It has been recently discovered that ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips consented to an extramarital affair with a 22-year-old production assistant who then allegedly stalked his family. Deadspin, a popular sports blogging site, reported on the story, but when the New York Post broke the story, Deadspin felt they had received misleading information about the affair from their ESPN employee source.
Another blogger said that Deadspin's editor A.J. Daulerio is just mad because "the New York Post did his job better than him."
What did Deadspin's editor A.J. Daulerio do in retaliation? He took it upon himself to "unload the inbox of all the sordid rumors received over the years about various ESPN employees," which he posted on the Website. Basically, Deadspin has concocted a cesspool of gossip based on rumors about ESPN employees that may or may not be true.
Among these rumors are allegations of more sexual relationships and crude behavior between employees with some names included.
ESPN is rightfully enraged. What makes it right to write potentially libelous material just because it's on the Internet and not in a newspaper? Right now the only preceding case that governs whether or not the material published on Deadspin is libelous is the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan case. The argument is that material published on the Internet works differently than hard copy print.
Many people, including Gawker founder Nick Denton, say that stories published online are a "work in progress." He actually urges his employees to publish material that may or may not be confirmed as long as it is indicated that the information is still up in the air. He justifies this practice by saying that the Internet is a completely different medium than newspaper which operates on a different timescale.
"The Web has obviously changed journalistic standards," he wrote in an e-mail response to TIME. "It demands faster turnaround for news stories; exposes the stiflingly cozy relationships between many media outlets and the organizations they cover; and it also allows us to correct and expand on our stories as we go."
So what will happen now? If Deadspin's allegations are true, there is no case. If they are, it will be interesting to see if any leeway is given in conjunction with the New York Times v. Sullivan standards. Only time will tell: as of now, ESPN has not commented on any legal action against Deadspin.
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1932286,00.html
Thursday, October 29, 2009
How social media has affected brands
I read an article on www.prdaily.com that talks about how social media has opened up the public to the inner workings of many companies and how that is scary for them to have their business open to the public.
"Companies are used to do everything behind a wall, but these times are over. Openness and transparency are hallmarks in a digital age," said Candace Kuss, the director of planning at Hill & Knowlton. "Customer service, for example, is definitely public today."
The article also talks about what consumers are now expecting from these companies; As several creative consultants reported, the common trend among brands was last year to ask for an iPhone application, while this year the hot new thing is the social media engagement. It was Richard Baker, the twittering general manager of Liverpool & North Wales Coast, Virgin Trains, who reminded everyone that social media is not a jack-of-all-trades device: "I don't think every customer cares if you have a personality as a brand. Some customers just want information."
To read more visit; http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/27/digital-media-socialnetworking
"Companies are used to do everything behind a wall, but these times are over. Openness and transparency are hallmarks in a digital age," said Candace Kuss, the director of planning at Hill & Knowlton. "Customer service, for example, is definitely public today."
The article also talks about what consumers are now expecting from these companies; As several creative consultants reported, the common trend among brands was last year to ask for an iPhone application, while this year the hot new thing is the social media engagement. It was Richard Baker, the twittering general manager of Liverpool & North Wales Coast, Virgin Trains, who reminded everyone that social media is not a jack-of-all-trades device: "I don't think every customer cares if you have a personality as a brand. Some customers just want information."
To read more visit; http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/27/digital-media-socialnetworking
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Microsoft's Bing Won't Give Up!
Microsoft confirmed it has made deals with Twitter and Facebook at the Web 2.0 Conference in San Francisco in regards to the Bing search engine.
The deal will allow Bing to integrate Twitter and Facebook status updates in the search engine results. Microsoft's VP Yusurf Mehdi stated Microsoft will have access to all the public Twitter information in real time and all the public-available data from Facebook which will make this possible.
For example, Mehdi demonstrated the new "Bing Wave 2.0" product in a basic search in Bing for the name of a celebrity. During the product demo, Bing pulled up the most popular, relevant and useful tweets on the subject. The results displayed the most recent tweets about the specific celebrity, the most re-tweeted tweets and even the full URL of the shortened links contained in the tweet.
According to Mehdi's demonstration, it is now possible to view entire Twitter feeds from inside Bing - therefore there is no need to go back and forth from search engine to Twitter. Wait a minute... isn't Twitter becoming a search engine itself?
No companies involved in the deal would comment on terms of the agreement, but the New York Times reported Microsoft paid Twitter for the right to integrate tweets into Bing. Also, Microsoft confirmed it's deal with Twitter is non-exclusive - meaning Google, or any other search engine, can jump on the "Deals with Twitter" band wagon and begin integrating tweets in it's Web site as well.
Taking that into consideration, was it a smart choice for Microsoft to PAY Twitter for permission to integrate tweets into Bing? Even if any search company can strike the same deal? Will people want to use Bing, or will they be "status-update" overloaded?
Only time will tell if this deal was smart for Microsoft - for their sake, let's hope so!
Check out the Bing/Twitter development at www.bing.com/twitter
The deal will allow Bing to integrate Twitter and Facebook status updates in the search engine results. Microsoft's VP Yusurf Mehdi stated Microsoft will have access to all the public Twitter information in real time and all the public-available data from Facebook which will make this possible.
For example, Mehdi demonstrated the new "Bing Wave 2.0" product in a basic search in Bing for the name of a celebrity. During the product demo, Bing pulled up the most popular, relevant and useful tweets on the subject. The results displayed the most recent tweets about the specific celebrity, the most re-tweeted tweets and even the full URL of the shortened links contained in the tweet.
According to Mehdi's demonstration, it is now possible to view entire Twitter feeds from inside Bing - therefore there is no need to go back and forth from search engine to Twitter. Wait a minute... isn't Twitter becoming a search engine itself?
No companies involved in the deal would comment on terms of the agreement, but the New York Times reported Microsoft paid Twitter for the right to integrate tweets into Bing. Also, Microsoft confirmed it's deal with Twitter is non-exclusive - meaning Google, or any other search engine, can jump on the "Deals with Twitter" band wagon and begin integrating tweets in it's Web site as well.
Taking that into consideration, was it a smart choice for Microsoft to PAY Twitter for permission to integrate tweets into Bing? Even if any search company can strike the same deal? Will people want to use Bing, or will they be "status-update" overloaded?
Only time will tell if this deal was smart for Microsoft - for their sake, let's hope so!
Check out the Bing/Twitter development at www.bing.com/twitter
Monday, October 26, 2009
What's the marketing value of real-time search?
By Rich Cherecwich
When news happens, consumers flock to the web, but they often eschew major news outlets and turn to Twitter and Facebook for the latest developments. Recognizing this, both Google and Microsoft reached deals with Twitter last week to incorporate users' real-time discussions into search results.
Search advertising is still a major earner for online media, and dire economic conditions have marketers focusing on it now more than ever. However, neither search engine has plans to sell advertising on its Twitter searches, and Microsoft's focus is on driving user value with its Twitter search, according to The New York Times.
Right now, real-time search's potential hinges on scale, so user value will play a large role in its adoption. Search advertising succeeds largely because of scale and the ability to match broad search terms with appropriate ads. Because real-time search is still in its early days, there will be fewer queries, and these are likely to be very specialized.
Still, there remains a lot of potential. The folks who run Collecta, an independent real-time engine, believe that up 20 percent of all its searches present commercial opportunities. The challenge for marketers right now is matching search terms with relevant advertisements.
Quizno's Uses Commercial to Engage Consumers Online
Quizno's recently launched a campaign advertising their $5 Double Cheesesteak Sub. They are using the Web and social media to get users to engage with their TV ad.
Users can go to QuiznosToaster.com and answer trivia questions that come from the hidden clues on the TV ad. Once users answer questions online, they are qualified for a chance to win prizes.
Quizno's also posted the ad on YouTube and Facebook encouraging users to go to these sites, watch the ad, and pause it to find hidden clues. Quizno's is also tweeting about the contest on Twitter (@QuiznosToaster).
The ad is not only intended to promote Quizono's new product, but to also reinforce the brand's image as "edgy, provocative and humerous."
I think this is a great way for Quizno's to connect with consumers, give them a chance to win prizes, and spread their brand using social media.
Google Audio
Google will be adding a music search to its interface. The search results will contain links to streaming songs or songs to download. Google Audio will link to a variety of music sites, such as imeem, Lala, iLike and Pandora.
Google insiders predict Google Audio to be a threat to iTunes. Because Google holds 70 percent of internet searches, this idea is plausible. Google Audio will launch next Wednesday, November 4, 2009. The playable search results can be a 30-second sample or a stream of any song once, depending on the song’s source.
Google has already created an app for the Android similar to Google Audio, called Listen.
Google has done it again. By using the resources Google Audio has, it will remain the leader of internet searches. For music enthusiasts, Google Audio has joined the top music resources of the web and brought them to a central site.
Learn more here.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
How High Will Real-Time Search Fly?
User status updates on sites like Twitter and Facebook are becoming the fastest way to spread news to the masses. This real-time search is so new it has many investors frantically searching for that magical formula to turn it into big money. The idea of real-time search is such a lucrative concept because not even traditional media outlets can get their sites updated that quickly. Several companies have tried different business models for real-time search but have yet to be successful at it.
As usual Google is ahead of the rest. Google and Microsoft are both in talks about including twitter updates in their search results. It is a good way to tap into that social market. I can see how including this in the results will help twitter tap into an audience it has not yet been able to reach. I don't see how this will help search engines grow their market much. The article says that search advertising has been one of the best marketing tools available today. How can you improve on that? As of now, the agreements with Google and Microsoft are supposedly not focused on money, but I have my doubts.
http://http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/business/25ping.html?_r=1&ref=business
As usual Google is ahead of the rest. Google and Microsoft are both in talks about including twitter updates in their search results. It is a good way to tap into that social market. I can see how including this in the results will help twitter tap into an audience it has not yet been able to reach. I don't see how this will help search engines grow their market much. The article says that search advertising has been one of the best marketing tools available today. How can you improve on that? As of now, the agreements with Google and Microsoft are supposedly not focused on money, but I have my doubts.
http://http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/business/25ping.html?_r=1&ref=business
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Lancome Creates New iPhone App
Lancome now has a new iPhone app where fans can test out its latest make-up collection.
The iPhone application is called Declaring Indigo, which is the name of Lancome’s new Fall/Winter make-up collection. It is currently available in English and Chinese.
Users can test the makeup live by using a touchpad to create different looks with the products. The app has all the original colors so that customers can try differnt combinations from the collection. Then the custom creations can be sent to them via email.
Users can test the makeup live by using a touchpad to create different looks with the products. The app has all the original colors so that customers can try differnt combinations from the collection. Then the custom creations can be sent to them via email.
They are promoting the new app through the company’s Web site and sending out weekly emails to customers that are on their mailing list.
Lancome has also started The Make-Up Blog (http://www.blog-make-up.com/), where customers can dialogue about their products and give tips and reviews on using the make-up.
Lancome has also started The Make-Up Blog (http://www.blog-make-up.com/), where customers can dialogue about their products and give tips and reviews on using the make-up.
I think it is great that Lancome is giving their customers a way to interact with the products and other customers. The app will also help consumers to see how the colors can work together and create a whole look. I think it will really help Lancome with its sales on the new make-up line.
7-Eleven "Sexes Up" Its Coffee
7-Eleven is targeting its Brazilian Bold coffee to young coffee drinkers with a new virtual online dating game. Players go to http://www.the711club.com where they select a “hot” Brazilian date from a group of men and women. The game takes the player through different night club scenarios where they have to answer the correct pickup line. If you earn enough “mojo” points you get a coupon for a cup of hot Brazilian coffee with a map to the nearest 7-Eleven location. The game will run until Dec. 31.
Ketchum created the game which is being promoted in various social media channels, in-stores, and on the radio. They feel 18-34 year old consumers will respond to their marketing campaign because of the interactivity and online presence.
Other features include a dance off game where players show off their dance moves by trying to stay in rhythm with their date. You can also send a picture of your face superimposed to a hot body with your “date” via email or post it to your social media page.
I think it is a fun idea to tie hot Brazilian coffee with “hot” Brazilians, but I don’t understand why it takes place in a nightclub. The nightclub theme doesn’t make me think of coffee. Overall, I think the game is a lot of fun and it is a good way to get young coffee drinkers to come in to 7-11 by giving them a free coupon for playing the game.
Other features include a dance off game where players show off their dance moves by trying to stay in rhythm with their date. You can also send a picture of your face superimposed to a hot body with your “date” via email or post it to your social media page.
I think it is a fun idea to tie hot Brazilian coffee with “hot” Brazilians, but I don’t understand why it takes place in a nightclub. The nightclub theme doesn’t make me think of coffee. Overall, I think the game is a lot of fun and it is a good way to get young coffee drinkers to come in to 7-11 by giving them a free coupon for playing the game.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
MySpace joins forces with Facebook
Many people believe MySpace is dead, dying, being shut out by the growing popularity of other social media like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. However, these critics that voice opinions are no longer users of the site, so how do they really know?
What they should know is that MySpace is in the works to have music videos on social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo, Orkut and hi5. The videos will play through the iLike application in place of going through Google Inc's YouTube.
This step shows that even social networking sites will call on rivals for answers. After all, MySpace is known for specializing in the music area so why not lend its expertise to other thriving sites. It's like buying 250 million ads (according to Brian Cuban, Mass Comm Week speaker, regarding Facebook's population). So, I say smart move MySpace and Facebook.
But this act echoes MySpaces' recent addition of "sync" that updates a users status on Twitter and MySpace simultaneously or one to the other. This allows hyperlinks in MySpace status, a very vital component to Twitter.
MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta is open to the "socialization of content" and its flexibility and willingness to join forces with dominate social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook may help it make a comeback.
Personally, I think MySpace's strategy works. They are using their unique content of music to share with more influential sites. I think Facebook called the experts on this one, but I may be biased because I'm probably the only one with a MySpace page.
Source #1
Source #2
Go Green!
I found an interesting article about promoting the recycling by the Japanese beverage company, Kagome Inc..
Whenever we drink any beverage with milk carton, we are expected to unfold it and put it to the recycling box. However, even though unfolding milk carton is a simple action, people tend not to do it.
As the Public Relations practitioners at Kagome Inc. were seeing these phenomena and developed ideas of making people "want to" unfold it and participate in the recycling. Then, after having numerous meetings, they came into the conclusion of putting some kinds of characters or cartoons at where people only can see them when they compete to unfold it.
However, there are various types of beverages Kagome Inc. has been producing, so producers got confused to put different cartoons to different packages. Therefore, PR practitioners decided to put the message instead of the cartoon characters.
Therefore, every single time we unfold the milk carton that Kagome Inc. has produced, we will be able to see the message of "Thank you very much for unfolding and recycling this milk carton." That message makes us feel better as if we would participate in recycling and going green.
I found interesting that a little bit unique thought will make our life much interesting and fun to live.
Resource: http://www.kanshin.com/keyword/1969670
http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/E1255616397238.html
Whenever we drink any beverage with milk carton, we are expected to unfold it and put it to the recycling box. However, even though unfolding milk carton is a simple action, people tend not to do it.
As the Public Relations practitioners at Kagome Inc. were seeing these phenomena and developed ideas of making people "want to" unfold it and participate in the recycling. Then, after having numerous meetings, they came into the conclusion of putting some kinds of characters or cartoons at where people only can see them when they compete to unfold it.
However, there are various types of beverages Kagome Inc. has been producing, so producers got confused to put different cartoons to different packages. Therefore, PR practitioners decided to put the message instead of the cartoon characters.
Therefore, every single time we unfold the milk carton that Kagome Inc. has produced, we will be able to see the message of "Thank you very much for unfolding and recycling this milk carton." That message makes us feel better as if we would participate in recycling and going green.
I found interesting that a little bit unique thought will make our life much interesting and fun to live.
Resource: http://www.kanshin.com/keyword/1969670
http://www.excite.co.jp/News/bit/E1255616397238.html
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Luxury brands: too good for social media?
Designer brands in the luxury division of the fashion industry have always prided themselves on ability to create and drive trends, as well as the inaccessibility of their products to the average consumer.
This is the mentality with protecting these luxury brands and confining them to beautifully-glossed pages in traditional media. However, with the latest data showing half of all America adults are using social media, and 96 percent of “Generation Y”, it seems that the old system for marketing will need to change.
In addition to the statistics, brands—elite or not— need loyalty. Luxury brands are known to have extreme fans with passion for their favorite designers. The Web builds a haven for this.
The article also argues that if these companies do not make their own image online, someone will make it for them. “Brand makers that don't create their own conversation with their most passionate customers through social networks risk having a passionate consumer create that presence instead.”
The article also highlights steps for luxury brands to form a social media strategy. This addresses finding the online “voice” for the brand and allowing criticism and adoration.
It goes on to push for “consistent communication” and original content different from the company Web site. However, there is also a caution to follow the 80-20 rule and use the forum for social engagement—not pushing ads in people’s faces.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/14/social-media-luxury-brands-cmo-network-gers.html
This is the mentality with protecting these luxury brands and confining them to beautifully-glossed pages in traditional media. However, with the latest data showing half of all America adults are using social media, and 96 percent of “Generation Y”, it seems that the old system for marketing will need to change.
In addition to the statistics, brands—elite or not— need loyalty. Luxury brands are known to have extreme fans with passion for their favorite designers. The Web builds a haven for this.
The article also argues that if these companies do not make their own image online, someone will make it for them. “Brand makers that don't create their own conversation with their most passionate customers through social networks risk having a passionate consumer create that presence instead.”
The article also highlights steps for luxury brands to form a social media strategy. This addresses finding the online “voice” for the brand and allowing criticism and adoration.
It goes on to push for “consistent communication” and original content different from the company Web site. However, there is also a caution to follow the 80-20 rule and use the forum for social engagement—not pushing ads in people’s faces.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/14/social-media-luxury-brands-cmo-network-gers.html
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pepsi's iPhone App Doesn't "Score" With Everyone
Today there is an iPhone app for just about anything you could possibly want. As a PR tool, it seems that launching an iPhone app can be a great way to reach consumers and promote your product. Recently, Pepsi jumped on the bandwagon and launched their own iPhone app for their Amp Energy Drink. The app brought massive amounts of attention to the soft drink company, but it probably wasn't quite the attention they were hoping for.
The app is called "Before you Score" and it promises to provide consumers with "up-to-the-minute info, feeds, lines and much more to help you amp up and talk to your favorite kinds of women -- 24 in all." The app categorizes women as one of 24 possible types and then provides you with all the possible information you could possibly need to successfully "score" with any woman. Once you have successfully "scored," the app advises you to brag about it to all of your friends.
The app is obviously targeted at males, but Pepsi apparently didn't think about the negative consequences of this app. Stereotyping women into 24 categories and then promoting the exploitation of women through sexual conquests probably isn't the best way to create a "buzz" about your product.
Pepsi and AMP have since issued an apology stating that they were sorry if the app was offensive, but they have yet to pull the app from the iTunes store. A #pepsifail hashtag was also created on Twitter so consumers could easily express their opinions about the app.
Mashable blogger Adam Ostrow said, "There are really only two ways this story could go from here: it could just quietly die down, or #pepsifail could become so loud that Pepsi and AMP have to do something more dramatic, like pull the app. Ultimately, that will depend on how loud those offended become about “before you score” and how much support they’re able to rally."
This just goes to show that creating a "buzz" about your product may not always be a positive thing. Whether this mishap quietly dies down or whether Pepsi suffers consequences from their seemingly foolish decision, they will likely think twice before pulling a stunt like that and alienating an entire sex.
Original Articles:
http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/pepsi-and-amp-app/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/bottomline/detail?entry_id=49545&tsp=1
http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/amp-before-you-score/
The app is called "Before you Score" and it promises to provide consumers with "up-to-the-minute info, feeds, lines and much more to help you amp up and talk to your favorite kinds of women -- 24 in all." The app categorizes women as one of 24 possible types and then provides you with all the possible information you could possibly need to successfully "score" with any woman. Once you have successfully "scored," the app advises you to brag about it to all of your friends.
The app is obviously targeted at males, but Pepsi apparently didn't think about the negative consequences of this app. Stereotyping women into 24 categories and then promoting the exploitation of women through sexual conquests probably isn't the best way to create a "buzz" about your product.
Pepsi and AMP have since issued an apology stating that they were sorry if the app was offensive, but they have yet to pull the app from the iTunes store. A #pepsifail hashtag was also created on Twitter so consumers could easily express their opinions about the app.
Mashable blogger Adam Ostrow said, "There are really only two ways this story could go from here: it could just quietly die down, or #pepsifail could become so loud that Pepsi and AMP have to do something more dramatic, like pull the app. Ultimately, that will depend on how loud those offended become about “before you score” and how much support they’re able to rally."
This just goes to show that creating a "buzz" about your product may not always be a positive thing. Whether this mishap quietly dies down or whether Pepsi suffers consequences from their seemingly foolish decision, they will likely think twice before pulling a stunt like that and alienating an entire sex.
Original Articles:
http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/pepsi-and-amp-app/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/bottomline/detail?entry_id=49545&tsp=1
http://mashable.com/2009/10/12/amp-before-you-score/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
LinkedIn, Facebook Out
LinkedIn has reached 50 million users worldwide and it’s growing by roughly one new member per second.
When LinkedIn launched in 2003, it took four hundreds and seventy seven days, about a year and four months, to reach its first million members. The last million took only 12 days.
Where are these 50 million users? LinkedIn has been global since inception; about half of the total membership is international.
There are now 11 million users in Europe alone. India is currently the fastest-growing country with almost 3 million users, while the Netherlands has the highest rate of adoption per capita outside the U.S., at 30 percent.
Around the globe, people turn to LinkedIn to create and manage their professional identities online. They reconnect with former colleagues and develop new relationships.Every day professionals use LinkedIn to define themselves and their businesses to the world.
"Fifty million is an important milestone," said Jeff Weiner CEO -Linkedin, "however, in the context of our mission , to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful ,we’re just getting started,"said Weiner.
While LinkedIn is growing fast, Facebook's growth has slowed this summer. According to one report, despite reaching the 300 million members milestone in September, the site's growth may have hit a saturation point in some markets.
"LinkedIn's focus on professional networking distinguishes it from social playgrounds like Facebook and News Corp.'s MySpace, where users are encouraged to share their personal lives by posting party photos and adding favorite bands," said LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
http://www.media.asia/newsarticle/2009_10/LinkedIn-membership-accelerates-past-50-million/37552
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2008-01-20-linkedin_N.htm
http://www.media.asia/searcharticle/Facebook-fatigue-sets-in-as-growth-slows/2008/37509?src=related
http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/10/14/linkedin-50-million-professionals-worldwide/
When LinkedIn launched in 2003, it took four hundreds and seventy seven days, about a year and four months, to reach its first million members. The last million took only 12 days.
Where are these 50 million users? LinkedIn has been global since inception; about half of the total membership is international.
There are now 11 million users in Europe alone. India is currently the fastest-growing country with almost 3 million users, while the Netherlands has the highest rate of adoption per capita outside the U.S., at 30 percent.
Around the globe, people turn to LinkedIn to create and manage their professional identities online. They reconnect with former colleagues and develop new relationships.Every day professionals use LinkedIn to define themselves and their businesses to the world.
"Fifty million is an important milestone," said Jeff Weiner CEO -Linkedin, "however, in the context of our mission , to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful ,we’re just getting started,"said Weiner.
While LinkedIn is growing fast, Facebook's growth has slowed this summer. According to one report, despite reaching the 300 million members milestone in September, the site's growth may have hit a saturation point in some markets.
"LinkedIn's focus on professional networking distinguishes it from social playgrounds like Facebook and News Corp.'s MySpace, where users are encouraged to share their personal lives by posting party photos and adding favorite bands," said LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
http://www.media.asia/newsarticle/2009_10/LinkedIn-membership-accelerates-past-50-million/37552
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/internetlife/2008-01-20-linkedin_N.htm
http://www.media.asia/searcharticle/Facebook-fatigue-sets-in-as-growth-slows/2008/37509?src=related
http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/10/14/linkedin-50-million-professionals-worldwide/
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Lottery Hoax Causes Riot in Coat Store
A Columbus, Ohio woman being driven around in a rented limousine pulled up at a coat store and announced she'd won the lottery and would pay for everyone's purchases, police said, but she ended up causing a riot when customers realized it was a hoax.
Angry customers threw merchandise around and looted, leaving the store looking as though a hurricane had passed through it, police said.
Linda Brown was arrested Tuesday after an hours-long shopping spree that began when she hired a stretch Hummer limousine to drop her off at a Burlington Coat Factory store, police Sgt. Lt. Michael Deakins said. Brown walked to a cash register and loudly announced she had won the lottery and would pay for each person's merchandise up to $500, he said.
People flooded the registers as cashiers began ringing up purchase after purchase, but Brown had not yet paid the bill, Deakins said. At least 500 people filled the aisles and another 1,000 were outside trying to get in, he said.
"She was telling people she won $1.5 million," Deakins said. "But it ends up she didn't win anything. She had no money to pay for anything."
About an hour later, Brown had the limousine driver take her to a bank to withdraw money, but she returned empty-handed, police Detective Steven Nace said. By then, store employees had called in two dozen police officers to handle the crowds.
Shopper Candace Jordan said she told Brown she didn't need clothes, she needed help paying her rent.
"And she said, 'How much is it?'" Jordan told WBNS-TV. "And she promptly wrote out a check."
By the time employees realized Brown didn't have any cash to pay, police said, she already had taken off in the limo.
That's when angry customers, realizing they weren't getting free coats, began throwing merchandise on the floor and grabbing clothes without paying for them, Nace said.
"Everybody was like, 'I still want my free stuff,' and that started the riot," he said. "It looks like (Hurricane) Katrina went through the store."
Police said they have no way of tracking down the customers who stole items and fled, but they're reviewing surveillance video.
When the limousine driver realized he wasn't going to be paid the $900 Brown owed him for the day's rental, he turned her in to police, Deakins said.
--This situation could pose a potential problem for Burlington Coat Factory because they openly embraced the situation and called police to help with the crowd control. Once they realized the woman wasn't picking up the tab, they demanded that everyone pay for their merchandise, which prompted a riot. It will be interesting to see if the store makes a statement as this situation develops.
Angry customers threw merchandise around and looted, leaving the store looking as though a hurricane had passed through it, police said.
Linda Brown was arrested Tuesday after an hours-long shopping spree that began when she hired a stretch Hummer limousine to drop her off at a Burlington Coat Factory store, police Sgt. Lt. Michael Deakins said. Brown walked to a cash register and loudly announced she had won the lottery and would pay for each person's merchandise up to $500, he said.
People flooded the registers as cashiers began ringing up purchase after purchase, but Brown had not yet paid the bill, Deakins said. At least 500 people filled the aisles and another 1,000 were outside trying to get in, he said.
"She was telling people she won $1.5 million," Deakins said. "But it ends up she didn't win anything. She had no money to pay for anything."
About an hour later, Brown had the limousine driver take her to a bank to withdraw money, but she returned empty-handed, police Detective Steven Nace said. By then, store employees had called in two dozen police officers to handle the crowds.
Shopper Candace Jordan said she told Brown she didn't need clothes, she needed help paying her rent.
"And she said, 'How much is it?'" Jordan told WBNS-TV. "And she promptly wrote out a check."
By the time employees realized Brown didn't have any cash to pay, police said, she already had taken off in the limo.
That's when angry customers, realizing they weren't getting free coats, began throwing merchandise on the floor and grabbing clothes without paying for them, Nace said.
"Everybody was like, 'I still want my free stuff,' and that started the riot," he said. "It looks like (Hurricane) Katrina went through the store."
Police said they have no way of tracking down the customers who stole items and fled, but they're reviewing surveillance video.
When the limousine driver realized he wasn't going to be paid the $900 Brown owed him for the day's rental, he turned her in to police, Deakins said.
--This situation could pose a potential problem for Burlington Coat Factory because they openly embraced the situation and called police to help with the crowd control. Once they realized the woman wasn't picking up the tab, they demanded that everyone pay for their merchandise, which prompted a riot. It will be interesting to see if the store makes a statement as this situation develops.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Linkedin.com Reaches 50 Million Users
Linked-in.com, a social media website that was launched in 2003, has now reached 50 million users. Although this may sound like a lot of people, it’s less than a fourth of the users on Facebook (222 million) and less than a fifth of the users on Myspace (268 million).
Linkedin.com offers a more professional approach to other social media websites that are geared toward a younger audience. It has sections on the profile page to put things such as your work experience, education history and professional recommendations.
I really like that Linkedin is doing this well. I like the layout of the website and I like that it is a more professional substitution to Facebook and Myspace and that it appeals to older professionals. Linkedin is a good segway into more mainstream social media outlets.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/linkedin_hits_50_million_users_still_a_roach_motel.php
Linkedin.com offers a more professional approach to other social media websites that are geared toward a younger audience. It has sections on the profile page to put things such as your work experience, education history and professional recommendations.
I really like that Linkedin is doing this well. I like the layout of the website and I like that it is a more professional substitution to Facebook and Myspace and that it appeals to older professionals. Linkedin is a good segway into more mainstream social media outlets.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/linkedin_hits_50_million_users_still_a_roach_motel.php
Kellogg's Fights Imitation
A growing trend in consumer shopping is the appearance of imitation products, cheaper items which imitate their more expensive counterparts. One company is taking dramatic steps to stop the counterfeiting of their brand - Kellogg's. Yes, Kellogg's the cereal company.
According to the Daily Mail, Kellogg's will have a limited batch of Corn Flakes hit shelves soon featuring their cursive logo burned on with a special laser. If the test batch is successful, Kellogg's plans to place a number of branded flakes in each box and continue this branding method on to some of their other cereals.
Kellogg's lead technician Helen Lyons had this confusing comment to make on the new approach: "We want shoppers to be under absolutely no illusion that Kellogg's does not make cereal for anyone else." Huh?
My thoughts: People buy cheaper cereal because they want to save money, not because they think Kellogg's makes it. This seems like a very expensive approach to solving this problem.
Click here to read article
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
H&R Block Promotes Financial Fitness
H&R Block is donating more than $1 million to high schools nationwide for financial education curriculum.
H&R Block's Dollars and Sense program is partnering with Knowledge Matters, a provider of simulation-based educational software, and DECA, an international student organization that works to improve education, to promote financial fitness among teens.
The University of Kansas apparently administered a financial knowledge test to high school seniors. The end result: more than 50 percent of the seniors failed. One would think that perhaps their parents should be teaching them more about money. Actually, when the parents were tested about their personal finance management, a whopping 77 percent failed.
It's not clear how H&R Block plans to ration out the shy sum, but hopefully in the near future one can expect to see curriculum that "allows teens to experience real-life situations without real-life consequences."
H&R Block Dollars & Sense will also offer college scholarships and online advice from a financial psychologist.
Although H&R Block's efforts are warranted due to the recession and credit crisis, I'm not sure how big of a difference can be made with $1 million dollars. Either there will be a few American high schools with financially savvy students, or there will be many high schools with finance 101 as their newest blow-off class.
http://www.hrblock.com/press/Article.jsp?articleid=33927
H&R Block's Dollars and Sense program is partnering with Knowledge Matters, a provider of simulation-based educational software, and DECA, an international student organization that works to improve education, to promote financial fitness among teens.
The University of Kansas apparently administered a financial knowledge test to high school seniors. The end result: more than 50 percent of the seniors failed. One would think that perhaps their parents should be teaching them more about money. Actually, when the parents were tested about their personal finance management, a whopping 77 percent failed.
It's not clear how H&R Block plans to ration out the shy sum, but hopefully in the near future one can expect to see curriculum that "allows teens to experience real-life situations without real-life consequences."
H&R Block Dollars & Sense will also offer college scholarships and online advice from a financial psychologist.
Although H&R Block's efforts are warranted due to the recession and credit crisis, I'm not sure how big of a difference can be made with $1 million dollars. Either there will be a few American high schools with financially savvy students, or there will be many high schools with finance 101 as their newest blow-off class.
http://www.hrblock.com/press/Article.jsp?articleid=33927
Fans for Brands: The new Attack on Facebook
Brands are somewhat the new kids on the block when it comes to utilizing Facebook and its "Fan Page" application. 83 of the top 100 brands have now gotten involved in the new method of expanding a brand base, and several more companies are expected to follow. In the social media realm, the strength of the network has always been key. Advertisers have jumped on board to help boost the number of followers of brands on Facebook and use this as a method to keep them in touch with the brands they love.
"These [efforts] are designed to foster word of mouth," says Jeremiah Owyang, a partner with Altimeter Group, which advises companies on social strategies. "Companies cannot traverse the Web quick enough. They need to create these unpaid armies of customers to do this on their behalf."
People have obviously been responsive to the new campaigns when you consider that the Procter & Gamble brand Old-Spice was running an ad for only a week, and successfully increased its 55,000-strong Facebook fan base to nearly 175,000. Of the 15 most popular pages on the site, three belong to corporations: Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Skittles. With results like this, the market for this type of promotion is only going to continue to grow. Now the problem is one that many PR professionals are accustomed to facing: keeping all the fans interested.
Check out the story @http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/special-reports/other-reports/e3id3d058ba458918f0ad8e0fa4ed4bb973?pn=2
"These [efforts] are designed to foster word of mouth," says Jeremiah Owyang, a partner with Altimeter Group, which advises companies on social strategies. "Companies cannot traverse the Web quick enough. They need to create these unpaid armies of customers to do this on their behalf."
People have obviously been responsive to the new campaigns when you consider that the Procter & Gamble brand Old-Spice was running an ad for only a week, and successfully increased its 55,000-strong Facebook fan base to nearly 175,000. Of the 15 most popular pages on the site, three belong to corporations: Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Skittles. With results like this, the market for this type of promotion is only going to continue to grow. Now the problem is one that many PR professionals are accustomed to facing: keeping all the fans interested.
Check out the story @http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/special-reports/other-reports/e3id3d058ba458918f0ad8e0fa4ed4bb973?pn=2
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wake Up With A "Hot Brazilian"!
Dallas convenient store, 7-Eleven, is broadening their media range to attract younger customers by using a type of 'sex sells' attitude.
They have come up with an online virtual dating game that offers consumers to wake up with a "Hot Brazilian." The so called hottie they're mentioning being coffee. The game, at http://www.the711club.com/, takes players to a place where they can select a 'date' from a choice of good looking men and women. While playing this game, you can navigate through different nightclub scenes and choose pick-up lines to pull on your 'date.' They can then respond on how successful your line may be. If you receive a certain amount of points you can score a free "Hot Brazilian" coffee and a map to the nearest 7-Eleven store.
The game will run through Dec. 31 and is targeted at a younger coffee drinker ranging from ages 18 to 34, says Stephanie Hoppe, 7-Eleven Senior director for marketing.
"7-Eleven wants to promote our great-tasting Brazilian Bold to a younger generation of coffee drinkers," Hoppe tells Marketing Daily. "We know they like reality shows, interaction and gaming, so we created the perfect blend of online entertainment. The marketing of our Brazilian Bold flavor is supported by the tag line of "Wake Up with a Hot Brazilian," so the game ties in well with the overall campaign and appeals to the target audience."
The PR company, Ketchum, created the game which will be promoted through online and social media, while the stores will be promoted using traditional media and radio airings.
Overall, I agree with targeting a younger crowd for their goal, but how they are going about it seems overrated. An online dating game for coffee? Mixing E-Harmony and cheesy pick-up lines seems desperate to me, but I guess it gets the point across.
Information from PR Week and Media Post. For more information visit, www.7-eleven.com
Friday, October 9, 2009
How to pitch a Blogger, or anyone for that matter.
I read a blog post called Your Copy Sucks: How To Pitch a Blogger.
TJ Dietderich tells us a little secret....You have to talk to them like they’re a human being. Who would have thought!?!?!
He goes on to explain that it doesn’t have much to do with the length of your pitch or the “Hi” instead of “Hello” in your salutation. It doesn’t have anything to do with how many bullet points you have and what Cool Blogger Slang you employ.
Here are the examples he gives:
Original Pitch:
I wanted to bring your attention to a touching book called A Very Touching Memoir by An Author. With incredible wit, Author shares her humorous memories of touching stuff happening in an unlikely setting.
I changed that to this:
Hello John, I was looking at this blog post of yours [link] and that makes me think this new book would be your sort of thing. It’s called A Very Touching Memoir by An Author. Here’s some background on it, but if you’d like to learn more, here’s a link.
Pretty simple eh? I thought so too once I read it. So, if you didn't know what it means to make a pitch, to anyone, now you do. It's easy!
Go read the rest of the blog, it isn't long and it clears a lot of thing up.
http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/10/09/ycs-how-to-pitch-a-blogger/
TJ Dietderich tells us a little secret....You have to talk to them like they’re a human being. Who would have thought!?!?!
He goes on to explain that it doesn’t have much to do with the length of your pitch or the “Hi” instead of “Hello” in your salutation. It doesn’t have anything to do with how many bullet points you have and what Cool Blogger Slang you employ.
Here are the examples he gives:
Original Pitch:
I wanted to bring your attention to a touching book called A Very Touching Memoir by An Author. With incredible wit, Author shares her humorous memories of touching stuff happening in an unlikely setting.
I changed that to this:
Hello John, I was looking at this blog post of yours [link] and that makes me think this new book would be your sort of thing. It’s called A Very Touching Memoir by An Author. Here’s some background on it, but if you’d like to learn more, here’s a link.
Pretty simple eh? I thought so too once I read it. So, if you didn't know what it means to make a pitch, to anyone, now you do. It's easy!
Go read the rest of the blog, it isn't long and it clears a lot of thing up.
http://prbreakfastclub.com/2009/10/09/ycs-how-to-pitch-a-blogger/
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Should the Kindle allow third-party developers?
Amazon's E-book, The Kindle, hasn't reached the magnitude the company hoped for by the holiday season. The device used to read thousands of books is limited in it capabilities. Many have expressed that Amazon should allow third-party developers to contribute to the device and see what more it could do.
We spoke in class about open sourcing and letting "many" form ideas that the "few" are unable to. Opening a device that has a single purpose would allow for developement of the product to be more user-friendly with many more purposes and in turn attribute to it's success as a mobile device. The device has potential a lot to offer business people and consumers.
The kindle already has many competitors such as an iPhone which with the apps is open to 3rd party developers. It would only benefit the company to follow lead. As for now, Amazon is not showing any interest in the idea.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/will-amazon-open-the-kindle-to-developers/
We spoke in class about open sourcing and letting "many" form ideas that the "few" are unable to. Opening a device that has a single purpose would allow for developement of the product to be more user-friendly with many more purposes and in turn attribute to it's success as a mobile device. The device has potential a lot to offer business people and consumers.
The kindle already has many competitors such as an iPhone which with the apps is open to 3rd party developers. It would only benefit the company to follow lead. As for now, Amazon is not showing any interest in the idea.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/will-amazon-open-the-kindle-to-developers/
From cars to TVs, apps are spreading to the real world
CNN -- When Apple launched its App Store last summer, few imagined it would reach today's numbers so quickly, if ever.
Auto-apps could become the next way to customize your ride.
The store now hosts over 85,000 titles and has passed 2 billion downloads. Even Apple is surprised. Now the concept of the app store has spread like a virus among competitors. It's also reached seemingly unrelated industries, like automobiles and TV set-top boxes. The App Store taps the creative energy of entrepreneurial developers. Whether they're big or small, they can make money through it, even though the challenges for them can be considerable.
For consumers, the App Store offers third-party applications (free or charged ) that can be downloaded or synched onto an iPhone or iPod Touch.
Apple takes 30 percent of a paid app's revenue and charges developers an annual fee to use the iPhone software development kit and upload apps to the store. But the rest goes to developers, some of whom have profited handsomely from their creations.
Many companies now offer something similar to the App Store, if not in whole then in part. Even if none has yet come close to Apple's numbers -- or, arguably, its design achievements -- the spread of the app store idea is undeniable.
"It seems like every company remotely related to technology is embracing the app store craze," notes IT expert Tony Bradley in a blog post for PC World.
Handset makers now offering software stores include Palm, Nokia, Sony-Ericsson, and BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion. On the platform side, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile -- competitors to the iPhone OS -- each have an app store now.
Nintendo and Sony, the traditional powers in gaming gadgets, have also launched app stores, for their DSi and PSP handhelds, respectively. Apple is now their competitor thanks to all the iPhone games.
The chipmaker Intel announced last month that it's setting up multiple app stores through partners like Acer and Asus to encourage independent developers to create apps for netbooks and handhelds based on its processors.
For Twitter, a startup called Oneforty is trying to position itself as the unofficial "app store" for tie-in services. Cellular operators, wary of becoming "dumb pipes," aren't sitting idly by. Verizon, Vodafone, Orange, and others getting in on the action with their own app stores.
Not every company is a natural fit for creating app stores, so another market is forming for firms that help set them up. A firm called GetJar has helped Sony Ericsson and the cellular carriers Optimus (in Portugal) and 3 (in the UK) with app stores. Amdocs and Comverse, which already provide various services to carriers, have added "app store provider" to their offerings. Other firms are helping developers deal with the sudden rash of app stores.
A California startup called GoldSpot Media recently launched miApp, designed to let developers "design once, deploy in any app store." Of course they weren't thinking about app stores outside the mobile space when they wrote that tagline.
From hand-held to real-world
Few anticipated the app store meme spreading to cars, for instance, but Atlanta-based Hughes Telematics says it's helping automakers prepare app stores for drivers.
For safety, some of these apps would use an audio-only interface for drivers, or be usable only by passengers or when parked, notes Kevin Link, a vice president with the company: "Automotive applications must consider driver distraction, network security, and reliability within the vehicle."
But the possibilities are tantalizing and include taking pictures of a thief in action, playing catch-up audio clips of TV shows, deciphering that obscure Check Engine light, and remotely starting the engine or resetting the car alarm.
Such apps could be accessed through home computers or smart phones, as well as from within the vehicle itself.
Hughes Telematics can't reveal too many specifics about upcoming app stores because their rollouts depend on the schedules of the carmakers. And many details have yet to be worked out, notes Link, such as how revenues will be split with the developers.
An app store of sorts will also be offered later this year by Roku, which sells a TV set-top box that connects to your broadband connection and brings online content to your living room.
The box already lets customers order Netflix movies. With the upcoming app store, online content normally reserved for computers will be easily accessed over the TV. Possibilities include video and audio podcasts and photo-sharing destinations.
As with the App Store, the idea is to let any developer (most likely a content owner in this case) offer their product through the platform.
"What an open platform does is create an opportunity for any content owner or content aggregator that has access to content, to make that content available for viewing on the TV," notes company spokesperson Brian Jaquet.
Between six and 12 new apps, or channels, will be offered by the end of this year, he adds, and more will follow. Of course exactly what will follow is unclear because -- as with the other App Store-like offerings -- the only real limit is the imaginations of developers. Stay tuned.Magazines on the Kindle
Time Inc is teaming up with other magazine publishers to launch an online newsstand. The digital publications would be available on electronic readers, such as Amazon's Kindle. The newsstand would allow users to receive their monthly subscriptions digitally.
With the digital subscription, magazine publishers would be able to charge readers for the publication, unlike most online versions.
This service is expected to launch sometime next year.
This is a great idea for anyone that uses a Kindle. Until the digital newsstand is available on more devices, there is only a limited audience that will find it useful.
Learn more about this topic here.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
FTC vs. Blogging
It's not a surprise that the Federal Trade Commission wants to slap restrictions on blogging. After all, as mush as the online journalism field has grown, the FTC feels the need to "respond to the needs of consumers" who spend an increasingly amount of time on the Internet.
The guidelines state that bloggers must disclose information related to the receiving of products in exchange for blog reviews. So basically, this puts blogging in the same category as broadcasting, newspapers, and other publications that adhere to FTC regulations--really?
The FTC's actions arose because more companies are using blogs to generate viral marketing Thus, the government steps in to protect consumers and make them aware of when they are being targeted for product consumption.
The regulations are aimed at bloggers who buddy-up with advertisers. This is the case with bloggers writing positive reviews for Wal-Mart, Fort Mort Co. and Microsoft after recieving products from the companies. Oh, and if these ad-bloggers don't supply a written disclosure for readers, they will have to fork up as much as $11,000 per violation.
The regulations could also have an impact on PR firms who give bloggers free merchandise. But Ted Murphy, found of IZEA Inc., says it could have positive affects because "disclosure and transparency are key to making this social media space sustainable."
The FTC mainly wants to establish an honest relationship between reader and blogger. So if you are supported by an organic diaper company, say it and be proud!
However, First Amendment advocates claim that, like other publications, bloggers should be able to self-regulate themselves in terms of editorial content. Therefore, they should not even accept gifts in exchange for reviews.
But let's face it, new media is in a world of its own. With information being tweeted, linked, e-mailed and posted every second, how does one police themselves? According to Gregg Leslie, the legal defense director for nonprofit Reporters Committe for Freedom of the Press, it begins with good journalism; and stated that this issue "is not the government's business to regulate."
So take that FTC!
Source: http://global.factiva.com/ga/default.aspx?imt=2&ao=5&aod=0
Monday, October 5, 2009
Are Pistachios 'Bringing Sexy Back'?
Everyone knows the old saying "sex sells." We are constantly bombarded with sexy car commercials, clothing ads, and the seductive blondes and brunettes on the Axe commercials selling hair gel and body wash to men.
One product with no sex appeal whatsoever is taking this old saying and hopes to turn it into media attention, as well as profits.
The pistachio industry is hoping that their new ad campaign with a "sex sells" attitude will get consumers thinking about, and buying, their product. The ads feature unknown, as well as somewhat-known, people opening pistachios in their own unique way.
Bruce Horovitz, the USA Today journalist who wrote this article, says the pistachio industry wants consumers to think less about last spring's pistachio recall and more about sex. "Make that kinky sex. Like, say, an honest-to-goodness dominatrix — who formerly worked her trade in Los Angeles — cracking open a pistachio with her whip. A voice-over explains: 'A dominatrix does it on command.'
Or Levi Johnston, the media-hungry father of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin's out-of-wedlock grandchild, starring in his first TV spot. In it, he's standing next to a bodyguard as a voice-over notes: 'Now, Levi does it with protection,' " Horovitz says.
Other d-list celebs are Chris Knight (from The Brady Bunch), and wife, Adrianne Curry (from America's Next Top Model).
(Watch Levi's YouTube ad here.)
This is the first time the pistachio industry has broadcasted ads nationally. Their $15 million investment is aimed at getting viral attention online in the new world of marketing.
There is even a separate YouTube contest where viewers can submit their own videos of cracking open a pistachio. The video that wins will get $25,000 and a national airing.
I think that the pistachio industry may be taking the obvious way out. Instead of thinking of new ways to gain attention for their product, they are making it sexy featuring wannabe celebrities in their ads. Since pistachios are more expensive than most nuts, they should go about their advertising and marketing to their target market and those who will buy their product, which isn't pre-pubescent boys.
Do you know "mixi" ?
"mixi" is the most popular Japanese social networking site like facebook or MySpace in the United States. Facebook and MySpace users use their sites as communicating among users/friends. In addition to that function, people mainly use mixi as a diary. When someone updates a diary on mixi, their friends can leave comments. That's the way mixi users communicate each other, knowing what's going on their friends' life. They can of course add favorite music and create profiles as facebook or MySpace users do.
In June of 2009, the number of mixi users reached to 1.72 million, and the president of the company which operates mixi, Mr. Kenji Kasahara, said in an article that he tries to increase the number of users to 3 million in two to four years. Thus, he has introduced "new functions" such as mixi voice and mixi applications.
The mixi voice is very much similar to "twitter," but users can express their feelings or update their status in 150 words so that "my mix friends (that's what we call friends on mixi)" can see what they are doing right now.
The mixi applications are much like mini games for users to learn second languages or to compete their best scores among my mix friends. The applications include "English vocabulary tests," "National flags test," "Music tests," "Japanese language tests" and so on.
In addition to those game applications, the HR company (Minnade Shusyoku Katsudou Nikki Unei Iinkai) introduced the new application of giving updated information about new job opportunities for newly graduates.Those application systems are introduced as interactive activities to attract non-mixi users to create an account.
Since mixi is very popular among younger citizens such as high school and college students, musicians or actors/actresses use mixi as one of the tools for communication such as creating an exclusive event for mixi users that become members of that certain artist. Therefore, mixi is one of the great business opportunities for certain business industry.
However, the more mixi gets popular, some problems come up such as too much open information to random people that can lead crimes, or mixi addiction.
The first prblem is that crimes that are related to mixi have been increasing rapidly. When mixi users update mixi voice, they tend to write information such as "I am going on business trip for three days so my apartment will be emptied out." On top of that, those users tend to upload their pictures that show the home addresses. By seeing those information, thieves or other criminals come to home and commit crimes. Therefore, mixi users as well as other social networking users have to be careful what information they will upload on their profiles or diaries.
The second problem is that people tend to be addicted to updating mixi. According to ITmedia News, a lot of people begin quitting or eliminating their account from mixi because they got tired of following what's going on with their friends on mixi. The mixi beginners tend to feel "joy" if they get comments from friends on thier entries in the beggining, and they feel enjoyment to reply those comments. However, after a while, they begin to feel "uneasy" if there is no reply back from anyone after updating their dairy even in 5 minutes. According to Hideo Yamazaki, psycologist, he mentions that that is a "mixi addiction." In order to recover from those addictions, people should (1) make their own rules; for instance, updating mixi diary once a week; (2) limit their friends on mixi; (3) try to meet friends on mixi to see if they can get along in the real world as well.
Even though mixi has some downsides/disadvantages, mixi is the greatest innovation for Japanese society. The mixi certainly does expand our possibilities in network as well as in job opportunities. In order for us to use mixi or other kinds of great social networking sites, we have to learn and analyze downsides of the social networking sites.
Sources:
In June of 2009, the number of mixi users reached to 1.72 million, and the president of the company which operates mixi, Mr. Kenji Kasahara, said in an article that he tries to increase the number of users to 3 million in two to four years. Thus, he has introduced "new functions" such as mixi voice and mixi applications.
The mixi voice is very much similar to "twitter," but users can express their feelings or update their status in 150 words so that "my mix friends (that's what we call friends on mixi)" can see what they are doing right now.
The mixi applications are much like mini games for users to learn second languages or to compete their best scores among my mix friends. The applications include "English vocabulary tests," "National flags test," "Music tests," "Japanese language tests" and so on.
In addition to those game applications, the HR company (Minnade Shusyoku Katsudou Nikki Unei Iinkai) introduced the new application of giving updated information about new job opportunities for newly graduates.Those application systems are introduced as interactive activities to attract non-mixi users to create an account.
Since mixi is very popular among younger citizens such as high school and college students, musicians or actors/actresses use mixi as one of the tools for communication such as creating an exclusive event for mixi users that become members of that certain artist. Therefore, mixi is one of the great business opportunities for certain business industry.
However, the more mixi gets popular, some problems come up such as too much open information to random people that can lead crimes, or mixi addiction.
The first prblem is that crimes that are related to mixi have been increasing rapidly. When mixi users update mixi voice, they tend to write information such as "I am going on business trip for three days so my apartment will be emptied out." On top of that, those users tend to upload their pictures that show the home addresses. By seeing those information, thieves or other criminals come to home and commit crimes. Therefore, mixi users as well as other social networking users have to be careful what information they will upload on their profiles or diaries.
The second problem is that people tend to be addicted to updating mixi. According to ITmedia News, a lot of people begin quitting or eliminating their account from mixi because they got tired of following what's going on with their friends on mixi. The mixi beginners tend to feel "joy" if they get comments from friends on thier entries in the beggining, and they feel enjoyment to reply those comments. However, after a while, they begin to feel "uneasy" if there is no reply back from anyone after updating their dairy even in 5 minutes. According to Hideo Yamazaki, psycologist, he mentions that that is a "mixi addiction." In order to recover from those addictions, people should (1) make their own rules; for instance, updating mixi diary once a week; (2) limit their friends on mixi; (3) try to meet friends on mixi to see if they can get along in the real world as well.
Even though mixi has some downsides/disadvantages, mixi is the greatest innovation for Japanese society. The mixi certainly does expand our possibilities in network as well as in job opportunities. In order for us to use mixi or other kinds of great social networking sites, we have to learn and analyze downsides of the social networking sites.
Sources:
- http://mixi.jp (mixi)
- http://news.ameba.jp/trend-news/2009/09/45889.html
- http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090924_317445.html
- http://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20091001_318755.html
- http://news.pia.jp/pia/news.do?newsCd=200909100009
- http://jp.reuters.com/article/topNews/idJPJAPAN-11191620090826
- http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0607/21/news061.html
Dear Print, This is Just the Beginning of the End.
It's said every day in the mass communication world - "Print is dead." There are those who have accepted this idea and there are those that believe print will rise above technology.
Unfortunately for those optimistic about the situation, Condé Nast announced the termination of "almost biblical status in the food world" magazine, Gourmet, on Monday. Gourmet has been published for 68 years and has seen many transformations in design and topics.
Oh yea, may I also let you know, Gourmet is the oldest running magazine in our history!
According to an internal company memo, Condé Nast is also shutting down magazines Cookie, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. That is four magazines total thus far from Condé Nast alone.
Gourmet editor, Ruth Reichl, is a powerful woman in the food world and created a magazine that had higher quality and was more popular than Bon Appétit. The magazine suffered from a decline in advertising pages, but the terminations still came as a shock due to its history.
While this news may throw a curve to some, Condé Nast also owns the bigger Bride magazines. Modern Bride and Elegant Bride are offshoots of their bigger Brides magazine.
On the other hand, Cookie is a 2005 introduction that was not able to grab a large amount of readers.
This termination conclusion came from a three-month study by McKinsey & Company, which analyzed the companies costs and suggested several magazines to cut 25 percent from their annual budgets.
The publisher has never been so quick to close titles, which makes this decision significant to the print world. In the last year, Condé Nast closed new titles such as Men's Vogue and Condé Nast Portfolio and Domino.
This decision is even more blinding because just last February in an interview with in-house rival Bon Appétit pulisher, Paul Jowdy, he stated that closing Gourmet was "unlikely."
Since then the economy continues to suffer, crashing hard. Condé Nast magazines have lost more than 8,000 advertisement pages, excluding its bridal titles, so far this year. That is a lot of lost advertisments... aka, that is a lot of lost money!!
With the economic crisis stalling to a halt in progression, will the print industry be able to overcome tough times? Or is this just the beginning, to the end of print?
Unfortunately for those optimistic about the situation, Condé Nast announced the termination of "almost biblical status in the food world" magazine, Gourmet, on Monday. Gourmet has been published for 68 years and has seen many transformations in design and topics.
Oh yea, may I also let you know, Gourmet is the oldest running magazine in our history!
According to an internal company memo, Condé Nast is also shutting down magazines Cookie, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride. That is four magazines total thus far from Condé Nast alone.
Gourmet editor, Ruth Reichl, is a powerful woman in the food world and created a magazine that had higher quality and was more popular than Bon Appétit. The magazine suffered from a decline in advertising pages, but the terminations still came as a shock due to its history.
On the other hand, Cookie is a 2005 introduction that was not able to grab a large amount of readers.
This termination conclusion came from a three-month study by McKinsey & Company, which analyzed the companies costs and suggested several magazines to cut 25 percent from their annual budgets.
The publisher has never been so quick to close titles, which makes this decision significant to the print world. In the last year, Condé Nast closed new titles such as Men's Vogue and Condé Nast Portfolio and Domino.
This decision is even more blinding because just last February in an interview with in-house rival Bon Appétit pulisher, Paul Jowdy, he stated that closing Gourmet was "unlikely."
Since then the economy continues to suffer, crashing hard. Condé Nast magazines have lost more than 8,000 advertisement pages, excluding its bridal titles, so far this year. That is a lot of lost advertisments... aka, that is a lot of lost money!!
With the economic crisis stalling to a halt in progression, will the print industry be able to overcome tough times? Or is this just the beginning, to the end of print?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Will Companies Take a PR Hit by Signing Vick?
A rumor recently surfaced that Nike signed a deal with Michael Vick. Vick's agent supposedly made this claim and Nike recently spoke out saying that they would "supply product to Vick," but he was not under contract with Nike. Even though this was just a rumor, it brought up an interesting topic...what would happen if Nike re-signed Michael Vick?
After the rumor hit Twitter and the rest of the Internet world, media outlets and bloggers all over started sounding off with their opinions on the situation. Although many people said that they didn't agree with what Michael Vick had done in his dog-fighting past, most thought that signing a deal with Vick would be positive for any company.
Sarah Schorno, a blogger for The Washington Post, stated that "any public relations hit a brand would take by endorsing Vick would be negligible compared to the potential financial gain."
Vick's Eagles jersey is still one of the NFL's highest selling and there wasn't much of an uproar when Vick was signed and started playing in the NFL again.
Schorno also posed the question do consumers really care what celebrities and athletes do in their personal lives? Or do consumers buy the merchandise that athletes' endorse just because it's cool or because they want to "be like Mike?"
When I heard the "news" that Nike had signed Vick, I was personally upset. However, I have to admit that if I saw a cool pair of Nike shoes that I wanted, then the fact that Vick was a spokesperson for Nike wouldn't stop me from buying them. Although I hate to admit it, I believe that it would be a positive move for Nike to re-sign Vick. Nike could use Vick to bring in many of the fans that he apparently still has (based on his high jersey sales), and I don't think the adverse effects would stop many people from purchasing Nike. Athletes are going to continue to use equipment and gear from the company that they portray as the best in the business.
In the end, Vick's future success is going to come down to one thing...how good he plays on the football field. If Vick is an all-star on the field and stays out of any major trouble, than any company that signs him now is going to make some big bucks off of him. If Vick doesn't prove himself on the field or gets into trouble again, then he will probably just fall off of the grid and the company that signed him will move on to some other big athlete and all will be forgotten.
Original Articles/Blogs:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/01/michael-vick-nike-cmo-network-vick.html
http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/10/nike-michael-vick-eagles-endorsement-littal.html
http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/10/nike-michael-vick-eagles-endorsement-schorno.html
After the rumor hit Twitter and the rest of the Internet world, media outlets and bloggers all over started sounding off with their opinions on the situation. Although many people said that they didn't agree with what Michael Vick had done in his dog-fighting past, most thought that signing a deal with Vick would be positive for any company.
Sarah Schorno, a blogger for The Washington Post, stated that "any public relations hit a brand would take by endorsing Vick would be negligible compared to the potential financial gain."
Vick's Eagles jersey is still one of the NFL's highest selling and there wasn't much of an uproar when Vick was signed and started playing in the NFL again.
Schorno also posed the question do consumers really care what celebrities and athletes do in their personal lives? Or do consumers buy the merchandise that athletes' endorse just because it's cool or because they want to "be like Mike?"
When I heard the "news" that Nike had signed Vick, I was personally upset. However, I have to admit that if I saw a cool pair of Nike shoes that I wanted, then the fact that Vick was a spokesperson for Nike wouldn't stop me from buying them. Although I hate to admit it, I believe that it would be a positive move for Nike to re-sign Vick. Nike could use Vick to bring in many of the fans that he apparently still has (based on his high jersey sales), and I don't think the adverse effects would stop many people from purchasing Nike. Athletes are going to continue to use equipment and gear from the company that they portray as the best in the business.
In the end, Vick's future success is going to come down to one thing...how good he plays on the football field. If Vick is an all-star on the field and stays out of any major trouble, than any company that signs him now is going to make some big bucks off of him. If Vick doesn't prove himself on the field or gets into trouble again, then he will probably just fall off of the grid and the company that signed him will move on to some other big athlete and all will be forgotten.
Original Articles/Blogs:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/01/michael-vick-nike-cmo-network-vick.html
http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/10/nike-michael-vick-eagles-endorsement-littal.html
http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/10/nike-michael-vick-eagles-endorsement-schorno.html
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Baby Back, Baby Back... Baby, it's back!
Chili’s is currently trying to revitalize its image by bringing back the old faves. Along with changing the menu with the return of popular items, they have also brought back their popular “Baby Back Ribs” tune.The company, like many in its same genre, has suffered from the recession. In the past, Chili’s thrived on expansion. The chain, under Brinker International, has opened 400 locations in the past five years. However, this fiscal year will bring no new locations to the eatery.
Chili’s is hoping that increasing their “welcoming” customer service and switching some of their famous burgers' and ribs' recipes will bring a return.
Some menu changes include bringing back the previously removed "Caribbean Salad" and changing the smoke wood from mesquite to pecan. Also, the burger meat is being changed to choice ground chuck and will be hand-formed by the cooks on site.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125435105199954095.html
Social Media Restrictions for Washington Post
The Washington Post has recently caused some debate among media professionals. Last Friday, the “Post” implemented new social media guidelines for its reporters. Some of the restrictions include the use of Twitter and Facebook. The Post feels it is a reporter’s job is to produce objective, unbiased news stories to the public. Due to the opinionated nature of social media it could affect reporter impartiality.
The Post wrote:
"Post journalists must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything—including photographs or video—that could be perceived as reflecting political, racial, sexist, religious or other bias or favoritism that could be used to tarnish our journalistic credibility. This same caution should be used when joining, following or friending any person or organization online."
Now every staff member ‘s social media account must identify him or her as a Post employee and they must represent the newsroom at all times.
Where do you draw the line between a person’s professional and personal expressions? Is Twitter considered a journalist’s professional communication tool?
Several reporters have come out publicly, including Post media reporter Howard Kurtz who said "Under new WP guidelines on tweeting, I will now hold forth only on the weather and dessert recipes," on his Twitter account last weekend.
Senior editor Jennifer Saba stated, "I think reporters have opinions, but it doesn't mean they can't report something professionally. "Somebody could say, 'Oh I really enjoy Mad Men,' and if they cover TV, does that mean they are biased?"
Many other media professionals are grateful for the new regulations. They feel it will help balance the line between their professional and personal lives.
I think that as long as journalists perform their job by providing objective, good quality news stories there is no reason they can’t express their own opinions elsewhere. We as a society should understand that they aren’t unbiased beings without a view of their own.
Should reporters be able to communicate their personal opinions and does it affect their journalistic credibility?
Twitter has now become a huge communication tool for PR pros to build a relationship with reporters, could the new restrictions affect the PR practitioner as well?
http://www.prweekus.com/Washington-Post-social-media-guidelines-target-bias/article/151072/
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