2 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 30 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 30 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, September 30th, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 30 #InkRoundup

eBay “Makes It Pink” for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month
eBay Giving Works is running it’s 8th annual “Make It Pink” campaign, raising money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The fundraising campaign includes sales of special items and fantasy experiences to benefit breast cancer research and programs, plus basic eBay fee credits to sellers who wish to donate from 1 percent to 100 percent of an item’s sale price to Komen. Also, On October 8, eBay sellers and buyers can donate $1 or more directly to Komen through the Donate Now feature–no purchase necessary. [via eBay Ink]

Further News
+ Retailers are gearing up for the “couch commerce” rush
+ Small business owners get help from Facebook
+ Is social sharing is having an impact on your online shopping?

Looking Back on eBay Ink
October 1, 2010: eBay has announced an agreement to use open source content management system (CMS), Joomla, to launch a community portal as part of eBay’s internal analytics platform. Known as “community analytics,” the initiative will be accessible by all eBay employees, and will incorporate social aspects of active collaboration, including content creation, sharing and open discussion.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.

More

1 Permanent link to October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so check out the eBay “Make it Pink” Campaign October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so check out the eBay “Make it Pink” Campaign

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so check out the eBay “Make it Pink” Campaign

I always enjoy writing about worthy causes and whenever I write about the efforts of the eBay Giving Works team, I know I’m in for a treat. We’ve written about Breast Cancer Awareness month in the past. From the incredibly successful “Bling My Bra” campaign to the “Make it Pink” campaign from eBay Giving Works, last year’s campaigns raised $242,000 for breast cancer awareness and drove 58,000 listings on eBay that benefitted breast cancer organizations.

This year, to participate, you can:
** Buy items that give to the cause. Shop our Make it Pink page to buy special “pink” deals, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and experiences with celebrities like Fergie and the band Chicago. Each purchase helps support the life-saving work of nonprofits such as Bright Pink, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Avon Foundation for Women, and The American Cancer Society.

** Donate when you sell. When you list an item on eBay, you can choose a nonprofit to donate to when your item sells. You’ll get a boost in search results and a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

** Share your story. Visit eBay on Facebook and connect with breast cancer patients, survivors, supporters, and caregivers by telling of your own journey. For every story shared, eBay will donate money to “Make it Pink” nonprofits, and each story is an entry into a weekly drawing for a $1000 eBay certificate.

** Choose your favorite nonprofit. Personalize your eBay giving experience. Select your favorite breast cancer nonprofit to feature when you buy and sell.

I look forward to covering more inspirational stories throughout the month of October. In the meantime, visit http://www.ebay.com/pink today!

Cheers!
RBH

More

1 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 23 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 23 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, September 23rd, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 23 #InkRoundup

eBay Introduces Fashion Outlet
The virtual outlet mall has arrived, allowing shoppers access to discounted designer fashion. The Fashion Outlet extends eBay’s selection of clothing, shoes and accessories with deals on new merchandise direct from a collection of lifestyle brands and retailers, including Neiman Marcus Last Call, BCBG, Spanx, Brooks Brothers, Jockey, William Rast, Fila, Timberland, Hanes and more.The fashion items sold through the “Buy It Now” feature are priced at 20 percent to 65 percent off retail price. [via CNET]

X.commerce’s Matthew Mengerink Looks at Four Trends Commerce Trends
In a GigaOm guest post by X.commerce‘s Matthew Mengerink, he writes that mobile, local, social and digital are the four mega trends shaping the future of commerce. Merchants of all types—from brick-and-mortar retail outlets to non-profits, to manufacturers and even those selling online, need to ensure they’re ahead of the commerce curve. [via GigaOm]

Further News
+ Is social e-commerce in Facebook’s future? Mark Zuckerberg explained at the f8 conference this week.
+ Simple steps to building a strong mobile commerce foundation and generate success for your brand.
+ Is advertising on social media good for small business?
+ Retailers are looking for job candidates with e-commerce skills.

Looking Back on eBay Ink
September 22, 2010: eBay introduces the eBay tech blog – @ebaytechblog. The eBay Tech Blog was launched earlier this week and I for one am very excited at the possibilities. Partner this with our eBay Developer Blog and I think we’ve got some pretty cool information on cutting edge innovation coming out of our company.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.

More

0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 16 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 16 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, September 16th, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 16 #InkRoundup

eBay’s New Ad Campaign for 2011 Holidays
It’s been two years since you’ve seen eBay on your television screen, and now eBay is embarking on a major ad campaign aimed at consumers shopping on their smarthphones. The “When it’s on your mind, it’s on eBay” advertising campaign kicked off this week and emphasizes emergence of mobile helping consumers shop anywhere, anytime, whenever they want. In addition to the TV spots, street-level outdoor environments will be created using custom QR codes that can be accessed using eBay’s RedLaser technology, allowing consumers to shop for products on the spot. [via eBay Ink]

PayPal Unveils New Payments Platform For Merchants
PayPal held an event this week in Los Angeles for merchants to get an early look into the company’s new technologies. PayPal’s plan is to make tools available to merchants allowing them to use existing credit card terminals to accept payments through PayPal. Several payment methods will be possible, although they will ultimately depend on the type of terminals merchants have. [via The PayPal Blog]

Further News
+ How large is the role of social media in the lives of consumers?
+ Businesses that are online need to think about mobile.
+ Will socially awkward teens drive mobile payment adoption?
+ Startups show off small-business tools at TC Disrupt

Looking Back on eBay Ink
September 15, 2010: In a video interview, eBay partners with the National Federation of the Blind; Enhanced features for visually impaired. The site includes enhanced features for users to search, browse, buy, bid and sell using the keyboard alone, as well as using assistive technologies such as screen access software. Additional support includes seed funding for promising blind entrepreneurs and a selling training program.

You can visit the website to find out about all the features available to eBay users with special access needs.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.

More

0 Permanent link to eBay Advertising Campaign – Behind the scenes with Venables Bell & Partners eBay Advertising Campaign – Behind the scenes with Venables Bell & Partners

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Thursday, September 15th, 2011

eBay Advertising Campaign – Behind the scenes with Venables Bell & Partners

Here is part 2 of my behind-the-scenes conversations with folks regarding our new integrated advertising campaign that kicked off this week on U.S. National TV. I was fortunate enough to visit members of the creative team at Venables Bell & Partners – the advertising firm responsible for creating the ads – up in San Francisco earlier this week.

In addition to capturing some of their “creative walls” where I could see the journey that the ad campaign had taken, I also interviewed two of the creative directors for the campaign. Here is our resulting conversation…

Part 2: A Conversation with Venables Bell & Partners

Cheers,
RBH

More

0 Permanent link to New eBay Advertising Campaign: Behind the scenes with Deirdre Findlay New eBay Advertising Campaign: Behind the scenes with Deirdre Findlay

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Thursday, September 15th, 2011

New eBay Advertising Campaign: Behind the scenes with Deirdre Findlay

We kicked off our integrated advertising campaign yesterday and, as promised, I sat down with a few folks instrumental in making it all happen. Up first is Deirdre Findley, Sr. Director of Consumer Marketing for eBay, who sat down with me to chat about the campaign in greater detail and how it differs from previous marketing efforts.

Cheers,
RBH

Part 1: A Conversation with Deirdre Findlay

More

8 Permanent link to eBay Launches Integrated Advertising Campaign for 2011 Holiday season eBay Launches Integrated Advertising Campaign for 2011 Holiday season

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

eBay Launches Integrated Advertising Campaign for 2011 Holiday season

For the first time since 2009, eBay is coming to your television screen. The “When it’s on your mind, it’s on eBay” advertising campaign kicked off today with the first of six 30-second TV spots on national cable network shows including Top Gear, ESPN Sportscenter, The Daily Show, Top Chef and The Rachel Zoe Project. The spots emphasize the emergence of mobile helping consumers shop anywhere, anytime, whenever they want.

The campaign is focused on mobile shoppers and shopping enthusiasts. One of the key messages coming out of the spots I’ve seen is that they position eBay as the shopping destination for new items at buy-it-now prices.

I was fortunate enough to spend time earlier this week with members of the creative team at Venables Bell & Partners – the advertising firm responsible for creating the ads – and with Deirdre Findlay, Sr. Director eBay Consumer Marketing – to chat about the campaign in more detail. Look for the behind-the-scenes video with them over the next couple of days.

In addition to the TV spots, street-level outdoor environments will be created and will use custom QR codes that can be accessed using eBay’s RedLaser technology letting consumers shop for products on the spot. These will be seen in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles starting October 17.

In the meantime, enjoy the three spots I’ve included in this post.

Cheers,
RBH

Related Read:
eBay Targets Mobile Users…

More

0 Permanent link to eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 9 #InkRoundup eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 9 #InkRoundup

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Friday, September 9th, 2011

eBay Ink Weekly Roundup – September 9 #InkRoundup

Patagonia Let’s Customers Buy and Sell Clothes On a New eBay Store
Patagonia announced this week it will be partnering with eBay to open a marketplace for the company’s used products as part of its sustainability plan. The online eBay store, called the Common Threads Initiative, will be open to any eBay seller wishing to sell genuine Patagonia products. By signing a pledge, community sellers will be given a badge on their post and will be included under the store’s umbrella, as well as promoted on the Used Clothing & Gear section on the Patagonia site. [via Wall Street Journal]

eBay Acquires The Gifts Project
This week eBay acquired the technology and team behind The Gifts Project, a social commerce platform that enables multiple friends to pitch in towards an item for a birthday or other event. In January this year, The Gifts Project signed a cooperation agreement with eBay, under which eBay offered group gift buying through the company’s technology. The Gifts Project will report to eBay’s new VP of social commerce, Don Bradford, who joined eBay in May after working at both Microsoft and Yahoo. [via All Things D]

Further News
+ Charity stores are increasing their use of the internet to sell second hand goods
+ Mobile users in the UK now see m-commerce less as an experiment and more as a convenient way to shop
+ 45% of adults in the UK prefer to shop for fashion items online, rather than in-store

Looking Back on eBay Ink
September 14, 2010: eBay CEO, John Donahoe, joined Michel Gelobter, the founder of Cooler and Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, on a panel discussion at the National Press Club earlier today. The topic of discussion? A report released by Michel Gelobter of carbon-footprint consulting firm, Cooler. Commissioned by eBay, the report highlights the environmental value of enabling consumer-to-consumer online selling and supporting online entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete globally against larger retailers. It’s pretty incredible when one breaks down the numbers. For example, compared to a single big box retail store grossing $100 million per year, new data reveals that the day-to-day operations of $100 million in sales through small, Web-based businesses generate approximately 1,400 tons fewer CO2-equivalent emissions per year than their offline counterparts: that’s the same amount of energy it takes to power 108 homes for a year.

You can download a full PDF of the Cooler Research – 2010: The Small Business Advantage.

eBay Ink Weekend Roundup is a summary of news and updates around eBay, PayPal, Social Media, Technology and E-commerce. Let us know what interests you.

More

1 Permanent link to eBay Inc. Acquires The Gifts Project eBay Inc. Acquires The Gifts Project

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Thursday, September 8th, 2011

eBay Inc. Acquires The Gifts Project

You know I’m a fan of all things social, so I’m excited to confirm that eBay Inc. has acquired the technology and team behind The Gifts Project, a social commerce platform that powers online group gifting and enables online retailers, marketplaces and gift stores to bring shoppers together through social buying experiences.

At eBay, we currently use The Gifts Project to power eBay Group Gifts, which integrates three of the world’s largest communities – Facebook, eBay, PayPal – to make it super-easy to solve a common problem: finding, organizing, paying for and delivering a gift from many to one – all online.

Going forward, we plan to transition The Gifts Project into eBay’s Israel Social Center, which will focus on building social shopping platforms and product features for eBay Marketplaces.

We talk a lot about how consumers are driving a new retail experience – right now, especially through mobile and the incredible growth we’re seeing in mobile-enabled shopping. Social commerce is a more nascent space, and eBay is working on strategic ways to integrate social networks into our buying and selling experiences.

From AllThingsD:
Besides Group gift buying, eBay has been developing ways to log in to your Facebook account on eBay’s homepage to get product recommendations based on your past purchasing habits. Another feature expected to launch sometime this year is to allow users to post multiple products to their Facebook page to get their friends to vote on which one they should buy.

I’m interested to see how we evolve the eBay Group Gifts experience this year, and how we’ll build out new features that help our customers connect their social graph likes and interests with the amazing selection of inventory on eBay. Our new VP of social commerce, Don Bradford, is leading these efforts and from what I’ve heard, is at the forefront of cool new stuff.

Looking forward to learning more when I get back to HQ… for now, it’s back to eBay: On Location – Orlando.

Cheers!
RBH

More

0 Permanent link to Chatting Social Media for brands with eBay Partner Network TV Chatting Social Media for brands with eBay Partner Network TV

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Chatting Social Media for brands with eBay Partner Network TV

My old friend Scott Parent (and new one, Ivka Adam) invited me to be a guest on eBay Partner Network TV a few weeks ago and I of course jumped at the chance. I also found a way, as always, to bring it all back to beer.

You can read the full post – Chatting with eBay Partner Network: Richard Brewer-Hay Gets Social. Be sure to follow @ebaypartnernet on Twitter too.

In the meantime, here’s the video interview…

Cheers!
RBH