Advertising: a new look.

4/12/2012

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Recently marketing is being overwhelmingly concentrated in social media. Admittedly, social media is today’s communication giant but I feel marketing and advertising could use a breath of fresh air. Some marketers are attempting to change their focus away from social media towards the ‘next big thing,’ that isn’t necessarily going to be web-based. 

While I had been looking into the topics of social media and marketing trends, I had encountered some interesting results. For instance, we all know that SEO is much more popular than PPC when considering social media, but did you know that Emailing still hold the top spot at as top marketing channel used other than social media. Search engine optimization lagged behind significantly at number two. Furthermore, “68 percent of respondents said they’re planning to increase their SEO efforts — a number that’s down slightly from 71 percent in 2011.” Could this be due to some crowding out in the social media / web field?

Crowding out could be a viable reason for marketers and corporations to be looking elsewhere to get their creative genius out. In its’ initial start social media had been an outlet for ‘the average person’ to get their word out; today, the platforms are OVERRUN by corporations bombarding viewers with ads and gaining so much recognition that ‘the average person’ struggles to find a place where they can have a significant say.

Nonetheless new venues in social media are being adopted. Google+ being the most prominent. But, Facebook remains as the top social media site used by marketers and business owners, followed by Twitter and Linkedin. Google+ falls behind YouTube and Blogs in 6th place. Yet this venue is projected to increase in popularity in the coming years and really give Facebook a run for it’s’ money.  But, as Google+ had recently revamped its page to allot users more creativity, Facebook buys one of the most popular phone apps (Instagram) to expand their operations into the mobile market (a market where Facebook doesn’t get money from their advertisements, a significant aspect of their business model.)

This social media war is truly becoming old. I find that there is little to be surprised about anymore with advertisements on this platform. Let’s face it, you can do ANYTHING online, so what is there to be surprised about. So where the true challenge and ability to really impress lies, is in other non-web-based venues. In detail, I would prompt everyone to check out Sid Lee Architecture. This firm is different from regular architecture companies in that it merges with the commercial creative world. They use art and buildings to portray a brand image. Truly innovative! Most impressive is that they are against the digital. The owner has been quoted as saying; “We won’t hire a digital-media artist, but we’ll hire an architect who can program and we won’t hire an illustrator but bring someone who like to draw.”

Up above is a diseign by Sid Lee for the Red Bull headquarters. Can we say corporate culture?

Change is key in this sector!!!

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Is social media's true promise being overrun?

4/3/2012

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Social Media has truly created an altered universe where one can, in an instant, connect with long lost friends from grade school or relatives across the globe. It has redefined much of what was considered seamless five years ago and left companies scrabbling to develop new policies and methods of attack. In detail, the press, geo-political revolutions and  the advertising industry are left fighting to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the rapidly changing internet world.It is no wonder that along with it's utility is has also reaped many difficulties. One main contribution has been "the range of content that we produce has been vastly expanded, and so has the definition of what constitutes marketing."Alongside this it has created a new skill set that is heavily in demand, that of the social media manager. But, one has to wonder has the true purpose of social media eluded us. In our capitalizing on the variety of opportunities that sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have offered, have we created a monster?

In its most basic form these sites were based in communication and providing a venue for people to communicate with one another. Yet, thinking about it now seems like the corporate has taken over. Social Media gave those without the power of major brands to get their words, advice, opinions, and products out there with little to no cost. In all, "the early influence of social media also meant that politicians, public figures and corporations could no longer stage-manage their images and reputations through exclusive channels that they controlled." Today, the sites are flooded and over-populated with individuals trying to self-promote. It is getting harder and harder for any one person to standout while the BIG BRANDS are getting the spotlight. In all, "Somewhere along the way, the established media channels reclaimed their power at the top of the pyramid." They have control of social media. These sites have gotten increasingly more commercial.

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Here's to Turning Your Life Around.

2/13/2012

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Remember Ted Williams, the man with the golden voice? Well KRAFT has developed a heartarming endeavor featuring Mr. Williams. This Valentine's Day all you Tweeters should know that you could have Ted read out your Valentine's Tweet with his magestic voice if you type #voiceoflove at the end of whatever you'd like him to say. And it gets better as with every Tweet he receives, KRAFT will donate 100 boxes of Mac & Cheese to Feeding America.

Now I'm not sure how well Mr. William's voice qualitfies as a voice of love? In my opinoin, not romantic in any sense. Like com' on when he reads that sample Tweet, didn't really do it for me. Hit and miss, but I see what your trying to do KRAFT. It is a great cause, and having Ted Williams, a homeless man who hit it big representing the cause is a great mix. But in all, this just goes to show how integrated social media has become into marketing. 

Other brands have been utilizing Twitter in such a way too. The integration of social media into a campaign shows how to build-up fun and excitement around a brand through providing an additional venue for consumers to interact with it instead of just making purchases. For instance, Heineken launched a similar endeavor where consumers can 'serenade' a date online. In detail, this Valentine's Day, Heineken is giving consumers the chance to personalizee video-serenades to send out to their Facebook friends. Recently, Heineken's social media monitoring revealed that the campaign is creating positive discussion amongst its target market, young adult males and women alike.  All in all the integration os social media encourages fans to make links with the brand, while also driving consumer-to-consumer engagement around the brand. Great stuff!

In the end, I think im gunna embarras my Boo with a Heineken Serenade =]!
Check it out. IT IS HILARIOUS! (https://www.facebook.com/heineken?sk=app_137291299679912)

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Largest Countries: China, U.S., Facebook?

2/10/2012

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Facebook Facebook Facebook, we can't seem to get away. With nearly 800 million users, 75% of which are outside of the United States, Facebook, which only had its start in 2004 is HUGE. Now, as we all know, is filing for IPO, but it has not been a smooth process. Controversy and criticism surroundsboth  the site and Zuckerberg's intentions behind going public.

Nevertheless, close monitoring has been put on the process. But, this is nothing new, a popular company is 'graciously' offering the investing public a piece of itself....it's been done before FB. In detail, as advertised Fabeook's offering will be about $5 billion (the largest internet initial public offering on record), which forshadows a stock market valuation of $75 billion to $100 billion. Sounds good? BUT, this means that only 5%-7% of the company's shares will be available to public investors. This comperatively is a small public offering relative to the company's size.

The reason for this is to create an initial shortage of the stock so that the price goes up when the public trading starts. Money hungry shark Zuckerberg. The higher the price the higher the return, the more Facebook can brag (well till it changes its layout and everybody hates it for a week...) OH and Zuckerberg's stake is worth $28.4 billion. That makes him richer then Google's co-founders and almost on par with Oracle Corp.'s founder. Now thats just arrogant....

Personally, clearly I'm not a huge fan of the IPO and would not choose to invest in Facebook stock. Also, there are alot of people out there that are simply not very knowledgable on the subject and assume that Facebook's stock is the end all be all  and the most valuable stock on the market.  I feel as though stocks such as Google, Apple, and Wal-Mart, companys that Facebook, once public would be on the same level as, are wholly more diverse and offer more security to your investment. In the end, Fabook is a social media site and just that. Yes, it gets funding from advertisements, company's want to be seen on it, and it has revolutionized the way we communicate. But, consider Apple or Google who have thier neck in everything from internet services, computers, email, TV, cell phones, AND social media (google+). For those companies when one aspect falls another can pick up the value. Facebook, when your communication tactis are outrun by some new innovation, what do you have left? Google+ is not far behind....

In their filing Facebook outlined potential risks as hacker attacks, regulatory scrutiny, a shift to mobile technology, and rivals such as Google+ as well as the social media sites of different countries. Forbes also recently published an article entitled The Resons Not to Invest in Facebook, which offers key insights to how Facebook is trending.

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