JSH&A enjoyed a visit from Barbara Rozgonyi, founder of Social Media Club Chicago and member of JSH&A’s Digital Advisory Committee. Barbara provided thoughts on the latest social media trends and tips for leveraging them into everyday practices. Throughout her presentation Barbara highlighted a number of resources, including:
TweepML lists top professionals to follow on Twitter in addition to category-specific tweeps, like media contacts and mommy bloggers.
dlvr.it tracks distribution and the number of clicks for a published piece of work online, which can then be sent to personal profiles.
SEO Scribe advises on the best methods for an online story to get picked up by individuals and other outlets.
NewsBasis provides real-time updates to further the connections made through media relations facilitating quick returns on media requests.
PRLog is a free service for press release distribution.
Can you provide any firsthand experiences with the above services? Any particular likes/dislikes or quirks to watch for?
JSH&A staffers recently met with social media guru and author Brian Solis during an exclusive unveiling of Solis’ latest book, “Engage! The Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate and Measure New Success on the Web.”
With pens in hand to secure signed copies of “Engage!,” we were excited to not only meet Solis—who is undeniably a top authority on best social media practices and return on investment—but also hear his thoughts on successful social media campaigns and how social media has changed the public relations industry.
Below are three highlights from Solis’ presentation that stayed top of mind with us following the seminar.
Authentic Social Media Interaction is Key – Sure, we all want to our client to have a million fans on Facebook. It’s easy for someone to “Like” a brand—but what is the level of engagement AFTER that action takes place? Fans should be using the client’s Facebook page or Twitter handle as the go-to source for information about the company. It should be a space where they can openly ask questions and discuss what they do and do not like about the brand—and the brand should take the time to respond.
Content Isn’t King – I know what you’re thinking…this statement is the absolute opposite of everything that we as public relations professionals have learned. Content should be king! While it’s true that you absolutely want to create original, passionate and creative content for clients—it’s important to promote it effectively through the appropriate online channels.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race – Admittedly, everyone is in a “Chicken Little” mentality when it comes to social media—if you’re not in the space, than you’re missing out. It’s important to take a step back before diving in. First you need to determine if it’s appropriate for your client to be involved in various forms of social media (Hint: the answer isn’t ALWAYS yes!) Your social media investment should be built for longevity and frequency. Solis suggested doing away with micro-sites. Instead, why not have a page built into the larger brand website and create content that requires users to continually revisit and engage with the brand?
JSH&A Staffers Samantha Flynn and Jenny Kinkopf with Brian Solis
What are your thoughts on Solis’ key points? Do you agree or disagree? Working in PR, what have you found are the necessary elements for a successfully social media presence?
After months of planning and preparation, JSH&A spent August 6-7 in New York City to support the Hershey®’s and Kraft Foods® sponsor suite at the annual BlogHer Conference. More than 600 bloggers visited the transformed S’mores ‘Snacktivity’ Suite at the Hilton New York to sample the summertime staple— S’mores— and experience the toasted treat beyond the campfire. All BlogHer attendees were invited to stop by to make their own S’mores using Hershey®’s Milk Chocolate bars, Honey Maid® Graham Crackers and Kraft Jet-Puffed® Marshmallows.
Not only did our team arm bloggers with tips and ideas to create everyday S’mores memories with their family and friends, we also brushed up on the latest social media trends and spread the news using the #Smores hashtag on Twitter. More than 2,400 people attended the BlogHer conference this year – making it the world’s largest conference for women in social media.
Pictured above is the interactive indoor/outdoor S’mores ‘Snacktivity’ Suite space showcasing that S’mores can be made on the grill, on the backyard fire pit, over the campfire or even in the microwave. The bloggers who visited the suite over the course of the 2-day conference said the S’mores ‘Snacktivity’ Suite was their favorite of the entire conference and called it a “must see” event.
When bloggers weren’t roaming the BlogHer expo floor, or visiting the S’mores ‘Snacktivity’ Suite, they were busy attending speaker sessions led by top bloggers and panelists that discussed topics such as: FTC Guidelines, writing styles and tips, building their brand, blogging tools and monitoring practices. Overall, it was a great time shared by all and we look forward to next year’s conference in San Diego!
Want to unlock a secret? Master Lock is launching an online campaign with the tools to do so!
From being on time to class, to navigating those first awkward boy-meets-girl moments, students face an array of challenges every school year. Fortunately, Master Lock is helping teens survive this year in style with a fun, online video series and sweepstakes, as well as two new, innovative combination locks designed to make their lives a little easier.
‘The Secret Combination to Surviving the Teen Years’ online video series features ten humorous videos depicting familiar school scenes that all students – and even parents – can relate to. A letter of the day will appear at the end of each video, and viewers can use all ten letters to answer the question, “what is the secret combination to surviving the teen years?” Participants are encouraged to watch the videos as they are released now through August 13 to enter daily drawings for a chance to win an iPod touch® or Master Lock® combination locks.
Teen car crashes account for up to 44 percent of all teen deaths, making it the number one cause of teen deaths in the United States, according to the National Safety Council. Recognizing that the majority of car accidents are highly preventable, Midas has teamed up with the nationally noted automobile expert, Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, to host interactive Teen Car Clinics throughout California to educate teens and parents on how to maintain a safe vehicle and become a safer driver.
JSH&A staffers were on-site in California to help Midas share safe driving tips with media and teens. Teens were invited to take Midas’ “No Texting While Driving” pledge and also took in a hands-on demonstration by Lauren Fix and her daughter, Shelby Fix, The Teen Car Coach, which offered participants the chance to learn how to properly perform important tests and vehicle checks like tire pressure, engine oil and air filter checks.
For all the parents out there, what tips are you giving your teens as they near driving age? For all readers, any advice you wish you had received as a teen driver?
Lauren Fix and daughter, Shelby, talked with teens from the Boys & Girls Club of Kern County (Fresno). Safe car = safe driver.
When it comes to buying shoes on the Internet, what’s the first online retailer that comes to mind? For me, it’s Zappos.
Sure the return policy, selection and often-free shipping are nice, but the personalized customer service is what really deliveres positive word-of-mouth buzz for this company. And with the debut of his new book “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose,” CEO Tom Hsieh continues to be the talk of the town.
I had the opportunity to hear Hsieh speak during last week’s “Super Genius” conference presented by Gas Pedal. While he could have presented a typical sales case study on the company, Hsieh took a different approach to his keynote address by speaking about the Science of Happiness and the role happiness plays in one’s life — both personally and professionally. He spoke about the importance of being adventurous, creative and open-minded, asking the audience “What would you be happy doing in 10 years? That’s what you should be doing now!”
From a business perspective, Hsieh noted that there are two main ingredients that make up great companies — 1) culture and 2) a higher purpose or vision. With these two ingredients, other business elements such as great customer service or building a long-term enduring brand will happen naturally. He stated that it doesn’t matter what your core values are as long as you commit to them. Many companies have core values or guiding principles, but they tend to be lofty or read like a press release. Or in some cases, the values are shared during day-one orientation and never revisited throughout one’s career unless you pass by the plaque hanging on the conference room wall.
For Zappos, Hsieh and his team created 10 committable core values. These 10 values are principles that the company is willing to hire and fire people by based on whether they are living up to them, independent of their actual job performance.
When all is said and done, Hsieh’s business approach is smart. It’s one that truly inspires passion and people and in turn delivers results!
Zappos Core Values:
Deliver WOW through service
Embrace and drive change
Create fun and a little weirdness
Be adventurous, creative and open-minded
Pursue growth and learning
Build open and honest relationships with communication
That’s the question posed to attendees at this week’s GasPedal “Super Genius” word-of-mouth conference. It’s a key question we should bring to the table at the start of every brainstorm. After all, winning ideas are those that transform consumer’s indifference into love – something they’d be excited to pass along to a friend.
JSH&A was on hand to talk with Andy Sernovitz, CEO of GasPedal, as well as other influentials in the WOM and social media arena. Here’s a look at our conversation with Andy.
We are excited to report Flings Bins will be taking on “The Big Easy” with the upcoming “Bloggers on Bourbon” Mom Blog meetup occurring with “Tales of the Cocktail.” Organized by MomDot and Bookieboo, this event promises to “bring the social back into social media.” “Bloggers on Bourbon” caught our attention as it is comprised of online savvy women who are working to take their connections to new levels. The group is meeting to build stronger relationships within the online community and enjoy the company of like-minded women. A top priority at any get-together is a quick and easy cleanup, which is why Flings Bins decided to jump on board! As a new product, Flings Bins understands the importance of allowing consumers to experience their product firsthand, and was more than willing to send Flings Recycling Bins for these moms to see for themselves.
Flings Pop-Up Trash and Recycling Bins provide a hassle-free solution for cleanup at any occasion – at parties, at home or on-the-go. Flings Bins are convenient, portable, compact containers that are ready to use in a snap. Whether it’s a football tailgate, summer get-together or holiday cocktail event, party hosts can plan ahead for every celebration by providing stylish and convenient trash and recycling options for guests with Flings Bins. Available in a variety of designs including BBQ, celebration, holiday, picnic, birthday and recycling themes, Flings Bins are the perfect cleanup solution to keep your event running smoothly.
Flings Bins invites consumers to learn more about the product that is quickly becoming an essential to any special occasion at www.Facebook.com/FlingsBins and www.YouTube.com/FlingsBins. We look forward to following all the tweets, posts and fun coming out of New Orleans next weekend!
Filling one Flings Pop-Up Recycling Bin keeps 60 cans or bottles from ending up in a landfill, which saves enough energy to power a television for 180 hours.
It wasn’t a surprise when Sara Jessica Parker was named Creative Director for Halston’s Heritage line early this year. As famous for her fashion profile as for her acting career, Parker appears at galas and Fashion Week events in the designer’s elegant gowns and is expected to be closely involved in both the design and business aspects of Halston’s contemporary collection.
It also seems natural for Ashton Kutcher, the world’s top Twitter-er with five million followers, to sign on as Popchips’ President of Pop Culture, directing social media initiatives at the relatively new snack-food maker. A minority owner of Popchips, Kutcher explained, “I’m going to eat these chips anyway….If I can, why not actually own a piece of the company.” “As my image is being leveraged, I am participating in the upside.”
The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted expanded endorsement arrangements with celebrities who take stake in a company beyond the traditional spokesperson role. According to WSJ, “celebrities increasingly are looking for broader agreements that offer a bigger piece of the action.”
However, who would have expected a marriage between Polaroid, a 70-year-old brand, and today’s hip and visually outrageous Lady Gaga? Named Polaroid’s Creative Director and Inventor of Specialty Products, Lady Gaga appeared at Polaroid’s Consumer Electronics Show booth and led a creative team session in Tokyo “to collaborate on designs for upcoming co-branded products,” according to the Polaroid website. “…she is a creative tour-de-force, and a key player on the Polaroid team.”
The WSJ and Hollywood talent agency, Creative Artists Agency, which has been driving many of the new celebrity/brand business partnerships, expect this trend to grow.
“People in the endorsements business say the trend is being driven by the growing sophistication of consumers, who are becoming skeptical of celebrity pitchmen,” noted WSJ. They could also add the heightened marketing savvy of many of today’s wiser celebs as a key trend-driver.
Trendwatching.com always offers a curious global glimpse into the future. Some trends seem preposterous and others quite obvious. “Innovation Insanity,” its current review of innovations spotted around the world, features technology, ecology, marketing, charity, retailing and other excellent adventures by inventive minds.
A few of my personal favorites:
GoTryItOn, a virtual “dressing room,” allows users to upload digital snapshots of themselves in various outfits for friends (or the online community) to weigh-in.
SoupCycle in Oregon offers organic soup made from locally grown produce and delivered weekly – by bicycle.
Manpacks, a subscription service offering JustSocks (3 pairs of socks every 3 months) and the Macho Pack (3 shirts, 3 pairs of underwear and 3 pairs of socks every 3 months.
TweetNotebook features your Tweets on each of page of a 320-page notebook. Just enter your Twitter name and the site automatically creates your personal TweetNotebook.
I’m sure you’ll find creative new services, products and ideas to make your life easier, more productive or personalized. Go to www.trendwatching.com and get inspired.
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However, who would have expected a marriage between Polaroid, a 70-year-old brand, and today’s hip and visually outrageous Lady Gaga? Named Polaroid’s Creative Director and Inventor of Specialty Products, Lady Gaga appeared at Polaroid’s Consumer Electronics Show booth and led a creative team session in Tokyo “to collaborate on designs for upcoming co-branded products,” according to the Polaroid website. “…she is a creative tour-de-force, and a key player on the Polaroid team.”
Trendwatching.com always offers a curious global glimpse into the future. Some trends seem preposterous and others quite obvious. “Innovation Insanity,” its current review of innovations spotted around the world, features technology, ecology, marketing, charity, retailing and other excellent adventures by inventive minds.