Over the last decade, the Internet has become increasingly more interactive for its users by the year, by the month and even, by the day.  New innovations are happening constantly and it would be impossible to stay updated on them all on a regular basis (another good reason to read the IMI blog everyday!).  Today, I want to mention a relatively new phenomenon that is taking off like wildfire- website applications that allow user personalization.  And I don’t just mean custom forms that allow people to search the value of their old cars like on KelleyBlueBook.com or something; I mean true personalization with digital imagery upload- something that really hits close to home for our population’s more visual users.

So let’s start with something seasonal: Has anyone ever checked out ElfYourself.com?  On this website, users are allowed to upload pictures of themselves and four additional friends.  After the upload is complete, each of the head shots are inserted onto elf bodies, which then sing and dance to holiday themed songs.  Whereas two years you could only select one standard song, this holiday season, users have the option to select from country, disco, hip hop and more.  And now, when you’re done, you can embarrass yourself and your friends by sharing with Facebook!  It’s truly phenomenal.

But, if you’re already over the holidays and you’d prefer a blast from the past, check out YearbookYourself.com.  This website allows you to upload a head shot and after you’re done, it will place you in a persona from yearbooks of the past.  For some reason, whenever I try it, it has an uncanny ability to make me look identical to my mom.  Anyone else getting the same results?

My latest find in the interactive web arena is a site called MorphThing.com.  It would probably behoove you to check it out everyday for a good laugh when you’re in need of a smile because you never know what new morphs will be featured.  Today’s best morph was a cross of Marilyn Manson and Barack Obama.  Other featured morphs include: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie entitled “Brangelina,” Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez entitled “Bennifer,” Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook, Ashley Olsen and Mary Kate Olsen, and the list goes on.  Users can also make custom morphs and even baby morphs, which could be a very useful tool in marriage preparation (and might send some people to counseling).  Use these tools wisely!  Enjoy.

Social Media continues to grow tremendously.  The growth is clearly visible with the growth spurts that MySpace, and especially facebook has had in the past year.  In fact, facebook is no longer exclusive to just college aged kids, or those recently out of college.  According to research data done iStrategyLabs, the fastest growing group within facebook has been the 35-54 year old segment.  They grew at a rate of 172.9% in 2008 alone!  The allure of facebook has been so great that the growth over six months for that age group grew at a massive 276.4%.  Social networks, (Social Media) is here to stay.  It is not going anywhere, as people of all ages are logging on to connect with friends, find old friends, and find new ones.

As Social Networks, twitter, and tumblr, which are categorically called social media sites continue to grow, it becomes more and more difficult for marketers and companies to get their branding and message to their intended target audience.  The days of passive viewers are no longer here.  Instead, the days of the engaged and informed viewers are here.  What does this mean for companies?  It means that they need to get smarter, and realize that people are not going to buy or use your products and services because of a flashy video production.  Instead, they will use it if they make the decision that it is something they want and need.

If you look towards facebook’s biggest application right now, it is “25 Random Things About Me”.  According to USA Today who did the report, “Social networks represent a paradigm shift in communicating. ‘This is the beginning of what will be a never-ending raft of social network games like this.’  This is where internet marketing can work at its best.  Users are putting in information that they themselves have chosen to share with the world.  For example, if you are an avid book reader, and have a preference for Fantasy/SciFi books, then perhaps you may put that “The Wheel of Time” series is your favorite book.  If marketers are seeking book lovers of that particular genre, they now have a perfect way of doing targeted advertising, and the end user will more than likely be more receptive than someone who has never read a book in their life, and has no fondness for anything out of this world.

For companies to be able to not only survive, but to thrive in this global market with a recession, it is imperative that they realize that people are much smarter and aware than they have ever been any other time in history.  We know more about the world though the connectedness of television, and the Internet which is now not only tied to a desk at work or at home, but available on all mobile TCP/IP devices such as the iPhone, blackberry, and much more.