Earlier this year, Newzoo, the games industry researcher, showed in an infographic that in the first quarter of 2012, some 37 million Americans paid to play mobile games – either via purchasing games or by making in-game purchases. Over the next 12 months it will be interesting to see how much this growing segment will represent of the $78 billion Video Game Industry. 

There has been a lot of talk in the Streaming Audio space taking place over the last month.  First came the Bloomberg post related to Apple’s potential entrance into the Streaming Audio sector (everyone in unison: “Please, not another Apple post…”) and the implications of its arrival.  And then today came some news around MySpace’s efforts to enter the subscription space. That being said, I have a theory that whenever a competing product from a mega-corporation labeled a “[Insert Beloved Product]-Killer” is introduced to the public, the only thing truly successful about that launch is the marketing and promotion.  Everything READ MORE

In a media planning world where placing similar sites on similar plans can be a creativity killer, digital place-based network, Akoo, is allowing for new opportunities and creative executions by bridging several channels with its offering. And it’s boasting high engagement to boot. Akoo places screens in what they are calling ‘Akoo Pavillions’ located in high traffic areas of malls and college campuses. Music content coupled with advertising on dual screens encourages viewers to engage with content by interacting through their mobile devices.

There’s no shock in finding out that consumers are watching large amounts of video online, nine hours per week in fact, according to Tremor Media. What may come as a larger surprise is that consumers are watching 12 hours per week on their Connected TV devices—more than any other device – and that 38% of consumers visited a website mentioned in an ad they saw on their Connected TV. The issue is that advertisers aren’t adopting Connected TV as quickly as consumers.

A few weeks ago, I was struck with inspiration. I was graciously invited to tag along with the Centro Marketing team to the Prince concert in Chicago. Midway through the show, Prince requested everyone get out their phones to illuminate the arena. Phones have become the new lighters at concerts. Thousands of small illuminated screens dotted the arena.