JWT London will be ringing in the new year with new business cards.  The advertising agency is using image-recognition app Blippar to create their new business cards.  These cards allow users to “blipp” the back of the JWT London’s card (with the Blippar app), which then shows the users the agency’s showreel as well as directions to the agency’s office.

Watch the video to see the augmented reality business card in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qE29R12A69A

Here are 7 more stunning augmented reality business cards to get your imagination going: http://mashable.com/2011/12/20/augmented-reality-business-card/#view_as_one_page-gallery_box1375

If there is one brand who knows what it takes to reach the 18-t0 29-year old demographic, its MTV.  The company’s newest venture is the ‘Power of 12′ a fantasy campaign election game that hopes to get this demographic fired up about the 2012 US elections.  In addition to MTV’s usual election features including documentaries, website and political news coverage, their 2012 campaign features a fantasy football-like gaming element.

Participants will draft candidates who are competing for the presidency, US Senate and House of Representatives, and just like fantasy football they will score points depending on how the politicians conduct themselves.  For example, “‘Fantasy Election ’12′ will reward candidates for exhibiting behvaiors voters deserve, and penalize politicians for behaviors that hurt our democracy.”  ‘Power of 12′ players will earn additional points for discussing issues online, registering to vote and checking in to debates and town halls.

Although this fantasy election game won’t launch until closer to the general election next fall, MTV will try to engage Millenials with their traditional election coverage, including it’s documentary, Our Voice, which premieres on December 20th as well as online at Powerof12.org.

For more information, check out: http://mashable.com/2011/12/19/mtv-power-of-12/

Who can believe that it’s almost 2012? Honestly, where has this past year gone? This year has truly been one for the books, in terms of technology and especially social media.   Since social media seems to be growing by the hour, so with 2012 on the horizon, here are the Harvard Business Review’s 2012 predictions for the platform:

• Convergence Emergence – There will be an increase in “trans-media” experiences in 2012.  An example of this was done by Coca Cola in 2010, when they partnered with an amusement park and allowed participants to “swipe” their RFID-equipped wristbands at kiosks, which then posted to Facebook and allowed their friend to know what they were doing and where.  Additionally, Domino’s Time Square billboard where they posted real opinions digitally for all to see.  Look for more of these types of campaigns in 2012.
• The Cult of Influence. There is a race to develop a system that rewards those with the most social influence.  The emergence of Klout is a business model that the HBR believes we will see more of in 2012, with the focus on the tools and techniques to score digital influence, in lieu of being only consumer focused.
• Gamification Nation. Look for game-like qualities (levels, leader boards, badges, points, and rewards) from social apps  in other areas of your life other than just gaming and social networking, i.e. HR, government, health care and business management.  Being on top of your company’s digital leader board will be something that might get you a raise next year.
• Social Sharing. There will be more of a focus on social sharing as it relates to e-commerce in 2012.  Companies will begin to depend on consumers sharing opinions and recommendations in order to drive their business forward.
• Social Television. From texting with friends to tweeting your vote, television is going to get a lot more interactive.  Get Glue is the newest player to the social tv game, since it acts like a Foursquare for media.  It allows participants to “check-in” to their favorites shows and collect stickers for telling the world what shows they love to watch.
• The Micro Economy. Continue to watch out for sites like Rock the Post and Kickstarter to assist entrepreneurs with their projects (either development or funding) by requesting help via these sites.

For more information on the HBR’s 2012 social media predictions, go to: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/12/six_social_media_trends_for_20.html

Rock the Post is a new resource for entrepreneurs who want help with resources, connections and support with their projects.  This free business social networking site aims to connect entrepreneurs, professionals and investors build the specific project and then take it to the next level.

The site is very user friendly.  Entrepreneurs post their situation and fundraising goals on the site for 30, 60 or 90 days.  If they don’t reach their goals in the originally specified time, they can extend the amount of days on the site without a problem.  While, investors can pledge either time or resources by signing up for an account or signing in with their Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn profiles.  The site does allow for investors to pledge money with credit cards.

The site was launched in November and has already raised more than $350,000 in funding and is already in 116 countries.  For more information, go to: http://mashable.com/2011/12/13/rockthepost/

There is a great new game that’s hit Facebook, and though it might fill your news feed with more updates than most of us would like, this game helps users build a better world while playing.  WeTopia is a free-to-play Facebook game that allows users to build online villages, in exchange for ‘Joy’ currency.  This ‘Joy’ currency is taking the gaming rewards idea and moving it beyond discounts and coupons.  It is used by players to make real world donations to children’s charities that promote healthcare and education.  One example of how ‘Joy’ currency can be used, is when a player purchases an in-game fountain for their village or neighbor, the game contributes clean water to real people in need.

WeTopia is the first game of its kind, taking the technology and knowledge of the Facebook gaming platform and allowing people to do good and have fun at the same time.  We all know friends who spend hours on Farmville, Cafeville, etc., why not turn them on to a game that helps others while they play.  WeTopia’s current partner roster includes: Save the Children, buildOn, and the Children’s Health Fund.

For more information about how WeTopia works, as well as the celebrity who has signed on to offer marketing support and creative input, go to: http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2011/11/30/WeTopia-Gaming-for-Good-113011.aspx

Amazon’s Price Checker App is looking to steal some business from other virtual and brick-and-mortar stores by offering consumers a 5% discount for looking up items with their app and then purchasing through Amazon instead of the other retailers.  The app’s promotion is different than what Amazon traditionally has done.  This discount offer is only available on December 10th, as a way for Amazon to drive awareness of the app and its usefulness, not necessarily to drive sales on that day.

The promotion process is as follows: Shoppers will be able to scan a barcode, and/or use their camera, speech or text to search for a product using the Amazon Price Checker app for iPhone [iTunes link] or Android devices. They can then share the in-store or online prices with Amazon, to help Amazon ensure that their sites and their merchants are offering the lowest price.  Once users see the price comparison, they can add the product to their shopping carts, where they will have 24 hours to complete their purchase via any Amazon channel.

Amazon believes this app will really assist holiday shoppers when they are inside of brick-and-mortar stores searching for the best deal on holiday gifts.  Additionally, this online run will benefit consumers, should they choose to buy with Amazon, but it should also help them develop a habit of using the Price Checker during all of their shopping trips.

For more information on the app, go to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=aw_ppricecheck_iphone_mobile

For a video walk through of the app, go to: http://mashable.com/2011/12/06/amazon-price-check-app-promotion/

Toys R Us has launched an interactive virtual store, which allows consumers to scan QR codes on billboards strategically placed in JFK International, LaGuardia and 40 NJ Transit Stations, and shop the company’s 2011 Hot Toy List.  This initiative helps Toys R Us target the on-the-go commuter who has time to sit on their phone, research and purchase items via their mobile device.

The billboards feature the Hot Toy List 2011 and each item has its own QR code.  Once users scan their desired code, they will be redirected to the Toys R Us mobile commerce site where they enter in their billing and shipping information to complete the purchase.  The virtual store promises that any consumer who purchases a toy before 3pm ET on December 22nd will receive their delivery by Christmas.  The billboards will stay up until December 31st.

For more information about this initiative, go to: http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/2011/12/05/toys-r-us-encourages-holiday-mobile-shopping-via-interactive-virtual-store