GossRSVP would like to invite you this year to our booth #1237 at GraphExpo 2010, October 3-6 at the McCormick Center in Chicago, Illinois.  This year we will feature and show case “Automated Interactive Print” and how Printing Companies and others can benefit with our Reseller Solutions.

GraphExpo will be packed with many Goss & GossRSVP mini theaters for presentations on the latest Goss Print Innovations and GossRSVP Mobile Marketing Solutions. See the GraphExpo show daily for presentation topics and times, or opt-in to our show alerts, demo times and show specials now by texting gossrsvp to 64842. Hope to see you at GraphExpo 2010!

For a detailed GossRSVP brochure sent to your e-mail, simply click here or text rsvpbro to 64842 to supply your e-mail via your web enabled phone.

Roger R. Belanger
Director, GossRSVP

With an API any size business can connect their business applications and have access to a mobile gateway, whether through a shared short code or a dedicated short code. 

With the GossRSVP Mobile Marketing Solutions, customers can have a basic promotion creation account, account owners can have a standalone reseller subscription account, have their account white labeled, and have the possibility to integrate an API with an account or as a standalone API. JV Rockwell and many other customers want to keep their own identity and an API can do just that while being cost effective in sharing a short code. 

Please contact us to learn more how an API can benefit you or give us your input on this topic.

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

While the percentage of unique codes acted on by consumers is in the single digits, and the total percentage still a fractional percentage their numbers continues to grow with great interest. The benefits of automation, labor and times savings also apply here, for the Adapproval print creation users. However, the consumer, the “digital consumer” benefits by publishers of such magazines raising the bar by providing new ways to engage and there is no turning back.

This is just one example of “front end” code integration mentioned below in my April blog post titled, Critical on 2d for Ubiquity in Print. The “text-to” code used in Adapproval is a 6-7 digit code used in conjunction with a shared short code via our API. Adapproval mobile-enables 100% of the MLS listings in their customer’s markets…even if they do not run in their customer’s print magazine, the listing has an auto-generated code that allows the advertiser to use the code in other media forms…i.e. brochures, flyers, competitive print, newspapers, yard sign, window stickers on vehicles, etc…

Someday the numeric codes will be replaced with a small 2d code next to each listing. However, while we wait and work with device manufactures on the technology needs for achieving ubiquitous use of 2d codes in consumer print, we do not need to wait in capitalizing on the opportunities that exist in evolving front end applications of Automated Interactive Print. This is a classic case of chicken & egg. Do we apply more 2d codes and the better scanning phones will come, or do we build a true scan phone and then publishers will add more 2d codes to their printed products?

We welcome you to learn how we can automate your publication.

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP.
For more on Corning & JV Rockwell Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  Mark Rockwell, VP,  mdrockwell@jvrockwellpublishing.com

Editors and Print Industry Pundits, let be Critical on 2d for Ubiquity in Print.

“Disrupting the Future” by Dr. Joe Webb is a good read on the past, present and the possible future of print and how digital technology will continue to change print. One suggestion that supports industry trends and what GossRSVP and others have been promoting is to use quick response codes, or any other open standard 2D barcode, to enhance print as a communication media. However, before 2D codes can become ubiquitous in print, three items need to be addressed and your critical input to help address them is requested. The three items are; the need for publication tools that integrate and track quick response codes seamlessly, the size of the code and the cell phone devices that interact with them.

This letter to you is about technology to connect our physical world, including print!  E-readers, tablets, pads, etc all take the consumers directly to the Web while industrial hand held scanner phones engage the user first with their physical world before connecting to the internet. Herein lays the problem and a great opportunity for print communications. 

The problem is digital device manufactures don’t really care about print communication, which is very short sighted. While we must apply new cost effective and relevant tools to reach the digital consumer, print continues to play a vital role which studies by McPheters* and others continue to show. I applaud these device manufactures for such digital convenience in reading web content, but as of yet they have not understood the opportunity that exist by engaging the consumer with the physical world of print.

The opportunity is already proven through business solutions such as, inventory, logistics, mail sorting, package shipping, retail, ticketing, etc, all of which use handheld scanning devices. All these handheld devices use light assisted scanners, and they eliminate the need to enter codes. They provide valuable data mining, tracking, immediacy of information, and can connect to the Internet. They use industry proven technology with proven business revenue models to scan the smallest of codes in the worst of conditions nearly 100% of the time.

The print industry can not and should not wait for digital device manufactures to provide print communication solutions. Just imagine if everyone could just point their cell phone at anything in print and instantly engage with it or be taken to the Internet? With such devices the fulfilment and interactive possibilities from the physical world of print are endless. However, to make 2d codes acceptable and ubiquitous in print, they must to be small, unobtrusive and integrate with the image. Today, ¾” or 20mm-sq bar codes or larger are a good start but a novelty at best. 

Today’s cell phones are not designed to scan 1d or 2d codes as most do not have a macro lens and other required hardware component therefore the scanning process does not work reliably enough for wide spread reader adoption. In low lighting conditions scanning is nearly impossible. Additionally, if there are more than a dozen characters within a 2d code, the density of the code is almost impossible for most cell phones to decode. Such is the current poor experience with most consumer phones scanning 1d & 2d codes, but it does not have to stay this way.  

Cell phone and Smart phone providers today provide software as a solution to scanning 2d bar codes. For 2d bar codes to become ubiquitous within print, the solution is not software. The solution is with hardware. The technology exists today with commercial hand held scanners. What is needed in a consumer phone is a low cost, light assisted scanner that scans small high density codes, 4-6 mm-sq, 100% of the time. i.e. scan here > n for additional info & to connect to the net.

As Wi-Fi becomes available many places for free and smart phones are capable of accessing this free service, consumer interaction with printed 2d codes is likewise often free. So none of the solutions here add to the cost of print, rather they only enhance its value.

Print is already a “World Wide Web” in itself & it’s ubiquitous.  Print will be even more dynamic as cell phones become true scanning devices and front end publishing & creative tools have interactive code features built in. True scan phone technology is available today to change the digitally unconnected print industry, but it will not evolve unless those vested in print communications band together and make the case. 

Please join us in making it known to cell phone manufactures that current cell phone technology is inferior for scanning small high density 2d codes. In addition, consumer products to connect the physical world & print are needed which give the consumer a great experience and work nearly 100% of the time.

As print industry experts I encourage you to write about such needs, start using text and 2d codes, and start demanding that your print creation software providers integrate text and 2d codes as a fore thought in publishing, editorial and ad content creation tools. Text and 2D codes can automatically link any print content via an open API standard to any short code, internet, or wireless connectivity. 

GossRSVP is one of the leading mobile marketing solution providers developing automated print connectivity, a whole new untapped area for print communications. We welcome you and your software providers to join us in making ubiquitous print connectivity a reality.

Join our new LinkedIn Group called “Critical on 2d for Ubiquity in Print” to show your support, state your opinion and give feedback to this movement. Collectively let us not wait for change, rather let us make the print communication needs and possibilities known to engage device and cell phone manufacturers to capitalize on these opportunities for the advancement of print communications.

Here are just some of the few “Possibilities for Print Communications”! 

Just Imagine, the Possibilities for Print:

- world wide web of print, wwwp://  new search algorithms ?

- insert small 2d codes with any publisher software or others office tools

- embedding 2d codes as standard items in document creation, not as after thought

- every sentence, paragraph, page or picture can be digitally connected to the net

- any print article can be embedded within a 2d code to scan it and take it with you to read

- advertiser can direct consumer to targeted offers or info efficiently to minimize phone data cost

- any print item instantly shared with any social media group, etc

- 2d codes can act as micro ads within branded full page ads

- 2d codes with embedded URLs, to connect one to more info on any article

- coupon & incentives scanned from print to phone or to loyalty cards

- all consumers earn value with the their scan phone, it’s hip and it’s cool

- methods to engage younger digital consumer to interact with print

- older persons are not on the net, now just point their phone and they are

- any product can be digitally connected for interaction with the consumers,

     i.e. product specs, info, cost, ingredients, how to, compare, etc.

- buy on the spot from print, and have it sent to your home

- scan and reserve or buy your movie ticket, train ticket, etc. from print

- scan and bank loyalty points for any program.

- packaging logistics interface with scan phone to accept delivery, etc.

- learn more about an author, an artist, photographer from the print article

- every scan is tracked providing metrics to system users

- learn what others are scanning in other parts of the country, or world

- make all print articles dynamic for real time content updates after published date

- use consumer data to produce targeted print ads and internet ads

- applies to the 100% of low end phone market, not just the ~10% smart phones

- Scholastic Books, read to engage with your phone

- language conversion for any piece of text for any printed item

- scanners can be applied to mp-3 & Ipods, etc

- make all print articles dynamically linked forward, i.e., update content real time when reading

- expand for industry specific applications, i.e., travel, hotels, sports etc.

- scanning print, a driver to increased online ads & sales

- a print ad could complement and lead someone to an internet ad

- On-line spending >> On-Print spending (see it in print, buy it)

- design print ad & articles to “scan-shop” from print (see it in print, buy it)

- when has your cell phone ever paid you? Get an ROI with your phone

- etc., the possibilities are endless…

By Roger Belanger, Director, GossRSVP  

Roger.belanger@gossinternational.com

1-603-767-2511   

*Sources:  MRI, McPheters & Company Analysis;

TVB, Nielsen Media Research Custom Survey 2008

“When costs are taken into account, print yields a much lower cost/effective exposure than either television or the Internet”. McPheters, 2009  http://mcpheters.com/

This statement is from yesterday’s article by Karen Charlesworth
Editor & Publisher of PrintSpeak in the UK. Her article emphasizes how print is a communication tool, not an industry and that is how the “20-teens decade” consumer sees it. Consumers want to be communicated to on their time frame and most importantly the communication must be relevant to them.

Consumer are adopting technology at an increasingly rapid pace, but the ubiquity of such items as smart phones, tablets, e-books, etc. is still years away, but are key in making print communications relevant to the “20-teens decade” consumer. 

Marrying today’s mobile technology with the ubiquitous print communications products gives advertisers more tools then ever to keep print relevant to the “20-teens decade” consumer. Such is the foundation and tools GossRSVP has developed to help enhance the print communication products. The majority of our customers today offer some type of print service and with our Media to Mobile tools they are can now offer multi-media services. Selling both a “print ad” and a “mobile ad” as part of the print product or independent of it, while keeping their customers loyal to them versus a third party mobile provider who cares less about print as a communication tool.

Will mobile, text messaging, 2d QR codes, and such items save print or kill print? That is not the question, but rather how best do we evolve ubiquitous print to keep it a relevant communications tool to the “20-teens decade” consumer?   We encourage you to bring your ideas and join us in “Making Print Interactive” & Relevant.

Read Karen’s full article at: http://www.printspeak.co.uk/index.asp#editorial

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

The March 1, 2010 edition of Fortune Magazine & the February’s edition of News & Tech highlighted the barrage of new e-Readers hitting the markets. So what’s the hype?

From the Fortune article titled, “The Future of Reading”, by Josh Quittner, it states how the once highly touted internet ad CPM revenue now stands at a dismal 10%. Or quoting, “today online ads bring in junk CPMs, - about 10% of the revenue per 1000 views compared with print”.  To calculate CPM, find the cost for an ad, then divide it by the total circulation the ad reaches (in thousands).

As Publishers adapt their content to the new digital mediums, some revenue models are pay-per-content, subscriptions, and ad revenue based on CPM. However, in the article it stated one brilliant method to solve the low internet CPMs with e-Readers and Tablets is to serve up full screen display ads. Or quoted by Josh, “many publishers will be able to thrive on advertising revenue alone”. So to get to the next page one will have to click on an ad, the whole ad, and nothing but the ad (emphasis added). Should Publishers take this new ad CPM revenue model and e-Reader ubiquity to the bank? 

What is ubiquity? To classify a device or product as ubiquitous implies it is everywhere, and everyone has one. The closest digital item to ubiquity today is the cell phone. But for the cell phone to have reached this state, as being a “near ubiquitous’ device for talking and sending text messages, it has taken years and is still only at approximately 70% of the US consumer market. The computer has been around for years, with only 52% plus of U.S. households having internet access, smart phones are no where close to being ubiquitous at 20-30% of the market, and e-Readers & Tablets are just starting to make noise on the consumer device radar.  

Josh summed it up nice towards the end, “wherever attention flows, money will flow”, assuming e-Readers & Tablets will get a lot of attention. But his statement, I say, also supports past research from McPherters on the value of print, “that print has 8 times the audience and 14 times the pages views over the internet”. Print is ubiquitous!  

The GossRSVP’s focus has been and continues to be on marrying one of the only ubiquitous products known to man “print”, with the “near ubiquitous” device the “cell phone”. As I stated before, “print is a web within itself, and the cell phone is the new mouse”.  Anything that can be done on the internet with a mouse can be done with print and the cell phone as the mouse; it is just not perfected yet. But it is coming!

No one can contest that e-Readers, Tablets & Smart phones are a great new medium for advertisers and the digital consumer. However, theses devices are still years away from ubiquity which will keep print revenue CPMs at the forefront for a long time, and be further enhanced with interactive features!

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

For a brochure on interactive features click here: or text rsvpbro to 64842.

Another recent study done by Clemson students concluded in December-09 with great findings supporting “Print to Mobile Initiatives”. The Clemson students utilized the GossRSVP technology for the print to mobile portions. Below are their preliminary findings with a final report to be posted soon.

“There were 2 groups, Email (control) and text. Email started with 175 and text started with 180.

86.9% of cell phones had unlimited texting.

57.9% had access to the internet but only 34.1% actually use it.

1st text/Email resulted in 56.4% response rate from text and 24.6% from Email

Text message returned more responses than all Emails in under three minutes (85 for text, 43 for Email

2nd Text/Email resulted in 44.7% response rate from text and 21.6% from Email

Text returned more responses than all Emails in under three minutes again. (80 for text, 37 for Email)

3rd text/Email resulted in 56.5% response rate from text and 34.1% from Email.

Text returned more responses than all Email in under one minute. (100 for text, 58 for Email)

4th text/Email resulted in 31.4% response rate from text and 24.4% from email.

Text was better than Email but not the best

Text responses were consistently higher than Email responses

Text responses came back consistently faster”

To view the final Clemson report check back next month under the “Studies” link at this web site. 

Direct Clemson questions to Prof. John Leininger

Direct Cal Poly questions to Prof. Harvey Levenson

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

To get a GossRSVP detailed brochure click here or text rsvpbro to 64842

Many entrepreneurs are starting their own mobile messaging companies utilizing our subscriptions reseller services, restaurants using text alert programs, trade show vendors applying our mobile features to their pre-show, show and post show advertisements, and traditional printers and publishers developing new interactive tools utilizing our API that will allow every printed page, article or listing to be interactive. Now that is cool!

With the mobile market innovation wave in full swing and the digital consumer wanting to do more with their phone, advertisers are learning how to leverage these technologies and trends to bring consumers more value via print. It won’t be long before an advertiser says, why would we print another piece without an interactive or digital connection? With the growth of new entrants in 2009 offering interactive tools, 2010 should be a promising year for interactive print in the USA.

By Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

I did and my comments are this week’s blog.

The proposition value of print remains the most compelling, giving brands the most effective branding & the largest audience. Past surveys show that print still has nine times the audience and fourteen times the page views over the Internet. That is a lot of eyes the internet does not see!

Even though print remains the best way for brands to distribute coupons, it does not mean paper has to be the redemption method. I think this is the point most are missing. The tried and true, “print”, and new technologies, “internet and mobile” can complement each other.

We are and others are developing enhanced methods for discovery and redemption. Being able to discover coupons locally within print flyers and redeem them locally or nationally without paper are solutions CGP brands need to compete with local brands.

Roger Belanger, Director GossRSVP

The October-09 issue of Deliver Magazine highlighted this direct mail initiative by Ricoh which can be found one page 28 at www.delivermagazine.com . Also of great interest is the “Made to Order” article on the “Mine” Magazine and personalization initiatives by Time Inc.

“Time Inc. Media Group president Wayne Powers says that while “Mine” may be viewed as direct to consumer, it is more of an engaged relationship.” Consumer engagement is the lexicon of these two highlighted initiatives, one that brings value to the advertiser and the consumer, win / win initiatives. While one of the holy grails of print is print metrics, another identified by Mr. Powers is “Are there ways we can better align the content within these magazines to match the consumers interests?” Although this topic may be once removed from the printer & press manufactures, they must help solve such holy grails of print to remain relevant to publishers and advertisers.

The amount of customization already done by printers on press and in post press is amazing, but publishers and their advertisers want more. Let us not rest until print is truly interactive.

By Roger Belanger, GossRSVP, LLC