Natalie Chandler
Obama launches Startup America initiative: Should Australia follow suit?
Despite acknowledging there’s no way to predict its success, venture capitalists are “feeling good” about new White House initiative Startup America, according to the Wall Street Journal. So, when can we expect the launch of 'Startup Australia'?
Mobile-only broadband market to reach one billion by 2015
By the year 2015, one billion people globally will access the internet solely through mobile devices, according to new research from analyst Ovum. Yet another reason for the mobile industry to feel smug. But does this mean fixed broadband will go the way of Betamax, Commodore 64, and stone wash?
Australian mobile app to replace four billion pieces of pulped wood (also known as...
Appalogues (see what they did there?), created by Brisbane company Min-i-Mags, is a smartphone application that combines old-school catalogues with new mobile technology to create a product it hopes will replace shopping catalogues -- Australia’s third largest consumer-directed advertising medium (after newspapers and TV).
Ruslan Kogan: “Other retailers are… asking the government for new taxes” [LivePrice Demo]
Retail upstart Kogan is determined to lure Australian shoppers online with discounts on products that are but a twinkle in the manufacturer’s eye. Kogan’s latest innovation, LivePrice, allows consumers to purchase pre-production goods at "up to 50% off the retail price". The further along the retail chain the product is, the smaller the discount.
General Pants exec Phil Staub’s success due to “sensible passion”
The good folk at Gen-Y entrepreneur community The Entourage recently sat down with General Pants executive chairman Phil Staub to learn what it takes to build a multimillion dollar business. With 80 stores, 1500 staff, and over $250 million in annual revenue, Staub is one of Australia’s most successful entrepreneurs. The result, he claims, of understanding, empathy and “sensible passion”.
New ad raises bar for iPad engagement [‘Click-to-Interact’ versus ‘Touch-to-Experience’]
HTML5 has been put through its paces to create a snazzy promotional game, in an effort to increase lacklustre response rates to banner ads on the iPad. The HTML5 ‘gamified’ banner, created by US creative agency Glow Interactive for USA Network’s ‘White Collar’, can be found on the New York Times’ page when browsing on an iPad. The ad integrates the brand with the ad source, creating a deeper level of engagement.
Reality goes mobile with new augmented app to promote KIA at the Australian Open
In an Australian first, mobile solutions group Mnet has delivered an augmented reality experience to capitalise on KIA's sponsorship of the Australian Open. Triggered by broadcast television, online and print media advertising, the mobile application, available on smartphone platforms iPhone and Android, uses augmented reality to bring a 3D animation of the KIA Optima from different channels, such as television, to the mobile phone.
Aussie businesses in for a cash-strapped 2011, says D&B
Australian firms took, on average, 51.2 days to settle accounts in Q4 – well above the standard 30 day payment term. Some industries were found to be tardier than others. The electric, gas and sanitary services sector took 60.8 days to settle its accounts in Q4 - more than twice the standard 30 days. The services sector was best in group, settling accounts in just 50.7 days. State by state, Western Australia was the quickest, on average, while the ACT was the slowest.
This is how mobile will change the future of retail, in 3 min, 4...
Top-ranked digital marketing agency, Resource Interactive, predicts mobile devices will rewrite the retail rulebook. And fast. Plus, 68% of B2C companies in North America claiming to have acquired customers via Facebook.
What will the average Australian of the future look like? Is it all beaches,...
On the eve of Australia Day, 26 January, business information analysts IBISWorld has released a report on what it means to be Australian – both today and in the future. Is it all beaches, barbies and beers?
Brisbane’s back to work and ready to rebuild (with your commerce)
Brisbane is keen to spread the word: floods won’t dampen spirits or finances for long. Industry forecasters, IBISWorld, predict the city will receive a $10 billion economic boost due to rebuilding efforts, while Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says it’s vital at this time to assure business and industry that Brisbane has resumed operations.
Capitalism could do with a rethink, claims Michael E. Porter
When it comes to smarts, Harvard professors and their Ivy League cronies always bring their A-game. So when educator Michael E. Porter recommended capitalism could do with a bit of a rethink, it’s worth listening to what the fellow has to say.
Eat your heart out, iPad. Lenovo laptop screen detaches to become a tablet.
Lenovo has the tablet market all a-flutter with its new IdeaPad U1 hybrid. Is it a laptop? Is it an iPad inspired tablet? The IdeaPad is both, boasting a detachable resistive multi-touch display, an Intel CULV processor and a 128GB SSD.
Food Relief 2.0: Social networks rally around the flood-affected, offering both money and resources
Flood relief has officially gone 2.0. As 75% of Queensland braces itself for a ‘post-war scale’ clean-up in the wake of the recent devastating floods, online communities have rallied together on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to coordinate both donations and resources.
WikiLeaks sister site names and shames public figures calling for its founder’s death
In the wake of the recent Tucson shootings - which saw six dead and 18 injured - WikiLeaks has called for prominent US media personalities to be held accountable for inciting violence. In typical balls-out fashion, the activist organisation offered its condolences to the victims of the shooting, while at the same time aligning the incident with its campaign on sister site, PeopleOKWithMurderingAssange.com.
ME Bank to suspend repayments for members affected by Queensland floods
ME Bank will waive fees and suspend repayments for customers whose homes and businesses have been damaged in the Queensland and NSW floods. In addition to donating $50,000 to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal, the bank will apply its Customer Hardship Policy to members that require financial relief as they rebuild their lives.
