by Holly Shoemaker
Black Friday has passed, and like last year, I successfully avoided anything to do with that, and now cyber Monday approaches. While consumers have gotten their holiday apps and emails to find the best deals, everyone should keep in mind that development starts slowing down.
iTunes Connect Shutdown
This time of year means more than just finding the best deals. For developers, it is the time they slow down on releases.
Shutting down has a lot to do with Apple as developers lose access to iTunes Connect for a week in December. This year, developers will lose access from from Friday, December 21, 2012 to Friday, December 28, 2012. As a reminder, the shutdown means no new apps or updates will be made available. Even if an app was scheduled to appear, Apple warns it will not show up.
Apple added another component this year. Releases and pricing changes scheduled to appear will also find themselves delayed. During the shut down, in-app purchases will also be unavailable. The company opened a day earlier last year so the timeframe could slightly change.
Showing posts with label black friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black friday. Show all posts
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Postal Service Targets Mobile Holiday Shopping: Continues Barcode Promotion Program
by Holly Shoemaker
The U.S. Postal Service continues to target the smartphone and tablet markets as part of its 2011 Mobile Barcode Promotion, a program designed to enhance direct mailing efforts. The agency is now offering the USPS Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion geared to spur online holiday shopping.
Promotion Overview
The Post Office created the promotion to complement Black-Friday and Cyber-Monday shopping deals. The agency hopes that by using mobile promotion offers, coupons and catalogs customers will have needed discounts to maximize online holiday shopping efforts.
The promotion will run from November 7, 2012 to November 21, 2012. Registration opened in the middle of September and continues until November 21, 2012. Businesses that register will receive the following:
In July and August 2012, the U.S. Postal Service offered a postage discount for direct mailers that included QR codes. The latest promotion shows a continued effort to ensure that direct mail remains a relevant marketing tool. By combining mobile technology with a more traditional marketing approach, consumers have another way to accomplish their holiday shopping.
The U.S. Postal Service continues to target the smartphone and tablet markets as part of its 2011 Mobile Barcode Promotion, a program designed to enhance direct mailing efforts. The agency is now offering the USPS Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion geared to spur online holiday shopping.
Promotion Overview
The Post Office created the promotion to complement Black-Friday and Cyber-Monday shopping deals. The agency hopes that by using mobile promotion offers, coupons and catalogs customers will have needed discounts to maximize online holiday shopping efforts.
The promotion will run from November 7, 2012 to November 21, 2012. Registration opened in the middle of September and continues until November 21, 2012. Businesses that register will receive the following:
- A two-percent postage discount on Standard Mail and First-Class Mail pieces that include a barcode or other image users may scan on a smartphone or other mobile device like a tablet. The barcode must lead a user to the advertised product on a mobile device or the sale will not qualify.
- The agency will offer an additional one-percent rebate on qualified mailings fulfilled by Priority Mail between November 9, 2012 and December 31, 2012.
In July and August 2012, the U.S. Postal Service offered a postage discount for direct mailers that included QR codes. The latest promotion shows a continued effort to ensure that direct mail remains a relevant marketing tool. By combining mobile technology with a more traditional marketing approach, consumers have another way to accomplish their holiday shopping.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Should App Developers Release Updates During the Holidays?
by Holly Shoemaker
As I have discussed in previous blogs, scheduling and releasing app updates is an important way of keeping consumers interesting in apps. As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaches, many people have already developed their action plans on how to tackle days that many view as sporting events.
For app developers, these days and the upcoming holiday season many mean something different. Developers who want consumers to have access to an app for Black Friday or Cyber Monday would have already released them to consumers. Developers also know that apps released to the Apple Store need to be in place prior to December 22, 2011. Apple shutdowns access to its iTunes content from December 22, 2011 through December 29, 2011. That means that new apps will not show up in the store during this time and Apple will delay the delivery of updates.
Concluding Thoughts
App developers who want to market their apps during the holiday season already know if they have realistic goals – it depends on the development stage of the apps. In addition, developers should have research available to guide them on if this holiday season provides a good time to release an app – it also depends on the app type and the targeted audience.
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