Ipad, how it fits into their media diet, are the ones that have the best chance of creating killer experiences for it.

Labels: IPad, iPhone, mobile, work

It was Black Friday, which was a huge day for us in the retail space. And while it wasn’t surprising to get reviews from people regarding their shopping highs and lows, we were excited to see how the retail experience had evolved in the U.S.

In this case, David, (a classmate of my wife's from back in high school) went to the store on Black Friday, intent on grabbing a great deal on a TV. David had a great in-store experience, and he shared it with all his friends online just like a lot of folks.

It's worth noting that his status update didn't come from a desktop computer, but from the Facebook app on his iPhone. (He probably didn't wait to get home before posting.) He was excited about his new TV, and naturally wanted to share.

It doesn't end there... David's friends responded to his status and started a conversation about the experience. (Some noting that they haven't had this sort of luck.) David followed up with comments to the original post later on and provided updates:

• 1. The TV is now all set up, and it's "FREAKING SWEET!!!!" (his words)
• 2. He found the same TV online at another dot com, but for around $500 more than he paid.

Sure he bragged a little, but he also helped friends by letting them know where to find a good deal.

David shared his experience beyond the transaction at the cash register, because it was a positive one. People use social media to complain about things, but customers can be just as vocal when they're happy.

There is no more online store and offline store … at least not how customers like David see it. Those worlds have blended together for consumers for a long time now, and Sears gets that.

Today these moments are shared, posted, commented on, searched for and archived ... the experience spreads further and further.

And as for you, David … congrats on the new TV.

Labels: #blackfriday, mobile, social shopping