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Another week, another wide-ranging selection of interesting new business ideas from around the world: a Dutch airline's forays into social networking, organic wallpaper from the United States, wedding planning software from Australia, upscale cone food from Austria, and more. Our next edition is due on 15 March 2007. In the meantime, check out our daily postings on www.springwise.com, send us your tips, and please don't forget to tell your friends and colleagues about us. Much appreciated! |
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While internet and mobile advertising are gaining ground, television remains a powerful marketing tool. And one that's out of reach for many small businesses. Los Angeles-based Spot Runner offers a solution, by making it fast, easy and affordable for local businesses to advertise on television. The entire process is online and automated: customers pick from a wide range of ready-made videos that are tailor-made to their industry. After selecting an ad, the business customizes voice-over text and on-screen information, and tells Spot Runner how much it would like to spend on air time and which markets the ad should run in. Complete campaigns, including production and airtime, start at USD 1,500 and can be up and running within weeks. While some businesses may balk at the idea of cookie-cutter ads, the production quality is higher then most local florists, pet shops and wedding planners would otherwise be able to afford. And the self-service approach saves time and should appeal to businesses who don't have budgets for working with agencies and media planners. Very comparable to Google's AdWords approach to advertising online. Spot Runner also operates a franchise advertising program that lets franchisees select commercials from a library of ad templates, and customize them with their own information, content and images. Which gives local franchisees more control over their marketing campaigns, while maintaining a consistent national brand identity. Franchisee partnerships include Contours Express (women's fitness centers), iSoldIt (eBay drop-off stores) and Century 21 (real estate agents). As explained by iSoldIt's CEO: “Our industry is really still in its infancy, and TV lets us visually explain what we do in ways that print and online ads can’t. Spot Runner’s Franchise Advertising Program gives our franchisees a way to get on TV and introduce their services to the community, which is extremely valuable, because once people understand what we do, they visit our stores.” One to start up outside the U.S.? Website: www.spotrunner.com Spotted by: Leanne Junnila Comment on this article » |
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We first covered cone pizzas in 2005 and have seen a number of versions pop up around the world every since. Our latest spotting comes from Austria, where one of the country's most famous chefs runs Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood, offering ‘the unique combination of both top quality cuisine from the 4 star cook Jörg Wörther and convenience in eating’. Every order at the upmarket Salzburg bar features four savoury cones and one sweet one, with dishes like ‘Pickled Perch with Artichokes and Asparagus Tips in a Polenta Cone’ and ‘Yellowfin Tuna in Salad with Avocado and Ginger in a Pumpkin Cone’. Proving, as we love to point out, that everything can be upgraded. On a side note, the concept is a flagship restaurant/bar for Carpe Diem, the ‘functional’ beverage brand created by the Austrian founder of Red Bull, and opened in 2005. From convenient conical pizza to high-quality finger food, cones continue their bite-sized march to world domination ;-) Website: www.finestfingerfood.com Spotted by: Martina Lipp & Anna Foidl |
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Cherryflava Media in Cape Town, South Africa, is redefining a win-win situation with its latest online venture, Cherrypicka. The site invites customers to register as 'cash test dummies' and purchase new products and services at steep discounts in exchange for submitting reviews. Not only do consumers get rock-bottom deals and first dibs on new merchandise, but merchants get direct market promotion of their brands, online word-of-mouth advertising and guaranteed feedback from some of the first users of their wares. “It's a creative, word-of-mouth, try-before-you-buy, experiential / buzz marketing tool that's part advertising mixed in with an unbelievable bargain,” notes Cherrypicka. The concept is simple. Participating merchants supply a limited number of their product to be showcased on the site. Consumers can browse through a (currently fairly limited) array of items, including categories for 'bedroom accessories', girls, guys, arts & culture, food and drink and music. They can purchase selected merchandise via test vouchers at significant discounts, with the understanding that they'll later provide reviews of their experiences. While the site just recently launched, it's already getting some rave reviews. Could be a great platform for merchants and manufacturers of new products to meet and engage with trysumers. And, of course, it's a concept that can easily be expanded to other parts of the globe. Another option is to set up niche versions, targeting narrow product categories such as phones, toys, food, etc. Website: www.cherrypicka.com |
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Due to launch in the UK in a few months, Blyk aims to change the way the mobile telecoms industry works. The company describes itself as a pan-European free mobile operator for young people, funded by advertising. Free and advertising being the key words here. Blyk will operate as an MVNO or mobile virtual network operator, meaning it will buy wireless services from an existing operator and resell them under the Blyk brand. Or, in this case, give them away. While several mobile players are dabbling in free minutes or free digital content for users willing to view ads (see: Xero Mobile, Amp'd and Virgin Mobile's Sugar Mama), Blyk intends to take a different approach. The service will be entirely free, and targeted to a fairly narrow age group: 16-24 year olds. When they sign up for Blyk, users need to fill out a detailed questionnaire that includes questions about their interests. Which potentially makes things very interesting for both advertisers and users. Advertisers can market to very specific groups, and users are more likely to be engaged by advertising if it's highly relevant to them. Ads on Blyk will also be more integrated into the service than merely displaying texts and images; exact details on how that will work aren't yet available. The business model is similar to free daily newspapers or most of the internet's content: consumers offer some attention in return for free goods and services: a trend that has been dubbed free love by trendwatching.com. And advertising on a medium that users have with them every waking hour makes sense, especially if it can be targeted to a very narrow audience. As spending on marketing and advertising over wireless networks is expected to increase sharply over the next few years, this is one to watch! It doesn't hurt that Blyk's CEO and co-founder is Pekka Ala-Pietilä, formerly a long-time president of Nokia. ;-) Website: http://about.blyk.com Spotted by: Ozgur Alaz |
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We've featured innovative wall coverings before, from British magnetic wallpaper and French mur couture to American wall graphics. A recent spotting joins the growing arsenal of green products that combine style with sustainability. Mod Green Pod was founded by two sisters-in-law, Nancy and Lisa Mims. When they couldn't find home textiles and wallpapers that were both chic and earth-friendly, they decided to start making their own. Their small company, which aims to 'take organic from hippie to hip', sells vinyl-free wallpaper without harmful chemical finishers. The rolls of paper are silk-screened by hand in the United States, and sold through retailers in LA, Boston and the New York area. Fabrics are available in matching designs and are hand-printed on 100% organic cotton, which will please consumers who know that conventional cotton production uses 25% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the world's pesticides. A relatively easy concept to start up, Mod Green Pod's example should appeal to entrepreneurs who'd like to hitch their style smarts to the green bandwagon, letting consumers beautify their homes and lives while minimizing damage to the rest of the planet. Website: www.modgreenpod.com |
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Travellers have long taken advantage of the convenience and cost savings of swapping residences for leisure trips. So, why not translate the concept to cars? London-based GoGo Britain is capitalizing on the idea, offering customers a simple, reliable and cheap alternative to rental cars. Here's how it works: customers make reservations through the GoGo Britain website. A variety of vehicles are available based on destination and date. Since travel plans often change, customers are required to confirm reservations within 48 hours of their trips. There are no mileage restrictions, so swappers can drive to their heart's content as they explore the countryside or city. There currently are eight swapping locations throughout Great Britain, where Belgian, French and Dutch swappers can exchange their left-steered vehicle for one that’s accustomed to driving on the left side of the road, and vice-versa for Brits heading over to the Continent. Both parties can rest assured that every possible step is taken to ensure safety and security. Customers must be 25 or older, have valid driver's licenses and clean driving records for at least five years. All-inclusive insurance must be purchased before driving off the lot, and GPS receivers are installed in each vehicle, but only activated if there's an emergency and a car needs to be located. GoGo Britain was developed by VisitBritain, the British Tourist Board, with the aim of attracting European tourists to Britain. And therefore will likely remain limited to locations in Great Britain. Catering to travellers who’d rather not swap houses but are willing to exchange cars, this is an idea that could be expanded to most other countries. Website: www.gogobritain.co.uk Spotted by: Greg |
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Could technology help tame Bridezilla? The founders of Marziplanner think so! For a fraction of the cost of hiring a wedding planner, Australian brides and grooms can download this wedding planning software to help them organize everything from their guest lists to their thank-you cards. While wedding planning software isn’t new, Marziplanner founder Ilka Brookes learned in planning her own wedding that much of what was available was slanted toward Americans. And most of the existing software was rather lacking in style. So, she created her own, capitalizing on regional appeal. Marziplanner, a clever play on “marzipan” icing traditionally used for wedding cakes and the word “planner,” is available for download for AUD 99.95. It also can be purchased as a CD-ROM at an additional charge. Customers who would prefer to test-drive first can take advantage of a 7-day free trial period. Once installed, the software not only allows customers to manage budgets, guest lists, seating charts and more, but they can print reports to share with fiancés, attendants or event professionals. The software includes an event log, calendar, task list and a database to record wedding gifts as they’re received. Customers also can get tips and hints that are updated through downloads from the website, and there’s a free e-magazine, full of fresh ideas for anyone planning their big day. Entrepreneurial opportunities? Create a definitive, online version—think the Gmail or Flickr of wedding planning software. Something as well-designed as Marziplanner, but accessible online by mothers, maids of honour and event professionals, that also streamlines and brings together the social aspects of a wedding: from linking to registries, to sharing photos and stories after the event. Or keep it simpler and partner with Marziplanner to develop and launch regional versions, translated and adapted to local customs. Website: www.marziplanner.com Spotted by: Ilka Brookes |
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All major airlines use frequent flyer programs to stimulate customer loyalty and generate additional revenues through third-party offerings. However, KLM is the first airline worldwide to create a customer-centric online community. The airline has launched passenger-driven communities that connect people doing business in China and Africa: KLM Club China and KLM Club Africa. A degree of exclusivity is guaranteed, since participation is by invitation only. The aim is to enable and streamline contacts that would otherwise be made while waiting to board an aircraft , or over breakfast in business class. Membership offers access to a network of likeminded entrepreneurs doing business in the same up-and-coming markets. The clubs also gives members access to business and information services provided by partners. For example, a dedicated phone line gives details for translation agencies, legal bodies, hotels, conference locations, route descriptions, etc. Club China and Club Africa also organize networking events in China, Africa and The Netherlands. Club China, which was the first to launch in June 2006, has signed up over 3,000 members so far, 40% of whom log on at least once a month. KLM will launch more clubs based on customer demand. Think Club India or Club Russia, or themes that aren’t related to specific destinations, but to sports or lifestyle. Flying Blue Golf Club is KLM’s first effort in that direction. If an airline can do it, what’s stopping your company from helping your most-valued customers unite? Keeping it useful, rewarding and relevant—like connecting entrepreneurs in challenging markets—seems key. Websites: |
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No worries. We've got you covered. All of last week's articles are listed below. And don't forget—you can access everything we've published in our idea database, which is conveniently organized by industry. Enjoy! Helping parents travel lighter Parents can order from this British service to have their tot's favourite
food and nappies delivered to their holiday destination. Table-top tourist board | Update Sponsored by Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand, the New
Zealand Travel Café in Tokyo mixes country branding with casual
dining. First magazine for green weddings Cornering yet another niche in magazine publishing, Portovert is the
first and only magazine for eco-savvy brides and grooms. Adding *everyone* to a cellphone's contact list Herold's customers can purchase Austria's entire phone directory
and plug it into their cellphone. Posh fixture into punk art: custom chandeliers Adding attitude to a very traditional product, Rock and Royal's chandeliers can take any shape—from champagne
bottle to skull
& bone. Being space for mobile warriors | Update easyJet's newest venture piqued our interest, since it's a concept we
wrote about three times last year—flexible working spaces. Customized daily vitamin packs Miami-based Vuru sells nutritional supplements in personalized daily
packs. Customers choose from over 2,000 name brand supplements
and vitamins. Stock picking for generation YouTube Described as "Rocketboom for Wall Street" and "Squawk Box meets
Saturday Night Live", Wallstrip offers stock advice in a format that's
second nature to viewers who would rather watch YouTube than CNBC.
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