On November 10, NYU think tank Luxury Lab (L2) released its annual Digital IQ Index for Fashion, a study that attempts to quantify the digital competence of global fashion brands.  Starworks Group client kate spade new york was awarded “Genius” status, second only to Burberry as the most digitally savvy fashion brand out of 50 of the top fashion brands in the world.  This marks the brand’s debut on the list; it was unranked last year.

Starworks Group’s social media work on behalf of kate spade new york garnered the top social media score.  L2 praised the brand’s early adoption and consistent use of fast-growing platforms Tumblr and Instagram.  In addition to the “best in class” Tumblr experience, the study recognized kate spade new york’s “buzzworthy” Facebook custom tab, developed by Starworks Group’s in-house programming team.

Last week, High Gloss magazine joined the ranks of a growing list of online shelter publications, a digital space design world that includes title like Lonny, Rue and Ivy & Piper.  Founded by one of our favorite design bloggers, Paloma Contreras of the popular blog La Dolce Vita, the High Gloss Team also includes editor Erin Gates of Elements of Style, editor and stylist Shannon Wollack of Life.Style., editor and director of advertising Kyle Knight of Knight Moves, editor and stationer Lauren Rauter of Rock Paper Scissors, and art director Ashley Steen of Orchard 11.

The bimonthly publication features colorful, photo-heavy pages crafted by the High Gloss Team, special contributors, and some serious photographers (our friend Grey Crawford shot interiors for their first issue!).  The interactive mag’s clickable pages allow you to easily buy while you read – so no more turning down page corners or placing sticky notes next to products you’ll never go back to. Instead, you can simply click on any of the items featured within the magazines’ collage-like pages, and you’ll be re-directed to the product’s site for an instant buy. How dangerous!

IntoNow is a brand new application released yesterday on the iPhone platform that allows a user to to hit a button whilst watching TV and the app will identify the show, right down to the episode.  You can then share that “check-in” on Facebook & Twitter.  It actually works a lot like Shazam in that they use “fingerprinting” technology on the audio that allows them to catagorize and recognize a show even if it’s airing live for the first time.  They have an index that covers more than 140 million minutes of previously aired shows which is the equivalent of 266 years of video.  Their SoundPrint technology (which powers the app) has indexed 2.6 million airings over the last 5 years.

The technology is amazing.  I did my absolute best to trick this thing and it is spot on every time, even across a room at low audio.  If you check-in during the opening credits it gives you an error and tells you to check back when the show starts.  If you check-in during a commercial, it tells you that they know this is a commercial and to check back when the show starts.  Once you do check-in, you have the option to add a comment at 140 characters so it can be posted as a Tweet or you can share it on Facebook.

Aside from their shortened URL linking to a splash page with your show information posted, there really isn’t anything denoting your involvement with the app on your profiles and/or in your browser.  There is no desktop-based interface to connect with and aside from the iPhone, no other mobile or tablet platforms are available.  That all said, within the app you have the ability to build a network of friends by tapping into your community on Facebook & Twitter and rolling them over.  You can then see what your friends are watching and comment on it.  I have to say, it is really cool.

The marketing implications of a platform like this could be amazing, but they have a ways to go.  Right now, they need to build their audience, extend their platform reach and build a browser based interface before they can really approach advertisers with something interesting.  They should also think about incorporating badges, points, rewards, etc.  This could happen quite quickly and when/if they do, it could have a massive impact on broadcast advertising, tune-in business and a myriad of social media strategies.

The idea of creating social currency out of what you are watching isn’t new.  There are other apps/platforms that have gotten into the “entertainment check-in” game, like Miso and TV.com Relay that have a broader reach in terms of platform adoption and desktop integration, but finding what you are watching on these apps pales in comparison to the ease in which IntoNow provides.

The application is free and available now on iTunes, so if you have an iPhone we recommend you check it out!

Jameela Jamil and Reggie Yates

As part of their ongoing partnership with the ATP international tennis tournament, Lacoste have created an online version of the world’s first and most iconic tennis video game, Pong. TV presenters Jameela Jamil and Reggie Yates launched the game at Lacoste’s Westfield store in London and totally got in to the swing of things.

The classic game is available on www.lacostechampionship.com/ and via the Lacoste Facebook www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=160690707280466. Users are able to invite their friends to ‘beat their score’ and Lacoste have announced a competition for the highest scoring entrants. It’s super-jolly and the prizes are amazing (think a VIP tennis weekend). Rackets at the ready!