One Third of B2B Marketers Do Not Track Social Media Campaigns

B2B-Marketing.jpg

Social media is, of course, all the rage these days. After all, "everyone's doing it so why shouldn't I?" is what most marketing directors think. So they dive in, created a Facebook page, open a Twitter account, start a blog and maybe even field a few questions on Quora. But then they sort of walk away. Well, 30 percent of them do according to a recent study from cloud computing company Pardot.

more »

by Steve Hall    Nov- 4-11    
Topic: Research, Social



Does It Matter If Facebook 'Beats' Google+?

google_plusl_ogo.png

Here is a fascinating article written by Jolie O'Dell of VentureBeat. In the article she take s along look at Google+ which over the past few months went from social media darling to everyone's favorite whipping post. O'Dell puts things into perspective when she says Google is all about "compiling the best, most actionable data about consumers to sell to advertisers." And to that end, she says Google will accomplish that "not by orchestrating a Great Migration of users from one social network to another, but by subtly linking all your Google-powered online activity and profiles so advertisers can see a more complete picture of you than Facebook could ever offer."

In essence, she sums, "Plus isn't a social network; it's Google's new way of getting you to use all its web products."

more »

by Steve Hall    Nov- 3-11    
Topic: Opinion, Social



Social Media Usage Levels Off Among Fortune 500

Blogging-2011-F500-1.jpg

A recent study from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth has found the adoption of social media usage among Fortune 500 companies has leveled off. Across multiple industries, usage of Twitter, Facebook and blogs in 2011 is level with or below that of 2010.

In 2010, 23 percent of Fortune 500 companies had a blog. In 2011, that figured remained unchanged at 23 percent. In 2010, 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies have a Twitter account. In 2011, 62 percent have an account. In 2010, 56 percent of Fortune 500 companies had a Facebook account. In 2011, 58 percent have an account.

more »

by Steve Hall    Nov- 2-11    
Topic: Research, Social



Social Networks to Play Increasingly Important Role in 2012 Election

Digital_Role_in_Elections.jpg

Just as it did four years ago, digital media will play an integral part in the upcoming 2012 Presidential election. A new study and infographic from Digitas finds 61 percent of social media users expect candidates to have a social media presence and 38 percent say candidate information found on social networks will influence their vote.

Unsurprisingly, younger folks (18-34) were most likely (51%) to say social networks will influence their choice of candidate.

Eighty six percent of social media users own mobile phones. Of these, 24 percent aged 18 - 34 feel it's important to receive information about presidential candidates on their mobile phones. The study also found that 88 percent of social media users who are registered voters have mobile phones.

The survey was conducted online with the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Digitas from September 21 - 23, 2011 among 2,361 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older, 1,701 of whom are registered voters.

by Steve Hall    Nov- 1-11    
Topic: Political, Research, Social



Unthink Will Not Unseat Facebook

unthink_my_world.jpg

This, by far, is the most laughable attempt yet to unseat Facebook from its throne atop the Social Media Empire. If Google + can't do it, who the hell else would even bother? Thankfully a few do providing us with plenty of chuckle worthy hilarity. The latest attempt to sway people away from Facebook comes from Unthink, a new social network that's well, not a social network at all. Or so it claims.

more »

by Steve Hall    Oct-27-11    
Topic: Opinion, Social



Social Media Tips And Tactics From Old Spice Campaign Creator

old_spice_horse_smell.jpg

The team at Viralheat recently sat down with Wieden + Kennedy Senior Digital Strategist and Senior Community Manager Dean McBeth to discuss the development and strategies behind the Old Spice Man Your Man Could Smell Like marketing campaign. In an eleven question interview, McBeth reviews how W+K approached the campaign, how they managed to keep it running for such a long time, the tactics they employed and the results the campaign generated. Check out the full interview here.

by Steve Hall    Oct-20-11    
Topic: Agencies, Brands, Social



Let's Do This!

checy_sonic_lets_do_this.jpg

Taking car marketing to...ahem...new heights, Chevrolet has launched Let's Do This, a quirky promotion that, along with dropping a Sonic from a plane and attaching one to a bungee cord and rolling it off a 100 foot high pile of shipping containers, asks people to send in pictures and videos of goofy accomplishments.

A contest awards points to the person who earned the most badges (for particular submitted stunts) and the most votes (by visitors). The person accumulating the most votes overall will win a Chevy sonic.

Goodby, Silverstein & Partners is behind the work.

by Steve Hall    Oct-20-11    
Topic: Guerilla, Social



Kerr Blooms, Kate Haunts, Bugs Generate

rag_bone_miranda_kerr_orlando_bloom.jpg

- Check out hottie Miranda Kerr who posed for hubby Orlando Bloom in a photoshoot for rag & bone jeans.

- It's strange and surreal but we love this video for Vanessa Bruno's clothing line.

- And let's not overlook that Bug Circus Generator for Snapdragon.

- Quitting smoking is hard. But it works better if there's a bit of peer pressure involved.

- Not driving drunk can be hard too. Here's one young creative's idea on how to solve the problem. Use a a liquor brand.

- Coke really is it. Well, according to a recent study of the top 100 brand advertisers from Covario which dubbed the brand most "liked"

by Steve Hall    Oct-19-11    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Celebrity, Social



Publishers Clearing House Taps Facebook Fans For Charity

pch_give_back.jpg

Today Publishers Clearing House launched a social charity program on Facebook called The Give Back which lets PCH Facebook fans vote for the charity they would like to see the company award $25,000. Second and third place charities will receive $2,500 each and, to encourage participation, one Facebook fan will receive a $5,000 prize.

The Give Back program is a two stage process. In the first stage, fans will vote on ten different causes, including Fight Disease, Save the Environment, Protect the Animals, Help the Homeless, Develop Communities, Improve Education, Enrich the Arts, Promote Sports, Provide Disaster Relief and Support the Troops. This stage will last approximately two weeks. The three causes with the most votes will move on to the next rounds.

more »

by Steve Hall    Oct-19-11    
Topic: Cause, Social



Let's Not Do Lunch. Let's Feed Starving Africans

lets_not_do_lunch.jpg

Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners has launched a social media fund raising effort called Let's Not Do Lunch which aims to capture money otherwise spent on lunch. The effort hopes to raise £1 million for famine relief in East Africa.

The Let's Not Do Lunch campaign is one of an intended 50 technology-based solutions that agency Made By Many is crowd-sourcing from agencies around the world with the goal of launching 50 projects in 50 days to raise funds for famine relief. The 50/50 project has nearly 40 global initiatives and launched October 17, World Hunger Day.

Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners Director of Strategy and Innovation Ed Cotton said, "Our idea was to create a social movement behind famine relief by tapping into social experiences we all enjoy, many of which are built around sharing a meal with a friend, colleague, business associate, even family. Through our Facebook application, 'Let's Not Do Lunch,' we are leveraging the social experience into a social action that can be shared and activated through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels."

So, people, don't eat lunch today. Donate to the cause. You'll feel good. Trust us. You will.

by Steve Hall    Oct-19-11    
Topic: Cause, Social