Sh*t (Whoever) Say
“Can you pass me that blanket?”
That’s the famous line of the first-popular, “Sh*t Girls Say” YouTube video sensation. Since then, hundreds of spin-offs have emerged. College-specific, city-specific, ethnicity-specific videos have popped up, giving a laugh to all of those close to or within the clique mocked. Essentially, most are self-mocking videos, having fun at the things we’re embarrassed we (or the ones we love) say on a daily basis.
As with all Internet fads, some of the videos are good, while others are not. There are professionally-made videos; borderline-offensive videos; clever videos; and plain unfunny videos. These spin-offs (however strikingly terrible they may be) emphasize the popularity of the fad, perhaps even more poignantly than do the millions of views the videos have garnered.
(Everyone knows imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.)
That said, what strikes me as most interesting about this fad is that it is not particularly ground-breaking. In fact, the best videos are the ones that detail the mundane things the members of the group say on a daily basis. “Could you not do that please?” is not in and of itself hilarious, yet positioned as something girls frequently say, it is deemed comedic brilliance.
Why? Because it’s true!
Comedians have made their fame for years off of examining the idiosyncratic behaviors of society, and then calling us out on it. (Jerry Seinfeld, I’m looking at you.) We do not frequently take the moment to really look at our actions (or, in this case, expressions), admit the absurdity, and then laugh at ourselves. The Sh*t (Whoever) Say videos provide us with that opportunity and society is grateful for the opportunity.
Don’t buy it? I challenge you to go to YouTube and watch just one of those videos without spending the subsequent 30 minutes of your precious life watching more.
(…And more and more and more.)
LinkedIn’s Big Boom
LinkedIn is a social media platform, which allows members to create professional profiles, much like an extended CV. Members may develop their profiles to include such information as work experience, education, and skills, making it ideal for matching employees with employers. Furthermore, LinkedIn provides members with the opportunity to join groups and form “connections” (much like Facebook “friends”) except with a higher priority on former affiliates and coworkers.
But LinkedIn’s most recent press release would suggest that you already know that. (Because you’re probably already a member.)
Indeed, this Thursday, February 9th, LinkedIn announced that it’s membership has risen to a staggering 150 million. (A full 20 million increase since November of 2011.) With that huge increase in the fourth quarter, it is unsurprising that LinkedIn also reported a $167.7 million revenue for the quarter. (The company’s 2011 revenue were reported at $522.2 million.)
Following the release of the strong quarter, LinkedIn’s stock rose 17 percent. This Friday in afternoon trading, stock prices for the company rose $12.86 to $89.25.
The positive fiscal outlook for the company indicates staying power for the company and its large membership numbers can only help. (A greater membership pool means increased connections, better probability of job placement, and, of course, increased advertising revenue.)
LinkedIn currently makes the majority of its revenues via Hiring Solutions (fees charged to companies), Marketing Solutions (recruiting), and premium subscriptions. The remaining is generated through advertisements.
LinkedIn’s members come from around the globe in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. A surprising 60% of members are from outside the United States.
A Defense of Valentine’s Day
Alright, so as we all know, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. (I’ve been eating those Sweetheart candies since December 26th.) As we all also know, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with two things: consumerism and heart break. Many say that it’s a Hallmark holiday; a day invented by greedy capitalists trying to make a dime off the guilt we’d feel if we didn’t buy a bouquet or make fancy dinner reservations. (The average American plans to spend $126 this Valentine’s Day.) To others, it is merely a demon day of inevitable sorrow: a day full of loneliness or disappointment.
Let’s get one thing cleared away right off the bat: I have never had a good Valentine’s Day. Ever. I’ve been broken up with on the 13th; stood up on my way out to dinner reservations; and I even vaguely remember my 3rd grade crush giving me a “you’ve got a friend in me” cut-out card, which even 8 year-old Maddy knew was a total blow-off.
But here’s the thing: I freaking love Valentine’s Day.
Maybe it’s the sugar rush (hello, Russel Stover’s) or maybe it’s my (admittedly embarrassing) love of all things pink and/or flowery, but I truly believe that society would be a little worse off without Valentine’s Day.
After all, it’s a day dedicated to love. It’s the one day a year when we acknowledge the someone special in our lives for no reason other than because we love them. Days go by quickly, the holidays are filled with stress, and anniversaries are inevitably overlooked, but Valentine’s Day is a bold, in-you-face, reminder to celebrate the one you love.
Yes, yes, I know the old “you shouldn’t need a day to show them you love them” argument. But how often do you really show them? How often do you break out your too-tight dress or ill-fitting sport coat and go to a snazzy dinner just because? How often do you come home with flowers or cards to let your someone-special know how much they mean?
If the answer is often, then heck, maybe you don’t need Valentine’s Day. But for the rest of us, it is to be looked upon as an opportunity, rather than a burden. There is something so intrinsically beautiful about a busy society dedicating a day to love.
So even if you spend it how I have the last few years (with a bottle of wine, a soppy RomCom, and the Snoopy Pez Dispenser your dad sent,) be happy that there’s enough love in the world to sell all those cards.
SOPA: What Was it and What’s Next?
So, as your loyal Internet reporter, I’m going to lay out the real scoop on this SOPA business so we can understand all the facts once and for all. Heck, maybe you can even casually work it into conversations in the breakroom to prove it.
By it’s name, SOPA doesn’t sound all too threatening. It is, in fact, the “Stop Online Piracy Act” intended “to promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating theft of US property, and for other purposes.”
Huh. Ok. Sounds…good?
At a glance, yes. But opponents of the bill argue that the bill puts undue censorship on web content, inhibits free speech, and is, therefore, in violation of the first amendment. This is due to the fact that the bill is too harsh and too vague. The bill would grant government the ability to shut down a site without due process if any content appeared to be in violation of copy-write material. Sites like YouTube would be crippled by the vague legislation of this bill and many within the tech industry say that the entire Internet infrastructure would collapse.
Yikes.
For now, however, the tech company and Internet community can celebrate in their apparent defeat of the bill. On January 20th, Congress announced a postponement, stating that additional time was needed to find a better solution to Online piracy and the issue of protecting of intellectual property. Many opponents to SOPA have indicated support for the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN Act.) The House Judiciary Committee and Senate Finance Committee are currently reviewing the bill.
Super Bowl Ads (You Know We Can’t Resist)
Big news, everybody! The Super Bowl is this Sunday! Grab your caps and get ready to watch those dudes get that ball to those big yellow forks, while those guys in jail costumes blow their whistles and do sporadic robot dance moves!
Yeah, ok. So I’m not a huge sports gal. I’d like to be. Honestly. There’s something so effortlessly cool about that girl who knows all the sports lingo, drinks beers, somehow pulls off those hideously baggy jerseys, and knows Tom Brady as something other than Gisele Bundchen’s hottie hubbie.
But that’s not me so let’s move forward.
To me, the Super Bowl is a great excuse for me to meet up with friends, eat an excess of dips and wings, and (fingers crossed!) see an unforgettably awful and/or scandalous half-time show. But the real draw is, of course, the ads.
Oh, the ads.
The biggest advertising event of the year is undeniably the Super Bowl. It’s enough to make us marketers drool. Those huge budgets thrown to the few seconds of air time is astonishing. Of course, at this cost, the pressure to deliver an ad that is remembered by millions the next day at their water coolers makes for great ads.
Who could forget the famous Budweiser frogs? Old Spice’s “Man Your Man Could Smell Like?” The eTrade baby?
They’re classics. But more impressive, they made that impression in mere fractions of the time that beloved movies or television series had.
This year, word on the playground is that a number of the ads will be more nostalgic in nature. Specifically, car companies, Honda, Volkswagen, and Acura will be utilizing “old pop culture” icons like Ferris Bueller, Star Wars, and Seinfeld in their commercials.
Of course, there will be the overtly sexual ads (because who didn’t love those super awkward moments watching the Super Bowl with your family as a kid.) As usual, Go Daddy is set to play one such ad. H&M is reportedly also putting a provocative commercial out, starring David Beckham in his undies.
But, hey, who’s really going to complain about that?
BMG Cheers on Client, Clan Milk, in Guinness World Record Attempt
BMG is excited to have just created a new site for gaming group, Clank Milk. At its heart, Clan Milk is about people who love gaming coming together to play for the joy of the game. The new Clan Milk site aims to connect professional players with more amateur members of the gaming community. Clan Milk is dedicated to providing a supportive, inclusive community for all who love to game, regardless of skill level or experience.
Recently, Clan Milk has made news by announcing that on January 26th, founder, Sam “Milkfat” Braithwaite, will be attempting to set the Guinness World Record for longest marathon stream of all time. Playing Heroes of Newarth, Milkfat seeks to break the current record of 52 consecutive hours by a full day. In other words, he will attempt a full 76 hours of playing time.
(Yes, you read that right.)
Although many might say such a feat is impossible, or at the very least, insane, Milkfat is taking on this endeavor for a worthy cause. After graduating high school, Milfkat spent four months in Kenya with his father, volunteering in a program similar to Doctors Without Borders. Accordingly, the proceeds of this lofty challenge will be donated to the charity. Clan Milk wishes to impress upon the public that the gaming community is not a plague on society as some may believe, but rather a community of good people with good intentions trying to make a difference.
Of course, there are some rules Guinness World Book of Records has put in place. Milkfat is granted 10 minutes break for every hour played. Beyond breaks, he must not deviate from the game for more than 7 seconds. If a technical difficulty were to arise, Milkfat must resume as soon as it is fixed, and submit a written, undersigned document to confirm that there was actually a problem. Finally, a drug test will be administered before and after the tournament.
(And you thought the Olympics were hardcore.)
Milkfat will be playing in front of an audience of family, friends, and members of the gaming community in Howie’s Game Shack in Mission Viejo, California. His efforts will be broadcasted across Kaleidoscope Malls, streamed live on Clanmilk.com, and documented on Honcast.
For now, Milkfat is getting his shut eye, exercising, and eating his fruits and veggies. He says when it’s over, he’s sure he’ll treasure his Guinness placard above all else.
Heck, I sure would.
The Skinny on Georgia’s New Childhood Obesity Campaign
But are they going about it the right way?
The staunch ads have drawn fire from critics saying that the ads only further ostracise overweight and obese children. Parents and health experts worry that such ads will only increase the low self-esteem and bullying, common to these children. Others just find the ads to be upsetting, overly-harsh, and lacking any positive message to inspire action.
But Georgia is making no apologies. Said Linda Matzigkeit, a senior vice president at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “We felt like we needed a very arresting, abrupt campaign that said: “Hey, Georgia! Wake up. This is a problem.””
In fact, Georgia is the second “fattest state” in the country, behind Mississippi and an estimated 1 million children in the state are considered overweight.
Who is at the heart of the problem, according to those leading the campaign? Their parents.
According to a study conducted within the state, 50 percent of parents did not know childhood obesity was a problem and 75 percent of parents did not identify their obese child as even being overweight. Accordingly, the campaign is intended not to blame the children, but to get their parents’ attention. Even if it means making them uncomfortable.
So what do you think of the new campaign? Spot-on or off target? Helpful or hurtful?
Check out the ads here.
New Year’s Resolutions
(Or for January, anyway.)
The New Year brings a seemingly endless number of advertisements, PSAs, and articles, which tell us what our resolutions ought to be and how we should go about keeping them. I recently read an article on what my resolutions should be as a twenty-something. It didn’t include “get a job” so phew! Bullet dodged.
These resolutions mean business, too. All those people swearing to beat the bulge mean big bucks for the fitness industry. In fact, last year, the resolution-ers spent over $60 billion dollars in such things as gym memberships, fitness equipment, and diet meals. Memberships to fitness clubs and the like are estimated to more than double at the start of each New Year and the industry relies on these eager, early-year sign-ups for their revenues. While this fitness flock means crowded space initially, most gyms see a decrease in attendance by mid-February.
Similarly, companies aimed at helping people quit smoking see a huge boost in numbers at the start of each year. Advertisements for nicotine patches, lozenges, and gums bombard us in every media outlet. (I’ve never been a smoker but some of those commercials are so intense I’m still convinced I need to quit.) Unfortunately, it is estimated that while 17 million Americans vow to quit smoking each year, only 1.3 million succeed long-term.
Which brings us to the age-old question: do New Year’s resolutions really work? Or are they merely a naïve optimism we hold at the beginning of the holidays, drunk off of holiday spirit and egged on by businesses with something to gain? Don’t we know deep down that if we really wanted to change, we wouldn’t need to wait for some ceremonious occasion?
Maybe. But I’d like to take a lighter approach. So what if many of us don’t fulfill our resolutions? (I just had a clementine with my burrito so I’d say my “eat more produce” goal of ’08 is going fabulously.) Is it not better to set goals for ourselves than it is to be defeated before we have begun? Maybe we need a new year to remind us that we only have so many more to live to their fullest. A New Year can be a fresh start. Yes, it’s a simple change in the calendar, but it can also be a change in lifestyle if we truly grant it that ability. 2012 will be exactly what we make it to be.
And for those of you reading this and guiltily staring at your cheese puff-stained fingers, fret not. “#ibrokemyresolutionwhen” is now trending on Twitter.
Off With Their Heads!
But we know this. These models make up the itsy bitsy 1% that I’d speculate deep down most women envy more than those Wall Street fat cats. The problem is that now even this fractal of women is not perfect enough for the fashion industry.
Enter H&M.
H&M is a clothing retailer that targets a younger demographic through providing in-style clothes at affordable prices. (Blah blah blah…they’re a trendy chain that even the barista and I can afford.) What have put this relatively nondescript retailer in the public eye recently are the company’s new “models.”
H&M has taken Photoshop in fashion to a whole new and despicable low by chopping off the heads of their models and superimposing them on dolls wearing the store’s merchandise. That is to say, the images of the women used on the website are actually chop suey Frankensteins of part-doll, part-human portions.
Awesome.
As if little girls everywhere didn’t have low enough self-esteem. As if seeing the images of beautiful women with hips as high as your (slight) double-chin wasn’t already enough to make women kick their body image deep down into the pits of awful, somewhere near pleated pants, “From Justin to Kelly” and raisins.
Now the championed ideal of beauty is no longer something that very few of us are, but rather, something that none of us are. According to H&M, there are no women perfect enough to wear their clothing. Which is sort of an odd implication for a clothing retailer to make.
I thought clothing was made for us pear-shaped, puckered, imperfect women. More to the point, I thought we were the ones who bought them.
Show us a real woman whose clothes celebrate her curves; clothes that highlight the body that can carry a baby and climb the corporate ladder. Show our children and our society the real women that take your clothes off their hangers and make them fashion.
A Gift-Giving Guide
Maybe I’m missing something, but frankly, I just don’t get it.
And maybe that’s my deal. Maybe I just love Christmas too much to understand. I love decking the halls; hanging my stocking with care (I’m going to say the cut-off age for that is 30 so I’m good;) gawking at Christmas lights; and getting just a tad too competitive at the office holiday party gingerbread-house-building contest. But mostly, I love gift giving.
Sure, there are the financial constraints (but who needs food, really?); the 150 degree stores at the malls; the fact that there is never enough tape to finish wrapping that last gift. But these are par for the course, people!
The look of joy on your loved ones faces when they open that something special is well worth the Ramen dinners, heat rash, and frantic drawer-scrounging! If there is any time to give, this is it! Not because we have to but because we want to. Six days later when New Year’s rolls around, we make resolutions for ourselves. In fact, we spend the whole year focus on ourselves: our goals; our problems. The holidays are about showing a little appreciation to those who make the year something more than a run on a gerbil wheel.
So, yeah, I don’t understand why to show this appreciation we flock to the web to ask some stranger to figure out what our loved ones would love the most.
Is it laziness? Stress? Or is it because we want to please them so badly, we are searching for some definite way to do so? In the spirit of the season, I will go with the latter. But I want to assert that the answer is not on these sites. At the risk of being super corny (though tis the season!) I will state that the meaningfulness of the gift is in the consideration that went into it.
How would some site know that your sister needs a new coat after she left her old one at a fraternity? How would it it know that your mom needs another crystal cat miniature to add to her 42 piece collection? How would it know that your best friend needs a Spanish dictionary to impress his new foreign neighbor?
It wouldn’t.
Only you would. Understanding the desires and needs of your loved ones is the entire point of gift giving. Scanning blogs and web pages for “what’s hot this holiday season” doesn’t do that. So take a moment to actually think about the people you’re giving to this season, then be it something you buy (or make), give and be merry!
Cyber Monday
But battle it out on Black Friday? Heck no.
Firstly, there’s the waking up at the crack o’ dawn. No way has the taste of turkey even left your tongue by 4 am. And can someone please explain the midnight store openings this year? You’ve just spent hours battling it out with your sanity at family dinner and then you’re going to have to claw down a lady for a waffle maker at 12 am? Ick! (Then again, maybe the repressed rage from your Aunt Clara asking you why you aren’t going to medical school like your cousin doubles as fuel for department store fights.)
Which brings me to my main reason for not attending: the store showdowns. Even if I could drag myself to the mall at that unearthly hour (presumably with a large dose of Red Bull and regret) my 100 pound body and spaghetti arms could not handle the fight.You have to shove and push and claw and grab and be willing to strike down your grandma to snag that last Barbie cellphone. People get trampled and killed every year and one memorable gal this particular Black Friday pepper sprayed her fellow shoppers to get an on-sale Xbox 360. These people are serious!
“Heading off to Black Friday sales, honey!…Oh, silly me! Almost forgot my pepper spray!”
Sheesh! Considering the fact that the most aggressive I get is trying to shove my size 6 feet into an on-sale size 5, Black Friday is not for me. So what does a girl with more Skittles than cash do for Christmas shopping?
Hello, Cyber Monday.
Cyber Monday refers to the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend when Americans take to their computers on office time (76 million shop from work!) to scour the web for deals. And as online shopping increases annually, so too has sales on Cyber Monday. Online providers like Amazon and eBay benefit enormously from those taking a break from solitaire to shop and sales this year are expected to exceed $1 billion.
Sites have become increasingly focused on providing great deals on Cyber Monday and some expect the sales made online will exceed those in-store. Shoppers young and old are increasing their online purchases and the convenience can not be beat. Plus, online shoppers have the bonus of no extra hospital bills at the end of their purchasing-a benefit not all Black Friday shoppers enjoy.
Overall, it’s safe to say that I will be doing a great deal of online shopping this holiday season. And hey, with the money I save, maybe I’ll even buy something for old Aunt Clara and her doctor son. Like a vacation to a far off land for next Thanksgiving.
What can I say? I’m a giver.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Returns
What is interesting about YouTube videos is that their sequels are revered, while every time I hear a movie sequel is being released, I wince a little. Maybe it’s because movie sequels are notoriously terrible (“Grease 2,” anybody?) but why should they be? Can’t they follow YouTube’s suit and step up their game so we don’t have to feel like we’ve been shook down after seeing the sub-par sequels like “Lion King 2.” (Hello, incest, by the way.) YouTube stars start with a winning video and make their fame through follow-ups. For example, Pop-singer, Greyson Chance became an overnight sensation in 2010 when his YouTube video went viral. Businesses have also taken advantage publicity these viral videos garner: the Old Spice and Will it Blend? videos being, perhaps, most notable in helping to develop a brand.
Read more >>
The Internet Responds to Kim Kardashian and Chris Humphries’ Divorce
Plus there was that insane head thing she wore on her wedding day. I figured it must be true love if Chris was willing to exchange rings with a broad with a shiny string across her forehead. The guy didn’t even burst into laughter or roll on the floor clutching his midsection when he saw it. It just had to be love!
Read more >>
Exploring Social Media and SEO
During the live BMGChat Twitter chat last week, participants were interested in hearing more about SEO (search engine optimization) and how it relates to social media. In today’s online world, it seems that everyone is looking for a way to leverage social media. Google is linking search and social networking, proving social media to be an undeniable force that we’d be silly to ignore. Establishing a purposeful, successful SEO plan for your social media outlets can be a challenge. But there’s a few guidelines you can follow that will make creating a solid plan much easier. Let’s explore what social media SEO is (and is not), how it works, how we can make it happen, and how to measure the results of our hard work.
What Social Media SEO Is and Isn’t…
To start, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that “effective social advertising is less about attaching marketing messages to content and more about being the content.” In other words, social media participants are not looking for another space filled with advertisements they don’t trust and marketing campaigns with the same underlying messages from companies trying to get their own message out there. Social media participants want interaction. They want to read about topics that interest them. They want a space to let their guard down and freely discuss these topics with others.
Read more >>
How To: Building a Firm Foundation for an Exceptional Blog
Blogging has become a crucial part of having a successful web presence. In the BMGChat on Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:30pm EST, we discussed a few key areas of blogging: content, word count, keywords, and publishing tools and platforms. Here’s a summary of the chat!
Content: Content should be “less about your client’s product, and more about the “culture that surrounds” your client’s product. Hubspot, a company that offers inbound Internet marketing software, is a prime example. Its blog offers up creatively packaged, practical information that appeals to its very own target audience. Readers will find witty, educational posts, videos, guest contributions and even cartoons that cover everything from SEO and lead generation to Charles Darwin and cupcakes…//…You should ask two key questions: Who is going to read it? What kinds of topics and issues do they care the most about?” There are a million ways to steadily produce thought-provoking content for your audience. Ask your audience what they’re interested in hearing about! After you’ve written a post, end it with questions that solicit their feedback. “Don’t be afraid to pull in experts for Q&As, give spots to guest authors, respond to news and timely topics, share the spotlight with partners and customers and provide educational how-to’s. And of course, we all love lists.”
Q: What type of content draws you to a blog? What drives you to actually comment or give feedback? What are some of your favorite blogs?
BMGChat response:
- This website has excellent blog posts and articles http://www.npr.org/
- Focused content (nothing too random)
- Strong, well worded opinions
- Current content
- Facts plus personal opinions
- Added value to the topic of discussion encourages feedback
Read more >>
Barbie’s New Look
As a senior in college, my days with Barbie are long over. (Though some of those borderline orange, bleached girls around campus are disconcertingly similar.) Still, I remember my days with good ole’ Barbie as well as the next girl: the Dream House; the endless professions she held (doctor, flight attendant, teacher…that girl was busy!); the emotional ups and downs with Ken; the itsy bitsy stilettos. (Which reminds me, where did that second shoe always go?!)
Mostly, though, I remember the sparkle. Glamour is what defined Barbie. From her shimmering eye shadow, to her sequined gowns, Barbie had a Hollywood style with a kiss of Malibu. Oh, and a heck of a lot of pink.
Perhaps this is why there has been so much commotion over her latest makeover. Late this October, Mattel debuted a 50 dollar collectible Barbie for its Tokidoki line. This doll is rocking an edgy outfit (someone please tell me where I can get those leggings!), tattoos, and a light pink, blunt bob that would make pop singer, Nicki Minaj, jealous. Moms, at least it’s pink, right?
Unsurprisingly, Barbie’s new look caused a great deal of kerfluffle in the carpool circuit. Parents quickly took to the web to express their outrage in the poor example they believed the doll was setting for their daughters. Some even went as far as to say tattooing Barbie was as bad as putting a cigarette in her mouth! (Why did no one tell me tattoos cause lung cancer?!)
Personally, I think Barbie looks pretty cool. Maybe I’m a punk (though my Taylor Swift poster begs to differ) but I think I prefer this new look to her regular getup. Still, my admiration of Barbie’s bold new beat is not all too important. (Still Googling for those leggings, though!) What is more interesting is the argument behind these parents’ objections. That is; the idea that Barbie should not be made with tattoos (even if only sold as a collectible) because she is an example for our young and impressionable girls.
Wait. Barbie is an otherwise good example?
It is almost a cliché to say that Barbie sets an unrealistic ideal for women’s bodies. Her endlessly long legs and invisible waistline are unachievable for real women, yet millions of little girls are given their very own Barbie. Furthermore, with eating disorders and low self-esteem prevalent in the majority of female adolescents, it seems like the unattainable ideal Barbie embodies should not set the example. Still, there are fewer outraged by Barbie’s effect on distorted body image than there are upset that she went and got herself some ink.
But, hey, moms, let your little girls grow up wishing for a body they can never have, just please, whatever you do, don’t let them get tattoos!!!
Agree? Don’t? Weigh in!
Marketing Brilliance….What Inspires You?
When it comes to direct marketing, what stands out? What companies do the best marketing? Tonight’s chat was inspired by the following article from mediapost.com, entitled “Dove Asks Women: ‘Who Inspires You?’” As many of you already know, Dove has built a reputation for helping women build confidence through their “Campaign For Real Beauty.” So, they wanted to know, who inspires women? Who are their idols? I would like to ask you all the same thing tonight. Who inspires you in the marketing and social media worlds? I’ll give a short forum tonight, and the new can all share who inspires us and why!
A recent Forbes article, “Steve Jobs’ Legacy for Marketers,” pays tribute to the brilliant contribution Steve Jobs made to technology and marketing. The article is broken down into three specific points that Jobs did better than individual or company to date:
1. Make things easy for customers to use:
“Apple has been legendary for its focus on “ease of use,” and the company has pioneered many great products with this mission in mind. But making products and services easy for customers to have a great experience should not be limited to technology firms. Banks, hospitals, insurance companies, auto makers and airlines could learn this lesson from Steve.”
2. Develop “Whole Products”:
“For years Apple was criticized for the “closed” system approach it used for its Macintosh computers. By controlling the hardware, operating system and many of the peripherals, Apple made the Mac easy to use, but also much more expensive. This ultimately limited the market share for the Mac. However, this whole product philosophy was critical to the success of the iPod.”
3. Create a beloved brand:
“Few brands have as many passionate fans as Apple. This brand fanaticism has been a result of not only lessons #1 and #2 but also the consistency with which the company communicates. Every touch-point in a consumer’s experience has been executed with the same visual identity and simplicity. From product packaging and advertising to the website and retail stores, the Apple brand has been clearly and consistently delivered. Steve would have it no other way.”
During the BMGChat on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:30pm EST, participants such as @janettekotichas @karlitoslife @wekgroup @LukeHenrySEO said that what inspires them in social media and marketing are components such as innovation or education, through thought provoking material, humor, or a call to action for a good cause. Above all, the social media or direct marketing campaign must stay true to the brand authenticity.
4 Essential Tips for Conquering the App Development Process
Apps are becoming a huge part of our daily lives. We check the weather, track our weight loss, do business, and stay in contact with friends and family thanks to the millions of apps right at our fingertips. Applications are relatively new on the direct marketing scene and, undeniably, they’ve had tremendous success. There is money making potential, whether it be designing or marketing these applications.
In light of all of this, when reading over a few articles on Mashable this past week, “4 Essential Tips for Conquering the App Development Process” stood out to me. Here are their tips…and a few of our own at Break Media Group.
1. Communicate Clearly:
Sometimes communicating an idea specifically to a developer can be the most difficult part of the process for “managers and ‘idea people’ who are not well-versed in technical areas.” If you’re an “idea person” responsible for communicating it a developer, think it through and practice actually articulating it to a few people before taking it to the design and development team. This way, you can bounce ideas off of them, answer basic questions, and fine-tune the idea a little bit better. “The important piece of detail that they should be conveying, though, is what the idea is and what they want the developer to create in order to solve the business problem.” In other words, the app can be wildly creative, but it has to add value; it must solve a business problem.
2. Aim for Simplicity:
“When communicating an app idea and its desired features, project managers should start with the big picture first.” Again–what is this app going to accomplish? What problem is it solving? Tedious details such as fonts, color schemes, and layout, can be super time consuming and take the forefront of the project development. I think the article said it best: “Details without clear context will create unnecessary complexity… and unnecessary details also multiply complexity.” So, the lesson in all of this? Keep it as simple and clear cut as possible.
3. Consider Complexity:
This is the other side of “Aiming for Simplicity.” When putting an idea into action (creating the application itself), complexity is something you are going to have to grapple with. Discuss it! Talk about the unpredictable, the unknown, the things that could go wrong. Then, put it into perspective. “Process needs to solve the problem of complexity. More importantly, though, process needs to help us cope with complexity, because it exists in everything we do, whether it’s whittling a piece of wood or developing a large enterprise application.”
4. Know Your Constraints:
I used to think constraints were a bad thing. But when developing an application, they are your guidelines and they keep your project focused. “If an idea is changed after development has begun, the idea is unconstrained.’ Having an unconstrained idea makes development more difficult, taking up more time and money to finish the initial iteration. As a result, ‘An unconstrained idea necessitates an equally unconstrained timeline and budget.”
Other cool App ideas/sites: www.ifttt.com and www.bestapps.com
Follow and join #BMGChat Wednesdays at 7:30pm EST
Spooky B-Movie Viral Hit Yield Ideas For User-Inclusive Marketing Fun
Eric is the CEO of Break Media Group
If all those great sorority-slasher horror movies of yesteryear were remade today, they would surely involve smart phones and the villain stalking coeds Facebook status updates announcing “So excited to be alone at the lake with Billy.”
Laughable B-movie schlock? Not so much. Facebook privacy and security is such a hot topic right now that a a customized horror movie starring “a lovely Facebook stalker” is the runaway viral video hit of the week.
The spooky just-in-time for Halloween video starts when you visit www.takethislollipop.com. At the site you are asked to do what every single young child in North America is warned not to do, you guessed it…take a lollipop from a stranger. After you’ve done the unthinkable, the application mines your Facebook account, pictures, updates, news feeds and uses them all to create a cyber-stalking horror movie with you (us!) as the hunted. The stalker, a twitchy computer letch, gets increasingly agitated as he reviews our information and then finally pulls up Google Maps and finds directions to where we are from geographic data contained in our profile. He tapes a profile picture to the dashboard and off he goes – after his next victim…you or me!
Read more >>
What is PR?
PR is all about communicating messages. These messages can be anything from new products, to changes in websites, to building hype for a new or growing company. The difference between PR and marketing/advertising is that PR is…FREE! I oversee the PR here at BMG, and here’s the “Best Practices” I like to stick to!
Here’s a few tips I found to be super helpful from an article posted on Mashable. Some of them overlap to the BMG Best Practices, but we’ll discuss them at little more in depth! I’ll site it at the end for everyone to read over. Here we go…
1. Know What’s Newsworthy
Before you begin pitching your startup, stop to think about what is truly newsworthy, especially to the publications you’re targeting. Newsworthy = Something unique or offering added value beyond the existing competition.
Once you figure out what qualifies as newsworthy, begin crafting your message by first understanding all of the details about what you’re pitching.
2. Have a Concise, Value Driven Message
Before sending out any pitches, take time to craft your company’s message. Be able to explain your startup in one sentence so that anyone — techie or not — can understand its purpose. For example, “Skillshare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone.” Cut down on industry jargon so that any average Joe can understand your pitch with one read.
3. Customize Your Pitches
People generally don’t like to be part of blast emails. When you want a particular person to cover your story, customize your pitch to be relevant to his coverage area and audience. Take the extra time to craft custom emails for a small list of journalists that you really want to cover your story. They will most likely notice that you’ve taken the time to write a thoughtful email and be more likely to respond.
4. Have Useful Assets Available
As you get down to pitching time, make sure you have all assets ready that an actual journalist (someone trained to ask questions and dig deeper!) might request, such as a company or product description, photos relevant to the story, and screenshots of the product.
5. Offer Up Unique Data
When pitching, include data and numbers that support your ideas when possible. In fact, an interesting study, infographic or other data sometimes warrants its own pitch. If your company has gathered proprietary information that tells a compelling story, pitch it.
6. Follow Reporters On Twitter
Make it your goal to build relationships with the group of journalists (or bloggers, or other marketers) that cover your industry. A great way to stay in touch is to follow your key contacts on Twitter. Writers often tweet when they’re looking for sources, and they share articles and other news that they’re interested in. Use these pieces of information to learn more about each contact and tailor your communications accordingly.
So as previously mentioned, Tips #1-6 were taken from the article titled “10 Essential PR Tips for Startups” posted on Mashable. Even though it was a little too focused on journalists, I thought it was a great article with so much real-life application! Here’s the link if you want to read the other 4 tips!
Do you think PR is as effective as paid advertising and/or marketing? What’s the most creative and effective use of PR you’ve seen?
Follow and join #BMGChat Wednesdays at 7:30pm EST