Free for the Asking: ChaCha Answers, Texted to Your Phone

At the YPulse Mashup, I thought I might see mobile search companies like Thrumm MMS (multimedia messaging service/cameraphones) ChaCha the human-search engine in beta, and even Yap voice to text speech recognition to keep those "66% of teens who text while driving" safely at bay... Especially since mobile search texting answers to your phone seems like a natural for this … [Read more...]

Media Rules! Shaping Youth Interviews Brian Reich

We interrupt this series on product placement and new FCC media rules to add a very pertinent voice into the mix, digital dynamo Brian Reich, co-author with Dan Solomon of Media Rules! Brian Reich understands new media’s opportunity to do positive, GOOD things beyond just ‘sell stuff’ so before I dive further into my Part 3 stance on the need for … [Read more...]

This Vacation is Brought to You By…(Part 2: Branding Partnerships)

Cruise news, trip tips, kids' brand loyalty pitches at cheerleading camps, sports and spa getaways... Who's sponsoring your 'fun?' Are you aware? Cruise lines are wisely using their own social networking connection as a conduit for repeat business and new referrals, so passengers can share their own experiences with others...Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise line just partnered … [Read more...]

Zrii & the Tao of Healthy Beverages: What’s IN This Stuff?

Raised predominantly in Hawaii, packaging like Fiji water and Zrii always catches my eye, as do lofty health claims like, “a drink so nutritionally complete that it has no equal in all of history”...So I set out to find the scoop on the zen of Zrii, soon to be the next consumable hypefest elixir, and sure to appeal to uber-trendy teens who are being targeted big … [Read more...]