Half of Americans Sleep with Cellphone

More than four in 10 Americans say they “can’t live” without their mobile phone and and nearly half sleep with it nearby, according to a global mobile-phone survey from Synovate, which found that cellphones are increasingly becoming consumers’ “remote controls for life.” 

The research, which was undertaken among more than 8,000 cellphone owners in 11 global markets to learn more about how people are using their mobile devices and how they feel about them, als0 found that Americans are heavy users of phone cameras and are among the least likely to lie in text messages.

Highlights of the study and the foregoing are here: Can’t leave home without it, can’t live without it, can’t sleep without it. Who would have guessed cellphone? Hank

Have A Happy Friday: The Marshmallow Test

Remember when you were a kid and were told to wait before you could eat dessert? That excruciating delay caused fits of fidgeting as you fed the dog your dinner in hopes of hastening the glorious sweet treat at the end of the meal. Waiting takes on a whole new meaning when researchers give children one marshmallow and two choices: eat one marshmallow now, or hold off till the researcher brings you another one — doubling your pleasure. Watch as kids’ hilarious expressions of exasperation give way to bright, broad smiles when they finally receive what they’ve been waiting for! Hank

Thursday: Top 10 Viral Videos August 2009

Below was received a couple of days ago from www.marketingcharts.com and is quoted below:  Interesting stuff. What floats your boat? And what direction does this indicate entrepreneurs should take marketing to become viral? Hank

Viral videos from UK companies Bensons for Beds and Johnnie Walker, and international electronics giant Sony topped the list of the 10 viral campaigns and videos selected by video-content distributor Goviral to be the most interesting and innovative in August 2009. 

The videos on the list use various approaches to hold viewers’ attention – ranging from humor to education to building anticipation for real-world events and showcasing stunts. They also bring into clear perspective the international nature of viral video and how various companies are using these vehicles to build global brand awareness.

The top 10 picks for August, with links to view on YouTube:

1. Bensons for Beds – Mattress Dominoes, agency: Wand
2. Johnnie Walker – The Walk, agency: BHH London
3. Sony – Twilight Football, agency: Dare/OMD/GoViral
4. Inspired Bicycles – Danny MacAskill
5. Microsoft – Giant Waterslide, agency: MRM Worldwide
6. Red Bull – Times Square Pit Stop
7. MSI – Laptop Tricks
8. ABSOLUT – Differently, agency: TBWA/CHIAT/DAY New York
9. Nokia – Booklet 3G, agency: Wieden & Kennedy, JWT
10. HP – You on You Project, agency: Goodby Silverstein & Partners