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Social media can sometimes leave you feeling out of the loop. Sure, it’s easy enough to sign-up and stay active on sites like Facebook and Twitter, to keep in touch with friends, family members and colleagues. But sometimes if you don’t know your old college roomates’ relationship status or you haven’t kept up on the latest trending  topics on Twitter, you can easily feel like an “outsider.” As the saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” Some of these articles may just help us better understand how to make the most of our time in the social media sphere:

TwiTip “How to Make Any Tweet Worth Following” - No one really cares if you’ve haven’t done laundry in a month (except maybe your mother.) So why do you use Twitter? It’s a fantastic tool for quick discourse, but if you’re going to devote time to navigating the Twittersphere, this article suggests why and how to “Think Outside the Tweet.”

Mashable “Facebook Pages Vs. Facebook Groups: What’s the Difference?” - On the surface, Facebook groups and pages seem similar. So, which one should you create? This piece proves that size matters. Groups are smaller, more intimate and great for one-on-one interaction, while pages are the way to go for big brands and big names.

Mashable “Is Social Media Making Corporate Websites Irrelevant?” - Are straightforward websites becoming obsolete with the rise of social media? These days, brands are largely seen as out-of-touch if they don’t have Facebook, Myspace and YouTube pages. This article argues that having both, and having it all, seem to be the keys in reaching an audience.

Filed under: Internet, Social Media by SkyeMcIntyre - 1 Comment →

Last week, I traveled down to New York for the Gift Guide Show Media Event put on by Propel Media Events.  Editors from some of the top national consumer outlets were out in full-force with eager eyes looking to identify the “latest and greatest” gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

While “value” was the name of the game for most media in attendance, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that higher price tags did not necessarily turn-off the media.  This left me wondering - is the recession coming to an end?

Just one year ago it seemed like a gift suggestion of more than $100 was practically a lost cause. But now, perhaps, consumers are ready to push through all of the doom and gloom that the recession has reaped.  In fact, consumer confidence appears to be on the rise - USA Today recently reported that consumer confidence in the month of May is the highest it has been since September 2008!

While we are definitely not out of the recession completely, the good news is that our moods are lifting and consumer goods companies have a positive outlook towards a boost in holiday sales in 2009 - and we as publicists can help keep the positivity coming.

Filed under: Events and Conferences, PR Industry, Retail by JohnLeRoy - 1 Comment →

I got a sneak-peek at Frontline’s Digital Nation:  Life on the Virtual Frontier the other night at WGBH-TV.  There were about 30 or so of us in the audience - a collection of mom and dad bloggers, including MommyBytes, MoreThanMommy, Bostonmamas, ManicMommies and DigitalDads, and educators from Boston Public Schools and beyond.

I think a better title might be Digital World, but “Nation” seems to fit since the documentary is being produced in a city that thinks of itself as a nation, e.g., Red Sox Nation, Patriot Nation, etc.  Back to the preview…

Digital Nation, set to debut in Winter 2010 on PBS, aims to be “a multiplatform exploration of what it means to be human in a wired world.”  Producer Rachel Dretzin, whose credits include the PBS series “Growing Up Online,” which covered cyber-bullying among other topics, started the preview by pointing to Digital Nation’s web site and blog.  One of the cool things about Digital Nation is getting to see it as work in progress. Chapter 2 is currently up online and focuses on the military’s use of digital  media - very cool indeed.  You can also upload your own digital story on Digital Nation’s blog.

[Read more →]

Filed under: Internet, Media and Press, Parenting by LauraTomasetti - No Comments →

Everyone looks forward to Fridays. But this Friday is sweeter than most - today marks the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day Weekend only hours away, and of course, another edition of your favorite weekly reading material.

In PR and Marketing, one of the primary goals is to engage with people that, in turn, will talk about your company or brand. However, the below articles remind us of an important concept … if you truly want to reach an audience, you must remember that a conversation is two-sided.

MarketingProfs “13 Essential Social-Media ‘Listening Tools’” - Need to get social media savvy in a snap? This piece is a one-stop-shop for the low-down on listening tools, from Trendrr to Twendz, to TruCast and Techrigy. Try saying those terms five times fast!

Mashable “HOW TO: Get the Most out of Twitter #Hashtags“- So you have tweeps, belong to twibes, and check up on the twitterverse with Thwirl. It’s time to step up your Twitter game (and incorporate an ‘h’ word to your online vocabulary.) Simply put, hashtags allow you to organize tweets by topic. But how do you know what hashtag to use? And when? Check out Mashable’s step-by-step guide.

Media Post “Tropicana Juices Women’s Communities”- This week, Tropicana launched “The Juice” website and community to promote the newest product in its line - Trop50. The site lives within BlogHer and iVillage, and was created by the consumers Tropicana is targeting - a wise idea, and a perfect example of a well-known brand getting social media right. After all, shouldn’t the product you’re selling be endorsed by those you’re aiming to sell it to?

Filed under: Digital PR, Internet, Social Media by SkyeMcIntyre - 1 Comment →

I went to the Social Media Club Boston event last week hosted by Hill Holiday.  The discussion focused on brands’ use of social media and the panel included executives from Forrester, Street Attack, and Visible Technologies, among others.

Speakers presented some interesting case studies, including the Best Buy @15 Challenge, the Hershey “House of Bliss” parties, and the Nike+ online community.

The use of social media by brands is a strategy that has fully blossomed. More important, is recognizing that we are all still learning - social media tools and how consumers interact with brands (and each other) online evolves so quickly, we have no choice but to keep “taking notes.”  And so I did.

One of the more interesting analogies came from Mike Spataro of Visible Technologies when he said that “social media is A1 sauce, not the steak. Social media is a supplement, not a substitute.” He later added that “Defining success [with social media] depends on your objectives. You have to ask yourself, ‘what do you want to know about your brand?”

When I first attended an SMC event a couple years ago, it seemed as though very few were actively tweeting.  But, last week the Tweets were flying! There was even a screen up next to the panel to display the Twitter stream - a nice touch! Check out #SMCBoston to read up on some of the discussion for yourself.

Filed under: Boston, Digital PR, Social Media by EliciaBasoli - 2 Comments →

Though I think I speak for most, if not all of the 360PR staff when I say we could use at least 5 more hours in every day, we’ve managed to find time to comb through our inboxes, RSS feeds and favorite sites to bring you a few of this week’s best articles on social media. The links below will provide insight on how women spend their time online, how Twitter is becoming easier to track and how Target is doing good by giving back.

Mashable “Social Media Giving: Target’s Smart Facebook Campaign” - Working in PR, stories of brands getting it wrong using social media spread like wild fire.  Target’s “Bullseye Gives” campaign on Facebook is an inspiring study of a brand getting it right.

TwiTip “Brand Monitoring in Twitter: BackTweets Allows you to Linking Activity” - Several services allow you to track Twitter conversation by searching for key words and hash tags.  But how do you know who’s linking to your client, cause, or brand?  Introducing Backtweets, the newest way to keep on top of what all the buzz is about.

Marketing VOX “Women Use Blogs for Info, SocNets to Connect” - It’s not surprising that women go online in search of information, but there is more to this subject than meets the eye.   BlogHer, iVillage and Compass Partners combined their savvy and recently released results from their 2009 Women in Social Media Study.  Though the results likely won’t shock you, it’s an important read for anyone trying to reach the female demographic.

Filed under: Boston, Internet, Media and Press, Social Media by SkyeMcIntyre - No Comments →

I’ve seen more new faces around the office than ever during a one week time span – between the electricians, locksmiths, painters, plumbers and furniture delivery guys. It has been a hectic week with many staff (including me) moving into new spaces, as well as the shifting of phone lines and, of course, new “kitchen duty” assignments (now there’s two kitchens to clean up). But we’ve settled in quite nicely and are thrilled with our new, expanded space – and not a moment too soon, as our summer interns are about to start!

Our expanded space includes a bigger conference room (no more squeezing in round the table for weekly staff meetings), complete with an IdeaPaint whiteboard – an entire wall to let the ideas really flow. There are also new offices, a brand new IKEA kitchen, tons of much needed storage space, a mailing area, and a staff lounge!

Here’s a snapshot of our new reception space and lounge and our very first weekly staff meeting in front of the new IdeaPaint wall.

Filed under: 360 Public Relations by EliciaBasoli - 7 Comments →

Mashable “Top YouTube Videos Of All Time” - You may not learn a lot from viewing the top-watched YouTube videos, but I guarantee you’ll have fun doing it. In fact, we may account for at least 100 views of Soulja Boy’s “Crank Dat” music video.

Filed under: 360 Public Relations, Digital PR, Internet, Social Media by SkyeMcIntyre - No Comments →

We just posted a new issue of our MomSquad Trendletter. If you’re still tinkering with your summer marketing plan, there are some great insights gleaned from 360’s MomSquad members. From New England to Georgia, Chicago and out to the West Coast, moms say they’re staying close to home this summer, an opportunity for brands with an angle on backyard fun and budget-friendly activities for the whole family.

“Even though we don’t have any major plans, I’m excited for the summer,” comments Laura Often of North Grafton, Mass. “The summer gives us more options - ice cream runs, the pool, picnics, the beach and just being able to play outside makes the days better.”

Among summer vacation travel trends identified by the 360PR MomSquad:

• Families are planning shorter, drive-to trips.
• Day trips to local attractions - from beaches, parks and museums - top the list of destinations.
• If staying overnight, most will be bunking with family and friends taking advantage of built-in babysitters.
• Those planning a staycation say they’re saving their money now to be able to eat some meals out this summer.
• Top purchases will include GPS systems, grills (and the usual accompaniments) and outdoor toys.

And before they go anywhere, moms will head online.”We make sure to look things up online before going to find any coupons for activities or places to eat,” says Missouri mom Courtney Foster. “You can go on a great vacation and spend about the same you would at home if you plan ahead and look for deals.”

Deal Seeking Mom is one of my personal favorites. For deals on summer groceries, be sure to check out the web site of your local supermarket before hopping in the car. 360 client Stop & Shop posts their weekly circular and other deals online, and our Peapod (grocery delivery) client lets you sort your virtual cart and list for items on sale that you may want to stock up on. (Don’t forget to pick up some Ball jars to store everything!)

“And just because school is out doesn’t mean the learning stops. I try to have some educational aspect of our vacations - I’m looking for ways that my children can have fun and learn something,” says Anita Doberman, a military mom in Georgia.

For more MomSquad summer insights, checkout the Trendletter.

Filed under: Consumer Marketing, Marketing to Moms, Parenting, Pitch tips by LauraTomasetti - 1 Comment →

We’re ushering in the new month with a new Weekly Digital News post. Here at 360PR, we’re all a-twitter (we’re signing up, logging on and tweeting to our hearts’ desire.) The same goes for this week’s social media buzz. It seems as if everyone’s talking about Twitter - but is it just a trend or does it have staying power? Thinking about planning a Snuggie bar crawl? How about a Tweet-Up at your local watering hole? We’re also highlighting a piece from Mashable on organizing and making the most of your events using social media. Finally, pick up tips from some of the best in the business on using social media to market your brand or product. Now read up, get out and enjoy the weekend, but make sure to send a few tweets first - the Twitterverse is waiting on you.

 
Mashable “60% of Twitter Users Quit Within the First Month” - Here’s a staggering statistic: In the past year, the number of Twitter users grew over one-thousand percent. But how many people are signing up and failing to stick with it? According to this article, Twitter retention rates are less than stellar.

 
Mashable “How To: Plan and Promote Events With Social Media” - Facebook events are small potatoes compared to the possibilities today’s wide range of networking tools offer. This piece tells you how to seamlessly organize, execute and follow-up with your event’s attendees. 

 
Top Rank Online Marketing Blog “25 Must Read Social Media Marketing Tips” - Want to hear what the movers and shakers of companies including Dell, Comcast, UPS and Home Depot have to say about getting your company and brand name to a mass audience? So did we. Find out what the experts have to say about the best practices in reaching and retaining an audience.

Filed under: Digital PR, Internet, Social Media by SkyeMcIntyre - 2 Comments →

This is certainly not a celebrity gossip blog, but with all of the buzz lately surrounding celebrities (and their use of Twitter), I couldn’t help but comment on this topic. This video clip from E!’s show “The Soup” pretty much summarizes the past couple weeks (it gave me a good chuckle!):

Celebrities are buzzing about Twitter, tweets, and their tweeps - and a huge mainstream audience is flocking to the website in record numbers, as a result. According to Compete, Twitter.com had 14 million unique visitors in March, which is up from 8 million in February 2009. When Oprah (@oprah) joined Twitter recently, she had more than 73,000 followers even before issuing her first tweet. Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) also recently beat CNN in a race to be the first Twitter account to reach a million followers.

The question for us in PR is how does this sudden surge in Twitter visitors affect us and our clients? In a nutshell…the more the merrier. The more people sign up, the more varied the interests of the Twitterverse, the more interesting the conversations, and the more opportunities exist for different types of brands to get involved.

At the same time, the more important question over the long-term is whether these numbers can be sustained. Some argue that many of the mainstream consumers that visit Twitter are not sticking around for long. Nielsen reported last week that 60% of users who sign up fail to come back to the site in following months.

Only time will tell whether Twitter has “staying power” among mainstream audiences. For now it’s clear that just as Starbucks (@Starbucks) and Zappos (@zappos) are using Twitter to interact with customers and build their brand, celebrities like Oprah, Ashton Kutcher, and Britney Spears are shooting to accomplish some of these sames goals on Twitter.

Filed under: Digital PR, Social Media by EliciaBasoli - 1 Comment →