Hi there everyone, I just finished my 2nd year of Public Relations Management at CPUT and started my internship at Interactive Concepts this week.
I always thought that my love for my computer and trying to figure stuff out on it, was never going to mean much. From sneaking around on my brother’s computer and finding stuff that should rather not have been found, to now – feeling one with my “lappie”.
The thing is, we are all new to something, and this week, I was new to this whole new world that the internet has opened up – a world of possibilities! I never realised that there are so many opportunities, and not only for businesses that relies on advertising, but on every single product or service. Really, the internet is AMAZING!
I feel sorry for the people who has not yet realised this, ‘coz they, as we say it in Afrikaans: “suig aan die agterste speen”.
Starting this week with my internship, I walked in and was immediately faced with PPC, CPM, ROI, SEO, banners, mailers, skyscrapers, etc. most of which I have never ever heard before! I found myself almost drowning in this pit of online acronyms and strange phrases. Luckily, Japie’s office was not too far and I could easily knock on his door, feeling really stupid and dumb, asking him what PPC stands for, because surely you do not work with cement on the internet??
But as the week progressed, I quickly learned, or found out for myself, how most of this internet and online marketing systems work. I can proudly say that I am better, more equipped and more prepared for whatever obstacle the World Wide Web throws at me, and come what may; I will improve on everything in the coming year!
Google Mobile
The papers here are full of news and articles relating to the internet and mobile.
The biggest news of the day in terms of online was Google’s announcement to enter the mobile business in a big way. I first heard the news early this morning on Fox News and then got the details on page 5B in the USA Today.
Google announced yesterday that is is keen to work with outside developers on its Google Open Handset Alliance. This group of 34 companies aim to bring better internet browsers to the wireless phone market.
It will also bring out new internet capable phones next year.
Segey Brin on Monday said that phones today are more advanced than the computers we used 10 years ago!
Sprint and T-mobile, 2 major cellphone networks here are part of the alliance, as is Motorola and Samsung.
US internet usage
On the TV this morning, it was announced that a recent survey found that 80% of Americans are now regular online users and that the average is 11 hours per week.
TV Online
The battle is still on for TV networks to have their content available online, rather than users getting such content from Youtube, etc.
The latest site, Hulu.com is a NBC and NewsCorp initiative. It has episodes from more than 90 different TV series.
The episodes are free and feature TV type ads, can be shared, posted on MySpace and emailed to a friend.
Joost.com, from the founder of Skype, has 15000 shows from CBS, MTV, Turner, Comedy Central as well as Paramount and Sony.