Why are social networks so important? Why are they so powerful? The answer is the Network Effect, first popularized by Bob Metcalfe, a co-founder of Ethernet (he called the theory “Metcalfe’s Law”). In other words, when a service becomes more valuable as more people use it, this is the Network Effect. Get Satisfaction has created a great infographic (as usual) visually explaining this theory, which has taken on new significance in this time of widespread network technology. Click the image below to see the full graphic.

Tok&Stok is a Brazilian manufacturer of self-assembly furniture. DDB of São Paulo has created an incredibly brand appropriate and instantly memorable business card design for the company’s branding – a card that doubles as a self-assembly chair.

According to a report by Inside Facebook, Facebook user growth – while still increasing – is beginning to slow. The significance of this data has been debated; as Portfolio.com points out, “One month does not make a trend, and such hiccups aren’t unheard of for Facebook. ‘Short-term factors’ like college graduations can affect Facebook’s numbers.” Still, this new information has led some to question the future of Facebook, as Portfolio.com also added, “there is some cause for caution. The social network’s overall growth, driven by its march into newer geographic markets, has slowed down.”

Specifically, user numbers dropped in the US and Canada, two of Facebook’s largest countries. As Econsultancy commented, “Facebook is no spring chicken, and its days of staggering growth will not last forever. The possibility that the company has already plateaued, or is in slight decline, in the markets that it first entered, would seem real.” Portfolio.com added that “the numbers could… show Facebook hitting a saturation point in key markets.”

Of course, even if Facebook growth suddenly halts, it will remain a huge and influential market. For now, it will take more time to see if these recently reported numbers are meaningful.

As we’ve seen before, retro packaging designs can create buzz and boost sales by appealing to consumers’ sense of nostalgia. Douglass Kaufman of Cocoon Group recently wrote for TheDieline on why the retro phenomena is such a hit.

FastCoDesign’s Suzanne Labarre previously questioned P&G’s use of vintage packaging designs, explaining that in order for the nostalgic appeal to kick in, consumers need something to feel nostalgic for… reintroducing retro designs for P&G’s laundry products more likely bring to mind “the rigid gender roles of mid-century.” However, Kaufman argues, “few people buying laundry detergent today suffered under the yoke of 1950’s domestic bliss. Instead, what most people will remember is their childhoods, playing securely and happily in the backyard… This is the nostalgia into which P&G retro packaging fits.”

In addition to the nostalgia for “simpler times,” Kaufman argues that retro themes are also “trendy”  – “The late 50s – early 60s are simply ‘hot’ right now and people are associating those times with positive emotions… We’re talking about the same level of emotion that gives 1969 flower power motifs instant credibility as environmentally friendly, regardless of the product. While the late 60s is revolutionary, casual, and natural, the early 60s are definitely glamorous, distinguished, and above all, sexy.”

Finally, not only do these vintage designs have novelty-appeal, they also promote the brands as timeless, which is a  powerful statement. As Kaufman points out, “[this] is a formula that has worked countless times… and I have no doubt that it will work now for P&G.”

Microsoft Tag has created a great infographic on mobile commerce, “Mobile Commerce Revolution: Smartphones & Smarter Shoppers.” Who would have thought that men age 30-49 are the most frequent mobile shoppers? According to the infographic, it appears that about 50% of consumers (with and without smartphones) have made a mobile purchase. Interestingly, 51% of smartphone users are more likely to purchase from retailers with mobile websites, but only 4.8% of retailers actually have a mobile-specific site.

Click the image below to view the full infographic.

Fullsix Group has brought the Facebook “Like” button off of your computer screen and into the real world. In the UK, visitors at Diesel stores can now scan a QR code associated with a particular product, “Like” the product, and post it to their Facebook walls. This is another interesting development for the usage of QR codes in marketing. As Fullsix explains, Facebook “Like” buttons are clicked 3 billion times a day, so “why not [do it] in the real world?”  Check out the video below to see the campaign in action.

Children influence much of their parents’ purchasing decisions, regardless of the fact that they are not doing the actual purchasing, but there is a new emerging market of influencers: cats.

Friskies has released a trio of (free) iPad and Android tablet games designed for cats. As Co.Design describes, “Friskies is driving loads of traffic to its site and think: every time someone downloads [the games], Friskies gets free product placement, having done nothing but appeal to our collective yen for watching animals do stuff.” These games are designed specifically for cats – as Friskies explains, “the colors, movement, and game-play have been researched and tested for maximum feline fun” – so there is literally no value or use for the actual human tablet-owner (other than, of course, the joy of entertaining one’s cat).

Los-Angeles based Ferroconcrete has brought the current TBS “smile” logo to life with an on-air network rebrand.  The static logo has been upgraded to a dimensional, animated, “malleable character,” with the ability to change shape, including into that of Conan O’Brien’s hair.

Ferroconcrete explains, “Our central aim was to bring the logo to life by taking the network’s iconic half-circle smile and turning it into a living, breathing, three-dimensional character… [The logo] has mega-personality… He’s mischievous, handsome – some say studly, even – and just plain fun. He’s also a bit of a showoff as he interacts with onscreen characters and vies for the spotlight. His arsenal of expressions and gestures – he waves, jumps, and bows as he charms, goofs, and mimics – makes him one of history’s most versatile logos; but of course his main objective is to make YOU smile.”

Aquent’s Vitamin T has created an interesting infographic called “The Ad Agency Bloodline,” illustrating the history and development of the advertising industry since the 1830s.

Click here to view the full infograpic.