I am looking for research published on the use and benefits of
mini-CDs (also known as business card CDs) for use as a marketing
tool.  There are many websites that sell them, but I want reliable
research on the benefits from the use of them.  I would also accept
articles in reputable newspapers or magazines that favorably mention
the use of these CDs.

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Request for Question Clarification by lot-ga on 31 Oct 2002 15:07 PST

Hello,
Do you only want the benefits, as there are quite a few disadvantages
too. e.g. some people insert them into the floppy drive!
regards
lot-ga

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Clarification of Question by babby-ga on 01 Nov 2002 11:23 PST

I am specifically seeking the uses and benefits of the mini CDs; not
from companies who sell them, but from reputable articles and reviews
from disinterested parties

Thank you

After an *extensive* search, I was surprised to find that none of the
major news and business papers/journals online had any reviews or hard
facts about business card CDs. Therefore, I am not posting this as an
official answer. If you are satisfied with the results, please let me
know, and I will post them as an official answer.


Not only do "business card CDs" have the "cool" factor that make
people WANT to pop them into a CD-ROM drive, but they are generally
"idiot-proof," because once popped into the drive, they automatically
do whatever they were designed to do. That means that customers, for
example, can see a complete and impressive presentation with music,
video, moving graphics, and more.

For those wanting to market ideas or products with a business card CD,
links to company sites are easily added. Company background
information, and an enormous amount of info that would be impossible
to put on even the most elaborate paper business card is also
possible.

But they needn't act merely as new-age business cards. They also take
the place of brochures, catalogs, infomercial, presentations and
proposals, and so much more. And again, because they have the "cool
factor," customers may be more apt to actually watch such things than
they would to open up a traditional brochure, etc.

Companies that are using the mini CD include Acutrack,
Go-2-Technologies, Nichecard, and Peoplestreet. Citiscape has
increased sales by 300 percent in one year's time--something they at
least partially credit to their use of the mini CD.

And companies that help businesses create mini CDs claim: "Direct
Mailers often receive a 2% to a generous 20% response rate from their
programs. Our CD Direct Mailers receive an average response of 75%."
(http://www.inspire-cms.com/noflash/mark_marketing.html)

Hollywood has found them effective enough to release special
promotional materials for it's movies (like Jurassic Park III) on mini
CDs. (http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0111/28.cdcardz.php  this
article includes some consumer comments at the bottom)
	
	
Here are some articles that may interest you.

A review by "Business & Technology":
http://www.tcbizreview.com/currentissue/ecommerce0502.htm

Here's a site where a handful of mini CD users offer some opinions:
http://use.perl.org/~TorgoX/journal/7232

A "Mobil Beat" review and info on creating mini CDs:
http://www.mobilebeat.com/archives.asp?art=106

An article on using mini CDs in marketing:
http://www.inspire-cms.com/noflash/mark_cd_services.html

An interesting article on mini CDs:
http://www.glencoe.com/norton/online/updates/2000/91500-3.html


Keywords Used:
"business card CDs" review*
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22business+card+CDs%22+review*

"mini CDs" review* marketing
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22mini+CDs%22+review*+marketing&btnG=Google+Search

a site that claims there are many uses for business card cds [
http://www.webicine.com/sections/buscarduses.php ] has a long list of
possible uses. I know this isn't what you are looking for, but as a
comment, I thought it may be helpful nonetheless.