Benefits of CommentLuv Premium: SEO & Community


The CommentLuv Plugin

Benefits of CommentLuv Premium: SEO & Community

First of all, I thank every one of you for visiting Clean Cut Media and double thanks to those who contribute to the discussion through commments! You are what makes this blog go and keeps me motivated to continue.

We are now testing out a new commenting system called CommentLuv Premium. It’s called CommentLuv because it shows “love” to those who leave comments by allowing them to leave a link back to one of their own blog entries. In theory (and through the testimony of many prominent bloggers), over time this should increase blog traffic as well as increase engagement on the site. It gives incentive for the “LURKERS” (people who read but never contribute) to actually leave a response. It also attracts bloggers from other blogs to come leave a comment. It also gives visitors incentive to “like” our facebook page or “+1” our content. (Go Like our facebook page!!)

CommentLuv Premium is an EXCELLENT piece of plugin. If you are a blogger, go to the link below and check it out. It’s on sale for a limited time!


The CommentLuv Plugin

LINK TO COMMENTLUV PREMIUM WEBSITE

The CONS of CommentLuv Premium Plugin

The only downside is that many visitors will now come simply to try to add their links, try to draw in visitors but most of all to get “link juice.” A link what? In the world of SEO (search engine optimization), a link to your site in essence gives your site a vote of confidence in the eyes of the search engines. It gives your site more credibility. When super simplified, Google assumes that if people are linking to your content, it is because they like it. Thus the more links you got, the better. The more links you have from STRONG sites with high “pagerank” (a score determined by Google), the better. Our site at the moment is a solid PR 4, so I expect a lot of spam from those seeking to get links to their site. Luckily CommentLuv has a great spam filter built in.

But because of this, some house rules that were always in place but thought I’d share…

Commentluv Comment House Rules

1) MODERATION: Every comment here is moderated. When you Comment, it’s put into moderation to be reviewed before going live.
2) NAME: You must leave a LEGITIMATE name. If you put in names of your products or particular keywords you want to stuff in there, it will not be approved. (ex. Brian = Good, Internet Games Online = Not Good)
3) URL: It must be a good, clean site. Get rich sites, inappropriate sites, arbitrage sites, or any site that I wouldn’t want any of our users to visit will be removed.
4) COMMENT: Hey SEO guys, it’s really easy to spot spammers. More than 1 URL link? Disapproved. Nonsensical Comment? Disapproved. Comments clearly written by some outsourced company who does not speak english? Disapproved. Keyword stuffing into comment? Disapproved. Any links to pharmacy products or get rich schemes? Disapproved. Comments that say absolutely nothing but “Good Post” “Informative post” coupled with a keyword stuffed URL? Disapproved.

Basically, leave a real name, a good comment and there is nothing to worry about.

Examples of Bad Comments

Might as well have our readers learn a little about commenting! Here are some examples of bad spam comments that is supposed to be “sneaky” but then on a second look is obviously random.

POST: Siri Humor 
Comment: “insightful, made me think a lot…”
Response: this is not a thought provoking article.. it’s a bunch of screenshots of hilarious siri responses to funny questions. This comment is obviously a canned answers pasted through automated bots or by cheap SEO services using cheap tricks to put up links.

POST: Sept 11, 2001 – Remembering 9/11
Comment: “You certainly understand how to keep a readers amused. Between your wit as well as your videos, I was nearly moved to start my own blog (well, almostHaHa!) Congrats. I truly loved what you needed to state, and more than that, the way you offered it. Too awesome!”
Response: First of all, this comment is so poorly written. This is written by someone outside of the country. Secondly this post was about 9/11, it was a very SERIOUS post. This comment is utterly inappropriate, but it makes sense because no one had read the article. Again just bot or a mindless comment eager to get a link.

More Fun Fake Blog Comments

Lot of these remind me of those non-sense sentences written in asian stationaries :). I left small commentaries on each one. Enjoy!

“No matter the ending is perfect or not, you cannot disappear from my world.”
– Yes… so true.. I think

“Hello, I just wanted to tell you, I disagree. Your post doesn’t make any sense.”
– So what did you disagree? You don’t make any sense…

“Very energetic post, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2?”
– Energetic post.. nice

“Incredible quest there. What occurred after? Take care!”
– One quest is enough for me.

“This video post is really great, the echo quality and the picture feature of this video post is in fact amazing.”
– Especially when there is no videos in the post. Echo quality?

“Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a information! present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.”
– “what a information”… what?! “weblog”… who says weblog?

“Hello, every time i used to check webpage posts here in the early hours in the break of day, for the reason that i enjoy to gain knowledge of more and more.”
– sounds like a bad parable..

“Hello to all, for the reason that I am genuinely eager of reading this web site’s post to be updated daily. It includes pleasant material.”
– omg

“I every time emailed this website post page to all my friends, for the reason that if like to read it next my contacts will too.”
– I every time think.. I understand, so I read it and so my contacts will understand and think a posting.

“Hi there, I want to subscribe for this blog to obtain most up-to-date updates, so where can i do it please assist.”
– This one is very sneaky!!! but it’s not legitimate.

Commentluv Premium Plugin“Hi there, after reading this awesome post i am too cheerful to share my familiarity here with friends.”
– Too cheerful to share your familiarity? Oh COME ON!

  • Anyone else has hilarious examples of comments left in your spam folder? Share below! (please remove all links and no inappropriate words)
  • How has your experience been with CommentLuv?

For bloggers interested in CommentLuv, Click the Image on Right.

 

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Black Friday 2011: What’s the Buzz (in Social Media) [Infographic]

Black Friday 2011Black Friday – Billion Dollar Business

In 2010, 212 million people spent around $45 billion dollars on Black Friday alone. As social media continues to grow and become mainstream, social media mediums such as Facebook and Twitter has become a huge source of buzz and announcements for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

  • So what is the buzz on Black Friday?
  • What are people talking about?
  • Where are they headed?

Where are people planning to shop?

  • Walmart: 21%
  • Best Buy: 20%
  • Target: 13%
  • Macy: 11%
  • Amazon: 10%
  • Kmart: 9% (Kmart is still alive!?)
Black Friday 2011 Shopping
I'm so excited to buy stuff for myself!!!

Who will they buy it for?

  • Themselves: 46% (selfish!)
  • Others: 36% (aww…)
  • Both: 18% (feeling justified?)

What will they buy on Black Friday?

Computers / Tablets: 18% (iPads & Macbook Pro)
DVD / Music / Video: 17% (Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Call of Duty: MW3)
Shoes: 16% (Black Air Jordan Cements 3s, Black Air Yeezy 2)
Clothes: 14% (Polo Ralph Lauren, The Northface)
TVs: 12% (Flat Screen, 3D)
Cell Phones & Cameras: 9% (iPhone 4S, Galaxy Nexus, Evo 4G)

“In a recent study, 69% of shoppers stated that they trust the Internet for information on products and services (versus 43% who said magazines, and 35% who said TV). And 55% of shoppers say they’re less impulsive shoppers because of the Internet – they now take the time to research.”

Tablets: iPad vs Kindle Fire

10:1 – For every time Kindle Fire is mentioned on social media, iPad is mentioned 10 times the amount. As shoppers tend to discuss the brands and items they desire on social media, this is a trend that is noteworthy.

  • Anyone planning to get an iPad or Kindle Fire?

Black Friday Statistics Infographic!

Black Friday Twitter Infographic

  • What are you buying this Black Friday?
  • Do you end up buying something you need, or something you didn’t really need at all!
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Watch Pixar’s Brave Movie Trailer: Breaking Traditions

Brave Pixar - Poster Disney 2

Watch the Brave Pixar Trailer

The new Brave trailer is out. Brave is the next Pixar movie slated to make its theatrical debut on June 22, 2012. Pixar has been known to produce high quality, clean, family friendly movies on a consistent basis. I always look forward to Pixar movie releases. They never really disappoint especially compared to lot of the garbage “family” movies out there.

Pixar Brave Merida Disney

Pixar Brave’s Story & Premise

Brave follows the story of Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald). Merida is a young Scottish woman from the Highlands. She is out to “carve out her own path in life,” breaking the traditions of her people. It delves into the themes of tradition, bravery and self-journey.

Watch Pixar’s Brave Movie Trailer

Traditions vs “Being True to Yourself”

One thing I wonder is how Pixar will go about portraying the breaking of traditions. In our culture, media often romanticizes and promotes the idea of self independence and doing what you feel is right, often at the expense of tradition and responsibilities. It is the idea to forget what everyone tells you because you need to be true to yourself. Rebelling against authority, and following your own sense of right and wrong is sprinkled everywhere because inwardly, we all want to do what we want to do. That is why it appeals to us. In many ways, tradition and duty is often given very little weight, though often traditions are there for good reason.

Movies that take protagonists that breaks traditions, relationships, perhaps cause a lot of hurt and pain, but in the end has everything work out, makes us a little bit more open to that idea that it really is all about being true to oneself. The value of self-sacrifice and holding to responsibilities and duty even if it puts a damper in one’s own desires and plans is undermined in many cases. Think about sacrificing careers to be with your family, giving up own interest for the betterment of the group, giving up your dream because of your commitment to something or someone.

Some movies do fine with these themes. Mulan comes to mind. Mulan is shown as self-sacrificial. She breaks traditional roles, not because she wants to gain something for herself, but to save her Father. But then there are movies where the main character simply does what he or she feels like because it makes them happy or in the name of love or because they are trying to be “true to herself,” meanwhile leaving a string of pain and hurts behind. (But then it all magically works out in the end right? So why not?)

But I will always give Pixar the benefit of the doubt. Unlike most movies, Pixar has always managed to churn out a good message and their movies seems to be sensitive to the family viewers. So hoping for the best and looking forward to Brave.

Pixar Logo StudiosChime in Pixar Fans

  • What was your favorite Pixar movie of all time?
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Dr. Pepper Ten Commercial – Not for Women

Dr Pepper 10 Not for Woman

Dr Pepper Ten Commercial says NOT FOR WOMEN!

Coke has Coke Zero, Pepsi has Pepsi Max, and so Dr Pepper now has Dr Pepper TEN. Dr Pepper TEN caused quiet a stir from it’s launch due to the funny and semi-controversial ad. The TV commercial shows a mini-action film where a manly man drives through the dangerous jungle, Dr Pepper TEN in one hand, while shooting enemies and punching snakes with the other. It is action packed and ends with the quote “NOT FOR WOMEN.” Dr Pepper has taken a unique position of catering the drink to men, who perhaps view diet drinks as unmanly.

Are Diet Drinks too Unmanly?

Many years ago, Miller Brewing Company came out with Miller Lite, a beer with less calories. Great for those who wanted to avoid the beer belly and wanted to watch their weight. Yet there was real concern that men wouldn’t want to be associated with diet drinks because perhaps it wasn’t very manly. Miller chose to launch a bunch of TV commercials depicting manly men like Bubba Smith, Joe Frazier, and Ben Davidson to endorse the drinks and start arguing over different topics such as whether lite beer has “great taste” and “less filling.” By using manly men as well as focusing the argument over taste and body, Miller was able to divert the attention away from whether it was manly or not. To top it off, these ads would sometimes have these manly men argue then jump into a bar brawl. These series of ads are often ranked as one of the best ad campaigns in history. The ad campaign was a great success as nobody ever though of lite beer as unmanly.

Dr Pepper 10 Advertisement CommercialIs the Dr Pepper Ten Commercial Controversial?

The commercials caused a stir. Some people find it offensive and exclusionary especially due to the tagline “not for women.” Others think it’s simply funny and there is no real harm done. Just like certain shampoos or deodorants target women, many feel it’s not a big deal to just target men. One thing we can all agree on is that it has drawn the attention it intended do. The Facebook page has been buzzing with a lot of back and forth between the two camps. Women put up pictures of themselves drinking Dr Pepper TEN while others argue that it’s discriminating.

I personally don’t take much offense to the commercial mainly because it doesn’t degrade woman in anyway. It’s just a product focusing on a specific target group. I don’t like the fact that it plays on stereotypes of men, but so far the ads haven’t been offensive in anyway. Just to give perspective, I find those AXE ad campaigns highly offensive to women. Another product targeting men, but often degrading women in the progress. Dr Pepper TEN so far doesn’t do the latter.

How does Dr Pepper TEN Taste vs. Diet Dr Pepper?

But the real question is, how does it taste? Diet Dr Pepper has always been one of the better diet drinks that does an excellent job retaining the flavor of the original. Coke Zero is another. How about Dr Pepper TEN? I had one for the first time this week. It’s excellent. I actually like it slightly better than the Diet version. Plus I feel more manly. Just kidding. Don’t need a drink for that.

Watch the commercial below and tell us what you think!

  • Offensive? OK?
  • Men – does the ad make you want to drink it?
  • Women – does the ad make you want to drink it.. simply because it says not for women 🙂

Dr Pepper TEN Not for Women Commercial

 

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iOS & Android Beats up Nintendo in the Gaming Market

iOS Androit Portable Game Market Nintendo

iOS & Android Beating up on Nintendo & Sony in Gaming

Flurry Analytics, a mobile analytics company, has come out with a report showing the shift in mobile gaming from traditional console providers such as Sony and Nintendo towards mobile systems such as iOS and Android.

iPhone Android iOS GamesiOS and Andriods leads the charge with a large bank of free and inexpensive games. Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and any other potential portable gaming platform requires a consumer to spend over a $100 dollars for the gaming device alone then another $30-40 for each game. With the coming of the iPhone, the iTouch, and now multiple Android based smartphones, there is no longer a need to purchase a separate gaming device. Also many games can be had for free or for a mere dollar or two.

Nintendo DS no longer the Big Boy of Portable Gaming

In 2009, Nintendo DS accounted for 70% of all game software revenue. iOS & Android was at 19%. 2011 thus far estimated will see Nintendo drop to 36% while iOS and Android will eat up 58% of the gaming market revenue. This is out of a total portable game revenue pie of $3.3 billion dollars. The days of paying $40 a game seems to be numbered as many games are taking on freemium models where gamers get the game free and has the option to purchase more levels, features, or additional add-ons as they desire.

iOS Android iPhone
Let's Go Beat up Nintendo Together!

Nintendo will be facing it’s first fiscal year loss since it first started reporting profits in 1981. With both Apple and Google looking to enter into the TV space, it won’t be long before these games take over the living room as well.

  • Does any of this surprise you?
  • What is the last cartridge game you bought?
  • How many mobile games do you own?
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Hi, I am Siri, the Humble Killing Personal Assistant

Siri Logo iPhone 4S

iPhone Siri Questions

  • How do you feel about a machine talking to you?
  • Is this the beginning of the end?
  • Terminator or Matrix mean anything to you?

Siri the Humble Personal Assistant is Born

Apple recently released the iPhone 4S packed with a new Dual-core A5 chip, an excellent all new 8MP camera, an assistant named Siri, IOS5, iCloud, and… wait a what?!

Siri is your “humble personal assistant” as it or she… will tell you. It has been created to take in your commands as you would normally say it, and it supposedly adapts to your commands the longer you use it. So you could say something like “Tell my wife I’m running late” or “Remind me to call my doctor” or “Any good Korean restaurants around here?” and the it… she will tell you what you need to know, or do whatever you’d like. It’s pretty awesome and scary.

I am Siri, your Humble Personal, Killing, Assistant!

Terminator Siri iPhone
I am Siri, your Humble Personal, Killing, Assistant!

Just don’t use your phone to pass secrets, bank account numbers, social security numbers, and by all means don’t give it your twitter login. Who knows what that crazy Siri might do that may ruin your life (or the world) forever.

Siri does have a sense of humor though… I just hope it never starts to giggle… in the middle of the night.

Siri’s Humorous Responses

Siri - iPhone 4S - Love You
You Don't Love Me - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Murder
You Need Help Buddy - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Meaning of Life
Meaning of Life? Why Ask Me? - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Who is on First
Who is on First - That's Right! - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Temperature
Temperature? It does't Matter - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Oh Stop
Let's just be Friends - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Oh My God
I found you God - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Meaning of Life 2
Meaning of Life - Easy! - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Meaning of Life 3
Meaning of Life. App for That - Siri
Siri - iPhone 4S - Marriage
Can't Marry You. No Seriously - Siri

More Siri Freakiness to Come

Have many more where those came from. We will post more later.
For now enjoy! Vote in our Poll, and Comment below which one is your favorite!

[poll id=”29″]

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YouTube Statistics – Growing like a Man Child [Infographic]

YouTube Logo Big

YouTube Statistics – Growing like a Mad Child

By Paul Lee

YouTube is celebrating it’s sixth birthday and the statistics are in… It’s a Man Child.

(e.g. lebron james, greg oden, that 6 foot 200lb “12 yr old” pitcher at little league)

A mere two years ago, we wrote a post called YouTube Statistics – The Ultimate Time Suck. This article is currently the one of the most popular posts on Clean Cut Media. However it is amazing how quickly YouTube has grown. 90% of the YouTube Statistics you see out there are clearly outdated… thus here we’ve gathered some of the most current data, straight from YouTube and from articles dated in the last month. Enjoy!

YouTube History

  • Feb 2005 – Founders register domain name
  • July 2006 – 100M video views per day, 65,000 new video uploads per day
  • June 2007 – YouTube launches in 9 countries. Launches YouTube Mobile
  • Oct 2008 – 15 Hours of video uploaded every minute
  • Oct 2009 – YouTube announced more than 1 billion views per day
  • March 2010 – 24 Hours of video uploaded per minute
  • Feb 2011 – 490 million unique users worldwide per month

YouTube Growth & Ranking Statistics

  • #1 online video content: 142.7 million unique viewer (#2 Vevo @ 55.2 Million)
  • #2 Largest Search Engine (#1 Google, #2 YouTube)
  • #3 Biggest Site on the Web (#1 Google, #2 Yahoo, #3 Youtube, #4 Yahoo)
  • Did You Know? – 1000s of full-length movies on YouTube (WHERE!!??)

Youtube Logo RedYouTube Traffic & Upload Statistics

  • 13 Million hours of video uploaded in 2010
  • Equivalent of 240,000 full length film every week
  • More video content is uploaded to youtube in 60 days, than the three major US TV networks has done in 60 years.
  • 48 Hours of video uploaded every minute
  • Equivalent to nearly 8 years of content per day (100% inc YoY)
  • 70% of YouTube traffic from outside the US
  • YouTube is localized in 25 countries and 43 languages
  • YouTube mobile gets 400M views a day (13% of all views)
  • YouTube past the 3 billion views a day mark…

YouTube Statistics 48 hours Uploaded Minute

YouTube on Facebook & Twitter Statistics

  • 17 million people have connected their YouTube account to a social service
  • 150 years of YouTube video are watched daily on Facebook
  • 500 Tweets per SECOND contain YouTube links
  • AutoShared Tweet results in 6 new youtube sessions

Speaking of Facebook… come check out our Clean Cut Media Facebook Page!

YouTube Opinions Poll

Did you know that the average person comes to watch ONE youtube video ends up watching more than SEVEN?

Youtube is ridiculously addicting. You know it. I know it. Considering how much time is spent (wasted?) on Youtube… OPINION POLL!

[poll id=”7″]

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“Skinny Water” says Skinny Always Gets the Attention

Skinny Water Says “Skinny Always Gets the Attention

A recent Skinny Water advertising poster shows a lady standing before a throng of photographers with the headline “Skinny Always Gets the Attention.” Basically the message is that one assured way of getting attention is to be skinny. Normally low-calorie drink producers tend to market as a “healthy alternative” highlighting drinks that are low in calorie but high in vitamins. Skinny Water takes a completely different approach by simply saying, you need to be skinny, so drink a zero calorie drink.

Take a look at the AD below. Let us know – What is your gut reaction!?
(Note: How about Starbucks calling their low fat custom drinks “skinny”… different?)

Skinny Water Ad – Skinny Always Gets the Attention

Skinny Water Advertising Poster

Message: You know you like the attention. You want it? Skinny is how you get it.

Skinny Water Ad – Strut Your Skinny

Skinny Water Ad - Strut Your Skinny

Message: Being Skinny is valuable. It’s worth showing off. Be proud of being skinny.

Skinny Water Ad – Life Can Feel This Good

Skinny Water Ad - Life Can Feel This Good Advertising

Message: Life Can Feel This Good… if you are Skinny. Bottom says “Love the Skinny Life.”

We ask again. What is your gut reaction!?

NOTE: Skinny Water pulled this campaign for obvious reasons. Smart move, though the damage is done.

After that, check out another skinny centric campaign that started great controversy: Pretzel Crisps Skinny Campaign. That was also pulled…

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3 Ways Steve Jobs & Apple Ushered the Mobile Marketing Age [Infographic]

Mobile Marketing Statistics

As a professional who has been in the online marketing world since it’s birth, “mobile marketing” was the “next big thing” touted in every marketing conference for the past 6 years. I was always skeptical because, mobile was ALWAYS mentioned as the next big frontier, but I saw no medium in which the marketing ads could be delivered. There was no evidence or the numbers to back that claim.

Then came the iPhone, which changed everything. (RIP Steve Jobs).
Steve Jobs picture RIP

Apple iPhone (Steve Jobs) Ushers in the New Age of Mobile Marketing

Those who are just now reading articles about how Steve Jobs was a great visionary may not realize how much he really revolutionized every industry he touched. He isn’t just the CEO who introduced the iPod or the bringer of the iPhone. He literally led the way in creating products and ecosystems that created brand new industries and as a result thousands and thousands of jobs. Numerous companies out there can give some credit to their existence and growth to much of what Steve Jobs contributed to the technology sector. Think about the 100s of companies centered around building apps, or building games for the phone, apple product accessories, geo-location marketing companies, or mobile marketing service agencies. Think of all those companies centered around some product or service related to the digital music / mp3 market which not that long ago was owned by big media, then by organizations like Napster. Think about whole divisions created to tap into and create applications on tablets or all the cool little startups utilizing the social mobility of smartphones. Think about all the executives out there, innovators in their own right, sharing how Steve Jobs helped them conceptualize and grow their own companies. Apple products drove the strategy and goals of other competitors from big music labels, computer makers to phone carriers. The list goes on and on. There is a reason why Steve Job’s death has had led to such huge ripples across the nation. RIP Steve Jobs. Thanks so much for everything.

Just one of such industries that changed forever, is the mobile market.

How did the Apple iPhone change the mobile landscape?

Smartphone Becomes the Norm:
To put it simply, the iPhone made having a smartphone the norm. Only a few years back, very few had smartphones. Smartphones were reserved for the executives of big companies, mainly in the form of the blackberry. No one thought about using it as a “personal” device. It was too expensive, too hefty, seemed a bit complex. It was seen as a “professional” device. Everyone had flip phones and were content.

Then the iPhone became the “apple” of everyone’s attention. (oh no you didn’t!)

Simple. Affordable. Snazzy. Hip. Apple said, hey you want it. You need it. You can get cool apps on it. You can play games on it. You need a calendar. You need to access email instantly. You need it to watch videos. You need it to text with a bigger screen. All of syncs with your computer really easily so it’s easy to use. It was cool, it was hip, the iPhone.

Steve Jobs iPhoneSteve Jobs drove Apple to create a product that is simple and affordable for the public. Just like the iPod, iPhones took the basics of what mass consumers use (surfing the net, watching videos, taking pictures, texting), and created a product that did those things well and made it easy to use. While most of the technology world was still competing over adding more and more complex features, Apple focused on the core-uses of the consumer and made it simple and easy. Suddenly smartphones became a personal device that everyone must have. As everyone started to buy iPhones, other mobile phone competitors jumped on the bandwagon, recognizing the shift in the market. Now everyone and their mother, and their teenager daughter has an iPhone. I’ve seen kids still in middle school with the iTouch giving them free access to the internet. Which I have problems with, but that is another story.

Easier to Browse the Internet
The iPhone has also made it much easier to browse the web. Once checking the internet on your phone was so painful, that often it was just not worth it. You would have to click 24 times just to get to the article you wanted. It would be hard to read, the links were the infamous blue, taking up half the screen. Clicking on it was impossible unless you had petite fingers. Not to mention the tiny screens where web formats would break or a unfriendly page of blue links dominated the user experience. It wasn’t worth it. Don’t even get started on the ads.

The iPhone suddenly made surfing the internet, easy and simple. It was just like browsing on the computer, just on a smaller screen. Full browser, full experience (minus the flash! save the complaints!). No more nasty mobile ad formats and spammy links or 14 clicks to get back to the homepage. Surfing the net on the mobile phone became a reality.

Created an App Ecosystem

The iPhone also did a fantastic job courting developers and creating a whole “app” centered world. All kinds of creative apps were developed, as well as numerous ways to connect with the consumer. There are so many interesting and creative geo-centered applications, interest based apps, productivity apps, and all of these apps became an avenue in which marketers can use to engage the users.

Mobile Marketing becomes Legit

What Steve Jobs and Apple did was legitimize ads on mobile phones. With the iPhone, it put smartphones in the hands on the consumer, it provided a good browsing experience like nothing before, and created an world of applications which opened up even more avenues to reach the consumer.

For the last year and a half, mobile marketing has become a huge play in the online marketing world. In fact in most industries, Mobile Marketing paid traffic you can find on Google alone will be greater than all of the traffic from Yahoo / Bing Paid Search combined. The quality has dramatically improved because users can actually read, click and engage the companies that serve the ads.

So for all you working in some field related to mobile marketing, give a little thanks to the innovations of Apple.

Mobile Marketing Statistics

Enjoy the mobile marketing statistics info graphic below.

Some of the highlights:

  • 4 Billion Mobile Phones in Use
  • 1.08 Billion Smartphones in Use
  • 3.05 Billion are SMS enabled phones.
  • By 2014, mobile internet should take over desktop internet usage.
  • 50% of all local searches are performed on mobile devices.
  • 86% of mobile internet users are using their devices while watching TV
  • 200 Million Youtube Views occur on mobile devices

Average American spends 2.7 hours per day on their mobile device – socializing.

  • 61% of users use their mobile phones for Games
  • 55% to check the Weather
  • 50% for Maps and Direction search
  • 49% for Social Networking
  • 42% for Music
  • 36% for News
  • 33% for Entertainment
  • 25% for Dining
  • 21% for Video

Take our poll below and tell us how YOU use your mobile device!

[poll id=”28″]

Mobile Marketing Infographic Statistics

Mobile Marketing Infographic Statistics

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Did You Know Your Children Can Buy M Rated Video Games?

M Rated Video Games Mature 2
All the Things a Child Needs?

Did you know your kids may be able to buy M Rated Games?

Did You Know: Selling of video games is self-regulated. This means video game merchants can decide to check ID, not check ID, or just sell any rated video game to any age group. Based on a Federal Trade Commission study, about 20% of minors were able to purcahse mature video games on a national average. One nationwide chain was high as 50%.

US Supreme Court Rules – No Restrictions

Couple months ago, US Supreme Court ruled that, YES, game merchants should be allowed to sell violent games to kids. The US Supreme Court ruled on Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association formerly Schwarzenegger v. EMA) deciding that the 2005 California law that prohibited sale of violent games to minors as unconstitutional. The SCOTUS ruled in a 7-2 vote. The original California Law was enacted to limit the sale of violent games to minors.

Leland Yee Senator

California Law of 2005 Law Banning the Sale of Violent Games to Minor

California Senator Leland Yee introduced the original law banning the sale of violent games to minors in 2005. It held a $1,000 fine for any infractions by retailers. He wanted to regulate the video game industry due to various connections between violent video games and aggressive behavior in children. Similar laws passed in other states. This law was challenged numerous times and eventually show down on June 2011.

 

Why Rule Against Restricting Minors from Buying Violent Games?

One reason the Supreme Court ruled against this previous California law was the consideration that the definition of “violence” was too vague. The video gaming industry defended themselves by proclaiming that even Super Mario Brothers could be considered “violent” and so how is anyone to deem what is violent? On the opposite end of the spectrum was discussions over games such as “Postal 2” where the player can urinate on non-player characters then set them on fire.

Other reasons that were considered was whether the state government should have any rights to implement such restrictions and whether it conflicted with the first amendment.

Are We on a Slippery Slope? Standards Changing?

Ques: If we are allowed to sell M rated Games to kids, why stop there and sell M Rated Movies?

Outside of the ruling here is a question. Are we going down a slippery slope?

Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen the definition of “PG-13” change dramatically over that short period. Standards change over time, little by little.

Forget the arguments about first amendments or the rights of the government for a moment. If we don’t place boundaries on limiting what a minor can purchase, are we heading down a slippery slope? If selling R rated video games is ok, why not R rated movies? Something will have to eventually give. If M rated video games are ok, why not adult movies? How can we say yes to one and not the other? If someone demands these things, how can we argue? Who has the right to determine where the line needs to be drawn? Why?

In the movie industry, we’ve already seen that “line” shift dramatically. There was once a time PG-13 would be completely safe to take your children. Not anymore. Standards have changed over time. Plus who is to say where the line is? It’s concerning when the video game industry seems to have the most say. Is this a subjective matter?

  • What is your opinion on this?
  • What are your thoughts on the continual changing of our standards in media?
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Most Followed Twitter Users & Brands [Infographic]

Twitter Growth History Visualized

Twitter has been growing very quickly and has changed a lot over time. In the beginning many were wondering, what was the point? Is it a bunch of teenagers chatting away?

Slowly twitter is becoming more defined as a medium of communication for businesses, brands, celebrities, customer service and a place to connect to professionals and those with similar interests. Twitter has also become a valid source of news information and quick way get a pulse on any trending topic.

Twitter Follow Me Button

Don’t forget to follow Clean Cut Media!


Some highlights from “A Visual History of Twitter” plus additional Twitter Statistics:

Record Breaking Tweet Events

  • Beyonce announces she’s expecting at the VMAs (Aug 2011): 8,868 Tweets per Second
  • Japan defeats the US in the FIFA Women’s World Cup (July 2011): 7,196 Tweets per Second
  • Japanese Twitter users set New Year’s 2011 record (Jan 2011): 7,000 Tweets per Second

Key Historical Moments for Twitter

  • July 15 2006 – Twitter Launches
  • March 2008 – 1.3 Million Twitter Users
  • April 2010 – 105 Million Twitter Users
  • September 2011 – 200 Million Twitter Users (150 Active Users

Most Followed Twitter Accounts are Celebrities (# Updated 9/30/2011)

  • #1 Lady Gaga – 14,022,983 Twitter Followers (what has the world come to)
  • #2 Justin Bieber – 12,980,136 Twitter Followers (admit it, you follow him!)
  • #3 Barack Obama – 10,304,434 Twitter Followers (rather follow obama than lady bieber)

Most Followed Non-Celebrity Accounts!

  • #1 Twitter – 6,209,226 Twitter Followers
  • #2 Twitpic – 5,354,829 Twitter Followers
  • #3 CNN Breaking News – 5,181,132 Twitter Followers (makes sense)
  • #4 Youtube – 4,943,411 Twitter Followers (also 45 million+ Facebook Fans)
  • #5 UberSocial – 4,299,424 Twitter Followers (who?…)

More Notable Brands on Twitter

  • #7 Google – 3,643,488
  • #25 ESPN – 1,892,510
  • #35 Starbucks – 1,725,548
  • #46 Facebook – 1,558,384 (/cleancutmedia)
  • #66 Itunes – 1,266,248
  • #70 Southwest – 1,175,353
  • #118 Coca Cola – 378,256
  • #135 Foursquare – 292,700
  • #180 McDonalds – 171,304
  • #221 Amazon – 122,325
  • #N/A  (help us move up the ranks!)

Interesting Twitter Statistics

  • 81% of users follow less than 100 people
  • 61% of all tweets are in English, 39% is not!
  • 42.3% of Twitter users are between 30 & 49 years old. (oldies!)
  • 30% of the users have an annual household income over $100,000 (I need some more twitter friends!)
  • Males – More likely to use Twitter for work-related research & news (true…)
  • Females – More likely to keep in touch with friends and post status updates (no comment)
  • 5% of users create 75% of the content (is that you?)

Enjoy the infographic below! Let us know what you thought was interesting!

Twitter Growth History Infographic

Twitter Statistics Infographic Growth

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Band of Brothers TV Series [Review]

Band of Brothers TV Series Logo

Band of Brothers TV Series Review: Story

Band of Brothers is ten-part HBO TV series about World War II, based on the Band of Brothers book written by historian and biographer Stephen E. Ambrose. Band of Brothers received considerable attention because it was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks who both worked together on “Saving Private Ryan,” another realistic World War II movie.

The series follows Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion who is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. It follows their experiences from before landing in Normandy to the end of the war. The events are based on real life accounts from the soldiers of easy company. Before every episode the surviving members describe their experiences, often in tears thinking about their fallen friends and the experiences that will forever haunt them the rest of their lives.

The series mainly focuses on Major Richard Winters (1918-2011), played by Damian Lewis, as he grows into a leader and strives to keep his band of brothers together and alive. However different episodes often highlights different soldiers of E Company, and their various experiences. Through out the series you get to know each of the character from the first time they step onto soil, to hard veterans, battle tested, growing into leadership roles… for those who survive through the battles. As a viewer, you get to experience both the forming and loss of relationships as well as the hardship of war life especially mentally and emotionally.

Band of Brothers Soldiers LogoBand of Brothers TV Series. Is it Clean? Safe?

Band of Brothers by no means should be shown to children. It’s a war movie, and a realistic one at that. Just like Saving Private Ryan, there are plenty of realistic violence. There is also plenty of cursing, which of course is expected as it is a war movie.

There is also a sex scene in the beginning of episode 9. Avoid it. It is explicit and completely unexpected as all the episodes up to this point was clean in this area. Why the directors chose to add this scene is beyond me as it seems completely out of place.

Band of Brothers TV Series: Morals? Opinions?

Personally, I loved Band of Brothers. Though it may be hard to follow all the characters as the cast is large, you can easily sympathize with the various characters as they struggle mentally and emotionally through the war. The loss of key people are disheartening but there is also a sense of triumph as the various characters grow up, and step up as is needed. As the title says, you can definitely come to appreciate how these men draw together, put their differences aside and become like brothers. Every battle is tense as you don’t want anyone to die or get hurt. The struggle of dealing with death is a big theme as well.

Major Winters - Band of Brothers

Major Winters – Lessons on Leadership

Major Winters is a person to be admired, someone who deeply cares for his men and does everything in his power to protect them and train them properly. Watching him grow from a fellow soldier into highly respected leader has many lessons packed in itself. He leads by example, he is always in the front lines, he seeks to understand his men, he is decisive, he follows the rules, he cares deeply about his men, he thinks through how his interactions with his unit affects their morale, their behavior and the level of respect he needs to command the unit. An example is when Major Winters reprimands his his Lieutenant for gambling with his soldiers because he says he should never put himself in a position from taking from his own men. A leader must always give in every way to the people you lead. From the beginning, he slowly earns everyone’s respect and you can see how it plays out with each of the characters. There are many other men you can compare leadership qualities with such as E Company’s first commander, Herbert Sobel (great trainer, but horrible leader), the mysterious Captain Ron Speirs (everyone feared but respected him), and Lieutenant Norman Dike (who no one had confidence in).

Major Winters Quotes about Leadership

Band of Brothers TV Show“The qualities you are looking for in a leader include: Does the individual have the respect of the men? How do you get the respect of the men? By living with them, being a part of it, being able to understand what they are going through and not to separate yourself from them. You have to know your men. You have to gain their confidence. And the way to gain the confidence of anybody, whether it’s in war or civilian life or whatever, you must be honest. Be honest, be fair and be consistent. You can’t be honest and fair one day, and the next give your people the short end of the stick. Once you can achieve that, you will be a leader.”

“You maintain close relationships with your men, but not friendship. You have mutual respect for one another, but yet you have to hold yourself aloof, to a degree. If you are too friendly, it works in a negative way when you need to discipline your men. You can have your men’s respect and friendship, but there is a point where you have to rise above this relationship and make sure they are following the orders that are in effect for everybody. In leading groups effectively, you have to rise above camaraderie. You have to be fair to everyone. Everyone must know that they are treated equally.”

Major Winters

The Pacific TV Series LogoThe Pacific – Band of Brothers Followup – Quick Note

NOTE: “The Pacific,” the followup mini-series covering WWII battle in the pacific is NOT A CLEAN MOVIE. It is unlike Band of Brothers which was relatively clean throughout. Also “The Pacific” less centered around brotherhood and leadership but more centered around the degrading psychology of men – Highlighting how innocent people’s mind becomes jaded and ruthless in war. Thus the series is much darker.

  • How did you like Band of Brothers?
  • Any addition lessons to note?
  • What was your favorite episode?
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