Barbarian Group Delivers More GE Flyovers

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Barbarian Group is out with some stellar new GE work that extends its recent work for the brand's GE Flyover work which takes people inside factories where GE technology is used.

In this version, visitors can select from one of three locations for each mission. These locations feature technology GE has placed in action and the goal is to highlight the people and the machines behind GE. Selections will be then voted upon and the GE helicopter will head out on its mission.

The work acts on recent GE and Buzzfeed study findings that indicate shared creative content yields far greater results than simple online paid placements.

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by Steve Hall    Sep-26-12    
Topic: Agencies, Brands, Guerilla, Social



HealthNet Uses Fake Tweet on Billboard to Promote Site

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It seems that no amount of publicized social media faux pauxs let alone general marketing faux pauxs over the past hundred years are able to prevent other brands from becoming bumbling idiots ripe for ridicule. Today's marketing dunce cap goes to Health provider HealthNet which saw fit to use a fake tweet on a billboard (spotted in Portland, Oregon) to promote its site.

The tweet, "Affordable, fits my biz needs - smart health plan #healthnetcares," reads as if it were written some social media buffoon with just enough pompous "guruism" to convince his clueless superiors "this will be a really cool billboard!"

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by Steve Hall    Sep-25-12    
Topic: Outdoor, Social, Strange, Worst



OMG! OMG! MySpace Gets Its Swagger Back!

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With the rebirth of MySpace, introduced by a slick video featuring Justin Timberlake, new owner Specific Media (and Timberlake) is looking to get the social network's swagger back. The new look centers on a image-heavy, horizontal layout similar to Pinterest. Taking pragmatic view, the new MySpace incorporate "rivals" Twitter and Facebook but will remain focused on music.

Specific Media purchased MySpace for $35 millon from Rupert Murdoch after he, several years earlier, had paid $580 million.

In the video, we are told MySpace will be "staying true to our roots in one important way - empowering people to express themselves however they want." But let's be honest. That's a catch all phrase that will allow the entity to do pretty much whatever it wants.

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by Steve Hall    Sep-25-12    
Topic: Social



79 Remarkable Social Media Facts

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In this Social Media Wrap Up September 2012 report, part of the Adrants whitepaper series, top marketing experts share their lessons learned and secrets on social media discussing everything from the basics to the most advanced techniques. The report, a collection of several short articles, will help you learn how your company should use social media as well as how to hire a social media agency or whether or not you should keep the position in-house.

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by Steve Hall    Sep-21-12    
Topic: Research, Social



Missing Child Scenario Promotes Social Network For Moms

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A missing child is no joke. And it's certainly not the smartest scenario to evoke when promoting a mom-focused social network. But that's exactly what Paris-based La Chose did for HubWin-mamans.com.

The PR touts the work as something that, "highlights the solidarity between mothers. It tells a universal story, experienced by all mothers at one time or another, all over the world."

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by Steve Hall    Sep-17-12    
Topic: Social, Video



Dr. Pepper Ad Sparks Evolution Debate on Facebook

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Earlier today, Dr. Pepper posted a picture on their Facebook page that shows an ape evolving into man after drinking a Dr. Pepper. Predictably, the image has created a firestorm of commentary with religious types decrying the imagery and less-that-religious types telling religious types not to let an ad determine their religious beliefs.

So far, the post has 16,000 likes and 1.355 comments.

You've gotta love a good old fashioned, knock down, drag out religious debate.

by Steve Hall    Sep-13-12    
Topic: Social



Energy Drink Helps Australians Facerape Their Friends

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For Australian energy drink V, Jung von Matt has developed Switcheroo, a "game" that allows one person post anything they want on another person's Facebook profile...as long as you give them permission to do the same. It's set up in a way that no passwords are shared nor is access to private messages or settings granted.

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by Steve Hall    Sep-12-12    
Topic: Social, Strange



Grey Poupon to Accept Only 'Classy' Fans on Facebook

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Grey Poupon, that upper crust mustard which rose to prominence in the 80's with the famed "Pardon Me" campaign is, after a 15 year advertising hiatus, back with a Facebook campaign that takes a decidedly different tact than most other brands. Rather than accumulating as many Likes as possible, the brand will only accept "classy" fans who ask to join the brand's The Society of Good Taste page.

The campaign, developed by Crispin Porter + Bogusky, will employ an algorithm that will search and judge users' profiles based on their proper use of grammar, art taste, restaurant-check ins, books read, movie selections and other indicators of "classy." If the algorithm detects poor taste in music or TXT speak, for example, they could be rejected for membership. Those who do not qualify, will have their Like rescinded and asked to refine their profile before trying again.

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by Steve Hall    Sep-12-12    
Topic: Social



Why Girls Love Social Media

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Along the lines of Google Chrome Coffee and Happy Hour Fail, RankPop has created a hilarious video that takes a look at why girls love social media. Or, perhaps, more correctly, why guys might want to be wary.

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by Steve Hall    Sep- 4-12    
Topic: Social, Video



Mitsubushi Facebook App Dubs Former Adrants Editor 'Most Pretentious'

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Oh who would have thought? So we're checking out Mitsubishi's new Facebook app Unpretentious, a witty app that takes a look at your fiends, determines which are the most pretentious and then destroys some of their images and posts with the new 2013 Outlander.

The app, created by 180LA, chose none other than former Adrants Editor Angela Natividad as our most pretentious Facebook friend. While we'd never consider Angela to be pretentious in real life, we do sort of envy her Paris-based lifestyle which includes annual trips to the south of France and other exotic locations the world over. And, perhaps tricking up the app into thinking she actually is pretentious, no one can spin a phrase better than Angela.

Bonjour, Angela!

by Steve Hall    Sep- 4-12    
Topic: Social