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Retailers are lagging behind in offering shoppers the opportunity to purchase merchandise via mobile and tablet apps. In doing so, retailers are missing out on an opportunity to gain revenue from on-the-go shoppers. A new report finds that “While 68% of the top brands do have dedicated Smartphone apps… many are reliant on search for product discovery. Only half of these apps allow for purchasing. Mobile Web sites have focused on ease of use, often at the expense of the shopping experience.” The bottom line: “very few retailers –even among this elite group of marketers — are tapping into the full shopping potential of mobile and tablet devices”. This raises the question, WHY NOT???!!! One reason may be because retailers are trying to avoid compulsive shopping. If the ability to purchase an item is literally at your fingertips, how much would you think about a purchase before you actually buy it? Yet once you’ve had time to think about it, the compulsive purchase will likely find its way to the returns department in the store, thus creating a financial and logistical burden for the retailer while stealing a couple moments of your precious time. continue reading “Finger shopping…Why hasn’t it exploded?”

Outside Japanese department store Takashimaya, a young girl sits in a display case waiting for a friend. If you ask who she is waiting for, she will not respond, partly because she does not know who she is waiting for, but also because she cannot speak. In fact she isn’t even human. Her name is Geminoid F and she is a lifelike android. Geminoid F is gaining popularity after starring in a stage play and securing a new modeling gig at Takashimaya department store in Japan. She reacts to 64 human emotions and will occasionally return a smile, but she is most interesting because of the future she represents. Geminoid F’s lifelike appearance and amazing abilities for her kind beg us to question the future of human-android relationships. Many are starting to believe that robotic mannequins that move like real humans will be the next phase in android technology, bringing us a small step closer to a world much like that in I,Robot where humans and androids co exist.

Watch the video: Human Robot

Written by Autumn Dunn

Beginning on Wednesday February 15^th until April 22^nd the New Museum will feature their Show of “The Ungovernables.” This triennial exhibition will feature over fifty different artists, artist groups, and collectives from all over the world. Many of the artists have never had an exhibit in the United States. For the first time ever in New York, New Museum will feature the work of Adrián Villar Rojas. continue reading “More Than Just a Piece of Clay…”

The U.S., Brazil and Trinidad are gearing up to celebrate on Fat Tuesday (February 21st) with 3 of the biggest parties in the world in honor of CARNIVAL!!! also known as Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. Carnival is inspired by the Catholic tradition of Lent. Carnival is celebrated on and around Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. It is tradition to overindulge in order to prepare for Lent, during which one is expected to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival revelers celebrate by dancing and drinking hard liquor. The centuries old, multi-day celebration melds African, European and Indigenous traditions to create a visual feast of bright colors, glittering costumes and dancing in the streets. Whether jammin’ to Jazz in New Orleans, Louisiana, Samba in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil or Soca in Port of Spain, Trinidad, attendees of carnival can expect an out of this world experience.

Written by Autumn Dunn

Google’s newest ad depicts a young boy trying to impress his crush with material things, ie flowers, candy etc. He uses Google to search for the usual Valentine’s fare such as chocolates and candy but he eventually gives up and begins to jump rope with his crush, thus winning her heart. The animation then portrays various forms of love, everything from cookies and milk to two men wearing tuxedos and holding hands. In a technologically advanced world where material gifts are purchased with a click and one can defy geographic distance by turning on their laptop to stare into the eyes of loved ones, perhaps we have forgotten the beautiful simplicity of connecting with those we love in (actual) real time. There once was a time when staring into the eyes of loved ones didn’t come with the subtle sting of LED glare. A time before texts, tweets, Facebook posts and gchat, where no amount of material ‘things’ could take the place of holding hands, cuddling up for a movie, or jumping rope with your sweetheart.

Written by Autumn Dunn

The Sundance Film Festival is an event that is always sure to unearth a few cinematic diamonds in the rough. This year was no different. Filmmaker Aurora Guerrero heated up the festival with her film Mosquita y Mari,“a coming of age story that focuses on a tender love between two young Chicanas, [their love]…struggles to find its place in their lives and in today’s world”. The film, which was partially supported with money from the funding platform Kickstarter, is set in an immigrant community in LA and stars young new comers Fenessa Pineda and Venecia Troncoso. The relationship between Mosquita y Mari is complicated because the girls must situate their feelings for each other within the context of the social norms set out for them by their Mexican immigrant families. Mosquita y Mari lies at the intersection of cultural expectations, social stigmas and forbidden, yet unconditional love.

written by Autumn Dunn

Heineken has appointed an advertising agency based in Mexico City, D.F. to take the reigns of advertising for Tecate and Tecate Light beer in the U.S. Advertising for Tecate and Tecate Light were previously held by a Hispanic agency that was the U.S. based subdivision of  a larger agency. The move, though cost effective, is an unusual one. What are the implications of entrusting a company outside of the U.S. with targeting US based consumers? Yes, Tecate’s target is Mexican immigrants and second generation Mexican Americans, but what is lost - or gained - in the movement of people from one country to another? Will a Mexican based agency still be able to target US based consumers effectively, no matter how much or how little time has passed since their departure from their homeland? The new relationship will not only test the agency’s ability to gain an understanding of a US based consumer, but it will also be an example of what happens to a consumer upon moving to a new geographical space. How heavily will the agency be able to rely on recent immigrants’ still fresh cultural ties to Mexico? The move could be a major flop or a triumphant success. Now  the only thing left to do is watch and wait…

written by Autumn Dunn

The most prestigious time for any Hollywood actor, is February when the Oscars are rolling, set, and awarded. One nominee that stood out was up and coming nominee Damien Bichir. Nominated for best actor in his role in A Better Life, this Mexican actor is rather unknown to Hollywood. However, in Mexico, his entire family had their own category in Mexico’s MTV Movie Awards; talk about prestige.

In the film industry since the age 14, Bichir has a total of 62 film credits most of them being Spanish language films. Surprised at his nomination, Bichir said to US Weekly, that he felt overwhelmed having his name grouped with incredible actors. Moreover, he dedicated his nomination to all the millions of illegal immigrants who live in America, thanking them for making life in the US better and easier. This being Bichir’s biggest break yet in Hollywood, it might just give him a better life as well.

written by Ashley Estrella

Forbes “30 Under 30” is always filled with astonishing individuals who give hope to this new technological and innovated age that is upon us. It is always filled with a mix of inventors, and scientists, engineers and everything in between. One nominee, in particular, stood out more than the rest. At the young age of 17, Javier Fernandez-Han is an inventor who will someday change the world.

Fernandez-Han was placed on the list for his innovative use of algae. He invented a way to use algae to digest sewage and capture methane to be used as fuel. This young scientist surpasses his age by far; even at the age of 14 he founded his very own organization. In an interview Fernandez-Han said that he enjoys what he does and invents with the hope of helping the poor with what he creates. Sometimes the best way to learn is to think out of the box by coming up with new and innovative things no one has thought to teach (or do) before.

written by Ashley Estrella

President of Sony Ericsson U.S., Anderson Teixeira, and the Head of Region executive in North America, has decided to move up the bigger tree with riper apples. After working with Sony for ten years, Teixeira has decided to venture off into the new beginnings. Recently being appointed the “Head of Latin America” at Apple, Teixeira will be the official Latin American division manager.

With the new growth and December openings of Apple stores in 16 Latin American countries, its presence in Latin American is only growing. Apple hopes this growth will result in a progressing opportunity for the company. From one year to the next Brazil had already increased 118 percent over in revenue. Moreover, Teixeira, a Brazilian native, will be the first regional manager Apple has had in recent time.

written by Ashley Estrella