More than 300 attended DigitalLA’s Entertainment Apps panel on Monday, with so many tweet-notes Digital LA made #DigitalLAapp a Trending Topic in LA! Yes, this is how Los Angeles tech rolls!

HIGHLIGHTS:

Creation: Many entertainment apps repurpose existing assets, but present them in platform specific way (adding geolocation, sharing, etc.). Better yet: get original / exclusive content from tech-friendly directors/bands. Avatar’s Jon Landau created additional backstory for the Avatar app.

Development: iPhone receives most attention for entertainment apps, because of user aud, ease of use, altho Android and Blackberry are increasing. Dev costs depend on app functionality, and can range from $10-20K for a simple basic app, to six-figure for a complex app. In-house dev teams can be faster, altho third-party dev app experts are also fast. Look for third-party dev who are have experience with the platform and deliver on time. Develop good working relationship and experience with Apple approval process; approval time can range from 1-3 weeks, to 1-3 days.

Marketing: Goal is for top-selling rankings in the Apple store. Use burst marketing to generate a big push around release (much like movie opening wknd marketing for top box office). Seed blogs, buy media and app key words, use Facebook, Twitter, and other social media do PR, promote promote promote.

App success factors include: Downloads, revenue, reach, impressions, high ratings (4-5 star), engagement and use after launch, “butts-in-seats” for movie apps. Post launch: improve app responding to feedback, icon optimization, promote upgrades, etc.
Twitter Insights From #DigitalLAapp (Trending Topic in LA everyone!)

@KelliP: Key to good apps: know your audience and give them exclusive/valuable content #digitalLAapp

@LisaKChoi: Apps are living, breathing things. You need to have someone local to maintain, update and engage. #digitallaapp

@sharakarasic: Important to market apps: Keywords, app description. Icon optimization. Updating apps. #DigitalLAapp

@LisaKChoi: How to execute a successful app launch? Hit everything at once! Media Buy, PR, SocialMedia, promote, promote #digitallaapp

@KelliP: Measurement for apps: clients make money, high ratings, ongoing unique views, downloads #digitalLAapp

@sethsocolow #DigitalLAApp The price for developing an app is like the price of a car. What do you want it to do and how fancy do you want to get.

@sharakarasic: Build something in the app that’s viral. (to market w/ no budget) Also: reach out to bloggers, review sites, web video. #DigitalLAapp

@LisaKChoi Criteria of good app developer: good relationship with the platform, past experience & u can trust delivery #digitallaapp

Panelists Included:

• Matt McMahon, Fox Digital Entertainment, VP Mobile. (GLEE, Avatar, Family Guy)
• JR Grant, Disney ABC Television Group, VP of Digital Media, Video Products & Platforms
• Matt Carrasco, Fox Digital Media, Product Marketing, Strategy, & Business Operations
• Ben Blatt, Universal Pictures, Manager of Digital Marketing (Little Fockers, Despicable Me)
• Danny Shea, Comcast. Director of Business Development (E!, G4, Kardashians)
• Rachel Dardinski Carollo, Fandango, Director of Marketing
• Michael Schneider, CEO of Mobile Roadie
• Liz Jones, Appency, co-founder. @appency
• Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA @DigitalLA

Watch the TechZulu re-cast here: http://bit.ly/czSXjc