360PR Blog

Founded in 2003, Skype offers a solution to astronomical phone bills resulting from long-distance calls.  It’s also pretty fun to use.  If you have a webcam, simply download the software, find other friends who Skype, and you’re video chatting in no time.  And did I mention it’s free?!

In addition to video calls (you can make free audio calls, too), you can also use Skype for sending files and instant messaging, making it a great tool for both personal and professional use.  Most recently, at this week’s CEA Lineshows, Skype unveiled Skypekit, allowing internet-connected devices and apps to use audio and video calls.  In other words, it won’t be long before you’re connecting with Skype on your BlackBerry, in your car, even on your watch.

In terms of its popularity, the numbers are pretty staggering.  Skype reports that at peak times, up to 23 million people are using the service.  It’s also responsible for 12% of international calling minutes. 

Even Oprah Skypes!

The verdict: RT.  In my opinion, Skype is one of the coolest services available on the net.

Filed under: Digital PR, Internet, Social Networking by SkyeMcIntyre - 3 Comments →

BP currently has a brand image problem on their hands.  You know it.  I know it.  But I’m not just talking about the devastation to their image (and the environment) surrounding the Gulf oil spill.

If you’re active on Twitter, you may be following @BPGlobalPR.  And if you’re in the business of brand preservation and advancement, I’m sure you find these Tweets to be an interesting example of how social media allows individuals to have a voice (and a loud one, in this case) against brands who are viewed as not having the public’s best interests in mind.

The Tweets from this fake BP Twitter account have been using parody and humor to criticize BP’s response to the oil spill and the massive environmental damage.  To-date, there has been no word of the company trying to shut this account down, which is leaving many people scratching their heads and asking, “WHY?”  AdAge examines this question in a recent article.  BP is apparently well-aware of these Tweets but is claiming to have no intention of shutting it down.  Perhaps this is a good thing, since a forceful cease and desist would undoubtedly rile up the social media world and cause further damage to the brand name.

If you were BP, would you seek to shut down @BPGlobalPR?

Filed under: Uncategorized by Admin - 2 Comments →

The 2010 Bell Ringer Awards were bustling last night – nothing like a roomful of PR people with cocktails waiting to be recognized!  The awards cast a spotlight on the leading-edge campaigns of the past year by New England-based firms.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Larry Weber, a reminder of the caliber of talent, entrepreneurship, and innovation that has come from the Boston PR community over the past 20+ years.  ”PR has always been the influence of opinion through the use of content,” said Weber, commenting on the opportunity for PR in today’s content-driven digital world.  It was a simple but inspiring statement.

360 was in great company and our team was truly honored to be recognized with 13 awards, including five gold Bell Ringers.  Garnering six awards, our launch of Dorel Juvenile Group’s AirProtect^TM car seat safety technology was among the most gratifying.  That campaign helped educate millions of parents on the very real dangers of side impact crashes and what can be done to help protect children.  And campaigns for Allrecipes and Snuggie® were just plain fun, in addition to meeting their very real business objectives.

You can read a full list of the winning campaigns on the Publicity Club’s site.  Congrats to the more than 40 agencies, companies and organizations recognized at the 41^st Bell Ringers!

Filed under: 360 Public Relations, Events and Conferences, Industry Organizations, PR Industry by LauraTomasetti - 4 Comments →

The little black dress has always been a classic addition to any woman’s wardrobe, but could you wear one for a whole year? Sheena Matheiken did.

Sheena set out on a one-year journey, the “Uniform Project,” last May to exercise sustainable fashion and raise money for children in India. Every day she reinvented her outfit with recycled and donated accessories, which were photo-documented and posted on the Uniform Project blog daily.

Through a very savvy use of social media, Sheena and the Uniform Project were able to raise $94,958 and send 263 children to school. Take a look at the video below featuring all 365 outfits!

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

What are some other examples of people using social media to raise money for charity?

Filed under: Cause-Related, Charity, Digital PR, FaceBook, Internet, Social Media, Social Networking by Admin - 2 Comments →

What’s the best method of finding information about Google?  Google, of course!  I’ve been hearing the buzz surrounding Google TV for a couple of weeks, and finally allowed myself time to research the innovation powerhouse’s latest big announcement.

According to The Official Google Blog, “Google TV is a new experience for television that combines the TV that you already know with the freedom and power of the Internet.”  Basically, Google TV will marry the internet and television, which makes sense, seeing as how a large percentage of people get their programming on Hulu and watch videos on-demand via Netflix.com.

So when will Google TV be available to us common folk?  According to their blog, sometime this fall, it will be built into some new TVs, or you’ll be able to purchase a box to hook up to your current television.

I found the announcement particularly interesting and timely, as I attended the 2010 Sandbox Summit earlier this month, and ‘TV Or Not: That’s Not The Question’ panelist Nick Gnat expressed his desire for the integration of TV and the web.  Ask and you shall receive, Nick.

The verdict?  RT.  In my opinion, making TV and the interweb one makes perfect sense.

Filed under: Internet by SkyeMcIntyre - 1 Comment →