Connecting the Dots / An Agency Blog

Is Flash on its way out? From where I sit, I can’t imagine it anytime soon. BC Business recently posted an article about the demise of the Flash website due to an increased interest in HTML5. While there are a few points in this article that we can appreciate, the whole Flash vs. HTML5 argument seems to be fueled by a very narrow view of the web combined with the momentum of Apple hype. We’re all for new technologies and advancements in the digital space, but assuming Flash to be irrelevant any time soon make very little sense.

Assuming Flash will disappear this year or even in the next few years is so completely misinformed, I don’t even know where to start. This whole notion, spurred by Mr. Jobs and his crusade for full control of, well, everything, is completely hyped up and based on little to no hard data. I don’t understand how anyone is even listening, let alone participating in the debate.

Continue…

If you’re a regular reader of the Engine Digital blog you’ll know that I’ve been chronicling the story of location based social broadcasting since Foursquare was released here in Vancouver last September. After spending months with the application and touting the benefits for Vancouver small businesses, stalking your friends, and mayor fights with complete strangers, I decided to enact an un-install.

Continue…

Stimulant recently asked Engine Digital to submit 5 examples of random things that inspire us on a daily basis. The only caveat was that we couldn’t choose anything related to advertising in any way, shape or form. You wouldn’t think it would be that difficult but since almost everyone here at Engine lives and breathes advertising and nothing else the job ultimately fell on me. I’m a well-rounded guy and frequently have conversations that have absolutely nothing to do with advertising of any kind so I thought it would be a fun little project. But you know the old adage about assumptions right?
Continue…

SoDA 2010 Digital Marketing Outlook – released today!

The Society of Digital Agencies released their 2010 Digital Marketing Outlook today and it’s packed full of great survey data from hundreds of executives from major global brands, traditional and digital agencies, and vendor / service providers. Some key stats and points of view that have caught my eye so far:

• 81% of brand execs expect an increase in digital projects for 2010
• “The most effective digital platforms have shifted from ‘disruptive’ to ‘productive’ by providing a service or utility…[they] fundamentally change the approach from “how we reach our customers” to ‘how we make their lives better.’” K. Blitz
• 59% of respondants say that cost-per-click, conversion, and ROI are the digital marketing metric they’re least interested in
• Most important technical skill sets to hire / contract in 2010 (in order): Flash, ActionScript, CSS, PHP, iPhone SDK – showing that the microsite is indeed still alive and kicking

Get the report after the jump…

Continue…

We’ve been following Foursquare on this blog since it was introduced to Vancouver because we knew that even if Foursquare isn’t around in the future, location based digital experiences will be.

As we said earlier, this technology is in its infancy, and it’s evolving. On November 16th, Dennis Crowley from Foursquare announced in Amsterdam that Foursquare would be teaming up with the Augmented Reality app, Layar. Now you’ll be able to hold up your phone to a real world setting and have the benefits of both apps at your fingertips. Get all the details here.

Inevitably, this story will be continued.