According to TechCrunch's Eric Schonfeld in liveblog from New York City, Facebook is announcing three things:
1. Social Ads (ads targeted based on member profile data and spread virally)
2. Beacon (messages in feeds), and
3. Insight (marketing data that goes deep into social demographics and pyschographics
which Facebook will provide to advertisers in an aggregated, anonymous way). These three things together make up Facebook Ads.
Social Actions + Content = Social Ads
Showing posts with label Strategy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Strategy. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Big Juicy Twitter Guide
Caroline Middlebrook has produced "The Big Juicy Twitter Guide" on her blog that answers a number of questions, some of which include:
1. How does Twitter work as a mobile communication tool?
2. Is socializing with Twitter business or personal?
3. How can Twitter be used for marketing?
4. What are the platform-specific Twitter tools?
5. How can Twitter promotion go viral?
Now that Google have unveiled their groundbreaking mobile strategy - Android - allowing operators, handset makers and application developers to innovate together, how will Twitter evolve?
1. How does Twitter work as a mobile communication tool?
2. Is socializing with Twitter business or personal?
3. How can Twitter be used for marketing?
4. What are the platform-specific Twitter tools?
5. How can Twitter promotion go viral?
Now that Google have unveiled their groundbreaking mobile strategy - Android - allowing operators, handset makers and application developers to innovate together, how will Twitter evolve?
Friday, November 02, 2007
RBS Launches World's First Virtual Careers Recruitment Event in Second Life
iMedia Connection UK recently published an article by Catriona Campbell titled, "Second Life: What value can it add beyond PR and marketing?"
Catriona cites two specific examples that I've quoted below:
Example One – RBS Virtual Careers Recruitment Event
Catriona cites two specific examples that I've quoted below:
Example One – RBS Virtual Careers Recruitment Event
"RBS, the world's fourth largest financial services group, was also on the ad:tech panel, and Sion Mooney, channel development manager in the resourcing division of RBS Group HR attended. He talked exclusively about RBS launching the world's first Virtual Careers Event in Second Life on 16 October. Why? Because beyond the PR value, Second Life is allowing RBS' careers team to connect with people in geographic locations that they would otherwise have had to reach by more traditional and expensive means, such going on the road with a recruitment fair.
In the Second Life environment, candidates can pose questions to the virtual careers advisers, meet current RBS employees and see a mocked-up version of where they would be working, without having to leave their homes. Recruitment is incredibly expensive, and Sion revealed that just one successful hire would more than pay for the whole Second Life project.
Example Two – STA Travel
"Craig Hepburn, Global Webmaster for STA Travel, told the audience how he had invested only tens of thousands of pounds in Second Life (a fraction of what some brands have spent), but by taking a sales-led strategic approach the investment has already paid for itself.
The student travel brand is using Second Life to build a social sales channel around a community of people who enjoy travelling and talking to each other about where they have been. The virtual environment that they've created allows users to place bookings through an avatar (they employ a real person in Second Life to take bookings and give advice) and on the Second Life STA island, which incorporates dorms for students, Lonely Planet travel guides and video footage and posters of recommended destinations.
Because STA Travel is a student brand, the Second Life virtual world works really well for them. Their customers love it, and they are already making money through a multitude of round the world bookings made in Second Life.
The audience was so impressed that a representative from a TV production company suggested that virtual worlds might translate well to an internet TV experience for a brand like STA. This is exactly the kind of question that needed to be asked, as investment in virtual worlds should be not considered as a standalone project or experiment, but rather should be consolidated with the brand's overall sales, marketing and PR objectives."
Monday, October 08, 2007
What's Twitter's Success? More answers for Jeff Jarvis
Jemima Kiss of MediaGuardian interviewed Ev Williams, Founder of Twitter, to understand its success. Williams explains that even his mother doesn't understand the tool! But, it's taken on a life of its own...
And Williams sold Blogger to Google. So, what's in store for Twitter? Google...or teaming up with others like docstoc.com where users can share ideas, comment on documents, or refer a friend to needy information at the right time?
What's Twitter?
Group Text Messaging or Micro-Blogging
How's the tool evolving?
It's in its infancy to become a functional, personal tool - "Users need a critical mass of friends, and then the real conversations begin."
What's the attraction?
"Dedicated users share ideas, ask questions, suggest meetings and post useful links and stories...charming details of day-to-day lives that would otherwise be lost."
What are these "shared ideas..." called?
Tweets
How old is Twitter?
17 months
How many users Tweet?
350,000
What's Twitter's goal?
To grow the core service because of the practical benefits of socializing
Users can Tweet all friends to tell them what time they'll be at an event. Williams says that Woot.com started using Twitter to inform followers of bargains before they sold out. Mainstream news sites use Twitter for automated distribution of links to news stories and TV channels like MTV are experimenting with giving stars their own Twitter channel during music video awards...a way of reaching fans. Other uses of Twitter? A real-time sports result tool for race results such as Nascar...
What lies ahead for Twitter's success?
And Williams sold Blogger to Google. So, what's in store for Twitter? Google...or teaming up with others like docstoc.com where users can share ideas, comment on documents, or refer a friend to needy information at the right time?
What's Twitter?
Group Text Messaging or Micro-Blogging
How's the tool evolving?
It's in its infancy to become a functional, personal tool - "Users need a critical mass of friends, and then the real conversations begin."
What's the attraction?
"Dedicated users share ideas, ask questions, suggest meetings and post useful links and stories...charming details of day-to-day lives that would otherwise be lost."
What are these "shared ideas..." called?
Tweets
How old is Twitter?
17 months
How many users Tweet?
350,000
What's Twitter's goal?
To grow the core service because of the practical benefits of socializing
Users can Tweet all friends to tell them what time they'll be at an event. Williams says that Woot.com started using Twitter to inform followers of bargains before they sold out. Mainstream news sites use Twitter for automated distribution of links to news stories and TV channels like MTV are experimenting with giving stars their own Twitter channel during music video awards...a way of reaching fans. Other uses of Twitter? A real-time sports result tool for race results such as Nascar...
What lies ahead for Twitter's success?
- The 140 character limit is an advantage in a time when we're bombarded by information
- The development of a group feature for browsing users' history
- The monetizing of the service with branded channels for companies like Woot
Exploring Twitter...
Twit Wiki Communities...
Williams concludes that, "Rather than attach advertising to a personal communication channel, we want to make it a benefit so that there are people or entities you want to follow. We think those things have potential, so as the userbase grows we'll flesh out which of those things work and the business model and revenue will fit in."
iPod Moments - Media Guage?
Today's MediaGuardian features an interesting article by Jeff Jarvis - buzzmachine.com - describing "iPod moments" as a type of media guage with questions such as:
When will television reach its iPod moment?
When we download video more than we watch broadcasts - "Then TV will face the upheaval music has barely survived."
When will newspapers reach their iPod moment?
With the emergence of a "relatively mass-market device on which reading a newspaper (and watching and listening to it) will seem quite normal" - web browser.
According to Jarvis, the iPod Touch and iPhone are just that...an iPod moment...except Apple got the timing right in the UK by launching iPod Touch first, but bungled it in the US by introducing iPod Touch after the iPhone's entry. What's the difference?
In the US, the iPhone is viewed as a phone with a few added features. By contrast, the British view the iPhone as a whole computer with wi-fi connectivity, and a web browser with ability to download and display, and capability to capture and share all media - text, photo, audio, video, interactivity.
Jarvis contends that, "Everything you can do on the web you can do with media on the iPhone, anywhere, any time." So, what's the challenge to newspapers and journalists?
The same challenge that's existed since the first commercial browser was released 13 years ago, says Jarvis, except more urgently we seek answers to these five iPod moment questions:
1. How do we use the device to give people the news and links whenever, wherever, and however they want?
MobileWeb?
2. How do we do this (1.) with efficiency?
MobileWeb infrastructure and networks?
3. How do we make it local and relevant?
MobileWeb infrastructure and networks?
Twitter?
4. How do we take advantage of the two-way relationship we have now, enabling people with these gadgets to share what they know?
Incentives and social platforms/networks?
Twitter?
5. How do we make money doing it?
One example is crowdsourcing (winnowing wisdom from the wash)...another the Twitter model...
When will television reach its iPod moment?
When we download video more than we watch broadcasts - "Then TV will face the upheaval music has barely survived."
When will newspapers reach their iPod moment?
With the emergence of a "relatively mass-market device on which reading a newspaper (and watching and listening to it) will seem quite normal" - web browser.
According to Jarvis, the iPod Touch and iPhone are just that...an iPod moment...except Apple got the timing right in the UK by launching iPod Touch first, but bungled it in the US by introducing iPod Touch after the iPhone's entry. What's the difference?
In the US, the iPhone is viewed as a phone with a few added features. By contrast, the British view the iPhone as a whole computer with wi-fi connectivity, and a web browser with ability to download and display, and capability to capture and share all media - text, photo, audio, video, interactivity.
Jarvis contends that, "Everything you can do on the web you can do with media on the iPhone, anywhere, any time." So, what's the challenge to newspapers and journalists?
The same challenge that's existed since the first commercial browser was released 13 years ago, says Jarvis, except more urgently we seek answers to these five iPod moment questions:
1. How do we use the device to give people the news and links whenever, wherever, and however they want?
MobileWeb?
2. How do we do this (1.) with efficiency?
MobileWeb infrastructure and networks?
3. How do we make it local and relevant?
MobileWeb infrastructure and networks?
Twitter?
4. How do we take advantage of the two-way relationship we have now, enabling people with these gadgets to share what they know?
Incentives and social platforms/networks?
Twitter?
5. How do we make money doing it?
One example is crowdsourcing (winnowing wisdom from the wash)...another the Twitter model...
Friday, September 28, 2007
MIXX REMIX GLOBAL?
Mixx isn't simply a remix of communities like Twitter, StumbleUpon, Topix, with Digg-like news products according to Frank Gruber, "Mixx's strategy appears to cater to large online publishers" as a "solid distribution strategy".
How does this strategy benefit large publishing companies?
"Mixx aims to offer a place for large publishing companies to get into the social media space."
How does this strategy benefit users?
"Mixx enables users to contribute and discover stories, video and photos as they blend their own mix of the Web."
So do other sites...how is Mixx different? According to Gruber -
1. Users can tag and categorize content, and subscribe to both
2. The categories mirror traditional online news offerings but tags are open user-contribution
3. Users create a "My Mixx" page to follow categories, tags, and people
4. Users can connect to and follow other users
5. Users can access local community content by Zip Code and follow what neighbors are reading
Recently, I received access to my account, and I'm enjoying exploring the site immensely. Users are also able to join groups and create new groups of their own, similar to other social networks like Facebook. Users can also monitor MixxFriends' Recent Activity and Vote For or Against them. There's a link for "Your followers".
With the Headquarters being in Virginia, USA, and the Founder being formerly from Yahoo and USA Today, I wondered how "globally orientated" the site's setup is. Social Networks have to think globile and mobile, right, even if in Beta? So, I searched Local Search results for London. Here's the results - no London, UK:
Large publishers may be concentrated in the US, but "Users" of social networks and mobiles are global. I am sure we will see Mixx evolve with global focus as it emerges through Beta.
How does this strategy benefit large publishing companies?
"Mixx aims to offer a place for large publishing companies to get into the social media space."
How does this strategy benefit users?
"Mixx enables users to contribute and discover stories, video and photos as they blend their own mix of the Web."
So do other sites...how is Mixx different? According to Gruber -
1. Users can tag and categorize content, and subscribe to both
2. The categories mirror traditional online news offerings but tags are open user-contribution
3. Users create a "My Mixx" page to follow categories, tags, and people
4. Users can connect to and follow other users
5. Users can access local community content by Zip Code and follow what neighbors are reading
Recently, I received access to my account, and I'm enjoying exploring the site immensely. Users are also able to join groups and create new groups of their own, similar to other social networks like Facebook. Users can also monitor MixxFriends' Recent Activity and Vote For or Against them. There's a link for "Your followers".
With the Headquarters being in Virginia, USA, and the Founder being formerly from Yahoo and USA Today, I wondered how "globally orientated" the site's setup is. Social Networks have to think globile and mobile, right, even if in Beta? So, I searched Local Search results for London. Here's the results - no London, UK:
Large publishers may be concentrated in the US, but "Users" of social networks and mobiles are global. I am sure we will see Mixx evolve with global focus as it emerges through Beta.
Facebook and social networks...viable for mobile critical mass communication?
The WSJ recently announced that, "Microsoft is in talks to buy a minority stake in the popular social-networking Web site Facebook Inc., a sign of a new urgency by the software giant to jump-start its online business at a time when Google is widening its lead in the fast-growing Internet-advertising business."
Today, John Gray who manages online media campaigns for enlighten.com, says social media is not just for kids! According to Gray, "Over the past few years, social networks have emerged catering specifically to older, more educated, and often more affluent audiences. Like the social sites most marketers are familiar with, this next generation social networking site for older generations offers both traditional and unique ad customization options, and a new avenue through which to reach baby boomers and busy moms."
Social Networks and Portals discussed include:
Eons.com
BOOMj.com
lavalifePRIME
sisterwoman.com
CafeMom
MothersClick
When we think in terms of internet-advertising business, the future is "mobile." And social networks have a dynamic role to play. Revenue Science issued a press release on Sept 24, with headline: REVENUE SCIENCE FIRST TO DEPLOY MOBILE BEHAVIORAL TARGETING IN JAPAN. According to Revenue Science, Japan's advanced user adoption and homogenous network infrastructure make for an ideal entry.
Whether this "model of mobile critical mass communication" translates elsewhere depends on a number of factors (among others):
And his views tie in with an article I read in Wired titled: "How Mobile Phones Conquered Japan." Xeni Jardin writes that mobiles shaped Japan's culture (and can shape other cultures). From the article, I picked out some words used as "shapers" - here they are:
Those in Telecom who have studied the statistics on mobile users around the globe are aware of infrastructures, networks, and cultures. Marketers have opportunities to share in collaboration on multi-social media levels to learn what is best for their brand.
Links of Interest:
USC Marshall CTM 6th Annual Global Mobility Roundtable 2007: The Adoption of Mobile Phones in Emerging Markets: Global Diffusion and the Rural Challenge by Kas Kalba, Kalba International Inc.
Ingenta Connect: European Journal of Information Systems - Perceived critical mass and the adoption of communication technology by Van Slyke and Ilie, et al
Today, John Gray who manages online media campaigns for enlighten.com, says social media is not just for kids! According to Gray, "Over the past few years, social networks have emerged catering specifically to older, more educated, and often more affluent audiences. Like the social sites most marketers are familiar with, this next generation social networking site for older generations offers both traditional and unique ad customization options, and a new avenue through which to reach baby boomers and busy moms."
Social Networks and Portals discussed include:
Eons.com
BOOMj.com
lavalifePRIME
sisterwoman.com
CafeMom
MothersClick
When we think in terms of internet-advertising business, the future is "mobile." And social networks have a dynamic role to play. Revenue Science issued a press release on Sept 24, with headline: REVENUE SCIENCE FIRST TO DEPLOY MOBILE BEHAVIORAL TARGETING IN JAPAN. According to Revenue Science, Japan's advanced user adoption and homogenous network infrastructure make for an ideal entry.
Whether this "model of mobile critical mass communication" translates elsewhere depends on a number of factors (among others):
- infrastructure & investment
- network consistency
- culture (sub-culture)
- translatable "globile-viral-mobile-experience"
And his views tie in with an article I read in Wired titled: "How Mobile Phones Conquered Japan." Xeni Jardin writes that mobiles shaped Japan's culture (and can shape other cultures). From the article, I picked out some words used as "shapers" - here they are:
- state of wireless closeness - zone of intimacy - relationships
- territory machines - transformers of space - personal room
- integrator of virtual and physical realms - tools of sustenance
- portable pedestrian - history, legend, culture, stranger link - vivid experience
Those in Telecom who have studied the statistics on mobile users around the globe are aware of infrastructures, networks, and cultures. Marketers have opportunities to share in collaboration on multi-social media levels to learn what is best for their brand.
Links of Interest:
USC Marshall CTM 6th Annual Global Mobility Roundtable 2007: The Adoption of Mobile Phones in Emerging Markets: Global Diffusion and the Rural Challenge by Kas Kalba, Kalba International Inc.
Ingenta Connect: European Journal of Information Systems - Perceived critical mass and the adoption of communication technology by Van Slyke and Ilie, et al
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Facebook-Google Debate-Debacle Spark Innovation for Social Networks
While some insiders know all...some users are non-the-wiser...some of us may read and observe...while others couldn't be bothered...
Nov 5 is the start of Google "100" according to Arrington of techcrunch. What does this mean?
The gist is that Google had a secret meeting (naturally because of trade secrets) to discuss (among other things) allowing third parties to push and pull data in and out of Google and non-Google applications using application program interfaces (APIs). This poses a challenge to Facebook who haven't allowed third parties the same amount of scope.
Entrepreneur - David Recordon - gives an example of this on his LiveJournal blog: "It is disappointing hearing stories from developers who see F8 as a very one sided platform; you're allowed to put your data in but not take it out. I'm waiting for the first application which adds all of your Facebook friend's email addresses to your Gmail contacts, just as Facebook is so happy to suck them out via their "invite your friends" feature."
Google is offering an additional layer to third parties in accessing social networks that Facebook isn't offering. But in February, Business Week reported that Facebook (and Friendster and others) is "starting to let third-party developers build new features to attract more users-and profits." The new features involve opening up their API code.
Why is it beneficial for social networks to open up their code (API)?
1. to grow their user base—and build a sustainable business model—they need to attract third-party developers
2. it offers them the ability to harness innovation through creation and sharing of new applications
3. to allow more people to discover their site, which can translate into greater revenues since more viewers mean higher ad rates (branding and traffic)
4. to access audiences with specific interests
5. etc...
Who's in the running?
Google's orkut
Facebook
Friendster
LinkedIn
MySpace
Others...
We can observe and partake in these changes as November comes and goes - Google and all their competitor, collaborator, and partner innovations - these are exciting times we live in because we're given the opportunity to connect with others globally in dynamic ways.
Nov 5 is the start of Google "100" according to Arrington of techcrunch. What does this mean?
The gist is that Google had a secret meeting (naturally because of trade secrets) to discuss (among other things) allowing third parties to push and pull data in and out of Google and non-Google applications using application program interfaces (APIs). This poses a challenge to Facebook who haven't allowed third parties the same amount of scope.
Entrepreneur - David Recordon - gives an example of this on his LiveJournal blog: "It is disappointing hearing stories from developers who see F8 as a very one sided platform; you're allowed to put your data in but not take it out. I'm waiting for the first application which adds all of your Facebook friend's email addresses to your Gmail contacts, just as Facebook is so happy to suck them out via their "invite your friends" feature."
Google is offering an additional layer to third parties in accessing social networks that Facebook isn't offering. But in February, Business Week reported that Facebook (and Friendster and others) is "starting to let third-party developers build new features to attract more users-and profits." The new features involve opening up their API code.
Why is it beneficial for social networks to open up their code (API)?
1. to grow their user base—and build a sustainable business model—they need to attract third-party developers
2. it offers them the ability to harness innovation through creation and sharing of new applications
3. to allow more people to discover their site, which can translate into greater revenues since more viewers mean higher ad rates (branding and traffic)
4. to access audiences with specific interests
5. etc...
Who's in the running?
Google's orkut
Friendster
MySpace
Others...
We can observe and partake in these changes as November comes and goes - Google and all their competitor, collaborator, and partner innovations - these are exciting times we live in because we're given the opportunity to connect with others globally in dynamic ways.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Is the future of global commerce in virtual worlds?
Sandra Kearney, IBM’s head of 3D Development, in Second Life's second session of the Metanomics Conference responded to this question with the view that face to face is still the communication channel of preference but when not an option, virtual worlds provide an alternative.
techcrunch: if-a-conference-is-held-in-second-life-will-anyone-listen
"IBM is already holding meetings and doing other staff/ communications activities in Second Life, and others are including Cisco and Amazon are also using Second Life for business meetings. It won’t replace a top end teleconference setup, but it works as a more affordable alternative" reports techcrunch.com.
Metanomics Conference Video from techcrunch:
techcrunch: if-a-conference-is-held-in-second-life-will-anyone-listen"IBM is already holding meetings and doing other staff/ communications activities in Second Life, and others are including Cisco and Amazon are also using Second Life for business meetings. It won’t replace a top end teleconference setup, but it works as a more affordable alternative" reports techcrunch.com.
Metanomics Conference Video from techcrunch:
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Docstoc Beta YouTube for Professional Documents?
A friend just emailed me this link: Docstoc Beta
Website: http://www.docstoc.com
Blog: http://blog.docstoc.com/
Docstoc.com: Coming Soon March 8th, 2007
Currently in private beta, Docstoc is trying to become the YouTube for documents - geared toward professions.
Jason Lawrence Nazar (Docstoc's CEO) told us the idea for docstoc originated while working on his other venture - Venature.com. Venature provides consulting and capital to startups. Jason would often spend 2 hours/day looking online for documents the startups needed such as forms, NDAs, etc. He wondered why there wasn't something like YouTube for documents.
In September of 2006, he decided to make it himself and Docstoc was born. So far the site has been self funded, with development happening overseas in India. However, it has been rumored that they are close to closing a "substantial" round of funding from a number of potential investors.
Scribd is another site aiming to become the "YouTube for documents." However, it is not geared towards professionals like Docstoc."
Source: Docstoc Beta
Website: http://www.docstoc.com
Blog: http://blog.docstoc.com/
Docstoc.com: Coming Soon March 8th, 2007
Docstoc.com is a free online document exchange database and social networking site that allows users to store, search, and share virtually any type of document (word, excel, powerpoint, pdf, illustrator, etc…). Similar in concept to Flickr.com (for photos) and YouTube.com (for videos) Docstoc.com will be the online community for sharing all types of documents. The users will post, categorize, and rate thousands of documents that can be reused by other users for a variety of purposes.
Its three primary applications will be: 1) Business/Legal - to share business, legal, and financial templates that attorneys, business professionals, and the public can retool for their own purposes, 2) Educational – to provide an online form to share term papers, outlines, and a variety of educational materials for students and teachers, and 3) Self Expression – to provide an online community to share scripts, creative writing, and e-books.
Here's the Overview:Currently in private beta, Docstoc is trying to become the YouTube for documents - geared toward professions.
Jason Lawrence Nazar (Docstoc's CEO) told us the idea for docstoc originated while working on his other venture - Venature.com. Venature provides consulting and capital to startups. Jason would often spend 2 hours/day looking online for documents the startups needed such as forms, NDAs, etc. He wondered why there wasn't something like YouTube for documents.
In September of 2006, he decided to make it himself and Docstoc was born. So far the site has been self funded, with development happening overseas in India. However, it has been rumored that they are close to closing a "substantial" round of funding from a number of potential investors.
Scribd is another site aiming to become the "YouTube for documents." However, it is not geared towards professionals like Docstoc."
Source: Docstoc Beta
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
David Maister's blog on "How Much Standardization?"
There's a great discussion on David Maister's blog about "How Much Standardization?" - take a look - http://davidmaister.com/blog/481/How-Much-Standardization.
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