Myngle is the global language e-learning marketplace, where teachers and students from all over the world Myngle, understand each other better and have fun – as they learn new languages and cultures.
Myngle offers a solution by providing students and teachers in different locations with a complete online language instruction platform, containing all the tools needed for synchronous e-learning.
Maybe you’re not very surprised by the fact that Myngle was founded by former eBay employees? Since December 2007 Myngle generated 18.000 users registered for teaching or taking language lessons. Myngle closed a first financing round raising 800.000 euro from both professional as private investors.
On the Benelux Venture 50 conference Myngle was elected one of the most promising ICT start ups in the Benelux. That ex eBay people are behind Myngle can also be distracted by the embracement of VoIP (Skype is an eBay company) and by these gift vouchers, which can be paid with PayPal (PayPal is an eBay company). More about Myngle can be seen here on Dutch TV (with UK subtitles).
EA Games and fashion retailer H&M have partnered in a compelling fashion design contest. Users can dress up their Sims in the latest H&M clothing collections for men and women with The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff. Below you can see the official trailer.
A few months ago we slapped H&M for ignoring the H&M Hyves Community. But now H&M strikes back in a compelling and brave contest.
Nineteen year old Dutch singer Esmée Denters has managed to gather an impressive 100 million views on her YouTube channel in less than two years! That’s more than the 50 Cent (91 million views) or Michael Jackson (74 million views) YouTube channel! Only female singer Britney Spears has more all time total views: 181 million.
Denters who started posting videos of herself in August 2006 to YouTube from her bedroom in Oosterbeek, using her sister’s (crappy) webcam, quickly became a huge internet sensation in just a few short months by singing covers of famous pop artists, and later with her own compositions. In June 2007 she signed with Justin Timberlake’s record label Tennman Records.
British Airways is planning to launch a new premium transatlantic airline, called OpenSkies, focusing on high-end travel experiences. The airline, which is scheduled to begin operations in June 2008, will initially fly daily from New York to Brussels and Paris with one Boeing 757 aircraft carrying up to 82 passengers in business, premium economy and economy sections.
A second aircraft will be added to the fleet later to fly to other European cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid and Milan. The plan is to operate six 757s by the end of 2009, all of which will be sourced from the current British Airways’ fleet.
I really like this smart community marketing approach of Converse in Japan. To celebrate its 100th anniversary Converse has launched the Thank You campaign in Japan.
I like how Converse invites, involves and thanks its loyal customers in the collaborative concept to further promote its shoes.
In this campaign Converse asks the users to become their advertising agency, and to carry out a series of actions to promote the brand. The better (and the more) they promote Converse, the more points they earn, points that can later be exchanged with products.
Sometimes you like to watch certain brands, because you have high expectations of them. On my watch list is the revolutionary social investing network Zecco.
Zecco started aggressively in the US market a year ago with 0$ trading commissions and giving away free lunches in the heart of the Wall Street. See this CNBC video about Zecco’s launch (free lunch).
I like the Zecco’s rebellious approach. They look at the same online trading world with a new and innovative view. But I also like Zecco since it has embraced and integrated forums and blogs in it’s website. And the bloggers like Zecco back. Also I like the Zecco Friends Program. It’s an old fashioned member-gets-member program which you unfortunately do not see much anymore on the internet.
But most of all, I like the smart ZeccoShare Program. At ZeccoShare traders can join and create a group with like-minded investors and share ideas. With permission you can even share portfolio holdings and previous trades with friends. Well isn’t it that specific thought what makes people love social networks?
This social media approach at least brings Zecco lot’s of Buzz and Free PR. I do expect Zecco to launch some compelling virals in 2008. What do you think, will they?
Since the start of the internet I have been a die-hard community believer. It seems that smart eCEO Michael Dell has read this great community marketing book: Communities Dominate Brands as well? Just take a look at Michael Dell’s video where he announces two new digital community tools, designed to foster two-way communications with customers.
Dell IdeaStorm allows customers to participate in the development and enhancement of Dell’s products and services by sharing their ideas online. IdeaStorm contains already 7599 community generated ideas.
At StudioDell Consumers, SME’s and IT Professionals can upload their own home-grow videos. This smart and interactive Dell approach could really create a better ‘user generated’ helpdesk.
I will write about other smart brands that shout less and facilitate more. The question to our ViralBlog community: will you help us to find lot’s of great examples? Muchas gracias!
