Is attentive customer service the hottest new marketing strategy? 
In the first of a regular series of Ad Age columns, Nielsen Online Executive Vice President Pete Blackshaw examines how Apple uses in-store “concierges” to both greet and direct shoppers—thus blurring the line between marketing and service. 
“Whether explicitly acknowledged or not, there’s an unmistakable ‘service is marketing’ mantra pervading every aspect of the Apple Store,” Blackshaw writes.  “That’s something every brand, even those not as shiny as Apple’s, can learn from. The opportunity to solve problems, find solutions and even address ‘the …

NYTimes.com’s “Bits” blog, citing Nielsen Mobile data, reported that 3.6% of all mobile phone users in the U.S. – about 9.2 million people – have shopped online via their phones.
That number is expected to grow dramatically in the future, according to Nielsen Mobile’s study, which found that about half of all consumers who transmit data via their phones anticipate making a “mobile purchase” in the future.
But some consumers are steering clear of shopping online by phone — at least for the time being. More than 40% told Nielsen researchers they were wary …

This year’s presumptive presidential nominees seem hesitant to advertise over the Internet. According to Nielsen Online, the candidates have been active with search advertisements, with McCain getting 5.4 million hits in May, as opposed to Obama’s 1.8 million.
Mediaweek reports that digital ad executives say they are disappointed, puzzled, even a little impatient when it comes to the light spending to date. Meanwhile, those with firsthand knowledge of the campaigns say that in spite of the Web proving a fund-raising gold mine (particularly for Sen. Obama), senior officials continue to …

Are you consistently obsessed with the newest technological gadgets hitting store shelves? An online study, conducted by internet ad network firm Mindset Media in partnership with Nielsen Online, has found that early adopters of new technology often display personality traits such as strong leadership skills, dynamism and assertiveness….but some traits, such as modesty, appear to be lacking.  
“A lot of previous research points to wealthy young males as early adopters of technology,” said Sarah Welch, lead researcher at Mindset Media.  “But this study tells us that there are characteristics beyond age …

Kids and teens consume more online video content than adults at home, Nielsen reported Monday.
The data, compiled by The Nielsen Company’s online measurement services, Nielsen Online and VideoCensus, shows that kids consumed more streams than those over 18, and spent more time watching online video from home in April.
Kids 2-11 viewed an average of 51 streams and 118 minutes of online video per person during the month, while teens 12-17 viewed an average of 74 streams and 132 minutes of online video. Those over 18 viewed an average of …