IMC Hawks Blog

Tag: Twitter

  • The World of Twitter Welcomes Conan

    Not even a former evening talk show host can resist the glowing temptation of twitter.  After a recent controversy surrounding talk show hosts Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno, which resulted in the expulsion of O’Brien from appearing on the air, he decided to retain viewers elsewhere. On February 24, 2010, @ConanOBrien posted his first tweet stating: “Today I interviewed a squirrel in my backyard and then threw to commercial. Somebody help me.” Within a half hour of his first tweet, he had up to 15,000 followers.

     Upon deciding what to do with his new source of popularity, O’Brien announced that he would be following one new person every week. He would essentially be retweeting and commenting on the chosen followers’ posts. His first choice was 19 year bride-to-be, Sarah Killen, who he was drawn to because of her love for peanut butter and gummy dinosaurs. After being followed by O’Brien for one week, Killen’s life was flipped upside down. She gained 20,000 followers and is having her dream wedding planned for free, not to mention her all expenses paid honeymoon.  And how will the couple repay him? By asking him to be best man in the wedding, of course!

    As Conan continues to utilize social media as a tool to withhold his popularity and maintain support, he is also continuing to use social capital by building community strength. Sarah is just one individual who has received the benefits of marketing herself via twitter, however, thanks to O’Brien, she is using her new fame to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. So, until Conan is allowed back on the air, the only information he needs his followers to understand is this: “I had a show. Then I had a different show. Now I have a Twitter account.”

    Stephanie Saulsbury

  • Jay-Z Joins the NJ Nets on the Court of Social Media

    The New Jersey Nets have had a questionable relationship with Twitter, recalling a scenario not too long ago when their teammate, Terrence Williams, tweeted out how he regretted being drafted to the Nets. With this in the past, it appears the Nets are attempting to rekindle their relationship with the social media giant. They are now attempting to use its features a little more…constructively.

    The Nets are deemed by many sports fans as “historically bad” at basketball with a record of 5-51. Thus, they are attempting to liven up their fan base and keep the support on the court. In an article on February 23, 2010, the Nets unleashed their newest marketing effort to try and increase their wobbly attendance. They have announced a contest for fans to win tickets to Jay-Z’s concert on March 6th.  In order to be a “fan” and enter the contest, an individual must become a fan of the team on Facebook or must follow them on Twitter.

    Once a fan on Facebook, fill out a form before March 1st to be entered into the drawing. As a follower on Twitter, tweet the message “Hey @NetsBasketball I want to win two tickets to the Jay-Z concert at the Izod Center on March 6th. More info: http://bit.ly/jayznets.”

    It is clear the Nets are attempting to build a stronger social network to not only increase attendance but also foster an identity for the future. They are attempting to connect better with their fan base and build a lasting brand. With part owner Jay-Z on their side, this strategy might actually work. Let’s just hope Terrence Williams does not tweet out that he’d rather have Lady Gaga tickets…

    Rachel Kaylor

  • Local journalist offers insight on social media

    It’s no secret that social media has turned many industries upside down, but how has this technology changed the media? Shannan Bowen, StarNews Media’s social networking and crime writer and “Talk and Squawk” blogger, knows best. Bowen addressed the UNCW Communication Studies Society on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 on the many aspects involving social media and technology in journalism.

    Bowen says social media has helped StarNews Media reach audiences, such as college students, that they could not reach in the past. It has encouraged them to be more innovative and create new ways to keep the audience interested. For instance, when Tropical Storm Hanna hit Wilmington, leaving some without power, StarNews Media created @SNOHurricane on Twitter to deliver information on the weather by tweeting and retweeting. Bowen said this received a lot of traffic because the power was out and the only sources for updates were cell phones.

    Social media sites are not only useful for media outlets to reach the public, but they are also helpful for hearing from the public. The public is the media’s link to what is happening around the community in its nooks and crannies. Bowen said they often use tips from Twitter or Facebook, and once they verify the information, they have a lead. Bowen did urge that it is “very important not to take tweets or Facebook posts at face value in journalism—that would be bad journalism!”

    Bowen emphasized the rise of niche social marketing by discussing Ning.com, a social media site that allows the user to create the network. Many local businesses and groups are using Ning.com to form a network of their own. StarNews Media created several sites using this platform such as WilmOnFilm , a network for local film fans, and Conscience Online for local non-profits.

    Her advice to college students interested in careers involving social media:

    • Keep up with major developments
    • Read communication related blogs
    • Know what is developing in the e-industry
    • Create your own blog and interact with others

    Check out Shannan Bowen’s blog post Living a double life on Facebook.

    Rachel Kaylor

  • 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

  • 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

  • Are consumers ready to embrace the iPad?

    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.

     

     Nicole Doherty

    Stephanie Saulsbury

  • Pro Tweets

    “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 selection of 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, NHL and 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 on SI.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.    

    -Jesse Bazemore