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  • Google Buzz or Google Bust??

    On February 2, Google introduced their latest product Google Buzz.  This added “social” feature, which is built right into Gmail, allows users to start conversations and share information (pictures, videos, links, etc.) with those they contact the most.  Google Buzz is essentially designed to evolve Gmail into a social networking platform that simplifies the process of sharing both public and private information with those on your contact list (aka: your Gmail address book).  You can follow anyone who has a Gmail account by searching for them by name or email address.  You can instant message, as well as post your latest “buzz” in real time (without a character limit, may I add) and this is all done through your Gmail account. Voila! It’s email, Facebook and Twitter all rolled into one.  Genius.

    Yeah, not so much.

    Over the past week, as Google continues to work out the kinks of its new interface, many feel as if they have fallen victim to an invasion of privacy.  With all of the noise we keep hearing about protecting your “online image,” especially in this job market and economy, when a private conversation is accidentally publicized…well, you can put two and two together.

    In a recent interview with CNBC regarding the privacy issues Google Buzz has created since its debut, Eric Schmidt the CEO of Google Inc. said,”If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. If you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that search engines –including Google –do retain this information for some time and it’s important, for example, that we are all subject in the United States to the Patriot Act and it is possible that all that information could be made available to the authorities.”

    So, maybe Google Buzz will be what the next buzz-worthy addition to social media.  Or, maybe Mr. Schmidt should prepare for his own little buzz-worthy bust.

    Laura Ann Klinedinst

  • The Internet Too Slow?

    The Internet is apparently too slow according to a Google analyst. Google has almost always had a very conservative view of the internet and the advocate for few, if any government censorship and barriers. There are many countries, such as China and France that put blocks on website’s information in order to hinder the amount and type of information its citizens receive. Google’s ideal would be achieving a single Web in order for all people to have high-speed, open and all-access internet connections.

    Google has recently taken strong actions against China by threatening to completely pull Google out of the country because of their strong governmental intervention and hacking. By taking out all of the blocks and creating a unified Web, Google says that everyone will be able to use the internet to its strongest ability. During an interview with CNN , Google analyst Derek Slater answered questions to give insight on how we can get this broadband, high-speed internet. Slater says, the Federal Communications Commission has started working towards creating a national broadband plan to give fast, affordable and open access to the internet in the United States in effort to put the US back on top in regards to internet leaders. The plan of action to achieve this is very in depth and requires much experimentation. It will be vital to achieve this solution that all sectors, municipalities and government agencies.

    Some ideas Google has submitted include using communities as central hubs for this broadband internet access for people to use and disperse. Furthermore to spread multiple strands of fiber to people’s homes in order to eliminate the high cost of digging up the streets and running cable into people’s homes.  Slater emphasize how essential it is for people to participate in civil society and political processes, along with economic growth, innovation and job creation. By falling behind on the implementation of this, we are falling behind in global competition economically and innovatively.

    Using Google as an example, Slater shows how the open internet can benefit all users and society through greater innovation, creativity, and free expression. This Democratization of the internet will further evolve the way people, business, and society use the internet in a seemingly immeasurable way.

    Shannon Meadows

  • Vancouver 2010 Heightens Mobile Advertising Technology

    The Olympics have come a long way since they began in 776 B.C., and with current mobile advertising technology, the games will continue to expand and reach new audiences. During the Beijing Summer Olympics, NBC executives were shocked to see that 6.5 million viewers visited their mobile website during the games. This is the inspiration that caused NBC to add two applications, a smartphone version of the NBC Olympics mobile site, and new social media features to its mobile offerings.  In addition, NBC said they have been “able to attract advertisers to mobile—not because it was part of a large media TV or online buy—but because of the strong performance numbers from Beijing.” The applications offer news results, videos and the opportunity for viewers to follow athletes’ Twitter feeds and Facebook; however, there are no live coverage links of the events. With changing technology, many fear that such an ancient tradition that has contributed so much to our world history may be lost. However, with advances such as smartphone applications and mobile coverage, the games will be further preserved.

    Lacey Inman

    Stephanie Saulsbury

  • MLK Day, President’s Day….Data Privacy Day?

    On January 28, 2010, Microsoft sponsored Data Privacy Day and left us thinking—who knew we would ever honor privacy of online photos and blogs with a “day”? In Washington DC, Microsoft held its 4th annual panel discussion entitled “Think Privacy?  Your reputation is ON the LINE” to empower consumers to take control of their online reputations.  Since social networks and blogging are becoming a bigger part of a person’s daily life, it is no surprise that it has a correlated effect on their jobs. Is this fair? Depends on who you ask.

    Microsoft conducted a survey in December 2009 that presented data showing how online reputations effect job applicants.  70% of Human Resource workers in the US admit to denying job applicants a position due to their online behavior. In close comparisons 60% of web surfers acknowledge that their online “life” may affect their careers. Astonishingly of the 60% only 15% take consideration for their careers (or possible careers) when posting information.

    Many companies have formal policies for checking online reputational data and, in the United States, male recruiters are more likely to perform the check.  These recruiters also search deeper than most consumers are aware. Despite the fact that all online information is not true, recruiters feel all information is valid.  Recruiters also report that they tell applicants when online information plays a role in the company’s decision; however candidates claim not to hear this.

    One key thing to remember is not all information on the internet can harm you.  In fact, 86% of recruiters admitted that good online reputations have positive effects on the candidate’s chances of being hired. Needless to say, people need to become more aware of what the put on social networks and blog sites. This is not to say do not use these sites, just use them with caution because companies are looking!

    Danielle Murray

  • Are you the next “Mayor”?

    Can’t get enough of social media? Well neither can major companies such as Pepsi, HBO, and BravoTV. Foursquare, an application for mobile phones has quickly made its way into the social media scene and continues to add companies to its long list of members.

    A little background on Foursquare: It allows people to “check-in” to wherever they are located. For instance, when visiting a cafe, bar, or restaurant, you simply “check-in” via the Foursquare application on your phone. It then notifies your “friends” of your whereabouts. Foursquare keeps track of how many times you’ve “checked-in” to the places you are visiting and compares your visits with how many times other people visit the same place. If you frequent the spot more than others, then you become the “Mayor” of the restaurant, cafe, bar, etc.

    How do businesses incorporate this “geolocation” social media? Businesses have begun to utilize Foursquare as a way to offer rewards for people who become the “Mayor” of their establishment—a free coffee, free appetizer, etc. Many of the television stations are now using Foursquare to send “pings” about certain TV shows. When a user “checks-in” at a venue, they are then able to view tips, which “friends” leave about the particular venue. Recently, stations such as BravoTV and HBO leave “tips” at select locations, which are usually related to TV show characters or themes. Users who add the stations/shows as friends can view the “tips” at the locations, which then allows them to unlock “badges. “Badges” are tied to items such as real-life awards, sweepstakes, and coupons.

    Will Foursquare catch on as a successful promotional tool, just as Twitter and Facebook have? The platform is still in the experimental phase, but already has the backing of big-name advertisers. It is also rumored that the developers at Facebook are creating a “check-in” feature. It will be interesting to follow Foursquare’s expansion as they have already begun discussing new campaigns with The History Channel, and a partnership with Zagat, a restaurant review guide that also allows users to publish tips about restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and Philadelphia.

    Rachel Kaylor, Writer

    Danielle Murray, Researcher

    Mandy Baker, Design

  • Social Media and the Super Bowl

    How do you analyze the popularity of Super Bowl commercials and the companies that produced them? One way is to check the fans and followers that each company has on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. That is exactly what Clickz ,an internet resource for interactive marketing news and information, did to interpret the success of individual commercials and how they relate to brands that own them.

    The Super Bowl isn’t just a platform for NFL superstars to show they are the best; it also represents the top competition among brands and their advertisements. Clickz recorded the number of Facebook “fans” and Twitter “followers” for each of the advertisers on February 2, Super Bowl Sunday. Then the site collected data a week later to see what kind of increases took place. Evidence from the research reveals that the Super Bowl ads actually boosted some advertisers’ social media accounts considerably.

    According to the research analysis some of the big hitters in the big media dance include HomeAway, Volkswagen, E*Trade and Monster.com. These companies were among half of the Super Bowl advertisers that mentioned their commercials on either their Facebook pages or through their Twitter accounts prior to the game.

    “”By incorporating a dedicated Facebook page, Twitter account, and micro-site as part of the ‘Fiddling Beaver’ campaign,” according to Kathy O’Reilly, director of social media for Monster.com, “we were able to engage with folks before Super Bowl Sunday.”

    Social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter have been great building blocks to cultivate a larger fan base among the consumers. These websites have built a bridge over the gap that once existed between companies and their consumers. However, what is the return of investment? What kind of sales come out it? This question will be asked until there is a legitimate connection between ‘fans’ of the brand and the purchasing consumers of brand  products and services.

    -Jesse Bazemore

  • Google Tapping Into Social Media?

    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.

    Jess Smith