Crowd-Source Video by You

Crowd sourcing is where a platform gathers from a crowd or crowds of people, enabled virtually most of the time.  The product is the result of the crowd.

Kickstarter is one example.  Crowds of people have the ability to "support" a project that can then go to production and release an actual product.

Streaming video is being crowd-sourced in a suddenly pervasive way without the knowledge or explicit permission of those capturing the video.

If you install a "Ring" door camera and system you may be providing your video stream to local law enforcement without being aware of it.

Read more here:

https://xconomy.com/seattle/2019/08/28/ring-confirms-report-revealing-firm-works-with-400-police-agencies/

Should this alarm you?

I don't care for anything I pay for being used without my permission.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

How Google Shopping Ads is Killing It

Data.

Data.

Google.

Data.

All the same thing.

Wonder how Google figures out what you mean when you type in something you are looking to purchase?

Wonder no more.  Here is a snippet from the piece:

As Google has scaled up its Shopping products in recent years, there has been a growing consensus in the retail search marketing space that Shopping ads are one of the most effective ways to win valuable consumer clicks.

This is especially true of the non-branded, broader search terms that are typical of the early stages of the customer journey.

During this phase, Google Shopping ads – commonly referred to as Product Listing Ads, or PLAs – are considered to be a key means of engaging consumers early, and boosting new customer acquisition.

Here is the story:

https://www.clickz.com/google-shopping-dominating-retail-search-marketing/213772/

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

What Facebook's Problems Mean to You

As the Federal Trade Commission looks in to Facebook's interactions with the now widely known company Cambridge Analytica people across the U.S. and the globe are waking up to a startling revelation ...

Facebook has a ton of data about you.

Wait. That isn't news to you? Good!

Here is that story in case you are interested:

https://www.cnet.com/news/ftc-confirms-its-investigating-facebook/

Here is the next startling revelation ... ready?

Every company out there wants your data too. The only difference is Facebook got caught with its hand in the cookie jar and the company it was in business with, Cambridge Analytica, is engaged in some very dirty business. Setting up politicians so it appears they had sexual relations with Ukranian escorts. According to their CEO on video it doesn't matter if the person actually engaged in the behavior it just has to appear that way. Great business you have there, but, hey, so long as your kids get to go to expensive private schools who cares if you help destroy democracy.

Apple is reportedly interested in seeing Facebook put under the microscope for this.

Of course they are. Facebook eats Apple's lunch on personal data. Apple might gain more marketing dollars if Facebook loses out. It's a gold rush to get your data and all of the technology companies, and retailers, want in.

Where Facebook has really done is overstepping on what they gather without proper notification. Android users woke up to a shock over this when they found Facebook was gathering their phone conversations.

I have been predicting we will see a general pullback in technology due to security concerns. Privacy concern are trumping that. Regulations are next.

Is it time we the people gained a measure of control over the technology that has become central to our lives?

Giving out your personal information is a trade-off  You give something of value and receive something of value in return. I have a rewards card or my favorite supermarket. No worries. However when the data gathering is unclear or used in ways you don't agree with and without your consent you should be concerned.

Happy Reading.

J.W. Gant

**UPDATE**

I have several articles to add to this.  First up is news the U.S. immigration force, rounding up illegal entrants, is using Facebook data to track, locate, and presumably remove folks:
http://fortune.com/2018/03/27/facebook-data-ice-immigrants-deport/

Can the consumer gain from this fiasco?  Yes according to one analyst and I agree.  This is an important moment, a wake-up call, to folks who haven't followed what is happening to them digitally. Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/27/facebook-data-scandal-should-be-a-wake-up-call-about-online-footprint.html

When an issue enters the public awareness to a level it is parodied in TV comedies you know it is a problem.  Facebook is spelled in Russian during the new opening for Season 5 of the hit HBO comedy 'Silicon Valley'. A reference to Russian trolls using Facebook data to attack the 2016 elections. See it and read more here: https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2018/3/26/17164094/silicon-valley-season-5-opening-credits-facebook-easter-egg-russian-cyrillic-letters-fake-news

More bad news for Facebook on the front page of Bloomberg's marketing pages: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-03-27/ad-scammers-need-suckers-and-facebook-helps-find-them

What Facebook's troubles mean to marketers, that's you right? Read on:
https://econsultancy.com/blog/69902-facebook-is-in-real-trouble-what-it-could-mean-for-marketers/

I'll add more if I find worthy entries in this ongoing story.  I think we are about to see some technologies become treated as equivalent to utilities such as electricity, running water, and phone service.  How that changes the game is easy to see.  A vacuum will be created and other companies, such as Apple, will rush to fill it with their services.

Stranger Things at Netflix Personalized for YOU

Netflix is the king of data when it comes to people’s viewing habits and they are really, really good at using it.

How?

Personalization.

They know what images are most likely to attract you to watch a show vs. a different images for a different person and that is what is shown to you.

Personalization.

Binge on the hit show ‘Stranger Things’ yet?  You should.  First, though, read this fine article on how Netflix convinces you to watch their content.

https://www.cnet.com/news/stranger-things-addict-heres-how-netflix-sucked-you-in/

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

BRotD - Entry 0247 - Big Data in the Information Revolution

Best Reading of the Day

I'm a technology guy and a data guy so I'm very interested in all things related to those two.  I've also written about the challenges of the Information Revolution we are going through.  Finally, we are also aware of the "Black Swan" concept where we can't see a house of cards until it is too late and we plan for stability and certainty where a rare event can bring it all crashing to the ground.

Combine these with the American Political system and what do you get?  The 21st Century version has been very, very messy.

If you like big data, technology, and have any interest in what is happening in the USA then this article is for you:

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/how-big-data-broke-american-politics-n732901?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

Here is a snippet from the piece:

Big Data revolutionized the way American politicians win elections. In the process, it broke American politics.

Polarization is no longer just polluting the system — it's paralyzing it. The deepening divide between the right and the left has largely hollowed out the center of American politics, from the politicians who once occupied the large "middle" to the voters who once gravitated to them.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Big Data Coupons as you Drive

The era of big data is upon us as techies around the world scramble to figure out the best ways to use all of that data floating out there (with much more data still to come as the Internet of Things grows).

A startup has figured out how to hit you with coupons on the fly, in a relevant way, and has some major retailers interested.  Here is the story:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/techflash/2015/08/startup-hopes-to-push-shopping-offers-to-you-while.html

Here is a snippet from that piece:

Repeat entrepreneur Sanjay Chopra and Eric Nyberg, professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, have teamed on an ecommerce startup that will use mobile data to create personalized shopping offers.

Cognistx, which is based in Gibsonia, launched in July and expects to debut its first product in early fall. Via language processing and data manipulation, the young mobile marketing firm enables retailers to offer personalized offers to customers, Chopra said. That includes their history with the retailer and to-the-minute information such as their location. Nyberg had consulted with IBM on the Watson project, the supercomputer that won on “Jeopardy!” four years ago.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

More Beacon News and Coupons

Beacons, beacons, beacons.

And iBeacons.

The drumbeat goes on and on.

Mobile marketing automation company Swrve announced beacons:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2105815

Now Epicurious app users will be interacting with beacons as well:

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2014/08/epicurious-users-will-now-experience-apple-ibeacon-technology-in-stores

So how is big data helping?

http://smartblogs.com/food-and-beverage/2014/08/06/why-big-data-is-a-big-deal-for-supermarkets/?utm_source=brief

Tying it all together is the ability to provide personalized offers, coupons, in the new mobile world.  Just in time couponing is a marketers dream right?

http://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2358929/mobile-coupons-to-reach-more-than-1-billion-consumers-study

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant