Schwarzkopf embarks on first social media campaign

Hair care brand Schwarzkopf, has appointed Mason Williams Communications to handle its first social media marketing campaign.

Schwarzkopf social media campaign

The camapaign has been designed to support Schwarzkopf’s home hair colour brands Live XXL and its new Palette range and aims to build loyalty with existing and new users.

Mason Williams has created a blog site at www.lovehaircolour.co.uk/blog/ that launches this week and will handle the brands Twitter communications in a bid to answer women’s questions about home hair colouring.

Schwarzkopf’s senior brand manager Camila Lobo-Guerrero says: ” The media landscape has changed so much over recent years with ’everyman’ now having a voice. We feel that by embracing and engaging with ’citizen’ journalists it’s yet another opportunity to build our brand.”

The social media campaign aims to build on organic digital engagement between the brands and consumers through a direct platform.

Schwarzkopf says Lovehaircolour will feature expert advice, trends and celebrity looks through a platform that allows a two-way dialogue with consumers.

Article from Marketing Week 




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So I Have A Blog...Now What?

"A blog isn't a business plan.”

I recently saw that tweet on Twitter, and it really hit home for me the perils of using a new technology or communications tool and thinking that mastering its use or even the fact that you are using it is all you need to know and do for your business. Adding new tools to your marketing and communications toolkit is not a plan. There is nothing strategic about blogging, tweeting and updating your Facebook status if you don't have a plan for not just using the tool but integrating it into your marketing mix. Right?

So how do you get started with a plan for social media? Social Media Marketing Plans (SMMPs) can be standalone documents but are more effective when a part of an overall marketing plan for your company. At a minimum, they should reference traditional public relations or marketing tools and tactics. Unfortunately, very few companies and organizations right now are thinking about the integration of social media marketing into what they've been doing marketing-wise. Instead, they tend to cage off social media marketing like a new wild animal in a zoo. It's nice to look at and fascinating to watch, but it doesn't quite fit into any of the cages with their other zoo animals.

When my company helps other companies with their Social Media Marketing planning, we take them back to some basic, foundational questions one might ask when coming up with an overall strategic plan, not just a social media one:

What?

Why?

Who?

Where?

How?

What?

as in...

What are you trying to achieve?

Why are you trying to do this?

Whom are your trying to reach?

Where can you most effectively reach them?

How are you going to reach out to them?

What are you trying to get them to do?

We also remind companies that Social Media Marketing is not necessarily a direct sales tool but is effective at:

1. Building a brand;
2. Building brand loyalty;
3. Turning loyal customers into evangelists;
4. Leveraging word-of-mouth marketing;
5. Turbo-charging the feedback loop.

Here are seven steps you should go through (at least) to get to the heart of your Social Media Marketing Plan. This is merely a starting framework for how to think about building out your plan and how to get to the information that should be in your plan.

1. What are your marketing objectives? Make sure they are attainable and measurable.
2. Who is your audience? Know where they are online and where they are already engaged in related, relevant conversations.
3. What are your assets? Examine your social media and online assets to see what you can leverage for full social media engagement. (See assets diagram.)

1. What tactics will you use? Choose the tactics that incorporate the most logical tools for what you are trying to achieve and who you are trying to reach.
2. What are your big ideas? Come up with some creative ideas that are repeatable and scalable to attract attention and provide value.
3. How will you measure results? Establish benchmarks, monitor and be clear what you are tracking and how.
4. Re-examine over time. What works? What doesn't? What can you build upon? What can you improve? What needs to be scrapped?

Remember: as Jeffrey Hayzlett, former Kodak CMO said: "Social media is not a campaign. It is a commitment." Your plan should cover both the immediate and short-term with an eye to the long term understanding that the technology changes daily. You may find that some of the tools you initially choose are gone by the time you get around to accessing them. Be flexible.

Full Article 

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The State Of The Internet (Video)

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.



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Now Post Voicemail To Facebook!

Facebook users can now record voice messages and post them on the walls of friends through Voice Wall, a newly released service from Society.me. Users call a designated phone number, select a friend using a touch-tone system, and their voice message appears in a streaming audio player on the friend’s wall. 


Voice Wall equips Facebook with an intimate communication medium that could prove especially useful to mobile users without a smart phone or data plan.
Voice Wall offers functionality in exchange for a user’s mobile phone number, email address, and constant account access privileges through the Facebook Platform. One shortcoming of the service is that the wall posts contain bland, uninviting auto-populated text which users can’t alter.

Links on the wall posts feed back to Society.me’s core product, a question and answer site focused on quickly returning a large volume answers, sometimes at the sake of quality. They also provide a service called fb140, which lets you to quickly find and follow any of your Facebook friends who have Twitter accounts.


Voice Wall’s streamlined interface offers a warm, familiar way to interact with friends in addition to Facebook’s native text, photo, and video. It could facilitate sending very personal birthday messages, or allow users to recount a story with their own vocal inflection. 


It joins Facebook Text Messages and 0.facebook.com as a way for mobile users without reliable internet capabilities to interact with the site. While productivity-focused YouMail allows users to save, forward to email or post existing voicemail to their own wall, its complex web interface and lack of sharing options make Voice Wall more versatile when it comes to Facebook.


Full Article


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Facebook was profitable in 2009...2010 - is a formality

Facebook doesn’t publicly disclose its annual revenue and profit numbers. But the latest report, from Reuters, says it made up to $800 million in total revenue for 2009, with profit in the “tens of millions of dollars.” This number is higher than previous estimates, which have ranged as low as $500 million.

Why the wide range in estimates? From the report:

“They are downplaying their performance,” one source said, adding that 2009 revenue was more than double the previous year’s total. “There’s no upside in getting people’s expectations high, it’s always better to go low.”

Past reports put company revenue at $280 million to $300 million in 2008. We have estimated that Facebook made between $600 million and $700 million in revenue for 2009, mostly from growth in brand and performance advertising revenue. This year, we expect it to make up to $1.1 billion, largely through advertising. 

Facebook’s revenue from virtual goods has not been notably high, but that could change this year due to its efforts to make Credits the main virtual currency on its developer platform. Other estimates have pegged Facebook’s revenue growth to be as high as $2 billion.

Full article 




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England vs USA (With Lego)

Twitter Starts Promoted Tweets With Disney...

Twitter, finally took their first steps to monetisation heaven today, as Disney became the platforms first advertiser for Toy Story 3.


At the bottom of the trending topics list, sits the promoted links section.  


Will this change the platform, or will your eyes just turn off the ads? 






























































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Social Media Influence - The State Of Social Media Jobs

A career in social media may be seen as one of the trendiest new jobs to have, and the importance of social media certainly is resonating through many big companies. However, as we reveal in a our new special report: The State of Social Media Jobs 2010, many of the world’s top companies still do not have dedicated social media positions in-house.

Just 59 of Fortune Global 100 firms have invested in recruiting staff specifically assigned to core social media duties that include customer outreach, PR and marketing support and internal communications. And, while our research shows that demand for social media positions has increased more than five-fold in the last five years social media salaries lag behind the equivalent positions in the traditional fields of PR, marketing and publishing.

Here are some of the key findings of the report:

•    The social media “laggard” sectors include: financial services & insurance; petroleum & energy and utilities.
•    The social media “active” sectors include: healthcare, telecommunications, retail and automotive.
•    The number of social media job postings has increased by more than 600 percent to over 21,000 in the past five years.
•    On average, social media salaries come in $5,000-10,000 lower than their traditional counterparts.
•    Social media salaries are on the rise and could close the gap within the next year.

The report looked at four main areas on interest:

1, How the Fortune Global 100 are staffing their social media needs.
2, Which type of social media specific job position is being advertised.
3, The skills employers are looking for in recruiting social media specialists.
4, How well (or not) social media positions are paid.

To understand this new career landscape we analysed more than 21,000 social media job listings across all industry sectors.

The special report can be downloaded at: http://socialmediainfluence.com/downloads/

Courtesy of Social Media Influence 




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New Honda Campaign Utilises Social Media - MultiPlatform

Honda has unveiled a campaign on Facebook to support the launch of the new Honda CR-Z: the world’s first sporty hybrid coupe.

Integrating a range of new Facebook social plugins, the campaign aims to give a more social experience, reflecting “the choice and fun-to-drive qualities of the CR-Z as well as helping consumers experience the hybrid’s innovative 3 driving modes”.

The campaign has been developed by media agency Starcom, and is supported by content from digital creative agency Collective.

The four main elements of the campaign are a Facebook engagement advertising campaign to maximise the reach and engagement, a Nielsen BrandLift study identifying the impact of the online activity, a Facebook application, and the integration of Facebook social plugins to the Honda.

The Facebook engagement advertising will break in three phases, with the first phase – Reach Block – launching today (4 June). This will target Facebook users who log into their account within that 24 hour period, and will include a number of iterations suggesting you ‘Like’ Honda UK on Facebook or take-part in a Honda UK poll.

Phase two runs from 11-18 June and this exclusion targeting is specifically aimed at those not exposed to the advert on June 4.

The last phase re-targets everyone who interacted with either of the previous phases with a sampling ad and runs from 19-25 June, encouraging further engagement with the brand.

The Honda UK Facebook Page and Facebook app have been created by Collective, and will allow users to create a unique, personalised piece of art, which can then be downloaded, made into mobile wallpaper, shared via Facebook, or used to personalise the Honda UK website.

Honda UK head of marketing Martin Moll said of the new campaign: “It was important that our campaign for CR-Z was as unique and innovative as the car itself. The Mode Art application not only involves customers in a unique experience and creates something they can share, but it also highlights some of the key features of the car. We're also breaking new ground in the way we're reaching target consumers on social networks, which should result in the right audiences engaging with the campaign during the launch period."

And Facebook’s Stephen Haines commented: “It’s great to see such an innovative brand using Facebook in such a creative way over numerous touch points on the Facebook Platform, both in terms of the ad targeting behind the campaign and the content.”

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Juice Digital Gets Turtle Wax Digital Projects

Car care brand Turtle Wax has appointed Juice Digital to manage its social media in the UK.

The Manchester agency, whose parent company Tangerine PR already handles offline PR for Turtle Wax, will push the brand on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Andrew Freeman, european marketing director for Turtle Wax, said: "Engaging with your brand's existing and potential consumer base is vital. Social media provides the immediacy and transparency expected by the modern consumer.

"Turtle Wax as a brand is embracing new opportunities to grow and the relationship with Juice Digital will undoubtedly bring benefits for both parties."

Steve Downes, managing director at Juice Digital, added: "The potential for social media engagement is huge; people love talking about their cars."

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Controller Free Xbox Gets A New Name

LOS ANGELES — There's a growing movement in video games — motion control. And Microsoft's latest twist: Its new system for the Xbox 360, dubbed Kinect and being unveiled this week, requires no controller at all.

Nintendo started the wave with simplified, wireless, movement-sensing Wii controllers in late 2006. Since then, consumers have bought more than 28 million Wiis. (In comparison, sales of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are about 20 million and 12.3 million, respectively.)

MORE: Electronic Expo themes

GAME HUNTERS: Our team will be at E3 all week; follow all the news in our blog

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo game convention beginning today, both Sony and Microsoft will reveal new details about their motion control systems, due later this year.

Microsoft got a head start Sunday night by incorporating its game system and footage from new titles into a performance by Cirque Du Soleil at the University of Southern California. The performance troupe, which spent four months developing "a customized experience," took its inspiration for the event from Kinect, the official name of what had been known as Project Natal under development.

The 4-year-old Xbox 360 has long seemed targeted at hard-core gamers, with a controller that could be intimidating.

"For lots of people, that controller is a barrier," says creative director Kudo Tsunoda. "We set out to make a new control paradigm where anybody can get in and play, without having to read the instructions or learn a complicated set of controls."

Kinect's built-in camera and microphone (due later this year, no price set) uses facial and voice recognition to let you, for instance, log onto Xbox Live, start games and pause movies. And a new menu lets you choose games or services such as Netflix by simply reaching out and pointing toward the screen selection. Video chat lets Xbox 360 homes connect; the smart camera widens when another person enters the room.

Microsoft's Marc Whitten credits Nintendo with setting things in motion: "They have done some amazing things and brought new people to the category. This is fundamentally different. It's (about) my body being the controller (and) being able to communicate with just my voice to the system."

Among games in the works:

•Kinectimals lets you train and play with 20 different virtual cats, including a lion, cheetah and tiger.

•Joyride, a racing game, lets players use their hands to hold an imaginary steering wheel — pull your hands toward you and push back out for an acceleration boost — and their bodies to execute jumps and tricks.

•Kinect Sports has six activities including boxing, bowling, beach volleyball, track and field, soccer and table tennis. To serve a volleyball, you mimic the real motion; in soccer, you can kick the ball or do a header.

•Kinect Adventures includes a river-raft time trial and obstacle course, playable by up to four players. On the raft, playing as a duo, you and a partner must lean one way or another to steer. Jumping helps the raft reach special areas for extra points.

•Dance Central, in development by MTV Games, brings a So You Think You Can Dance experience home.

•Star Wars characters and iconic Disney favorites will be featured in separate new games being developed at Microsoft in conjunction with LucasArts and Disney.

"This is (Microsoft's) attempt to leapfrog the Wii and broaden the appeal of the Xbox," says Geoff Keighley of Spike's GameTrailers. "The questions are, 'Does the controller-free environment make (the Xbox 360) more accessible?' and 'Is it fun?' "

USA Today - http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2010-06-14-vidgame14_ST_N.htm

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Best Place For World Cup Updates On Twitter

2010 FIFA World Cup – “The Twitter page of the 2010 Organizing Committee.” News and updates.

SA2010 World Cup – “Official 2010 FIFA World Cup South African Government website with all the information you need!” News, personal updates and commentary.

FIFAWorldCupTM – “The FIFA soccer world cup tweets. All the latest FIFA news and information on the 2010 soccer world cup.” Updates, human interest, emphasis on players and coaches.

TheFA.com – “The official website for the England Football Team and The FA Cup.” Updates on England players and live Tweets from England matches.

US Soccer – “U.S. Soccer: the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States.” Inside look at the US team, players and matches.

CNN World Cup – “All the latest news on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa from CNN International.” News and match scores culled from CNN reporters.

Telegraph World Cup – “World Cup 2010 news, analysis, pictures and video from Telegraph.co.uk” Links back to stories posted by The Telegraph.

NY Times Goal – “The New York Times Soccer Blog reports on the international game and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.” Live updates and links back to New York Times stories.

AP World Cup – “Join the conversation as @AP covers the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.” News, match scores and brief commentary.

BBC World Cup – “A feed dedicated to World Cup headlines from the BBC website.” Links back to BBC.

Sports Illustrated Soccer – “Soccer, World Cup coverage from Sports Illustrated and SI.com writers and photographers.” Player news and general features.

The Sun World Cup – “Follow all the latest news on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with The Sun.” Mostly England updates and news, general match coverage.

Four Four Two – “Humorous but wholehearted, polished but readable, substantial but accessible, it’s football’s most insightful brand – with added F.U.N.” Quirky and off-beat updates, general news.

Fox Soccer News – “FOXSoccer.com headlines.” Links back to Fox Soccer.

World Cup Scores – “Live 2010 world cup soccer scores.” Match scores and live updates.

Article courtesy of http://mashable.com/2010/06/09/follow-world-cup-twitter/

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How to Focus Tweets on Local Prospects

So you’re tweeting away on Twitter about your latest blog…posting links to industry related articles…engaging with people, and so forth. You’ve followed some of your favorite folks, tweeted about your favorite place to eat sushi, and others are now following you. Like the dentist in Calgary and the life coach in Scotland.

What about the users in your own backyard? How do you find geographically closer prospects who may be interested in your offer?

Top Ten ‘Backyard Tweeting’ Tips:

1. Twitter Search. Type in your city’s name to access a list of Twitter users in your region. The advanced search feature finds peeps up to a 15 mile radius.

2. Do a simple Twitter search for people tweeting about your area using the # (hashtag). Simply type– #your city name– or abbreviation in the search box.

3. Twellow – (Twitter + yellow pages) is exactly what it sounds like — a listing of Twitter users. Access your region by clicking on Twellowhood, then your location on the map…or type in your city and state.

4. Follow Twitter trending topics. On the right side of your Twitter page, choose the closest city to yours, then watch for topics of interest to follow.

5. NearbyTweets and GeoFollow offer constant listings of your local Twitter pals and their tweets. GeoFollow lets you bulk follow.

6. Why not Tweetup? A meet-up (offline) of nearby Twitter friends arranged – you guessed it –via Twitter. How to find these elusive group blind dates? Try Meetup (an event site with a special section for Tweetups), Twtvite (a site like Evite but for Twitter) and by searching tweetup geographically, on Twitter Search.

7. Localtweeps – started as a localizing site utilizing the hashtag, this one allows you to register and allows others to follow you or click on your website. You can search by zip code as well.

8. Look for apps- there are tons out there and more fresh apps are created every day to help you to find people in your area. TwitterLocal, Twinkle and more.

9. Twitaholic (formerly Twitterholic) –Not affiliated with Twitter, but the top twitter users in the country are listed here…and so are those hot shot Tweeters in your town. Just type in your Twitter ID under “your Twitaholic ranking.” Once it comes back, click on the name of your city, next to your stats.

10. Search the lists of your local followers and those that you follow in town. This search is bound to yield some like-minded locals.

Do you have other Twitter search tips to share?


Courtesy of Chris Tomkins - http://www.gomediaonline.com

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Facebook New "Like" Analytics Introduced

Facebook has released a refreshed Insights dashboard that provides deeper analytics on user demographics, “Likes,” shares and reshares. The dashboard is designed for page owners, publishers using the new social plugins and application developers.

The aggregate data covered in the new dashboard essentially highlights Facebook users’ sharing behavior related to both content on and off the site with better data, graphs and charts.

Users can visualize top level info, as well as drill down to look at specific metrics around individual stories and comments “Liked” on the page. Graphs in the Insights dashboard can even be saved, printed, or upsized and viewed in full screen mode.

Domain administrators who associate their domain with a user ID, page or application can view detailed — yet anonymous — demographic data for each domain. These demographic visualizations cover gender, age, country, city and language breakdowns for a comprehensive look at audience makeup.

Application developers can get information about referral traffic to their applications, feedback on stream stories and other significant data on user engagement with the application.

The refreshed Insights dashboard appears to be designed to prove to publishers and application developers that sharing and the new Instant Personalization feature are being heavily adopted by users. It’s a smart upgrade that will better help business-oriented Facebook users measure progress within the social network and on their own pages.

Post courtesy of Mashable

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