September 8, 2010

New CMA task force helps marketers be more mobile

Filed under: News @ Mobile Fringe — Steve @ 11:47 pm

TORONTO – September 8, 2010 – With mobile marketing a significant growth opportunity for business, the Canadian Marketing Association has struck an industry task force to determine how marketers can best integrate this emerging marketing channel into the overall marketing mix. An early outcome will be a new tool that will allow marketers to assess if a specific mobile marketing channel makes sense for their product, brand or service and where it fits in the broader marketing plan.

“Mobile marketing holds great promise for business,” noted CMA President and CEO John Gustavson. “Through these efforts in collaboration with other stakeholder groups, such as the Mobile Marketing Association and Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, CMA is working to support the growth of mobile marketing in Canada.”

The CMA task force will also develop best practices for mobile marketing that will be incorporated into the CMA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Regularly updated and modernized to reflect current marketing practices, the CMA Code is recognized by government regulators, privacy advocates, special interest groups and the media as the leading framework for effective marketing self-regulation in Canada.

Chaired by Phil Barrett, Vice-President, Digital & Mobile, BSTREET Communications, the CMA task force includes some of Canada’s leading mobile marketers with expertise in advertising, web, applications, messaging and marketing integration. Members include:

  • Deborah Hall, Managing Partner, Web2Mobile
  • Helen Leach-Edwards, Director, Interactive, American Express
  • Bob Millar, Director, Product Development, Inbox Marketer
  • Brady Murphy, Chief Executive Officer, Vortex Mobile
  • Sandra Singer-Tabachneck, Senior Director, Industry Councils and Research, CMA
  • Steve Sorge, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Mobile Fringe.

Media Contacts

Ed Cartwright
Senior Director, Communications
T. 416-644-3760

August 5, 2010

UROapp enables 24/7 mobile access to private medical social network

Filed under: News @ Mobile Fringe — Steve @ 2:56 pm

UROapp is the first in a series of 11 medical iPhone and Blackberry apps developed by mobile industry leader Mobile Fringe

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Aug. 5, 2010) – Mobile Fringe in conjunction with, MDapps.ca is proud to announce UROapp, providing secure 24/7 communication between urologists. This closed forum, private mobile network enables Doctors to confer with each other, obtaining instant peer-to-peer advice, while accessing research data and input from the medical community.  UROapp will come on stream September of 2010.

It also heralds the launch of an all-new platform of private social networking apps aimed at vertical groups and industries – Steve Sorge Mobile Fringe CEO

These apps introduce a lean and technologically savvy way of inter-connecting the Canadian medical profession 24/7. MDapps facilitate better medicine and better business.

“UROapp, and the other ten medical apps, represent a unique private mobile social network for professionals.” said Steve Sorge CEO, Mobile Fringe.  “By leveraging our mobile technology, mobile content management and best practices in social networking, our proprietary private platform allows all manner of vertical communities to interact on their iPhones and Blackberry’s effortlessly.”

Learn More about Private Mobile Social Networks

Smartphones, particularly the iPhone and Blackberry have all but replaced the laptop. These mobile devices are pocket-sized computers with ever-increasing capability and 24-hour functionality.

Mobile Fringe has developed this closed forum architecture that enables vertical industries, corporations and associations to create a secure private network that facilitates communication between head office and the field, between co-workers internationally and even between suppliers.

This private social network platform can radically reduce costs, increase efficiency and will have a major impact upon the corporate communication process.

Sorge added, “To communicate effectively, you have to minimize distractions.  Some mobile apps have a steep learning curve. They can be complicated and difficult to learn, even intimidating. Simplicity in an app brings comfort and removes distractions. And this is what we achieve with UROapp.”

MDapps.ca will be exclusively marketed by Urologi Inc.  According to Kari McAllindon, Urologi Inc. President, “Given the rapid adoption of smartphone technology within the medical profession, we are convinced UROapp will be quickly adopted by the urology community. Likewise, we are confident that we have achieved the right balance between respecting the privacy of the physician, while allowing other medical community members to participate 24/7 in secure and private discussions.”

About Mobile Fringe

Mobile Fringe collaborates with our enterprise and marketing clients, in order to leverage the mobile channel. Our proprietary software has been specifically designed for these strategic initiatives.

Mobile Fringe delivers solutions that not only integrate with, but also enhance existing business systems and strategies. We unlock the potential of mobile for your organization – today and for the future www.mobilefringe.com.

About MDapps.ca

MDapps.ca develops and distributes Smartphone based applications for the medical community.  For more information, please email info@mdapps.ca or visit the website www.mdapps.ca.

About Urologi Inc.

Urologi Inc. is a sales and marketing organization focused on the in-licensing and distribution of urological pharmaceuticals and medical devices for the Canadian market using traditional channels as well as leading edge, mobile applications. For more information: www.urologi.ca.

July 21, 2010

UroApp for iPhone

Filed under: Products — Kin @ 10:41 pm
The mobile application that keeps doctors connected all on their mobile phones.  Also available on Blackberry.

For Blackberry – click here

UroApp for iPhone

Mobile Fringe is proud to be mdapps.ca‘s partner in launching their iPhone app.  UroApp is a social networking mobile application which will help all urologists to stay connected and be up to with the latest industry information.

Learn More about Mobile Fringe’s Mobile Social Private Network Solution, and learn how we can help you take your mobile app concept to market from design, development and deployment.

Watch the UroApp iPhone App Video

UroApp for iPhone App Features

Stay connected with your Colleagues sending private messages, one touch call and emails effortlessly. Search the directory to find a peer.
Share knowledge and information in the library.
Participate in forums and discuss insights, ideas and obersevations with your peers and key opinion leaders with the urologist’s community.

July 14, 2010

Mobile Fringe Achieves Apple’s ‘Great Canadian App’

Filed under: News @ Mobile Fringe — Tags: , , — Steve @ 11:56 am

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – July 14, 2010) – Toronto Eaton Centre and Mobile Fringe are proud to announce the inclusion of the Toronto Eaton Centre iPhone App into Apple iTunes Canada’s ‘ Great Canadian Apps’.

The Apple Canada App Store was recently added a new app category entitled, “Great Canadian Apps”. This feature, as the name implies, recognizes apps created by Canadian-based companies. Only 29 Canadian-made apps made the short list, and the Toronto Eaton Centre, a Mobile Fringe product is recognized as one of these ‘Great Apps’ along side myStarbucks, The Globe and Mail, and the CIBC Mobile Banking apps.

Check out all the Great Canadian Apps Here

“This is a real special distinction that came as a surprise to us. We feel honoured to be included in such an exclusive group.” said Steve Sorge, CEO of Mobile Fringe.

About Mobile Fringe:

Mobile Fringe collaborates with our enterprise and marketing clients, in order to leverage the mobile channel. Our proprietary software has been specifically designed for these strategic initiatives.

Mobile Fringe delivers solutions that not only integrate with, but also enhance existing business systems and strategies. We unlock the potential of mobile for your organization – today and for the future.

July 8, 2010

Clients of Mobile Fringe

Filed under: Clients — Tags: , — Steve @ 10:13 pm

July 6, 2010

Mobile Image Recognition killed the QR code?

Filed under: Mobile Insights — Tags: , — Steve @ 9:02 am

Mobile Image Recognition

You ain’t seen nothing yet

In a recent blog we spoke about QR codes, two-dimensional codes that smartphones with cameras can ‘scan’ with detailed information delivered directly to that phone.

We contacted the National Post who have been deploying QR codes in their various newspapers since April of 2009.

According to Jonathan Harris, VP Digital Media, the Post was the first newspaper in North America to pioneer this latest advertising techno advancement.

Well Jonathan, here comes image recognition, and it will probably render QR codes obsolete, even thought the vast majority of Canadians haven’t even heard of QR codes …  such is the pace of technology.

Google is experimenting with, (sorry Beta testing), Goggles. Naturally this latest technology is closely linked with Android, the company’s mobile OS. The concept is simple – the technology fascinating. By simply focusing the camera of a smartphone on a label, a building, a book; the software recognizes the source and provides instant information to the users.

Snapnow is another image recognition provider. It describes itself as, “a mobile visual search service, which lets you search for mobile web content based on images you capture with your camera phone.”

As with QR codes, Japanese consumers are at the leading edge of acceptance and use of image recognition technology. Skin care supplier, Guthey-Renker is using the Snapnow technology,

Tom Garofalo, Executive Vice President of Asia Pacific for SnapNow said, “This is the first partnership of its kind anywhere in the world. By combining print, TV and real world consumer touch points we allow customers to connect to and purchase products directly through their mobile phones using our image recognition technology – without requiring any kind of symbol or code. This takes mobile commerce to a whole new level.”

Snap2Travel is also a player. The Snap2Travel app allows you to take a picture of a page or image in a holiday catalogue, put in your dates and receive real-time prices. If you want to book there and then, you’re connected to your default travel agency, all over your mobile phone.

So if you were considering QR codes, you might want to take a step back and spend some time exploring image recognition.  We are and have some exciting new ways to make it drive a great user experience and increase ROI

Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight the latest in mobile technology.

July 5, 2010

Angela Sweeney, Vice President Marketing – Madison Marquette

Filed under: Testimonials — Steve @ 2:47 pm

Our collaboration with Mobile Fringe to build The Asbury Park Boardwalk mobile app was first class from beginning to end. Their accomplished team guided us through the process, understood our needs and delivered a relevant mobile solution that has proven to be very popular with local residents and visitors to Asbury Park. Madison Marquette was very pleased with this relationship and highly recommends the team at Mobile Fringe.

June 29, 2010

Pride Toronto 2010 iPhone App

Filed under: Products — Kin @ 11:05 pm
Download the only mobile application that will keep you up to date about the events for Pride Week Toronto; festivals, parties, parades, and more!

Pride Toronto for iPhone App

Mobile Fringe is proud to be Pride Toronto Organization’s partner in launching their iPhone app. The Pride Toronto 2010 event is complimented this year with a engaging iPhone app.

Learn More about Mobile Fringe’s mobile event platform for the iPhone and all smartphones, and learn how we can help you take your mobile app concept to market from design, development and deployment.

Pride Toronto iPhone App Features

Pride Week goes Mobile with their iPhone App.  Navigate all of the events during Pride week easily on your iPhone.  Stay connected with your friends about the events in Toronto through Facebook®, Twitter®, Flickr, YouTube, and more!.
Never miss a single event with the Pride Week Calendar.
The Pride Toronto iPhone app will make sure you get to the right location with one touch mapping and details of every event.

June 25, 2010

QR codes, 2d codes, the future or already the past? Part 1 of 2

Filed under: Mobile Insights — Steve @ 11:14 am

Canada lags far behind in adopting QR Codes

Barcodes are one dimensional, while QR codes (quick response) codes are two-dimensional. Data can be read, not just in a line, but also up and own.

Japan has been using QR codes  for almost a decade. Bus stops, print advertising, store windows, almost everything you can imagine, carries a QR code.

About a year ago, Google launched a QR initiative at the local level.

Over one million businesses in the U.S. have listed themselves with Google, according to Michaela Prescott, head of geomarketing at Google.

The idea is to give those businesses a set of metrics from which they can make business decisions about expanding delivery areas, advertising in certain areas, or what people are looking for in a local pizza joint.

QR codes on products or advertising can bring detailed information directly to the smartphone, or redirect the buyer via the smartphpone to a website for far greater information about the specific product than simply price.

“There is no issue in terms of Mobile Fringe incorporating QR codes into our mobile marketing apps,” says Steve Sorge, CEO of Mobile Fringe. “It makes a ton of sense. Trouble is, most Canadians have little knowledge of QR codes.”

There has been little said in Canadian media. Advertisers seem wary. To make matters worse, most smartphones cannot read a QR code unless additional software is downloaded and installed (some Android phones have this software pre-installed).

The National Post has been a Canadian pioneer featuring QR code ads along with instructions: Step I, download the software, in this case Scanlife. Step 2, take a photo of the image using your smartphone. Step 3 information retrieved will direct the viewer to a website for additional relevant content.

In June of this year, the Canadian Tourism Commission stepped into the QR game, though this QR initiative was aimed at US citizens, not Canadians.

Travel ads were placed in newspapers including the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times. The ads were a paper version of an online travel blog with QR codes linking to mobile videos allowing readers to view hundreds of videos from destinations across Canada.

Unilever has just launched what is described as the largest mobile bar code campaign in the US. The ads focus on men’s grooming brand Axe, featuring a line of deodorant body-sprays, deodorant and hair care products.

“2D bar codes are a great way to instantly connect a brand with a mobile consumer,” said Neil Strother, Kirkland, WA-based practice director of ABI Research. “One caution is that the technology has to work well and you have to quickly educate the consumer how to use it.”

Mobile Fringe is confident more Canadian media, like the National Post, will experiment with QR codes, but is it too little too late? Look for our second post on this subject in the coming week

We’d like feedback from you.

  • Have you heard of QR codes?
  • Why is Canada so far behind other nations?
  • Will QR codes break through into the Canadian marketplace?

June 20, 2010

Madison Marquette Launches iPhone Application for The Asbury Park Boardwalk

Filed under: News @ Mobile Fringe — Tags: , — Steve @ 10:44 pm

Madison Marquette has launched an iPhone application for The Asbury Park Boardwalk, a high profile retail mixed-use destination along the New Jersey coast. The application allows users to stay up to date on events and news regarding the boardwalk.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 21, 2010 — Madison Marquette has launched an iPhone application for The Asbury Park Boardwalk, a high profile retail mixed-use destination along the New Jersey coast. The application allows users to stay up to date on events and news regarding the boardwalk.

News Image“Mobile communications are becoming an increasingly important channel for keeping consumers connected with major retail destinations,” said Kurt Ivey, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications of Madison Marquette. “We expect this new application to drive additional shopper visits through increased awareness of special events and promotions.”

The application is available for download, here: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=373462780

The application was built by Mobile Fringe, a mobile marketing and development company (www.mobilefringe.com). It is their first applications for a U.S. retail real estate owner. The application has several elements, including the following:

  • Concerts & Events – a frequently updated listing of upcoming music concerts and special events such as festivals, fireworks, bonfires, movies on the beach and sporting events.
  • Shopping – a comprehensive list of the shopping destinations at the Boardwalk, including several new retailers opening this summer. Content includes location, description and contact information for each.
  • Dining – a full directory of the many dining options at the Boardwalk – both seasonal and year-round destinations. Content includes hours, location, description and reservation information for each.
  • Night Spots – a description of the popular night-time gathering places along the Boardwalk, including descriptions, contacts, location information and hours.
  • News Announcements – information related to major news at the Boardwalk, such as new store openings, signature events and special promotions.
  • Social Media Connection – links to the Twitter and Facebook profiles of the Boardwalk.

“Smartphones are now mainstream devices and consumers want access to information anywhere at anytime,” said Mr. Ivey. “With the accomplished development team at Mobile Fringe, we were able to deliver this application quickly.”

Madison Marquette is planning to develop applications for other properties in its national portfolio of high quality retail and retail mixed-use destinations.

ABOUT MADISON MARQUETTE
Madison Marquette is a Washington, D.C.-based investor, developer and operator of retail and retail mixed-use real estate throughout the United States. The company specializes in creating unique retail destinations that respond best to consumer preferences. With regional offices in Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, New York, Charlotte, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Diego, Madison Marquette seeks investment opportunities in growing markets. The company maintains a sophisticated in-house operating capability and oversees 18 million square feet of retail real estate. This diverse national portfolio includes many properties that Madison Marquette manages and leases on behalf of third-party owners. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.madisonmarquette.com.

ABOUT MOBILE FRINGE
Mobile Fringe is a mobile marketing and development company specializing in iPhone, Blackberry and Android. We will turn your visions into mobile realities and will not only design and develop a state of the art mobile app but will go to great lengths to make our clients ride this incredible mobile wave. Mobile Fringe’s proprietary mobile marketing platforms allow its clients a fast time to market, mobile content management and incredible value.

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