The Skype Nomad
A year ago, Skype launched its “The Skype Nomad”. The story behind this is an Australian writer, Rebecca Campbell, known as the Nomad who travelled around the world, followed digital by lots of fans.
The 26 year old travelled around the world in 33 days, without stopping. Not even to sleep or eat. She slept and ate on the aeroplane or in the train and travelled like this through 15 countries like China, Australia, the US, Italy, Estonia, UK and many more. She not just used traditional ways of travelling but also a hot air balloon, dog sleds and bumboats.
The mission Skype followed by this was to make people aware of the ability it provides to keep in touch all over the world, everytime.
Rebecca Campbell not only told people about her latest adventures in her blog, she also kept in touch with everybody who was interested through a number of Skype enabled gadgets. Additional, she had a Facebook and a Myspace page.
Skype never used traditional advertising tools, but it has over 309 million users all over the world.
I’m a Skype user myself and especially whilst studying abroad it helps me keeping in touch with friends and family at home, but it also helps organising some group work for uni for example.
I think Skype found a really suitable way to point out its advantages and character, but showed as well how all the other social media tools enable people all over the world to keep in touch.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Interesting story, I’ve never heard about that one before, so thanky for sharing. Do you know how and where she managed to get Internet access given that she was always on the move?
I have a similar opinion about Skype like you, it helps to keeps in touch with friends who are abroad. Personally, I have never seen a Skype advert, unless it some web banners… and product packaging like phones, headphones, microphones, cameras, etc., which promote that they work with Skype. I believe that its strongest distribution tool may be word-of-mouth from existing customers; they appear to enjoy the service and want as many of their friends to join in order to be connected.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Indeed, skype is a great way for international students like you and me to stay in touch with our home country. I’m really enthusiastic about the fact that it’s possible to skype with my family and friends back in Germany paying nothing. Just remember the horrible fees for international phone calls in former times.
When I read this post and the comment I tried to remember how I got to know about Skype. As Joy I have never seen any skype advertisement, too. In conclude that is was – as suggested by Joy – word of mouth. I had the choice between MSN Messenger which you can use for calls, too, and skype. But in the end skype convinced me more because all of my friends where using it and strongly recommended the programme to me.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
It seems the most valuble internet businesses don’t need to utilise mainstream advertising. Utilising the infrastructure of the social web, all you need to do is provide a compelling service and people will talk about it.
May 20th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I think this was a great way to create further awareness of Skype, and demonstrate the true mobility of the product. Based on the numbers of fans attracted and the buzz created about this interesting project- it was a resounding success.
As an international student, I agree with all of you- Skype is a very useful tool for keeping in touch whichever corner of the globe you find yourself in