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• Facebook Wins Madison Ave.'s Hearts And Minds, Topples Google by Joe Mandese

  Facebook has emerged as the "strongest" digital media brand among advertisers and agency executives, replacing stalwart Google, according to the 2012 edition of an annual survey of ad industry perceptions about the media brands they use to advertise with. The results, which are based on annual polls of thousands of advertisers and agency executives conducted by Advertiser Perceptions Inc., are to Madison Avenue what J.D. Power's annual awards are to the automotive industry. ...Read the whole story

• research CPG Marketers Need Better Shopper Strategies by Steve McClellan

  A new study from Booz & Company indicates that many consumer goods companies are struggling to use shopper marketing practices to maximum advantage. The big challenge is for manufacturers to "better engage retail partners in the development and execution of shopper solutions that deliver added value beyond price reductions," the study concludes. ...Read the whole story

• App Usability Beats Mobile Web...For Now by Steve Smith

  According to design guru Jakob Nielsen, apps still constitute the best strategy when it comes to usability. In a new report comparing the two mobile platforms, Nielsen and his Nielsen Norman Group conclude that "as of this writing there is no contest: ship mobile apps if you can afford it." ...Read the whole story

• SapientNitro's Dan Israel On Dialing Brands Into Mobile by Mark Walsh

  Prior to joining SapientNitro, Israel led consumer mobile strategy at The Home Depot. We asked him about the agency's approach to mobile, the outlook for 2012, and mobile wallets, among other topics. ...Read the whole story

• Lean-Back, Curl Up and "Lasso" Content in MSN's iPad App by Steve Smith

  Microsoft brings its MSN portal to the iPad this week even as the company prepares to preview its own tablet-optimized operating system. Aiming for a lean-back experience, MSN introduces a text "lasso" for easier searches. ...Read the whole story

Weighing the Facts: Is QR Code Marketing Worthwhile? by Sakina Walsh

What critics are missing is this: QR codes must be seen as an emerging technology, not a mainstream marketing channel, replete with standard KPIs and ROI expectations. Businesses should view this opportunity much like the first companies to venture from brick and mortar selling to e-commerce. ...More

• No Time For Mobile, Go Shop! by Jack Loechner

  According to the February 2012 survey, conducted by BIGinsight, the average US consumer celebrating Valentine's Day this year will spend $126.03 on traditional merchandise, up 8.5% from last year, and marking the highest average in the NRF Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey's 10-year history. Total spending for the day is expected to reach $17.6 billion, up 12% from $15.7 billion last year. ...More