Real-time interaction is something that can be applied to just about any industry, creating a hub of connected activity that works for sporting events, fashion shows and even movie premiers.  In fact, if you’ve been following the marketing around Charlize Theron’s latest flick Prometheus, you may have come across BumeBox’s live social stream, pooling the best questions and comments from Facebook and Twitter for the red carpet event.

Another recent project for BumeBox was a team-up with eBay Fashion UK, powering an online “style off” for fashion bloggers and viewers from across the world.  Integrated social media marketing only continues to grow with new technology, with companies like thismoment and others rivaling for top brands’ top dollar.  In today’s Snapshot Series we hear from BumeBox CEO Jon Fahrner, who tells us more about the ways in which real-time data is impacting us, along with the three trends he’s watching and his favorite song to sing in the shower.

Most important way real-time data is impacting retail?

It is humanizing feedback – both positive and negative. It was easy before to look at comments and forum posts and ignore them. They were lifeless. Real-time feedback is more parallel with face to face feedback. The data cannot be ignored.

Lessons learned from eBay Fashion U.K. collaboration?

Online / offline social integration, when done correctly, should lead to both online / offline audiences having a great time because of the integration. We were told that people at the physical event loved seeing the real-time social content updates, especially if they were the ones pushing the content!

Three trends in real-time you’re watching.

We are paying very close attention to what triggers organic user generated social content. Brands make lots of mistakes by going against the grain of normal human behavior. We are unlocking how to harness what is already going on.

Brands are turning to real-time engagement more than ever. What gives you confidence in/for the future?

The strength and momentum of mobile and how the phone is becoming a fountain of social content. Also the fact that we are past the share widget. Social experiences have to become real-time. Brands relying on static web experiences will quickly lose internet and social market share. Real-time social engagement is at the center of all future web dev plans for the world’s biggest companies – and across all industries.

Let’s Get Personal!

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Dream collaboration?

As a former rugby player, BumeBox collaborating with Universal Sports for the Rugby World Cup 2011 is pretty much a dream realized. As a father of 4 year old twin boys, the new dream is collaborating with Pixar or “Yo Gabba Gabba”.

Favorite song to sing in the shower?

“Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds from the Breakfast Club movie. Been singing it since grade school.

Chalk or whiteboard?

Whiteboard with 8 different colored markers and no eraser.