Just a footnote really – since turning data on a couple of days ago, and despite not using the internet at all (not checking email, not using Maps, visiting the App store), I have now been observing a slow but steady drain on my account balance.

Now that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been internet traffic (although logging into my account shows no data traffic). So…..

One more call to VirginMobile – turn off the data again. I still leave 3G switched on on the phone so it still functions.  It doesn’t mean I completely loose the connectivity benefits of the iPhone, there are WiFi spots everywhere that I can use – home, work, McDonalds, Starbucks, Internet cafes – so many offering free WiFi that the only time I am really missing out on data, is when I am driving. And when I’m driving, I better not be surfing!

Even so, it is sad that it has to come to this.

Pathetic really.

A footnote to the footnote – credit is still draining out of my account, despite there not being any calls made.  Rang Virgin AGAIN, and the last guy didn’t do what he said he was going to do (what I asked him to) – turn off data and WAP.  FFS – employ competent staff

Oh, another typically annoying thing – the previous guy offered to put $5 onto the account because of the problems/sign of goodwill.  Goodwill only works when you actually do it VirginMobile.  I don’t care about the $5. I do care about the principle.

First app to look at is iiQuota.

iiQuota is used to keep track of your mobile phone usage, remaining credit, data usage.  Even some ISPs are included. The app has some significant benefits over the competition.  Firstly, it is NOT restricted to a single carrier – you don’t have to buy the VirginMobile version, or the Optus version, or the Telstra version etc.  You can use any of the major carriers with the same app.  Another benefit is the app will track multiple accounts, across multiple carriers.

By clicking on an individual name (on the iPhone, not here!), you can bring up more specific, and extended information.  Oh, and the interface (skin) is customisable.

The second app is not a stand-alone program. CLZ Movies is the iPhone viewer for Collectorz Movies (on PC and Mac), for cataloging your movie collection.  They also have other programs for different collections, but it gets pretty expensive pretty quick.  I have used Collectorz Movies for years, and it is very effective.  They finally released Version 3 (for Mac), and a corresponding version for PC that allows export of the collection to the iPhone.

This is the iPhone interface, and it is great when you are in the DVD store or Blockbuster (etc) and want to ensure you are not doubling up!

Collection Cataloging Software – They have a number of collection programs, and a corresponding iPhone app to match. At $50 for the program, and $13 for the iPhone app, I guess you are unlikely to buy the whole set.

Anthony Lacavera, CEO, Globalive Communications

Canadians wait in anticipation for Globalive’s launch in Fall 2009 and throughout 2010. Ad Lounge was fortunate enough to catch up with Anthony Lacavera, one of the 20 participants of Art from the Unexpected this morning.

adlounge@globalive So honoured 2 have u join us, both 4 www.artfromtheunexpected.com & this interview.Thx 4 taking the time #adlounge #artunexpected

adlounge@globalive Tell us, what drew u to #artunexpected? You said yes to participating almost immediately.. and its a pretty unique ask. #adlounge

globalive@adlounge Thanks for having me! I thought the idea of me creating a piece of artwork was unbelievable…and I love an adventure!

adlounge@globalive U’ve been recognized as 1 of Canada’s Top 40 under 40. What’s the driving force behind ur success? #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge Well I have always really loved starting new businesses…I don’t feel like I am working, it is as fun for me as playing hockey…

globalive@adlounge or skiing, both of which I love, so it never feels like work

adlounge@globalive If u knew what u knew 2day about the economy, changing needs of cons, what would u do differently? #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge I have always tried to look to the longer term, and tried to create products that consumers want longer term…

globalive@adlounge but I do think that it is really important for businesses to stay flexible and adapt quickly…we are doing our best…

globalive@adlounge By creating our telecom services to give consumers a cost-saving opportunity without reducing features and NO CONTRACTS!

adlounge@globalive U’ve been challenging the norm, stirring up the pot, doing the unexpected… #adlounge #artunexpected

adlounge@globalive U even did the unexpected by selecting Clean Sheet over the more establ. agencies on the shortlist… #adlounge #artunexpected

adlounge@globalive We were all inspired by this win, almost like David VS Goliath. What was their winning attribute? #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge We like to work with innovative and like-minded people in every area of our business – Clean Sheet took a new look at wireless…

globalive@adlounge our website www.wirelesssoapbox.com was the brain-child of great innovation as well, from Bensimon Byrne

adlounge@globalive LOVE the Wireless Soapbox idea. Gr8 ex of an org. shaping itself based on wants &needs of cust…#adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge We are doing something wireless companies in Canada have never done…listen to their cust and build products cust want!

adlounge@globalive How does #globalive encourage “Eureka!”, innovative & “big idea” thinking among ur staff? #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge We have an incredible focus on our culture…it is our biggest advantage against our bigger competitors…

globalive@adlounge We make sure that everyone @ Globalive knows anything is possible!

adlounge@globalive Can U share with us the most defining “Eureka!”moment in UR life? Personal or professional #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge Well I got a hole in one playing golf, and believe me that means ANYTHING is possible!….

globalive@adlounge I’ve always believed anything is possible, and that everyone can achieve anything if they just believe it will happen

adlounge@globalive As a partic of #artunexpected, ur art piece talks about who u are,& meshes ur personal & prof life.Care to talk 2 this? #adlounge

globalive@adlounge My piece is certainly a reflection of my prof and personal life – wireless communications is constantly changing how we…

globalive@adlounge live and work so I made the piece a reflection of how I live and work…I learned to be a pilot a few years ago and have really…

globalive@adlounge enjoyed flying so I integrated that into my piece…as for my artistic ability…well let’s just say I can’t quit my day job!

adlounge@globalive At least u have realistic expectations of yourself! …:) #artunexpected #adlounge

adlounge@globalive #artunexpected gives ppl a chance to see a diff side of u. Any other “did you know” facts ppl should know? #adlounge

globalive@adlounge I really love the work we are doing with the Shamba foundation – www.shamba.ca – that I created a few years ago…

globalive@adlounge The word Shamba means ‘many hands make light work’ and through Shamba we are supporting various great causes

adlounge@globalive What a gr8 initiative it is. Good 2 see a wireless co giving back so much 2 the community… #adlounge #artunexpected

adlounge@globalive I think that’s all from us, but we’re going to take 1 Q from the audience. Anyone…? #adlounge #artunexpected

adlounge@globalive via @nixshi Ur phone plans were leaked a couple of wks ago. Can u comment on the circumstances re. this? #adlounge #artunexpected

globalive@adlounge We are launching services in late 2009 and throughout 2010, so it is too early for us to create plans and pricing etc….

globalive@adlounge So none of this info was from us but I can say I think it reflects how much Canadians are looking fwd to a new choice in wireless!

adlounge@globaliveI Absolutely. It certainly stirred up the pot yet again, and got ppl talking and anticipating…. #artunexpected. #adlounge

adlounge@globalive That’s all we have time for today.Thx 4 taking the time 2 speak w/us, Tony It’s been a lot of fun. #artunexpected. #adlounge

globalive@adlounge Thanks and spk to you all soon!

adlounge@globalive and followers, Stay tuned on June 3 at 2:00pm EDT for our Twitterview w @leelefever #adlounge #artunexpected

As an Indie Artist, I’m sure you know its “buyer beware” when it comes to signing on for Digital Distribution. After “being taken for a ride” by a few others promising the moon, I FINALLY FOUND A DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION DEAL WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD.

www.GlobalTraxOnline.com has over 25 years experience distributing artists like Ben E. King, India.Arie, Martha Reeves, Duke Ellington, Sounds of Blackness, Willie Jolley, Joe Lovano and more. We paid just $25 (+ $10/month for 6 months) – totally doable – with 5 band members it was just $5 each up front and $2.00 a month and they distributed our digital CD to nearly 400 TOP digital and mobile stores like iTunes, TeamMobile, Rhapsody, eMusic, Beatport, Ruckus, Verizon Wireless, VirginMobile and more. They provided us a marketing campaign that we as a Band can implement, a barcode to track our royalty payments, and THIS IS SO GREAT – they answer our questions and offer advice on things we need day-to-day; via email on a regular basis – this is invaluable.

Go to www.GlobalTraxOnline.com and you can get going right away; then you’ll mail them your CD. Finally, its great to find a distributor that DELIVERS ON THEIR PROMISE! Nothing to loose, everything to gain.

When we think of marketing we may think of big budget commercials, campaigns etc. but not every company can afford those high priced agencies or campaigns. While most savvy marketers know the huge power of citizen marketers and social media, some companies have yet to understand or implement tools to tap into current market trends. In economic down turns, recessions, and what will soon be a depression, many companies cut their marketing budgets and activities. This goes for profit driven as well as non profit organizations. What are non-profits to do in order to raise awareness and much needed funds for their cause?

You leverage good PR, corporate involvement/partnerships, and get communities involved and spread the word on your behalf. One example is “Race for the Cure” I don’t need to tell you what that activity is for. You already know it very well.
However there is one non-profit organization that is also working very hard to become as recognized as Susan G Komen and Breast Cancer. That organization is “STANDUP FOR KIDS“. Founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth with national headquarters in San Diego, California, STANDUP FOR KIDS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and has programs in a number of states.

The focus of STANDUP FOR KIDS goes beyond street outreach and extends to deterrence and resource programs that we provide in schools and via the internet. But all facets of their mission are guided by the mandate that their volunteers shall tell kids they care about them and then, at every point, prove it.

What is STANDUP FOR KIDS doing to raise awareness and raise funds? This group has partnered with artist/activist, Scott Hancock of The Glue Network as well as different organizations such as the skater clothing line – Fallen and Black Box Distribution. Together this valuable partnership sells sneakers to raise funds and awareness at the same time. To get your STANDUP FOR KIDS’ sneakers, (click here) and find a store in your area.  STANDUP FOR KIDS is extremely proud to be recognized by Jamie Thomas and everyone at Fallen and Black Box Distribution by recognizing our work with our own sneakers. STANDUP FOR KIDS will receive $3.00 for every pair of sneakers sold, so get your pair today and support America’s homeless and street kids and at-risk youth.

Another innovative partnership that StandUp For Kids has entered into is with Virgin Mobile and Levi Jeans. The program is called “The ReGeneration” Using SMS (simple message system) aka texting, When you text the term “karma” to 68405, Levi Jean Co. will donate a pair of Levi Jeans to StandUp for Kids. This program is innovative on a few levels. First, it leverages partnerships. Second is that it is a great way for Virgin Mobile and Levi Jean Co. to give back to the community and help Homeless, at risk and runaway children. Thirdly, the coolest part of this program for me is the use of SMS, which I think is vastly underutilized by marketers. The use of SMS in this program to donate Levi Jeans to Homeless children makes it incredibly easy for anyone to participate. To learn more about how this program works click here.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and buy some sneakers, and text “Karma” to 68405!

If you want to follow this organization on Twitter go to their Twitter profile at http://twitter.com/StandUp4kidsPhx

I know there are lot of brands which are really using social media (or rather tools of web2.0), but these two examples highlight the difference in the way the medium is used for its inherent value.

Story – 1 (Outside India)

Brand – Pepsi

Context – Logo redesign

So the story goes that Pepsi is trying to redesign its logo and what does it do? It creates a Friendfeed room where the social media A Listers, and the long tailers, can comment. It also boxes filled with Pepsi cans(3 different boxes; tracing their “Can” design evolution) to A Listers in social media. So what happens -

The choice to make it exclusive, the undeniable marketing story of seeing the 100 year brand logo evolution of one of the largest brands in the world on a series of cans (which most marketing bloggers would care about on some level), and the generally positively reviewed new logo means that Pepsi will probably get exactly what they wanted from this campaign … for a handful of marketing bloggers who collectively reach a large percentage of the marketing community to all be talking about Pepsi’s new logo. – Rohit Bhargava

I think this is an excellent field to test the waters about the  revamp in design. The friendfeed discussion and the A Lister recruitment is good idea on two counts -

1. Word of mouth from the A-Listers (influencers) themselves
2. Community involvement, feedback from the community and the influencers

Here is what the new logo looks like -

The New Pepsi Can

Image credit – Rohit Bhargava

Story – 2 (India)

Brand – Virgin Mobile

Context – Virgin Mobile Launch

Virgin Mobile is on twitter, I find out to my utter surprise. I peruse through their updates to sense what kind of interaction is going on. Apart from the regular “new promo”, “Sir Richard Branson doing <thisactivity><withthiscelebrity> sort of tweets, do I see regular interaction with the community ?

My answer would be; “an honest attempt”. The person in background tries to keep the core of the brand, which is thinking differently or think hatke, alive (sometimes sounding silly, corny) like -

1. What would T9 dictionary be in Virgin Mobile?
2. What is your opinion about Virginity.. oops Virgin Mobile Think Hatke Ads..?

However the question that I am concerned with, is the reach ? The Pepsi story has the A Listers in them but the Virgin Mobile story does not (in addition to the fact that it’s in India and that too on Twitter). Virgin Mobile seems to have all-encompassing social media presence in Facebook, Flickr, Youtube as well which is really surprising.

Do the numbers really add up? I think no (Since March 2008, for 100 updates, it means JUST 3 tweets per week). I am just happy to see brand:that too in India, trying out web2.0. I don’t know whether they have a dedicated person from the organization sitting behind these avenues or is it some retailer doing this (in that case it becomes all the more intriguing).

I love my Virgin Mobile phone. It is affordable, durable, and for the most part, very convenient. I usually do not have many problems with it. (Other than the battery’s apparent inability to keep a decent charge.) But, when I do have a problem, and I need to contact customer service, I am put through automated phone service h-ll!!! A chirpy sounding woman-recording answers the phone and gives a series of choices that you must make weather or not they suit your needs. She refuses to allow you to speak to an actual person until she has looped you through as many options as possible. If you do not answer to the computer’s satisfaction, you are immediately cut off. You must then call back and go through the whole thing again until you finally are lucky enough to be put through to an actual human. It is fortunate that the actual operaters for Virginmoble are very pleasent and helpful; because by the time you finally reach them you are in such a bad mood that one bad attitude or off word could drive you to through you phone through the window.

Le patron de VirginMobile, Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, présente chaque mercredi matin sur Canal+ une chronique intitulée “Merci patron”. Gros contribuable à l’abri du besoin, ce journaliste en herbe a souhaité que sa pige hebdomadaire de 640€ soit directement versée à une fondation. Las, malgré ses demandes répétées, la DRH de Canal+ s’y refuse. Motif: le don de rémunération n’est pas prévu par les textes…

Source: Challenges