Social Media shaping companies

Social websites are no longer used just for socializing. Many companies have been testing marketing in such pages as Facebook, Twitter, and even Blogging, in this process they have been acquiring friends, followers and fans. I know I often click on those little ads on the Facebook page, as a matter of fact I bought a cruise that way. So what does this mean? According to recent data from comScore, Facebook now accounts for 12.3 percent of the time spent online in the U.S. versus 7.2 percent just a year ago. Twitter now counts approximately 200 million accounts and over 110 million tweets per day. Due to this major increase in online use of social websites, many companies are looking for ways to engage on the social web.

Major companies such as Dell and Best Buy are using social media to access more customers online. Even the Superbowl has become part of the social media phenomenon; Audi made a direct Twitter reference in its "Release the hounds" ad featuring the hashtag #ProgressIs to enter a contest to win “Old Luxury” prizes and support charity. Another Luxury brand joined for the first time the big game commercials by showing "Tweet Race" from Mercedes--This commercial campaign utilizes Facebook and Twitter to support celebrities races to the Super Bowl. The best commercial that used social media was the Volkswagen commercial "The Force" which teased the ad in YouTube prior to the game. With this move, they peaked curiosity in such a way that it was a hit on Facebook and Twitter, little did they know that this was going to result in 16 millions views. Not too shabby, this was a great move for Volkswagen's team.

The Super Bowl was definitely one way that marketing has become "social" who knows what the future will bring.

What do you think the future holds with social media? Do you think it will continue to grow or do you think it will become a miss? What commercials have left you wanting more?

Click on...

Maria Alexandra Torres

Sources:

http://www.toprankmarketing.com/social-media-marketing/

http://www.toprankblog.com/2011/02/social-media-super-bowl-overhyped-underperformed/

http://www.toprankblog.com/2011/02/5-b2b-facebook-marketing/

Starbucks Goes Mobile

What does a store that seems to have everything hopes for next? Get an App of course.

In this digital age everyone seems to be more on their phones than anything else. If it is not available in a phone is no longer important, or so it seems. So with this in mind, the mega coffee guru known as Startbucks decides to up one more by creating a Startbucks Card Mobile App. This app is incredible, you can see where the local stores are, contact numbers, directions, and if they are currently open for business or what their hours of operations are....very useful on holidays when the hours are not what you are used to.

You can also save your drink order so that you can repeat that wonderful experience of a great drink, or to remember those confusing orders that your friend requests when you are picking up their drink.

There is more, remember that wonderful Starbucks card that gives you a free drink on your birthday? well you can have your information such as the card number and use it to pay for drinks without having to carry the card with you, just by waving the phone which has a unique barcode on its screen over a barcode reader at the register.

So what does this mean for Startbucks?

Convenience? Check

Ease of use? Check

Speedy checkout? Check

Compatibility? Unfortunately, this is only available for the iPhone through Apple's App Store; but don't worry, they are working on an Android version.

But how secure and accurate is this? Well, that my friends is still waiting to be determined.

Bring on the Java!

M. Alexandra

http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/348055/Starbucks_Tries_Mobile_Payments

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20029001-233.html