Pizza Hut is entering the augmented reality mobile world with it’s news iPhone app.  The app is being tested in Australia and focuses on bringing convenience to potential customers.  Augmented reality apps “use the iPhone camera, GPS and compass, to display annotations, in situ, on top of the real-world view.”

Consumers will be able to point their camera phones at an area, which will then use the phone GPS to locate the nearest Pizza Hut so that consumers can order and pick up a pizza while they continue to be on the go.  The cool thing about the Pizza Hut app is that when you move the phone around, you will be able to see all the Pizza Hut stores in the area (via distance), but will also be able to see their actual brick and mortar location.  And if you hold the phone flat, a map with the surrounding stores will pop up as an easier way for consumers to get directions.

Here is a demonstration with how the app works: Pizza Hut Augmented-Reality App

For more information about the app, including the Australian company that has created it, go to: http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/pizza-hut-launches-mobile-augmented-reality-app-to-direct-consumers-in-store/

Burger King always has fresh, innovative ideas and their latest partnership with Digg is no exception.  Burger King is turning Digg search errors into advertisements.  The company’s  campaign, via the social news site Digg, utilizes Digg’s   ’404 error page’ to deliver this message to your screen: “Looks like your search had a typo. Maybe you’ve got tiny hands?”  Burger King is banking on Digg’s high traffic volume and quick (perhaps careless typers) to enter incorrect searches, therefore being able to display their advertisement.

This campaign ties back to Burger King’s commercials for their $1 cheeseburger, which claims the burger is so big and beefy that your hands look small.  You can watch the clip here.

Burger King isn’t the first advertiser to leverage a “404 error page,” some other great 404 marketing efforts worth checking out are A-R Marketing’s Oh Fudge 404 page and Heinz’s empty ketchup bottle 404 page.

Nintendo’s DS has had a busy week.  The gaming console has been making headlines for several reasons this week.

• Nintendo’s newest DS, the DSi XL, will be hitting stores next week.  This new system features larger screens and a trio of pre-installed titles, including a pair of Brain Age Express games.
• On the heels of the DSi XL announcement, Nintendo also let consumers know they will be launching a new version of the DS gaming system with 3-D functionality, tentatively called the 3DS.  This new device will include 3-D graphics without the use of special 3-D glasses.
• The DS is also making its way into Japanese elementary and high school classrooms.  The device will be used as an educational tool in classes, beginning when the new school year commences.
• Finally, there is talk that McDonald’s franchises in Japan will be using the DS as a training tool for part-time employees.  The new program called eSmart, will hopefully cut training time in half because people in Japan are quite familiar with the DS and how it operates.

Nintendo is leveraging their gaming system in so many cool ways! They are taking a product that has several competitors and finding ways to use the device other than for traditional gaming.  These ideas will definitely set the gaming console apart and will give it a better chance of surviving in a somewhat saturated market.

In a recent survey from Euro RSCG 74% of consumers believe that businesses have as much responsibility as governments to drive social change.  While a “green” company used to connote being eco-friendly and doing its part to be part of the social change, it is now simply a buzz word as almost every product, brand, etc has slapped a “green” label on it.  Overuse and misuse have eliminated “green” of its original meaning.  So in order for companies to show their true environmental and charitable intentions, they have to go clear.

Becoming clear means that companies have to “communicate a clear vision and goals, and operate with a clear corporate conscience.”  Businesses who are working towards becoming clear are trying to rid themselves of business impurities, as well as developing where they want to be as a company 5, 10 and even 20 years down the road.

Some of the key attributes that clear companies will share, include:

• Well defined and communicated goals
• Share a purposeful culture
• Open channels of communication and collaboration
• Strong commitment to leadership

For more information about becoming clear, as well as some examples of companies already in the process, go to: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3id96098b1ed5efecda8768880d8f5c8bb?pn=1

Networks like Foursquare, Loopt and Gowalla are brick-and-mortar businesses new best friend.  These networks allow any business with a physical location to communicate with consumers online, as well as provoke them to walk through the door.  Below are 9 “how-to” tips for utilizing these “lo-s0″ networks to your business’ advantage.

1. Learn the Platforms – A business should understand how the technology works as well as how consumers are using it.  Lo-So platforms are GPS based systems which allow users to type in requests as well as “check in” so friends and family know where they are now, or where they frequently visit.  Some platforms to check out include: Foursquare , Loopt, Gowalla, Brightkite and Google Latitude
2. Determine Your Goals – Do you want to increase foot traffic to your store, sell more of a particular item or increase the number of patrons at certain times of the day?  Getting specific with your goals and setting objectives will allow you to focus and become more effective using the technology.
3. Establish Your Presence - Get your business on each of the networks with your correct address, phone and contact details.  It is also recommended to put up notices in and around your store letting people know you are on these specific networks.
4. Customize – Take the time to customize your profile for each specific network, they all offer unique functions that you want to make sure you take advantage of.
5. Implement Compelling Promotions – Lo-so networks give businesses the opportunity to run promotions while increasing engagement and getting people into the store.  Businesses want to make sure they are marketing to their desired demographic by providing compelling promotions that will get people interested and engaged.
6. Engage With Your Customers – Don’t simply talk or market at your consumers, make sure to engage and build a relationship with your audience.
7. Track Everything – Most of these Lo-So networks have analytic and tracking dashboards.  Make sure you are viewing your metrics and adjusting your strategies accordingly.
8. Be Prepared to Adapt – Lo-so social media is constantly changing and evolving, what is today will not be exactly the same next year.  Be prepared to adapt to the new technology with an open mind.
9. Avoid Common Pitfalls - Mashable.com spoke with major lo-so networks to provide business with things to avoid:

• Don’t leave fake reviews or tips. They’re easy to spot, and you’ll lose all on- and off-line credibility immediately when people catch on.
• Don’t throw up poorly designed ads. “A badly designed banner ad performs so much worse than … a good one,” Altman says. “It’s an insane difference.”
• Don’t forget to monitor activity. Carroll points out, “Chances are if someone has a gripe or praise with their check-in, it’s a real-time thing: The patron is probably still there … so the business has a chance to make the experience even better.”

For more information and examples from companies using Lo-So networks, go to: http://mashable.com/2010/03/15/location-based-marketing/

Flickr, the photo-sharing site, has been unexpectedly tapped as Lay’s chips new social media outlet for their latest campaign.  The new promotion is prompting Lay’s consumers to document themselves enjoying life’s happy moments in photos and then post them on Flickr.  “The Happiness Exhibit,” as it is being called, will have specific photo themes on Flickr, i.e. Mother’s Day or American Summers, that people can contribute to.  Ultimately, Lay’s will be using  some of these photos in their upcoming double-page spreads in People magazine.

The Flickr campaign is an extension of Lay’s “Happiness is Simple” effort which began last year.  As consumers continually upload their “Happiness” photos to Flickr, Lay’s can begin to build a story around how the potato chip brand is an integral part of consumers’ happy lives.  Lay’s wants to prove their belief that chips are eaten during happy occasions, like birthdays and sporting event get togethers.  Lay’s will also utilize Facebook and the company has created an easy way to transfer photos from their Facebook accounts to the Flickr site.

The launch will be promoted via a print ad in People magazine, online media across sites like iVillage, Yahoo, YouTube and Hulu, as well as a call to action on the back of the yellow Lay’s Classic chip bags.

For more information about this unique campaign idea, go to: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i888c20be761d1d65a47f4fd2254816f5?pn=1

The addition advertisements to every inch of the YouTube homepage and even in-video is hard to miss.  If you wanted to watch videos on YouTube ad free, you could always turn to your phone…until now.  YouTube, with the collaboration of three advertisers: Mazda, Kia Motors and Sony Pictures “District 9,” are going mobile with their commercials.

YouTube’s mobile site boasts “tens of millions” of views per day and has grown 160% over the past year.  YouTube has been hesitant to add mobile ads to their site because it is a huge technical undertaking, especially with the number of different handsets out in the market, but now see the revenue they can generate and are making it work.

The company did test L’oreal and Land Rover mobile ads last summer, but now feel they are able to offer this service to all advertisers that are interested.

For more information, go to: http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=142718

Diet Coke launched it’s newest campaign “Stay Extraordinary,” last night during the Oscars.  The new campaign,  focuses it’s message on “celebrat(ing) the achievements of the next generation of Diet Coke drinkers.”   The “next generation”  group that Diet Coke is targeting are individuals aged 20-29.  The new commercial spots feature six vignettes highlighting people (a nurse, fashion designer, movie director, and a celebrity) being extraordinary and demonstrates how Diet Coke allows them to stay that way.

The campaign is supported by special packaging, TV and print, as well as digital end retail.

Diet Coke hopes that their new focus wins back some of the market share from their Coke Zero competitor.  Though they are both part of the Coca-Cola family, Diet Coke was down 2.9% in volume last year, primarily because of the introduction of Coke Zero.

For more information, go to: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/packaged-goods/e3ie2e67226d2672c989177a5e7e0f40e0f?imw=Y