Tattoos for Diabetes Testing, Domino’s Tweets Displayed in Times Square, & Hulu for Sale, Apple May Purchase

Nano tattoos

Now more than just expressions of identity, tattoos are serving a new purpose pushing healthcare innovation a bounding leap forward. Recent technology developed at Northeastern University is creating under-the-skin tattoos that monitor the wearer’s blood levels of sodium, glucose and even alcohol with the use of iPhone camera technology. The tattoos contain a 100-nanometer-wide set of sensors go under the skin, like tattoo ink. While the blood-testing device is currently limited to iPhone technology, if successful we would expect other manufacturers to adopt this as an innovative tool. This is further indication that smart-phone technology is continually changing not only social aspects of our society but providing essential health and convenience-benefits to those willing to embrace it.

Dominos’s Viral Pizza Campaign

Domino’s marketing efforts of late strive for transparency and brand authenticity by using original, un-retouched photos of its pizzas in ads. The company is taking this promise one-step further by running an electronic ticker in Times Square displaying in real-time for all to see what consumers are saying about Dominos. The campaign, which began Monday, runs until August 23. All tweets, good bad or indifferent, will appear on the infamous billboard in one of the country’s busiest intersections. This marks a new phase of online communications in which companies no longer fear the potential for negative comments. Domino’s is removing all layers of transparency, and more importantly, control, in what most companies would deem a risky move. As companies continue to embrace social media, it is essential that they remain authenticate to their brand and take time to listen to their customers and respond. We reiterate to our clients that through any channel of communication consumers will speak their mind. Social media continues to force brands to live up to consumer expectations.

Online TV streaming hits a fever pitch

Acquisition bidding is underway for online television service, Hulu, which, according to Bloomberg, is valued at $2 billion. Some speculate that Apple has already begun acquisition negotiations with Hulu. Current Hulu investors include Disney, News Corp and Comcast among others. Apple could be a strong contender, as it is well known in the industry that Apple is sitting on roughly $76 billion in cash following a successful third quarter. It has been widely reported that Apple is looking to get into the on-demand subscription video market to compete with other companies such as Netflix, AmazonPrime and Wal-Mart’s new service, Vudu.