Social Media Archives

SNAP SANS CHAT, AVEC SPEC

Posted on March 11, 2017April 10, 2025 by Kersten

Snapchat has just opened an entire retail store right down the road from its Venice Beach, California headquarters to sell what, you may ask? Snapchat Spectacles. The glasses come with an integrated camera, microphone, LED indicator lights, a record button and even a charging port, whew! All so that you can look cool while catching rays and recording your new “greatest summertime hits” of Snap chat. The thing is, the Spectacles are actually pretty stylish, unlike their defunct and complicated grandfather, Google Glass. They are straightforward to use and make the Snapchat experience more immersive and personal.

The glasses are Snap, Inc.’s first foray into wearable devices and hardware, and before going all-out and renting a storefront in Venice Beach, they first dropped pop-up yellow vending machines called Snapbots into different cities around the U.S., each of which contained a limited number of the $130 Spectacles. Then, there was a temporary store in New York City. Snapchat ended their guerrilla marketing technique when they made the glasses available for order online (at Spectacles.com, just in case you wanted to know). The Spectacles come in three colors: black, teal and coral and come with a charging case, a USB cable and a cloth to clean the glasses which is of course shaped like a ghost. The battery can last for about 100 10-second Snaps, and after syncing your Spectacles with the app, your recorded Snaps will automatically download to your phone when it is within wifi range.

With the current wearables market not looking so hot, Snap, Inc. is taking a risk with the launch of yet another wearable gadget, but they don’t care. YOLO, man. The company has always been targeted towards younger, more tech-savvy users (which pretty much just means teenagers). It is intentionally more difficult to use than apps or social networks that your grandma uses, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. And the whole point of Snapchat is the ephemeral nature of the communication. Right now the glasses are not a huge part of Snap, Inc.’s revenue stream, but the company, which is billing itself as a “camera company that sells toys to the connected generation” is apparently trying to diversify its products before its upcoming IPO.

How Are Brands Fighting Fake News?

Posted on December 14, 2016April 24, 2025 by Kersten

It looks like everyone is now concerned about fake news. Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and even the Washington Post are all rolling out features to help users decipher whether a picture of Hillary Clinton eating a live baby seal is real or fake. I mean, who can really tell?

French newspaper Le Monde has begun using Snapchat Discover to help readers sift through all of the tremendous stories that are appearing right before France’s upcoming national election. Le Monde has a 13-person fact-checking team that focuses on debunking stories and specific websites in its own publications, Facebook, and Twitter.

On Snapchat Discover, the idea is an educational approach to show readers how to do their own investigative journalism. The team does “explainer” snaps and guides on how not to get tricked by fake stories. Some snaps focus on sources people can use to check whether an image is credible, while other snaps have been designed to look like a WhatsApp message, and directly debunk false statements made by political candidates, while providing actual facts and figures to back-up the claim of falsehood.

The Washington Post weighs-in with this excellent article about the new effort on behalf of the truth, read it all here so you aren’t a continual gullible Gus.

Even Facebook, which some would argue is the haven of fake news, is rolling out an “educational tool” to help users spot fake news stories and sites. Partnering with PolitiFact to do the fact-checking on some of the very dubious claims that appear on users’ feeds, the social network will even go so far as to put a warning label on stories that have been found by independent fact-checkers to be completely free of facts.

The worst offenders (usually completely bogus stories made up by propagandists or profiteers as click-bait for advertising money, and hey, why not throw in some crazy tale about the Pope making out with Michelle Obama?) will now be minimized by the algorithmic news feed, and will carry a warning label.

The “educational tool” will appear at the top of the Facebook users’ feed for “a few days” in 14 countries around the world, and will feature tips for readers to distinguish the real sources and news from the fake.

Google is also cracking down on fakes with its Fact Check tag, which was rolled-out in the U.S. last October, just before the presidential election. The site will put the “Fact Check” label in the expand story box in Google News search results in the U.S., France and Germany, and in the Google News and Weather app in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.

Google (and Facebook) have been highly criticized for their role in the spread of fake news, and say they are committed to fighting it.

This may not be the next Hallmark-holiday, but the world’s first International Fact-Checking Day was celebrated on Sunday, April 2nd, appropriately, one day after April Fool’s Day. Let’s see if all this “education” makes the public care about the fact that it has been fooled.

Sources: Here, Here, Here, & Here

The Benefits and Risks of Going Social For Your Brand

Posted on October 25, 2016April 10, 2025 by Kersten

Social media is quickly becoming the go-to medium for product launches. It is taking over a market niche once ruled by television, email campaigns, and promotions. The speed with which social media makes impacts and is shared by users is what is so appealing to companies trying to make the biggest boom possible in the least amount of time (and with the least amount of money).

Brands like Pernod Ricard have recently broken ground by creating a sponsored filter for the incredibly popular app Snapchat; a filter that turns users’ faces into pineapples after taking a sip of the new Pineapple Malibu line of the rum. Using social media to launch a new product (or re-introduce an old one) is a much faster and agiler way to deliver more impacts.

Patrick Venning, the UK marketing director for Pernod Ricard, says “Social is a core channel for all of our brands to drive engagement with our audience, especially during product launches, where we use social to drive buzz alongside more traditional channels.” This race to the market on social media is giving companies less time to work on product launches, and making their marketers be more focused so that they can create more brand connection and show results in less time.

To that end, one huge benefit of social media is that marketers have access to extensive marketing research more quickly through the use of tracking programs and statistics, making social media launches easier to track and see results.

Internet launches have drastically changed the way companies go about the process. They now can leak information to reporters, use bloggers and consumers, give exclusive prizes or products to brand advocates, or even seed new products with influencers. This new landscape makes the playing field more level for brands of all different sizes (and budgets).

And while internet chatter about a new product can be a boon in terms of the quantity of people talking about and reacting to it, it can also be a disaster if the trolls come out and show their ugly heads. Many people, especially Millennials and the iGeneration, are now placing more value in peer-to-peer reviews—even if they are from complete strangers. According to studies, consumers now reference six or more sources of information before they will buy a new product.

So while internet launches are great to build brand awareness and cause impacts, they can be tricky to navigate when it comes to really building brand value and loyalty. Brands must be creative and intelligent in their approach to a launch in the ever-changing world of social media.

How Busy Are Twitter Trolls These Days?

Posted on August 20, 2016April 11, 2025 by Kersten

Very, very busy.

Twitter is having a hard time. The company is in desperate need of a swift kick in the pants to help it get moving and fix its troll problem. No, not the gremlin-looking, bejeweled-bellied, fun kind, but the ugly (at least internally), lives-under-a-bridge-kind that only comes out in the light of day to mess with people that he doesn’t know.

As actress Leslie Jones tweeted: “I use [sic] to wonder why some celebs don’t have Twitter accts now I know. You can’t be nice and communicate with fans because people crazy.” People are specifically “crazy” towards women, Muslims, Jews, celebrities, journalists, ethnic minorities (really any person of any color that isn’t white), people with disabilities, sexual orientation minorities. Do you get the picture? These hideous troll creatures are free to run amok in the dark, hostile corner of the internets that is Twitter.

So why is trolling so rampant on the social media platform? Because the company has done almost nothing to curb the online bullying in all the years it has existed. The risk of detection, apprehension or punishment is slim to none; and spikes drastically every time the Donald says something about women, immigrants, etc. Anti-Semitic tweets and abuse have been on the rise in general, and anti-Islamic tweets spike pretty much anytime anything happens in the world (bombings, attacks, Brexit, you name it). Twitter is already hurting for users, and with cyberattacks and even threats against the physical integrity of current users by trolls, many people, especially celebrities, decide to close their account and live in peace with their nine other social media accounts.

Be afraid, be very afraid: Twitter has already lost potential buyers for the platform, and the numbers don’t look good. One of those potential buyers was the Walt Disney Corporation, which, as Bloomberg reported, decided against the purchase because of the platform’s “bullying and hateful communication”.

In July and August, Twitter unveiled a new block feature and other add-ons that were meant to give users more control over who they interact with and what they see on the platform. The abuse persists. Whatever Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey decides to do, he’d better do it quickly because the troll infestation is causing serious, possibly irreparable damage to the company’s user base, and therefore, its bottom line.

Were the Brits Just Stupider Than Us?

Posted on June 28, 2016April 11, 2025 by Kersten

Cue the “USA…USA…USA” chant.

With Brexit on the tip of everyone’s tongue, the question on everyone’s mind is just that: were the Brits just stupider than us? Did they even know what they were voting for? What the hell did they think was going to happen if they decided to leave the European Union? So many questions, so many answers.

It would appear that many of the citizens who voted to exit the EU didn’t actually know what their vote meant, and didn’t think it would actually count, either. Take a look at this guy. Google Trends’ official Twitter account noted huge spikes in searches like “what happens if we leave the EU”…hours after polls closed. There was a massive 2,450% spike in this brilliant search: “Are we in or out of the EU”. Meaning that either someone’s got some ‘splainin to do, or people are going to want a do-over on the referendum. Some searches were broader; like “What is the EU?”, and (un)intelligent voters armed themselves with this key knowledge AFTER voting to leave the EU.

For now, Britain is still a part of the European Union, but that hasn’t stopped the world from going into a little (or a lot) of a panic thinking about what the repercussions of this “decision” will be. Stocks and bank shares plummeted on Wall Street on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial average falling 611.21 points, the S&P losing 3.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 202.06 points, or 4.12%. The Sterling Pound also lost value for the first time in 31 years, its biggest drop in history.

This is just the beginning. And while the referendum is not legally binding, it will probably hold and Great Britain will be facing years of economic instability, cultural uncertainty, and negotiations regarding immigration, trade laws and many other issues. What is the other most-searched query from Britain in the aftermath of the Brexit? “Getting an Irish passport”. Sound familiar, Yanks? Be afraid, be very afraid.

The U.S.A. now has until November to get smart and stay that way about our elections, we can’t lose the smartness race now!

Sources here, here, here & here.

What Kind of First Impression Does Your Brand Leave?

Posted on May 15, 2016April 11, 2025 by Kersten

How online can build your brand reputation

No matter what other people say, first impressions do still matter. Reputations are built or destroyed through first impressions, and technology today makes this easier than ever. People are now able to consistently make judgments and assessments based on what they see or read online.

With the constant connection technology provides, many first impressions are made online through social media pages and google searches. Even though many first impressions are not formed in person, they still impact the actions and opinions that are formed. Many customers are making judgments about companies before ever setting foot inside them.

A company’s online presence (most commonly through their social media pages, website, and online ads) forms their reputation. No face to face interaction required. This makes their online content the first interaction a person has with the business and therefore crucial to the growth of the business. Companies now need to use their online content to not only introduce their brand but sell their purpose and convince the person to become a customer.

Many companies today have some form of an online presence. It is more of a requirement than a choice for mainstream companies that want to thrive. The key to growth is having a positive reputation that includes quality content and online engagement. Companies with no presence may have no reputation, which today is just as bad as having a bad reputation.

The variety of options means customers are more selective on which companies they use. Companies without a Facebook page or any customer reviews will be overlooked for a company with those features.

One of the most important aspects to consider when crafting this positive online presence is to focus less on competing with competitors and more on quality. A stronger reputation is built through crafting a strong brand with consistent messaging and glowing reviews, rather than through competing with other companies. A company that focuses on competing will never fully establish their own brand or be easily recognizable to any public.

So, go and google yourself and your brand. Based on the results, would you use or buy from your company? If the answer is anything less than a yes, don’t fret. The beauty of the internet is that everything is constantly changing and it’s not too late to rebrand your company’s online image.

Seeking A New Team Member

Posted on May 10, 2016April 11, 2025 by Kersten

We are looking for a new team member. Are you Social media savvy? Have experience working with brands and businesses in marketing/ advertising? Are you funky, cool, and driven? We want to hear from you! Send us your resume below along with your desired salary information and we will get back with you!

Social Media Manager

Description

Daily tasks in this position include creating content, scheduling posts on social platforms, community engagement, research and pulling of reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Create and post shareable content in brand voice across social media platforms.
Develop social content calendars.
Provide community engagement support, including daily social monitoring.
Development of creative ideas and campaigns.
Create monthly social analytics reports.
Meet with and communicate with clients on updates/missions/goals of the social campaigns.
Updates on progress/reporting at the end/beginning of each month.

Education and Experience

Passionate and active social media user, both personally and professionally.
Excellent communication skills; knowledge of proper grammar and spelling .
Social media knowledge, including posting strategies, trending hashtags, platform capabilities, and social landscape.
Current on social media trends * High proficiency in platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Periscope.
Proficient in Google Docs, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, and DropBox.
Comfortable accepting feedback and adapting content.
Well organized, dependable, efficient and detail oriented.
Experience with social management/analytic tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Facebook Business Manager, rFactr, Facebook Power Editor, Twitter Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and Google Analytics.
Creative and able to do ‘point and shoot’ video/photos and design using apps and design tools (Canva for work, IMovie, Photoshop etc.).

Interested? Send us your resumé now

The Internet is your New Money

Posted on December 14, 2015April 15, 2025 by Kersten

The internet has always been an Internet of “Things.” You can see things, read things, connect to things, and even buy things. The word “things” probably sounds funny to you now. Say it out loud. Okay, moving on… nowadays, you are able to use the internet to securely buy products, manage your money, as well as several other options. That’s because we’re not connected enough, and our lives just aren’t as fast-paced as they could be. We NEED this. But really, progress is being made by companies like MasterCard with its Commerce for Every Device Program. The program was launched last October and is taking internet-capable devices and the Internet of Things itself from simple connectivity to high-functionality.

In the 29th Mobile World Congress that took place in Barcelona, the main conversation was about the new focus of the Internet of Things and Commerce. With MasterCard’s new program, the company brings secure payments to a wide array of devices: fashion or wearables, autos, technology, and anything else that can be imagined. It gives consumers the freedom to choose whichever THING is most convenient to shop with, and it will give the power of purchase to that device. This innovation was spawned by the maturation of online payment services and the boom of internet capable devices. So what does it all mean? It means that MasterCard will be partnering with lots of different companies to create new ways for you to pay for THINGS.

Some of the first projects that are being rolled out are partnerships with automaker General Motors, designer Adam Selman, smart jewelry company Ringly, Bluetooth locator TrackR, and wearable technology company Nymi; with products for virtually every lifestyle need. Exclusive fashion designs from Adam Selman, a key fob from GM, a wristband from Nymi, and a ring from Ringly are the devices that will be enabled to make payments with maximum security. GM even has plans to develop an in-car payment system that will allow users to purchase things using the dashboard console, just like they would change the radio station.

We are already a hyper-connected world, and according to Cisco, by 2020, there will be 50 billion connected devices! On the horizon, there are plans to make smart refrigerators, from which you can order and pay for your groceries, connected washing machines, and pretty much any device we use could become like a little (or big) debit MasterCard! This program is an extension of the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service, and the vision is to make ANY device payment-enabled, so be careful where you point your smartwatch, you might be buying something with it soon!

Sources:

Here & here

Video Killed the Picture Star

Posted on December 2, 2015April 15, 2025 by Kersten

According to Cisco, 69% of all consumer internet traffic will be video-based by 2017. That being said, people better ‘get on the stick’ with their video content strategies! Millennials are probably spending more time on their Snapchat stories than you are on your video content. They take that stuff SERIOUSLY.

A good strategy for creating interesting videos for your brand is to tell a story. People love an engaging tale, certainly more than an outright sales pitch. A funny or entertaining video allows people to relate to the product or the brand image, and it lets the company explain what it does through the much more interactive medium of video. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth thousands of likes, impacts, and engagements.

The home appliance brand – Bosch has recently started the second round of a video campaign called ‘Don’t do a Dave,’ which shows the household disasters that can be caused by DIY projects (and, obviously, how Bosch’s products can resolve them). The campaign also comes with an integrated social app that invites viewers to share their own DIY mishaps or triumphs. The app further engages consumers, allowing them to relate to the video that they saw on a more personal level.

Continuing education and information is an active approach to keeping customers engaged; always creating content to respond to a particular question, comment, or any other sort of viewer interaction. A Facebook page is a great place to gather ideas about what the public wants to know. Based on that consumer feedback, you can then create (either in-house, if you have the capability, or in conjunction with a creative agency) a video about life-hacks involving your product, for example.

The video industry is quickly becoming an area where spending is on the rise for all types of companies, and for good reason: a well-done video is a perfect way to instantly engage, inspire, motivate or inform viewers. It creates an emotional link with the viewer and can change the way the public perceives a product or brand. The appetite for video content on Facebook and Instagram is constantly growing; millions of videos are being viewed on each of these platforms daily and the ever-swelling number of smartphone owners and mobile viewers is significantly increasing every day.

Sources:

Here & here

DISLIKE!

Posted on September 24, 2015April 15, 2025 by Kersten

Facebook is finally doing it

After years of rumors concerning adding a “dislike” button to Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg is finally planning on doing it. (But he hasn’t yet, so don’t get scammed and download some crazy virus saying that you need a certain program to get the coveted “dislike” button. It’s not true.) Zuckerberg says he would like to create a button that allows people to express sympathy or show they care without appearing insensitive, because again, nobody likes to “like” posts about peoples’ Grandmas dying. It’s just not right. The like button allows us to show that we are paying attention to what others are posting and even if it is negative or sad in nature, pressing the like button at least allows us to react and make our post-reading presence known.

But what will this mean for companies that have Facebook pages? And what about all the people that post stupid stuff all day? Will they be forever-drowned in “dislikes”? As a company trying to provide customer service and rapid-response to complaints and product reviews on Facebook, it’s pretty easy to imagine all the potential disaster-scenarios playing out right before your eyes. Evil-doers trolling your page, actual angry customers giving you a big, fat, thumbs down! That may very well happen; but a “dislike” button, or whatever it will be called, could also be a great opportunity for brands to interact and receive simple “yes/no” feedback from customers. In an interview with Marketing Week, the head of Telefonica UK’s strategy, planning, innovation and experience, Jonathan Earle, says that the dislike button “…will potentially become ‘invaluable’ as it will provide information on disillusioned customers and subsequently allow for better targeting.” This immediate sort of reaction to content, customer service, or products can actually motivate a company to move faster to fix PR blunders, respond to a negative (or positive) evaluation of its product, and of course, it will be nice to know that people are not happy to learn that Grandma died. Earle said: “Knowing in real time what key segments of the 1.4 billion Facebook users are thinking is invaluable and allows you to be much more on your toes when it comes to product, proposition, experience or service creation. Tweaking, for example, your beta product and testing again quickly and then comparing would be very compelling.”

A dislike button is most definitely a double-edged sword. For companies to come out unscathed after its implementation, they will have to start paying a lot more attention to this instantaneous customer feedback on Facebook.

Sources here, here & here.