The Ten Most Interesting Advertising Trends of 2012

The Beancast is a weekly podcast that covers marketing and advertising with an ever-changing roundtable of experts. Each week, host Bob Knorpp focuses on 4-5 topics and gathers experts who can add insight and commentary.

This week guests Farrah Bostic, Saul Colt and Joseph Jaffe discuss some of 2012′s biggest topics in this annal wrap up of the podcast which averages 10,000 listeners each week.

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ElfYourself Goes Mobile

For the first time in its storied ElfYourself history, OfficeMax has introduced an ElfYourself mobile app which allows anyone to "elf" themselves from anywhere and create a personalized video featuring their photos with dancing elves. So far, the app it is currently holding the No. 2 spot on the most downloaded free apps rankings on iTunes for iOS, according to AppData (alongside Google Maps #1).

To use the app, users can simply upload up to five photos of friends, family and more from their camera roll or Facebook, select a dance theme and the app will generate a custom ElfYourself video that users can share via email or post on Facebook.

The Yolo Holiday Sweater Will Sweeten Your Swagger

Comprised of one part grampa's comfiness and one part crazy stories kids find on the interwebs, WingAdvertising is offering the ultimate Christmas gift. The YOLO Holiday Sweater. Well, in actuality, a sweater pattern you can give to your grandmother so she can "get her knit on."

YOLO!

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Five Tips For Holiday Networking

This article is written by Aquent's Mollie Nothnagel who helps brands and agencies find the talent they need to get the job done.

Networking during the holidays is the perfect time for advertising and marketing job seekers to put their creative minds to use. Whether it's a networking event, an informal meet-up or a holiday party, job seekers are presented with many opportunities to expand their network.

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Can A Condom Contain A Mayan Eruption?

As we hurtle towards Friday, December 21, the day the earth will supposedly end, everyone's having a little bit of fun. From Toyo Tires to T.G.I. Friday's to Stone Brewing to JELL-O, everyone's getting in on the fun. Including Durex Condoms.

If you think about it, a condom brand aligns quite well with portent of Friday's events which, no doubt, will include uncontrolled eruptions, explosions, bangs and other generally messy activity. Sort of like another kind of eruption which, at times, can, indeed, be explosive, uncontrolled and, yes, quite messy.

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Internet Ad Revenue Up 18 Percent to $9.3 Billion in Q3

Internet advertising revenues in the U.S. reached $9.26 billion for the third quarter of 2012, making the quarter the biggest on record, according to the latest IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report figures released today by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PwC US. These figures show an 18 percent climb year-over-year, in comparison to Q3 2011's $7.8 billion. In addition, they mark a 6 percent increase over the Q2 2012 figures of $8.72 billion.

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Win A VIP Table at DoublePlayMedia's Affiliate Summit Party

Ever been to the Hardwood Suite at the Palms in Vegas? It's quite the cool spot. Complete with basketball court, hot tub, pool table and full bar, it's not a bad place to hang out for a night. And if you're attending Affiliate SUmmit West in January, that's exactly what you can do.

On January 13th, DoublePlayMedia along with Infinite Traffic will host their fourth annual Tipp Off Party from 10PM to 2AM in the Hardwood Suite. If you'll be in town and plan to go, you could win a VIP table during the event. Just RSVP by December 21 and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a table.

Check out pictures from past DoublePlayMedia parties here and here.

7 Companies That Are Capitalizing on the Mayan Apocalypse

This article is written by Rachel Sprung, HubSpot's Brand & Buzz Coordinator. HubSpot is an all-in-one marketing software which helps businesses attract prospects and convert them into leads and customers.

Have you heard the rumors? In case you haven't, let's get you up to speed. The world will end December 21. At least that's the rumor. So what are you going to do? Buy canned food at the store? Board up your house? Prepare for an invasion of zombies?

No one really knows what to do to prepare for an apocalypse. But there are many companies who are using this legend to their advantage and creating creative marketing campaigns in preparation for the end of the world.

Here's what a few brands are doing.

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