What’s with this "app mania" in the market?

Anyone with an eye on current trends will know that the mobile industry has taken off with an app phenomenon thanks to the popularity of Apple’s iPhone. With people spending the majority of their dwell time either on their phone or on the internet, media solutions have had to evolve along with the constantly changing needs of the market. Consumers are hungry for innovation and mobile apps appear to be sating the need for real time access to useful, valuable tools and information.

Now what on earth could current trends in the mobile market mean for digital media? Plenty, as it turns out. Youth Media understands that brands looking to target Generation Y have quite a job on their hands, as engagement can only be won through initiatives that pack a powerful punch. There has to be a trade off, with techno savvy consumers looking for incentive first, instant gratification later.

Over the last year, Youth Media has responded to growing trends in the market and come up with a digital platform in the form of You[th]Wire. With a reach of over 650,000 university students and installed on 24,845 PCs in areas of study, it is available to commercial brands looking to target the student market. The idea was to come up with something bigger and better, that incentive to drive brand engagement. Signal the drum roll and along comes the desktop app.

Similar in concept to the mobile version, desktop apps are bespoke and can be tailored to suit the needs of any brand. There are a range of functions, from tabs displaying basic content, to video feeds, news streams, data capture, even SMS and MMS integration. Students are able to personalise their desktop space with apps allowing access to social networks, information about the Weather, a link to Wikipedia, even track down reference books using their Library Catalogue. All this comes directly to the student on their desktop and in their dwell time.

Click above to view full size images.

So what does all this mean to a graduate recruiter? It’s simple really. There is no one else in the market with access to the internal networks of educational institutions in this way. Why not design a unique desktop app where students can find information about the company, see video feeds from the CEO or graduate employees giving a feel of what it’s like to work there, read news feeds, even register their details or apply for jobs. With all this content pulled automatically from a website or media source, you can even track who uses the app, where they go once they’ve used it, as well as their application to a stage of offer or rejection.

Click above to view full size images.

If you are looking to stand at the forefront of the industry then tapping into the latest innovation in technology is a sure fire way to secure the cream of the crop when it comes to graduate recruitment. If you want to recruit the best then you need to invest in outstanding technology and Youth Media has just what you’re looking for.