We’re just under one week away from Apple’s new showcase, which will take place on September 9th. It’s here that the company is possibly going to show off its new, larger iPhone model, as well as its debut in the smart watch market. However, the bigger focus will probably be on the new iPhone – and it’s something that marketers may want to watch out for.
With the devices reportedly clocking in with 4.7 and 5.5-inch screen displays, there’s greater capacity to creating custom advertising for the device, enabling users to still go forward with their experiences while ads appear somewhere around the screen.
“Folks gravitate to the larger screen, and some think ‘banner ad’, but that’s outdated thinking,” said Gian LaVecchia, managing partner at MEC. “We’re seeing programming delivered through mobile feeds. And there’s going to be a new richness to the canvas.”
Although company plans haven’t been revealed yet, Facebook does intend to launch a custom experience for the new device. Proof of this lies in the Hyperlapse app, which works on Instagram but actually utilizes Apple’s technology.
Changes to the iPhone’s design will actually cause quite a ripple, as more than 40 percent of smartphone users could be affected, according to a report from comScore. With screen adjustment and changes to location tracking in terms of policies, there could be new ways for marketers to work on mobile advertising. The new services around the iBeacon, which has also been rumored for reveal, could also open up new opportunities, such as being able to monitor health and push certain pharmaceutical brands as a result.
“We know pilot programs are taking place, and there’s a lot of activity testing going on with brands and the iBeacon,” said Alan Simkowski, vice president of mobile solutions at GMR. A lot of companies are already trying out said program, with Faberge, Tribeca Film Festival and the Orlando Magic rumored to be on board.
One other interesting note is that the new device could light up with notifications, giving users a reason to check it more often. “With enhanced notifications, it’s even better for brands and retailers,” said Simkowski. “On the brand side, there are opportunities to engage people based on their location if they opt in. Then it’s clear sailing.”
We’ll know more about Apple’s devices next week.
Source: Adweek
