Google is expected to tap into the world of Facebook and Twitter through its highly popular Gmail service which will allow users to post similar status updates and other items. According to CNN.com the company planned an official announcement for earlier today at about 1p.m. in California.
The search engine leader has recently emphasized social media by altering it’s search function allowing easier access to social media sites. If all goes as planned however, Google’s version will differ from Twitter’s in the fact that status updates and posts will remain private by default. The sites also plans to sound off when a user posts something such as a video or picture to related sites such as YouTube.
This is not the search engine leaders first attempt to connect with evolving technology. The company recently helped create Nexus One, a smart phone, and Google’s first attempt at the computer hardware market. Last month Google announced that users could change their accounts to make results related to co-workers, friends and other members of social networking sites appear above all other listed results.
This feature called the “social search feature,” was first introduced last year and was made available to all through beta testing on January 28. This will be the first step Google is taking to ensure that “web search is always as social as the website.” An instructional video is available for viewing on the site’s official blog.
Coca-Cola’s launch of their “Open Happiness” social media campaign has successfully raised over $64,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America by allowing users of the social network, Facebook, to send virtual gifts through the site. For every gift sent, Coca-Cola donates $1 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Coca-Cola hopes to raise $250,000 with this campaign. Once the Facebook gift is given, the gift giver receives a 20-second sneak preview of one of the two Coca-Cola Super Bowl advertisements. The gift is also posted on the receiver’s profile, and provides a link to the Coca-Cola fan page where others can send gifts. One of the Super Bowl advertisements features characters from The Simpsons while the features actor Denzel Washington. “Open Happiness” is a part of Live Positively.
In January, Coca-Cola released a viral video on Youtube.com titled “Happiness Machine.” The video now has over 1,000,000 views, and they continue to rise as word spreads globally. The “Happiness Machine” is a Coca-Cola vending machine that delivers anything from multiple coke bottles to a colossal sub sandwich! This “Happiness Machine” dovetails perfectly with their “Open Happiness” campaign, which they have launched globally.
Shortly after the Super Bowl, Coca-Cola is expected to sweep headlines with their sustainability plans for the winter Olympics in Vancouver. Coke will aim to make everything eco-friendly and produce “zero waste.” For example, the coolers they use will run on eKOfresh technology, which nearly eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions. The vehicles they use to deliver beverages from their facilities will run on diesel-electric hybrid energy. Electric carts will be used within the venue. The tables and chairs will be made from wood salvaged from the pine-beetle epidemic in British Columbia, menu boards will be made of recycled materials, and the list continues.
With Coca-Cola leading the “beverage battle,” Pepsi will have a challenge with its new “Pepsi Refresh Project” campaign.
A Sold Out Super Bowl With the National Football League’s 2010 Super Bowl coming up this Sunday and the hype around the Colts vs. the Saints, the anticipation around this year’s commercials are in full swing. It comes as no surprise that this game draws around 95 million viewers and is obviously one of the biggest advertising events of the year. The ad agency, Venables Bell & Partners, conducted a study and found that 66 viewers remember their favorite advertiser in the 2009 Super Bowl, but only 49 percent remember which team won.
In 2009, the influence of the recession caused past advertisers to scale back or even not participate in last years Super Bowl causing sales to slow in the weeks prior to the game.
This seems to no longer be a negating factor for this season because as of yesterday CBS ( New York Times) has sold all of the advertising spots for this Sunday’s game. In the beginning of December the company had already sold almost 90 percent of its available commercial time with prices reaching as high as $3 million for a 30-second spot with the game averaging around 50 to 60 spots.
The top advertisers for this year include Anheuser-Busch InBev Budweiser and Bud Light beers. One advertisement which has caused some criticism is by Focus on the Family featuring Tim Tebow, which has women’s groups claiming it sends an anti-abortion rights message.
Never before have such controversial advertisements run during the spectacle. We shall see how the public responds to these provoking messages this Sunday night.
Last week, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled their latest creation: the iPad. With laptops and smart phones belonging to so many people these days, Apple managed to develop a third device that fits neatly in between the two. Available in both Wi-Fi and 3G, the iPad includes features such as Safari, mail, photos, movies, iPod, iTunes, iBooks and several more.
Although the iPad does include many useful and fun features, it is also missing a few that some people consider a weak point for the product. It does not have simple features like phone capabilities, a camera or even a USB port. But Apple usually knows what they’re doing. Is the iPad intended for just a very specific audience? Is it geared toward people who may not be very “computer savvy” but still want to enjoy the perks of being linked in? Or was this new device created for the people who hate multitasking?
Another issue that many people have with this new product is its name: iPad. Many people online are comparing the name to feminine hygiene products. Not a flattering start for Apple’s latest venture.
But while there is much speculation and buzz on the internet surrounding the iPad, The New York Times’ David Pogue has an interesting take on consumer criticism of Apple products. He has a theory that all Apple products are put through the same cycle of phases, beginning with pre-announcement speculation and hype, to online bashing, to buyers giving it positive reviews and eventually everyone falling in love with it.
Aside from the jokes about the name and the criticism over the features not available, there was some initial controversy surrounding the iPad regarding Adobe Flash. Apparently the demo video that was originally posted on Apple’s web site to promote the iPad showed web pages, specifically The New York Times, working as though the device were supported by Flash, which was incorrect. This raised suspicion because during the first iPad demonstration, when Jobs pulled up a NY Times page, a “broken plug-in” icon appeared because it needed Adobe Flash to display properly. So when the demo on Apple’s web site showed the web pages working perfectly, people began to ask questions. It became evident that The NY Times’ web pages were duplicates of the real pages, supposedly generated by The NY Times for Apple. But thanks to the internet’s capability of spreading news such as this like wildfire, Apple has now corrected the promo video, replacing it with a more accurate version.
As with each new product entering the market, there will be criticism and controversy, as well as enthusiasm and excitement. Most likely, this device isn’t meant for everyone, but instead it is probably intended for a niche audience that wants exactly what the iPad offers. It is expected to become available by early April, and during the next couple months, much more will be said about the product. To read what people are saying now, check out the Twitter feed.
With businesses pinching pennies and thousands looking for jobs its no wonder Skype has become a valuable tool in corporate operations, such as the interviewing process. This video chat software offers an inexpensive, low hassle way to meet potential employees, as well as to communicate with current employees. Many companies, such as Zappos.com and Maxim Integrated Products, use Skype as their internal phone system. Companies have employees speaking through their computer speakers and telephones, visually through the web cameras, and exchanging instant messages and documents. Maxim Integrated Products saved $200,000 on long distance calls using Skype, and $2 million annually.
Companies have now found ways to integrate Skype into marketing themselves as accessible. Many small business owners report that Skype helps them stay connected with their clients and allows them to meet at anytime necessary. Businesses have also claimed it increases productivity and stimulates the creative environment. Skype also helps expand small business clientele geographically, which, without the use of Skype, is typically a financial burden.
Skype has not only helped small businesses get ahead, but has also played a large role in connecting networks of families, friends and colleagues, which could increase social capital. However, according to Putnam, the Internet decreases social capital. Perhaps in some cases this is true, but for many, social networking platforms have opened a whole new social capital opportunity to millions of users. Regardless of the debate, it is clear that Skype continues to open up new avenues for businesses, family and communities.
“With the 5th overall pick, the New York Jets select…” too late, Commissioner Goodell the New York Jets have already announced their pick via Twitter. This was the case at the 2009 NFL Draft held in New York City where the Jets actually tweeted their first overall selectionof Mark Sanchez before the commissioner even took the podium. This is just the one of many ways in which the Twitter phenomena has taking over the world of sports entertainment.
Athletes from all forms of professional sports – NBA, NFL, MLB, NHLand others – are on board the Twitter train. Athletes such as Shaquille O’Neal (@THE_REAL_SHAQ), Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) and Serena Williams (@serenajwilliams) are among the top followed professional athletes according to Twitter-Athletes. These professional athletes, highly acclaimed in their respective sports, have over a million followers each.
So why are there so many followers of these athletes? Why would millions of fans seek to connect with their favorite sport idols in this mean of social media? The answer may be found in psychology. According to Indiana psychology professor Edward Hirt onSI.com, “Sports permit people to bask in reflected glory.” If they are fans of the winner, then they will feel like winners. Whether this glory is imagined or not, it feels personal when a fan is able to connect with the big-time athletes as Twitter permits. “It’s not really personal, but it feels kind of personal” according to Hirt. Twitter, in essence, forms a stronger connection between the common Joe and their favorite pro because it offers a behind-the-scenes look into the everyday lives of a professional athletes, something that is not availabe in post-game press conferences.
In some aspects, Twitter has created a whole new social community. At one time the only way fans were able to follow their favorite athletes was on the field or court of play. Now, they can actually see into the lives and minds of athletes. Twitter has actually taken over the usual mean of fandom like fan clubs and web pages dedicated to specific players and athletes. They form a direct line of communication between the stars and their fans. Not only are fans able to show their enthusiam of sport stars by following them, but they can actually include them in their own posts with Twitter’s link feature. Athletes in turn are able to link a fan’s tweet as well. Warren Sapp (QBKILLA), NFL All-Pro defensive end, does this constantly like many of his other professional colleagues.
The athletes themselves, too, reap the rewards of having a social media network like Twitter to express their thoughts and feelings. According to Sean Gregory and his article about the Twitter craze, it is the best form of “No-contact contact.” It allows them to speak and connect with their fans without having to go out into the public spotlight where they would be hassled by the common folk. Twitter also allows for athletes to speak without having other media outlets to speak for them. It is the whole idea of message control, according to St. Louise Rams running back Steven Jackson. “I’ll be able to say my piece instead of allowing different media outlets to portray me how they want to portray me” said Jackson.
Twitter has become a powerful tool in social media. In terms of professional sports, it has become a channel for news, information and even entertainment. After reading a few posts by Shaquille O’Neal, one would definitely find the entertainment value. Whether or not the trend of following big-name professional athletes through Twitter continues remains a questions. It must be noted that Twitter has definitely changed the aspect of athlete/fan interaction.
Mark your calendars everyone! The 2nd Annual Shorty Awards are coming up! This aptly named award show celebrates the effective, efficient and successful use of the Twitter user’s 140-character tweets to best represent the powerful use of Social Media and Social Networking. The Twitter website declares “The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations on Twitter. These unique awards are for the Twitter community by the Twitter Community.”
The 2010 ceremony will be held in New York City during the month of March, This year’s ceremony is already predicted to show support for organizations and individuals and their role in using Twitter to highlight the issues in Haiti and the rapid aid and assistance it then brought about. Haiti resident and TV personality Carel Pedre is the standout nominee, thus far having 163 nominations in five different categories. According to CNN “His twitter site has become a virtual clearing house for aid agencies and those seeking urgent help.” His social network site and social media effects seen on Twitter have placed him at the number five spot of the “#innovation” category of the award show.
Betty Draper, the fictional housewife in the popular hit “Mad Men ,” along with some of the rest of its characters were big winners during 2009 show. Other fictional stars who were big winners last year are also expected to continue their success this year. To many users approval however, the Haiti Twitter-er is projected to make a big impact on and dent into this years ceremony. Any Twitter user can vote for, nominate and or campaign for any of the chosen nominees.
So although the highlights of this award show will not be the best or worst dressed, the entertaining performances, or the comedic host, this new and renovating award show will prove to further the influence, use and importance of Social Media.
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