The inaugural Dx3 event is a rare thing in the digital world – an event that exceeds expectations. We had the opportunity to attend this conference on January 25-26, 2012 with our client from Royal Mint.
DX3 brought together about 100 companies and 3,500 marketers, advertisers and retailers for two days of networking, exhibiting and learning. It also included an Incubation Zone with innovative start-ups such as http://www.topvoice.com/ and a Mobile Experience Lab.
Some of the most interesting content about emerging technologies and trends that we found pertinent and actionable are the following:
NUMBER 1 : DIGITAL WALLET
Visa introduced v.me, its digital wallet that could become one of the best and most secure solutions for consumers this summer. Developers can already register to its BETA Platform.
PayPal and other good solutions such as Google Wallet were also discussed. These innovations rely on NFC technology and soon new terminals should start to appear everywhere to allow contactless payments. Digital Wallets can include a lot of things such as loyalty cards and discount offers…. a new sweet spot for big brands.
NUMBER 2 : QR CODES SUCK? NO THEY DON’T.
Our colleague from our Toronto office, Carlos, impressed the crowd by demonstrating the future of QR Code and if you still have your doubts about it, please see his presentation, it’s great.
NUMBER 3 : COOL APPS FOR 2012
- Finally, brands can automatically identify their best online ambassadors thanks to TOP VOICE. One of the main features of this cool technology (algorithm) is that it can be used to build a “wall of fame” for each brand on Facebook.
- In stores, when consumers try on clothes in the fitting room, a different song plays for each specific item of clothing. RFID reader in the fitting room + sound system will ensure customers are in store to stay and maybe dance.
- Music
- Checking in on content is ”hotter” than checking into places with Get Glue.
Consumers can check in on any content, share their views (movies, books, music, etc.) and can also check in on brands. You can also pinpoint what you like on PINTEREST it’s super cool.
- Other cool apps were discussed such as shopkick.
- Roadninja as well as BlueBrain and finally ContoBox who created a very cool ”Box” for TELUS Health and iSign presented a new way to connect with consumers locally.
NUMBER 4 : COOL CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNITY
- The perfect place to hunt for handmade and vintage gifts for Valentine’s day : ETSY. This community is made up of independent creative businesses from around the globe and successful in Québec because we are creative.
- Gillette discovered thanks to stats on Google that guys do not verbally express themselves on specific subjects such as body shaving and instead they quietly search the web. Gillette now provides them with info-tanement clips on how to do it well!
- With their REPLAY campaign, GATORADE helps bring back the glory days to older guys. It takes them back to an age where they use to win sports game and of course to drink more.
- Volkswagen uses a successfully implemented STAR WARS theme with dogs to attract automobile fans to their brand.
NUMBER 5 : GOOD PRESENTATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE…
- THE LBMA has a great point of view on location based marketing: ”Stop thinking about location as only being a solution that appears on your phone. Location is a FITTING ROOM for customized content.”
- Jeremy Gutsche thinks that to be successful at identifying the next cool thing, key trendhunting techniques need to be followed.
- LinkedIn, who has more unique visitors than The Globe and Mail, presented its value. They have unparalleled Targeting Capabilities. The value of LinkedIn Groups is high on specific topics such as industry trends, discovering solutions to business issues, and connecting with members to make sales and drive business results. All good!