Facebook finally files to go public: did we ever have any doubt?

We all new the day would come, though no one was ever able to predict when. But, it seems Mark Zuckerberg finally got tired of everyone speculating about the value of the Book, and decided to put a price tag on it himself: $5 billion! Not too shabby.

The new speculation, of course, is does that dollar figure over-value the social networking phenomenon, or will it follow the path of the Google’s before it and prove everyone that Zuckerberg and team were actually airing on the side of conservative? Only time will tell!

The decision to go public may have been prompted by the expectation that Facebook will probably hit its 1 billionth users this year, and that they turned a tidy profit of $1 billion last year. Another very interesting fact to come of the filing for an IPO, is that about 80% of the Facebook fan fare is based outside of North America. Weird? We at Plastic Mobile were positively baffled by this stat, since no one we know isn’t sharing, posting and chatting on Facebook – except for one guy. But, he still uses Explorer as his web browser.

One final tid bit of interest we read in PCWorld stated Zuckerberg is not only chairman and CEO, but he has also included a clause to allow him to name his successor if he is still the company’s controller upon his death: “In the event that Mr. Zuckerberg controls our company at the time of his death,” Facebook’s S-1 filing says. “Control may be transferred to a person or entity that he designates as his successor.” Reports from The New York Post and Bloomberg Businessweek suggested that analysts found this mighty strange, but one thing is for certain; Mark Zuckerberg is, and will remain, Facebook’s reigning king.

We’re standing by to learn more about the over-under value debate and to see where this major moves takes the world of Zuckerberg, err, Facebook.

Remember January 2010 when people working at charities had a “holy Mobile!” moment? Remember the instant when nonprofit organizations realized that mobile giving is a game changer when the American Red Cross raised 7%(more than 32 million) of all funds benefiting the Haiti earthquake crisis via mobile? Many believe that mobile giving reached a tipping point with response to the Haiti crisis last year but we know that this year it’ll grow even more.

In the old days, everyone had a charity box at home but that’s been supplanted by online and mobile giving, available to donors at any time. The mobile giving market represents the next step in this evolution, and is growing exponentially. We believe there’s never been a better time to start a mobile initiative than right now. In fact many experts believe that mobile giving has the ability to match or even outperform online donations.

Giving on-the-go and cause marketing via mobile media is the next trend for nonprofits and charities, and you have the chance to take advantage of the emerging mobile medium before consumers start getting bombarded by text messages asking for donations. And it doesn’t stop with raising money; nonprofits are also using mobile to share their organizational messages, stimulate volunteerism, and increase engagement and interactivity.

Although raising money via mobile giving is the primary goal for nonprofit organizations, mobile is more than just a fundraising tool. Therefore, it’s important to view the mobile channel not only as a mechanism for donations but also realize the benefit from the fact that the mobile phone is the most personal device to launch creative campaigns on, that reach for the heart and the pocketbook.

There are endless opportunities in the mobile channel. Mobile technology dramatically changed how consumers interact with brands and brands that understand consumer mobile behaviour will ensure success as the channel evolves. Still not convinced that mobile is game changing for nonprofits? Then read this:

Why is mobile a big deal for charities and nonprofits?

• Obviously for donations it’s simple, quick and can generate substantial volumes
• It not only it makes it technologically easier for supporters to donate, but also make it possible for them to donate on the go to fit their busy lifestyles
• Mobile integrates well with other media, so it allows you to use the strengths of each
• Mobile has become the preferred way to access Internet
• Mobile is the most effective means for you to reach out to people
• Mobile marketing today is where email marketing was years ago
• Mobile is compatible with nonprofit’s characteristics such as urgency and intimacy
• Mobile allows for real-time broadcasts
• Social networks are largely accessed through mobile and they have moved from being a mere vehicle of personal interaction to become the most comprehensive means of dissemination of any good news or cause
• User experience in mobile is vastly improving everyday
• Charities will reach new groups of donors by having a mobile initiative
• Provides innovative ways to engage with the public and invite them to support your cause
• It helps charities to think about how they can use geo-location tools to show their impact and to engage volunteers and donors wherever they are
• Mobile phones are highly personal and this allows you to get personal and even stir up emotions

The bottom line is that entering the world of mobile marketing could open up many new fundraising opportunities for your nonprofit organization. So, before it gets too late in the game to be on the cutting edge, integrate mobile into your multichannel marketing activities and benefit from “ the channel du jour”. Interested yet? Need help from industry experts? Give us a shout and will help you with all your mobile related needs.

What if, Facebook got into e-commerce by allowing you to process payments with your Facebook account. Is that a stretch? The question was raised at a Deloitte presentation in called ‘Social Media for Consumer Business.’

Facebook is always finding new revenue streams; and frankly selling ads on the site isn’t cutting it. On July 1st, the social networking giant is forcing Facebook Credits to their game developers. So, virtual currency will be a thing of the past when you use Facebook’s social games like Farmville. The game apps are free to download, but if your farm needs more hay and animals to survive, expect to pay up (with the real currency). Facebook will earn 30% on payments for all virtual goods when paid with Facebook Credits. (Not a bad source income). Players can buy credits though Facebook via PayPal, credit card, or paying it using their mobile phones.

Now that last payment option for Facebook Credits, leads me to the initial question – Could Facebook become a mobile payment processor?  Could there be a ‘Pay with Facebook’ option for your next purchase?  As mobile payment will be a huge trend in 2011, and with over 500 million users, it’s potentially a lucrative opportunity for the social networking site. But do they have the trust of their users?  I’m not encouraging this payment system, as I’m nervous to disclose my phone number to Facebook, let alone credit card information.  Especially, since several reports alluded that certain Facebook applications were sending personal user information to ad and Internet tracking companies.

Would you use a ‘pay with Facebook’ option? Or can we trust Mark Zuckerberg with our digital wallets?

I guess, we’ll wait and see what Zuckerburg and his people are brewing up at the Facebook headquarters.

Research In Motion introduced its BlackBerry Payment Service, enabling developers to monetize their software via in-application purchase options.

According to RIM, BlackBerry App World developers can offer in-app digital goods including content such as ebooks, magazines, and photos, as well as other services like video streaming or voice transcription.

However, RIM does not allow BlackBerry developers to sell virtual currencies or in-app credits, physical goods or services, and digital goods used across multiple applications.

In other news, RIM is giving BlackBerry users work-life Balance through their new feature, BlackBerry Balance.

Research In Motion will allow its handset owners to split work and personal data stored on the devices using this new feature.

The decision to separate work-related emails sent using the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) from personal photographs, social networking activity and web browsing is BlackBerry’s bid to stay competitive in both the business and consumer markets.

Balance is expected to make its debut onto handsets in North America in the next two months, but there is no indication of a wider release yet.

It is expected to be available on all BlackBerry devices in the future, including the company’s as-yet unreleased PlayBook tablet.