Every year in the beginning of February, time stops for the most buzzed about and watched, most analyzed and beloved game of any season. This year, given a dramatically different economy and stage on which the game will be played, viewers who tune in to see the iconic ads will experience a whole new world, and one likely not without its hiccups.

As money conservation continues to be crucial, and today’s consumers continue to diversify the ways that they gather their information, companies are forced to reconsider their advertising. With lower prices for each 30-second ad spot, this year’s game will feature ads from newcomers, eager to fill the spaces left behind by those departed. We’ll also see some of the Bowl’s “old faithfuls” back for another year, and spend a significant amount of time watching CBS’s own commercials, and some political advertising too.

Some other changes you’ll see this year will include Pepsi’s decision to opt out in favor of a social media philanthropy campaign. Coke will still remain, and with a philanthropy component too. You’ll see Mars Co.’s Snickers back at it, this time with a much less controversial ad, though no clue as to what it’ll be about. Audi is presenting the green police to promote their new Audi A3 TDI clean diesel car, and the government is pushing the US Census. As if that’s not enough, the Gators’ quarterback Tim Tebow will debut his already much talked about pro-life ad; and for the first time in years, Anheuser Busch just might run a series of ads without their beloved Clydesdales.

But regardless of who’s involved, the game will still hold the same appeal, and viewers needn’t despair – they’ll get what they tune in for.

First there was Facebook, then Twitter, then Blippy – it seems society at large is obsessed with knowing where, when, why and how people spend their time and money. But the newest trend in social media is so-called ‘location-based’ applications – allowing users to track the real-world physical location of their friends within a game. Is it really necessary for people to know your exact coordinates of their co-gamers at every second? Maybe so.

Recently a string of free apps like Foursquare have been all the rage – they allow users to check-in at variety of locations around their city using their phone, earning game points that can turn into real-life rewards. Rewards are based on use, so the more a user checks in at a given location, the more likely they are to receive a benefit. Some programs offer user avatars and gadgets you can only earn through the accrual of points – encouraging frequent use. Read the rest of this entry »

You may have caught recent news about a new web service that allows users to automatically share details of their daily purchases with friends and strangers alike. Blippy is being called “the Twitter of personal finance” by some, and the End of Days by others. Here’s how it works: users create a Blippy profile, enter one or more credit cards or store accounts to link to the profile, then select friends with whom they’ll share purchase information. Sounds harmless enough, so long as you’re comfortable with people knowing how many Dunkaccinos you consume on a daily basis. Or how much you’re spending on 70’s glam rock at iTunes.

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