As technology continues to grow and become more accessible and affordable, I can’t help but wonder how brands will communicate with with consumers? Looking at the technology coming out, we are heading towards an even greater interactive experience.
Look at what Samsung has done with the Galaxy S4, the phone literally knows when you are looking at it and can pause the video you when you look away. Of course, we have all heard about Google Glass, wearable tech will only continue to get smaller and more affordable. Smartwatches are the latest trend, the Pebble (which I own and LOVE) allows the wearer to stay on top who is calling, texting and emailing. As I type this post, there is another smartwatch about to hit the market, Kreyos: The Next Generation Smartwatch.
Kreyos takes what what the team from Pebble has done to the next level. They have turned the watch into a 2-way communication device (how Michael Knight is that!?!?), by allowing wearers to not only be notified of phone calls, texts and emails, but to actually respond and answer.
As a marketer this advancement in technology is very exciting, because it turns every touch point into a moment of transformation to capture that potential customer’s attention. Think about this, as the tech in these smartwatches advance (even Apple and Samsung are rumored to be developing their own versions), marketers will be able to give these people the opportunity to opt-in to be notified on the the go when there is a an offer, special or sale when they are near by your brick and mortar location. Or taking it to the next level, notify them of flash sales and speak directly to them through the device.
That is a lot about technology, so how are brands going to capitalize on these fully connected consumers and talk to them? If Vine has taught us anything, it is; 6 seconds is more than enough time to tell a story. We will want to reach out in the most visual way possible, to capture mood and tone of their physical location. With the ability to create consumer specific messaging based on likes, interests and locations the scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise is walking down the midway and his eyes keep getting scanned there are 3 or 4 personalized ads we hear as he makes his way through the mall.
Imagine that, the ability to know where the customer is, what they are doing, how long they have been in that location and possible predict where they are going next based on their preferences. Brands will have to talk in soundbites, show amazing engaging videos and photographs and offer exactly what they don’t know they want.
In the next 5 years we are going to see an even greater influx of smartphones and smartphone like technology (you know those fancy glasses and watches we talked about earlier), redefining mobile marketing as we know it today. The brands that understand how to be agile and build a content marketing team that activates all levels of the corporate or company infrastructure to be a part of this agile team lead by Content Managers or Consultants, responsible for creating relevant and real-time content and messaging (look at how well it has worked for Oreo since the Superbowl XLVII blackout).
Go get your watches, phones, tablets, glasses, ocular and auditory implants (if it goes that far, who knows) and get ready to opt-in and let the personalized messaging flow.
About Brian Tudor
Brian Tudor is the CEO and Founder of Deadshot Digital, he has been marketing websites since the Internet was a fad. During his time in the digital world, he has worked on everything from managing Geocities communities to running digital marketing for national brands. Brian's passion for the web and how it can help brands, businesses, and individuals is matched by few in the space.