Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

According to new research by eMarketer, the infamous “digital divide” is finally showing real signs of narrowing, as more and more research gives evidence of rising home broadband usage among black adults. eMarketer estimates that nearly 72% of the black population will be online in 2014. Black users are more active than average on the social web, eager to try to influence others in their network. And in the realm of mobile, blacks have adopted devices more quickly, participate in more content activities and are more likely to use the mobile web as an important internet access point. “Marketers that do not have a mobile strategy to reach black consumers are being left behind by the competition and ignored by this market,” said said Lisa E. Phillips, eMarketer senior analyst.

As consumers show more interest in video calling, vendors are releasing products that target this growing market. Recently, both Cisco and Logitech announced new hardware designed to help consumers make video calls through their HDTVs. It’s too soon to tell how the marketplace will react to those products but consumers are clearly excited about video chat. They’ve had the capability to tap this technology through their PCs and now vendors are developing the mobile video chat market.

A new report from barcode technology provider ScanBuy offers new insight into barcodes usage based on its own platform data. By downloading barcode scanning apps, users with a camera phone can get product information, coupons or other content via tags placed on product packaging, print ads or outdoor signs. Looking at user demographics, the study found that half of barcode users are ages 35 to 45 and skew male, reflecting the smartphone and early-adopter populations. Industry analyst note that barcodes have given retailers, packaged goods companies and brands the tools to deliver content and promotions on mobile devices. That ease of navigation, along with the explosive growth of SmartPhones is currently driving exponential adoption.

The recession seems to be abating in some industries. As a result, companies in growing sectors like technology and electronics, are putting more money into advertising. Specifically, vendors in these industries are using paid search to increase sales and market share.

According to a new report by The NPD Group, there is a large and untapped market for devices that offer connected capabilities and the digital content played on those devices. NPD’s “The Connected Experience: Building a Bridge Between Devices & Content” report reveals how U.S. consumers are adopting connected devices and using digital content, as well as what motivates specific consumer groups to use connected devices and connect to, and purchase, content. According to NPD’s report, as the industry grows consumers are beginning to access a broader array of content and services, and they are doing so from more devices.

According to a new report by The NPD Group, there is a large and untapped market for devices that offer connected capabilities and the digital content played on those devices. NPD’s “The Connected Experience: Building a Bridge Between Devices & Content” report reveals how U.S. consumers are adopting connected devices and using digital content, as well as what motivates specific consumer groups to use connected devices and connect to, and purchase, content. According to NPD’s report, as the industry grows consumers are beginning to access a broader array of content and services, and they are doing so from more devices.