Oral B Using Gamification | University Work

The more I think about it the more I have noticed gamification in my everyday life. I recently purchased a new electric toothbrush from Oral-B and its their Genius 9000 Electric Toothbrush and of course I had to get the rose gold version. The way in which this toothbrush relates to digital communications is that Oral-B have managed to use gamification in a way I haven't seen it before. The toothbrush comes with an app and you download the app onto your phone and connect to it via bluetooth. You can then use the camera to detect where you need to brush more. Once all areas of the mouth have been brushed you then get a score of how well you have done, this is the part where gamification comes in. Users are able to personalise the session lengths and areas they want to focus on. I find that I am brushing my teeth for a longer amount of time just because I want to achieve 100% every time I brush, which I suppose is a good thing as it means my teeth will be well looked after but this is where I notice the gamification aspect as I am getting an achievement from just brushing my teeth. The Oral-B app gamifies the brushing habits of the user.

The products provides interaction with the user which track their oral care habits and can improve their overall oral care. Whilst using your phone to track your brushing it comes up with the latest news stories, weather updates and reminders of any dentist appointments you have. Oral-B have successfully created a toothbrush and a healthcare app which helps to develop brushing habits through gamification, whilst also keeping the user entertained and improving the quality of their dental care.

Beauty and Fashion Brands that are using Instagram to their Advantage | University Work

Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms out there and I feel like ever business should make sure that they are present on Instagram. It's a great way to interact with consumers and also a great way to build relations with customers. It is also a great way to track your audience and see what your customers really love. This post links to my previous post of Influencer Marketing as more brands are choosing to work with these influencers in order to market their products. Instagram plays a big part in this being one of the main platforms that these influencers use.  Below is some brands that I think are killing it with their Instagram feed and are really using Instagram to their advantage!

MISSGUIDED

Missguided a brand who really to interact with their customer through the use of social media especially Instagram. Missguided are known for reposting customers pictures when using #babesofmissguided hashtag, this is there way of interacting with customers and building relationships. The Missguided Instagram account also likes and comments on their customers pictures a lot which also helps with interaction. From their Instagram they also have a direct link to the products they post this helps their customers quickly find things that they have seen posted on their Instagram. 

Screen shot of Missguided Instagram.

#babesofmissguided screen shot from Instagram.

BENEFIT COSMETICS

Benefit Cosmetics are a getting it spot on when it comes to their Instagram. Benefit Cosmetics have a few different Instagram pages for different countries but I'm focusing on their UK account. The lovely girls at Benefit HQ will go onto Instagram stories or live video and show their followers what they are doing and show them what its like to work at Benefit HQ. This is a way that Benefit are interacting with their customers. Benefit also feature a number of influencers on their Instagram which relates to my previous post of Influencer Marketing. Benefit Cosmetics also like to repost their customers pictures and in the beauty blogger world its a pretty big deal if you've been reposted on Benefits account. Benefit Cosmetics also interact with their customers through Instagram by commenting and liking photos. Benefit are very active on their Instagram account posting serval times throughout the day and also posting on Instagram stories, I can't remember a the last time I went a day without seeing posts from Benefit Cosmetics on my timeline. 

Screenshot of benefitcosmeticsuk on Instagram.

Screenshot of Benefit Cosmetics reposting Instagram Influencer ItsLittleLauren.

ASOS

With over 6 million followers its obvious that ASOS are doing something right when it comes to Instagram. ASOS use Instagram differently to a lot of other brands they have their main account in which they show offers, new collections and lifestyle content. 

Screenshot of ASOS on Instagram.

They also have a 'Seen on Me' page which is dedicated to to sharing pictures of other instagrammers wearing their clothes. User just have to tag ASOS and use the #AsSeenOnMe hashtag and ASOS will share the photo will a code of the item. This is clearly a marketing and selling strategy as it allows their customers to see their clothes on real people and gives them an opportunity to buy what others are wearing. 

Screenshot of ASOS asseenonme Instagram page.

The final way ASOS use Instagram is through partnering with influencers to create sponsored posts, which relates back to my blog post on influencer marketing. ASOS have worked out who is influential in their industry and work along side them to promote their brand. 

Beauty Brands using Augmented Reality | University Work

Beauty brands are merging the real world and the digital world which is becoming a popular trend among a number of big beauty brands. If your looking for a new lipstick then theres no need to trek to your local Debenhams because the Urban Decay Vice Lipstick app has you sorted. You are able to take a picture of yourself and you can try on all their different lipstick shades.

 Photo: UrbaDecayCosmetics on Instagram

By Urban Decay using augmented reality it helps them understand what their consumers like and dislike in the terms of colours. It is also a great marketing tool for Urban Decay as it helps them to promote the range of lipsticks whilst also engaging with consumers in a new and different way. The app also allows you to post pictures of yourself wearing the lipstick and allows your friends to vote as to which one is their favourite. This is another way in which Urban Decay can reach more consumers by their customers sharing these pictures and sharing their opinions on the products.