Facebook’s Mobile Version Offers Indian Users Sign up Incentives, Might Get Voice

The number one social network of the moment goes the extra mile in its search for new mobile users and offers a one US dollar (Rs.50) reward to those in India that sign up on their mobile phones. Another Rs.50 will be given for each referral brought.

The offer is available only for people accessing the network using the http://m.facebook.com/tt link, and the credits are received in 3 days’ time as airtime credits on their mobile number (talktime).

Many businesses offer incentives to their clients, but a social network that seeks to expand the number of users logging in via mobile phones? That is a new one and we should keep in mind the potential of spamming encouraged by referral rewards. There are already opinions that emphasize the possibility of Facebook actually getting many spam profiles, with the only goal of receiving the Rs.50 for each mobile number a user has. Such a program will no lead to users that will constantly log into the network and use it, but maybe to many accounts that will be used for a short time span. Or, that’s not something Facebook should seek, if it wants to keep being the most valuable brand in the world, surpassing Apple and Google.

In other news, Facebook could soon have its “voice”, like Siri for iPhones. It is in fact an iPhone app, WonderVoice, which launches today and allows users to post on Facebook based on a voice activated dialog. Beware though, that your comments will not appear as text, but as a link that those interested can click on and listen.

This voice-controlled interface for Facebook has several “commands” – for instance if you say “News feed” it will read you the recent items in your feed, but it is still a long way from really enabling fully hands free interaction on Facebook via mobile devices. It is a worth mentioning step though.

Terror and Catastrophe Be Gone: Feeling Safe and Warm in Toasty Europe

This morning on the outskirts of Trier, Germany, we awoke positive and enthusiastic as ever. At noon, even despite the fact it is only 8 degrees Celsius, we still believe it when experts tells us Earth’s atmosphere and weather is just fine. The Gulf Stream is fine, we’re all just fine, and dandy too.

Eurovision 2013 and Why “What If” Won’t Ever Happen, Not Ever

This year’s Eurovision contest showed promise. Promise of human beings coming together in Europe, maybe across the world. Now, days after Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest, sanging the winning song in the finale, Only Teardrops the idea and ideology still enshrouds Europe. With Azerbaijan launching an investigation into its own voting schema, and an enrage Russian fan base, the Europe of medieval times just doesn’t seem so far off.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest - Courtesy Eurovision

ZOA Calls for Israel Commentary on Netzarim Junction Affair

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is calling for the state of Israel to hold a press conference to address a new investigation into what they say is a libelous past report on a Palestinian youth shooting.

A world, a people, outraged by reporting of an incident - courtesy Al Durah Project

EXCLUSIVE: Columbia Sportswear Sends Out RFP

Just in, Columbia Sportswear has sent out a request for proposal (RFP) for entertainment marketing firms to attend a coming campaign to focus on the Columbia Sportswear target demographic. Columbia Sportswear Company owns Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, Montrail and the Pacific Trail brands, but according to the request questionnaire the company sent out, the focus will be exclusively for the Columbia brand name.

Ronn Torossian on Brand Angelina Jolie

With Angelina Jolie being lauded as a hero worldwide for her valiant effort to have a preventative double mastectomy, there’s also the BRAND and PR story of Angelina Jolie. Even previous to this, Jolie’s brand has shined – Best-selling PR Book “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations” by CEO of 5WPR Ronn Torossian had a section on Jolie.