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Infographic by Voltier Digital (@VoltierDigital).

Also see our previous posts about viral marketing: “A Giant Wood Xylophone” and “Messiah and Viral Video.”

What viral marketing can Somersault (@smrsault) help you with?

iPad storyteller Joe Sabia (@joesabia) introduces his TED (@tedtalks) audience to Lothar Meggendorfer (Lothar Meggendorfer at University of North Texas Libraries), who created a bold technology for storytelling: the pop-up book. Sabia shows how new technology has always helped tell stories.

Also see our previous blogpost, “Infographic: The Periodic Table of Storytelling.”

Let Somersault (@smrsault) help you tell your story and promote your brand.

Here’s an example of leveraging the power of social media marketing. In Adweek (@Adweek), Tim Nudd (@nudd) reports a “clever little tourism stunt:”

The tiny village of Obermutten in the Graubünden area of Switzerland has gotten itself a sizable online following — putting itself on the map for would-be visitors — through its pledge to print every Facebook fan’s profile picture and post it on the town’s bulletin board.

The campaign, by ad agency Jung von Matt, has been a big success — with the town of 79 people now boasting more than 12,000 Facebook fans. The bulletin board quickly overflowed, so the townspeople have been finding various barn sides to use for the excess.

The case-study video [above] claims that more than 60 million people worldwide have now heard of Obermutten. Traffic to the Graubünden tourism website is up 250%. And the campaign cost of 10,000 Swiss francs reportedly brought in earned media of some 2.4 million francs.

Read this in full.

Let Somersault (@smrsault) help you strategize your social media marketing.

An international network of bloggers will soon contribute to a three-month blog tour for the new Common English Bible (http://CommonEnglishBible.com) translation. The “Common English Bible Thank You-Come Again-I Promise” tour extends from November through January, honoring National Bible Week, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s celebration. The complete tour schedule, and information about joining the tour, is available at CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour (http://CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/blogtour). Background information about the Common English Bible is available at CommonEnglishBible.com/CEB/newsroom.

The Twitter hashtag for the tour is #CEBtour.

Beginning Nov. 20 and running through January, the tour is an opportunity for bloggers to join together in writing posts around upcoming seasonal events using the Common English Bible (Twitter @CommonEngBible – http://twitter.com/CommonEngBible), including commenting on verses from it, reviewing the Bible translation itself, interviewing the translators or associate publisher behind the translation, or discussing the translation with their readers.

“This tour is designed to help bloggers coordinate for their readers the thoughtful consideration of the biblical expressions of gratitude, waiting for the coming of Christ, and personal renewal,” says Paul Franklyn, PhD, associate publisher for the Common English Bible. “What better time to consider these themes than during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year? And in what better manner than with a scholarly Bible translation that’s easily comprehendible to the majority of English readers?”

Participating bloggers in the tour will receive a copy of the leather-like Thinline Bible DecoTone Tan/Brick Red edition, suggested themes, topics, and verses on which to write, an invitation to interview Bible scholars, and badges to place on their blogs indicating their involvement. Bloggers will have the opportunity to offer to their readers a free copy of the softcover edition: one copy per week for every week the bloggers write a blogpost that includes mention of the Common English Bible during the tour.

Known for being “built on common ground,” the Common English Bible is a collaboration of 120 academic scholars and editors, 77 reading group leaders, and more than 500 average readers from around the world who joined together to clearly translate the Bible’s original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages into 21st century English. More than half-a-million copies of the Bible are currently in print. It’s also available online and in 20 digital formats.

Among the more than 120 bloggers scheduled so far for the tour are:

·         Bruce Reyes-Chow (http://reyes-chow.com/) – Bruce Reyes-Chow

·         Corybanter II (http://caspianrex.posterous.com/) – Cory Howell

·         Deep Breathing for the Soul (http://keriwyattkent.com/soul/) – Keri Wyatt Kent

·         Flowing Faith (http://www.flowingfaith.com/) - Mari-Anna Stålnacke

·         GodHungry (http://godhungry.org/) – Jim Martin

·         Inspiring Followers of Jesus to Live Love (http://margotstarbuck.blogspot.com/) – Margot Starbuck

·         (Ir)Regular Christian (http://www.irregularchristian.com/) – Casey Taylor

·         Jennifer Grant (http://www.jennifergrant.com/) – Jennifer Grant

·         A Journeyman’s Catalog (http://mattlipan.blogspot.com/) – Matt Lipan

·         LeadFollower (http://leadfollower.wordpress.com/) – Tony Johnson

·         Mike Slaughter (http://mikeslaughter.com/blog) – Mike Slaughter

·         Nicole Unice (http://www.nicoleunice.com/blog/) – Nicole Unice

·         Only Wonder Understands (http://onlywonder.com/) – Jay Voorhees

·         The Parson’s Patch (http://theparsonspatch.com/) – Mark Stevens

·         A Peculiar Prophet (http://willimon.blogspot.com/) – Will Willimon

·         Ponderings on a Faith Journey (http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com/) – Robert Cornwall

·         Posts from the Blog of an (un)Tamed Cynic (http://johnvest.com/) – John Vest

·         Preacher Smith (http://preachersmith.com/) – David Smith

·         Rev. Brent L. White (http://brentwhite.wordpress.com) – Brent White

·         Salvaged Faith (http://salvagedfaith.blogspot.com/) – Katie Dawson

·         Shekinah Glory (http://pastorofdisaster.wordpress.com/)  – Brian Merritt

·         Spirit Stirrer (http://spiritstirrer.org/) – Juan Huertas

·         Storied Theology (http://www.jrdkirk.com/) – J. R. Daniel Kirk

·         Whitby Forum (http://www.whitbyforum.com/) – Carolyn Custis James

·         Willis Wired (http://www.williswired.com/) – Randy & Joleen Willis,

“When we say ‘built on common ground,’ we mean that the Common English Bible is the result of collaboration between opposites: scholars working with average readers; conservatives working with liberals; teens working with retirees; men working with women; many denominations and many ethnicities coming together around the common goal of creating a vibrant and clear translation for 21st century readers, with the ultimate objective of mutually accomplishing God’s overall work in the world; in essence, helping Bible readers live on common ground,” says Paul Franklyn, PhD, associate publisher for the Common English Bible.

The Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY—using language that’s comfortable and accessible for today’s English readers. It’s available—with and without the Apocrypha—in multiple editions and bindings. Information about the Common English Bible is available on its website, Twitter stream, Facebook page, and video.

Combining scholarly accuracy with vivid language, the Common English Bible is the work of 120 biblical scholars from 24 denominations in American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities, representing such academic institutions as Asbury Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Bethel Seminary, Denver Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University, Wheaton College, Yale University, and many others.

Additionally, more than 500 readers in 77 groups field-tested the translation. Every verse was read aloud in the reading groups, where potentially confusing passages were identified. The translators considered the groups' responses and, where necessary, reworked those passages to clarify in modern English their meaning from the original languages. In total, more than 700 people worked jointly to bring the Common English Bible to fruition; and because of the Internet and today’s technology it was completed in less than four years.

Visit CommonEnglishBible.com to see comparison translations, learn about the translators, get free downloads, and more.

The Common English Bible is sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (USA) (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing, Inc.), United Church of Christ (The Pilgrim Press), and The United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).

For a media review copy of the Common English Bible and to schedule an interview with Paul Franklyn, please contact Audra Jennings, ajennings@tbbmedia.com or Diane Morrow, dmorrow@tbbmedia.com, at 1.800.927.1517.

Back in 2006, CBC’s (@CBC) series “The End” explored the future of such media as print and television. Much of that exploration is still relevant. Print- and video-on-demand is a dominant force in the media choices of consumers. You’ll find these videos interesting background to the continuing revolution we’re experiencing in content production and consumption.

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is this Sunday, Nov. 13.

Christian martyrdom is an ongoing worldwide crime. In too many countries, Christians face violence, imprisonment, and death for declaring allegiance to Jesus Christ.

According to Open Doors USA (@OpenDoors), the top 10 most oppressive countries for Christians are North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Laos. See the list of 50 (pdf).

To give biblical perspective leading up to IDOP, the following verses are taken from the Common English Bible (http://CommonEnglishBible.com) (@CommonEngBible, http://facebook.com/groups/CommonEnglishBible, http://facebook.com/LiveTheBible, http://vimeo.com/commonenglishbible):

“So we cried out for help to the LORD, our ancestor’s God. The LORD heard our call. God saw our misery, our trouble, and our oppression.” Deuteronomy 26:7 (CEB)

“The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed— a safe place in difficult times.” Psalm 9:9 (CEB)

“Sing praises to the LORD, who lives in Zion! Proclaim his mighty acts among all people! Because the one who avenges bloodshed remembers those who suffer; the LORD hasn’t forgotten their cries for help.” Psalm 9:11-12 (CEB)

Have mercy on me, LORD! Just look how I suffer because of those who hate me. But you are the one who brings me back from the very gates of death so I can declare all your praises, so I can rejoice in your salvation….” Psalm 9:13-14 (CEB)

“Let all those who are suffering eat and be full! Let all who seek the LORD praise him!” Psalm 22:26 (CEB)

“Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.” Proverbs 31:8 (CEB)

[Jesus said:] “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, I have chosen you out of the world, and you don’t belong to the world. This is why the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 (CEB)

[Jesus praying:] “I gave your word to them and the world hated them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. I’m not asking that you take them out of this world but that you keep them safe from the evil one.” John 17:14-15 (CEB)

“We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (CEB)

“Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.” Romans 8:35, 37-39 (CEB)

“In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed.” 2 Timothy 3:12 (CEB)

“You know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:3 (CEB)

“Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward.” James 1:12 (CEB)

“Look at how we honor those who have practiced endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job. And you have seen what the Lord has accomplished, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 (CEB)

“You have shown endurance and put up with a lot for my name’s sake, and you haven’t gotten tired.” Revelation 2:3 (CEB)

“Pray continually.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (CEB)

For a media review copy of the Common English Bible and to schedule an interview with its associate publisher, Dr. Paul Franklyn, please contact Audra Jennings, ajennings@tbbmedia.com or Diane Morrow, dmorrow@tbbmedia.com, at 1.800.927.1517.

Last week, Nokia (@nokia) demoed a mindblowing prototype handheld device that lets you bend and twist the screen to complete actions like scrolling and zooming.

Meanwhile, Samsung (@Samsungtweets) said on an earnings call last week that it expected to debut phones with flexible displays in 2012 and that flexible tablets would follow.

The advantages of flexible displays are obvious: They're more durable, and they pave the way for new input methods, such as bending the display to zoom.

I think this technology will lead to the biggest breakthrough in mobile devices since the touchscreen. In fact, the next innovation in screen technologies may be an even bigger leap forward than touch displays.

Think not of a bendable display but of a foldable one.

Read this in full.

See Somersault’s previous blogposts “Revolutionary New Paper Computer Shows Flexible Future for Smartphones and Tablets” and "Flexible and Dual Computer Screens to Prepare For."

How will you prepare your publishing agenda for the advent of flexible screens? Let Somersault (@smrsault) help. And stay informed about the news of the future with the Future tab of RSS feeds and resources on SomersaultNOW.

In an article in AdAge (@adage), B.L. Ochman, of What’s Next? (@whatsnext), explains why QR code campaigns fail:

·         Unreadable codes on billboards, too high up for people to get a clear scan; on ads in subways, where there is no cellphone reception for scans.

·         QR codes in TV ads. By time you run and get your phone, find the scanner, and try to take a shot, the ad's over.

·         No instructions. Not everyone knows what a QR code is and how to scan it.

·         Using a proprietary code so you need a specific type of QR reader to scan it.

Read this in full.

Although Adweek (@Adweek) derides this “World’s Largest QR Code” (able to be seen 2 miles in the sky), it may have the last laugh because of its PR value.

And AXA Bank in Belgium arranged thousands of different colors of cans of paint to form a gigantic QR code.

In an article for Media Post (@MediaPost), brand marketer Maryanne Conlin (@mcmilker) extols the convenience of QR codes as the overriding benefit when marketing to busy moms.

Read this in full.

And this article in Target Marketing (@TargetMktg) asks “QR Codes Vs. Short Codes, and Does Your Campaign Need Them?”

Let Somersault (@smrsault) help you think through your QR code marketing strategy. Be sure to bookmark and use daily the SomersaultNOW online dashboard.

Google Analytics (@googleanalytics) created this humorous video to showcase the frustration of consumers when they encounter complicated buying procedures online. It reminds us to keep the consumer experience uppermost in our thinking whenever we serve them, whether through etailing procedures or even intuitive website navigation and valuable immediate marketing content.

Springwise (@springwise) reports that German start-up Readmill (@readmill) has combined its “passion for reading, innovation, and technology to create a social ebook reader for the iPad, pitched as the ‘Last.fm for reading.’”

Readmill, currently in closed Beta, offers users a selection of mainly public domain titles. While reading, users can highlight their favorite passages and share them with others for commenting, either by posting them to their Readmill profile, or via Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. As well as being able to recommend titles and view recommended titles from other readers, there is also a comment thread where users can post their thoughts on individual ebooks. Other features include a night mode, which switches page color to black and text color to white, while built in tracking enables the reader to see how long they have spent reading each ebook.

Read the story in full.

In addition to Readmill, TNW (@TheNextWeb) reports "Kobo launches Vox, the first social ebook reader with Facebook integration." 

How will this new concept influence your publishing strategy? Let Somersault (@smrsault) help you navigate publishing’s white water rapids.