Digital Design Blog

Emerging Media Trends: Unlike.net, Twitter Me This and Flickr Videos

Every week we send out updates on emerging media trends across Avenue A | Razorfish. Now we’ve decided to share them with you as well. Here’s the first in an ongoing series:

1. unlike.net - Alternative Online City Guides (startup site)

What is it? Unlike.net is a new series of online city publications that are aimed at helping “visitors become locals.” The guides have an urban, hip feel and focus on things that are not going to be found in standard guide books. Content is categorized by: Shop, Bar, Club, Food, Hotel, Culture, Art, Wellness and Thrills. Unfortunately, the only city available right now is Berlin, but cities such as LA, Tokyo and Shanghai will be rolling out soon. The site features full mobile integration so the content goes wherever you do. Source: KillerStartups.com

Why is it interesting? While travel + social networking is not a new trend by any means, Unlike.net adds new layers of customization and mobile functionality. Users have the ability to set up “tours,” meaning they can browse content on the site and save it to a custom tour for themselves or friends. Consumers are no longer tethered to travel recommendations from the Rick Steves’ of the world; now there is a new way to tell your shoe-loving friend about the great boutique you found on a tiny street in Europe.

2. TwitterMeThis - A Brilliant Marketing Experiment

What is it? TwitterMeThis (as in, “Riddle me this”) is the brainchild of blogger Jim Kukrai. Everyday, he asks his followers on @twittermethis a question. The first person to answer it correctly is awarded $5 via PayPal (yes, he actually pays them!). Jim was motivated to see how successful he could be at using Twitter as a marketing vehicle. After just two weeks, he now has over 300 followers. Source: readwriteweb.com

Why is it interesting? This model could potentially be a viral marketers dream, since it is easy to push information through interactions on Twitter. Not to mention, Twitter easily facilitates buzz. An example of how advertisers could leverage this model is by asking a question such as: “What name was WaMu originally founded under?”

3. Flickr Users Cry Mutiny Over New Video Feature

What is it? Flickr video launched this week, allowing Pro (paid) users to upload 90 second videos alongside regular photos. Dedicated photo fans were hoping that Flickr would concentrate on improving the site, rather than launching extraneous features. Online protests are nothing new to the popular photo site, and groups such as “We Say No to Videos on Flickr” already have tens of thousands of members. Source: Wired Blog

Why is it interesting? With more competition online everyday, sites are going to continue to add features to keep up with the online Joneses. But where do you draw the line in order to maintain the loyalty of your core users, yet entice new consumers? Oddly enough, there is also a group on Flickr that loves the video feature- they say that “Photos are of the past!”