Location Based Social Networks... what's the deal?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz lately about Location Based Social Networks (LBSNs) such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite and Loopt. With a growing user-base (Foursquare just passed the 2 million mark) we all want to know who’s using these services, how often they’re using them, what they’re using them for, how our clients can get involved, and if they should. Large chains such as Starbucks and Chili’s restaurant have already partnered with LBSNs to test promotions… so far, with mixed results. Check out this article from AdAge about some of the challenges and pitfalls these early adopters have faced.

A recent report by Forrester provides a little perspective on the subject of LBSNs, finding that less than 5% of U.S. online users have ever used a location-based application on a mobile device. Interesting to note that these users are typically young (~70% between the ages of 19 and 35), male (~80%), well-educated, and influential. Read more on Forrester’s own blog and on gigaom.com

Infographic: The Road to Wellness

Interesting take on the "Road to Wellness" by Hartman Group. Displayed on a LIFE-like board game are various dieting fads, advertising milestones, and other health and wellness trends from the last 200 years. Definitely worth checking out!

http://www.hartman-group.com/hartbeat/infographic-the-road-to-wellness

Cascadian Farm Blueberries come to FarmVille

Big week coming up for SRG client... Cascadian Farm will become FarmVille’s first-ever “in-game, branded crop” that consumers can plant, grow and interact with all while learning about the benefits of organic farming on the world’s largest virtual agricultural stage. During the week of July 19-16, FarmVille players will be able to plant an organic blueberry crop from Cascadian Farm and download a $1.00 coupon that can be redeemed in a brick-and-mortar store.

The popular social game FarmVille boosts 20 million users EACH DAY, and 60 million+ active monthly users.

Check out this great New York Times article about the upcoming Cascadian Farm campaign.


Go to Cascadian Farm's pages on Facebook to get in on the action:

• Farmer Joe Cascadian
• Cascadian Farm's Farmville Community Celebration

World Cup 2010

In celebration of this Sunday's World Cup final, ADFREAK.com put together a list of the 10 best soccer commercials. Funny, impressive, nostalgic, and all very dramatic... click here to check them out for yourself.

And if any of you soccer fans missed the dynamic calendar Jay sent out last month - it's definitely worth checking out. By rolling your mouse over different parts of the wheel, the center view quickly changes to show the World Cup's schedule by country, by stadium, by group/stage, by date, and geographically... just to name a few. Click here to view.

WEBINAR: Living Your Best Gluten-Free Life

Almond Board of California has teamed up with Living Without magazine editor-in-chief Alicia Woodward and gluten-free experts: Shelley Case, RD and Elana Amsterdam; and will host a free webinar on gluten-free living this Thursday, July 8th at 11:00am MST.

Register for this free webinar to learn about the gluten-free diet and ways that almonds can inspire solutions to the nutrition, convenience and taste challenges of this diet.

Click here for more information on the webinar speakers and to register for this free event.