While Facebook's push to monetize its mobile offerings is a success, the cost has been a pivot away from the social network's core strategy as a person-to-person engagement tool.

For a while now, mobile marketers have been discussing how to move beyond engagement with mobile, but they need not move so quickly when the metric alone can be effective for a brand.

Registration is open for the 3rd annual Mobile FirstLook: Strategy 2014 conference Jan. 15-16 featuring speakers from Macy's, eBay, Coca-Cola, Office Depot, Lowe's, Amazon's Zappos, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Rue La La, Citi, REI, Campbell Soup, Omni Hotels, Forrester, Yahoo, NYT, USA Today and Cumberland Farms. Must-attend event for brands, retailers, agencies and publishers.

Please register for the free annual webinar at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 5: "Mobile Outlook 2014: Up, Down or Flat?" Panelists include execs from BIA/Kelsey and Hipcricket.

Looking to tap into the significant growth in mobile video viewing, Internet video platform Blinkx has acquired mobile video advertising firm Rhythm NewMedia for $65 million.

Mobile rich media advertising is attracting a wide array of brands and retailers this holiday season for its ability to engage consumers, increase brand recognition and drive sales.

Today in mobile marketing - HTC appeals U.K. smartphone ban; YotaPhone: The genesis of a dual-screen smartphone (Q&A); Getting mobile display ads to work: Researchers say they've discovered sweet spot, Audiovox turns smartphone or tablet into a TV.

Mobile Commerce Daily today - Target leads mass merchants in driving holiday strategy via Twitter; HotelTonight exec: Mobile will enable predictive marketing.

Luxury Daily today - Longines pushes ecommerce with multiple New York Times mobile ads; Artist collaborations should accentuate what already exists in a brand.

Mobile Marketer is inviting nominations for the Mobile Marketer Awards, the most prestigious recognition honoring outstanding mobile advertising, marketing and media work in 2013 by brands, retailers, marketers, agencies and publishers.

By Evan Buxton

With Apple releasing its latest version of the iPad - one that will make it even easier to generate excitement for your projects - it is becoming clear that visual storytelling for a brand is essential for forward-thinking marketers.