Marketing Category

Social Media Caters to Democratized Entertainment

Monday, August 30th, 2010

This year’s Emmy Award Show had the most tech savvy host the show has ever seen, and this was no mistake. Jimmy Fallon has been integrating The Emmys with Twitter, Facebook and other social networks since last week, motivating fans to get involved in the whole experience.  Jimmy Fallon included his his over 2 million Twitter followers by reading their Tweets on live TV, and by giving them insights to what hosting The Emmy Award Show is like.  This blog will be discussing the democratization of TV and other outlets of media, and providing you with the tools to get the vote of popularity.

screen-shot-2010-08-30-at-63912-pmMaking an award show entertaining is no easy feat, but with a lot of hype and attempts at hilarity this year’s Emmys came really close.  This year’s opening performance featured a large variety of TV stars, such as Betty White, Tina Fey, Jon Hamm, and Jorge Garcia from ‘Lost’.  The main idea behind this all inclusive opening act was to perform in a Glee Club competition, and the song they chose to recreate was The Boss’ Born To Run.  After watching the entire opening act it occurred to me that they we able to combine an American icon; Bruce Springsteen, the Glee club, stars from hard hitting dramas, hilarious comics and flamboyant fashion designers.  The show opened with a very approachable cast because a member from each genre was present, so immediately all TV fans felt like they were being catered to in some way.

Engaging the fans was a prevalent theme in this year’s Emmys and there was no better example of this than the online presence of backstage cameras next to the live Twitter feed.

screen-shot-2010-08-30-at-91847-pm This cross over theme continued with Jimmy Fallon’s comical depiction of Sir Elton John, Boys II Men, and Green Day’s Billy Joe Armstrong.  This compilation of a wide variety of artists was another attempt to speak to the complex collection of TV fans which were present for the show.  Even advertisements running throughout the show followed the cross over lead when the cast from ‘Community’ enjoyed a ride together in the new Infinity QX56.

Because there are so many options for customers in this democratized world of media, companies have to beware of trends and the preferences of their customer’s.  This truth is exemplified with MySpace’s recent  partnership with Facebook, enabling the synchronization of  of their content on to Facebook.

screen-shot-2010-08-30-at-102241-pmThis synchronization is a great example of a company staying nimble to a client’s needs, as apposed to trying to combat stiff competition.

I am officially out of room, but I do want to leave you with this quick link to all of the award wining shows from this years Emmy Award Show.  Also for more tips on how to stay ahead in the world of SEO check out Wpromote online.

Contextual Advertising with PPC Campaigns

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Where you get your information can say a lot about who you are and what your interests are. With the plethora of information available today relying on one news outlet almost seems impossible, but if that happens to be the case for you please use the content of this blog to become more familiar with the abundance of information that is at your fingertips.  This blog will provide a wide variety of outlets for general news, niche updates, and a look at news filters that publish content for specific demographics.  For any online marketers out there this blog will also show you how to find the specific venue or audience to speak to for PPC campaigns based on various online analytics.

screen-shot-2010-08-23-at-53827-pmAccording to my Google analytics Weather.com is one of the most visited news websites right now, but because this blog is written from Los Angeles I will have to trust Google that this is an essential website across the country.  The runner up for the most visited news website is CNN.com.  Not a big surprise, given that CNN is a Turner channel, which is owned by the conglomerate TimeWarner.  CNN has the resources to provide coverage of events around the world, so why wouldn’t they have a commonly known and relied upon website.  One of the most popular newspapers in the United States also has the third most visited news website, NYTimes.com.  The next two most popular news websites are The Huffington Post and Foxnews.com.  These two websites typically represent the liberal and conservative points of view on any given topic, so I will let you visit both to construct your own opinion.

screen-shot-2010-08-23-at-71138-pm

Once you have checked your emails and are caught up with the day there might be a slight inclination to see what trouble Hollywood is up to.  The collage above represents the 6 most popular websites to visit when hunting for current gossip.  Again the top runners are not a huge surprise because they are supported by very large media companies.  There is only one website up there that is not owned by a large media conglomerate, and that is the blog Perez Hilton.  I will not be supplying the URLs for these sites because I don’t want to compete for your attention.

screen-shot-2010-08-23-at-73817-pmI have already run out of room, but just in case the guys have not found all of their essential tips for the day, check out the pile of logos above for a nudge in the right direction.  If I only had five minutes to spare for guy advice, I would check out the home pages of Men’s Health, ESPN, and Google Trends.

Being in Marketing I know that it is very important to stay up to the moment in a wide variety of topics, so I also rely on websites that aggregate popular topics like PopURLS.com.  Just like I rely on websites to provide me with the latest updates in news, companies should rely on their PPC campaign managers to determine what sites are applicable to their sought after demographic.  A very successful tactic in reaching out to a specific demographic is contextual advertising.  I am all out of room for this entry, so you are going to have to go to that last link to find out how this PPC approach works so well.

Please let me know if I missed any informative news websites or your favorite site to stay in the loop.

Apps for the Real-Time Era

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Interacting online with real-time media is quickly becoming a leading trend in recently released websites, content, and applications for smart phones. Staying updated and informed about the most recently released information is a feature that websites or applications have to offer in order to stay relevant.  Companies and concepts have emerged that cater to this constant real-time release of information like Twitter, Digg, Facebook, Gilt, and many more.  This article will help you understand why this trend is about to be integrated into your daily life, and will give you a look into some of the most popular real-time websites and applications that are only a few hours new.

screen-shot-2010-08-16-at-45431-pmFor those who have not heard yet, ESPN released a real-time media application that is similar to Foursquare late last week.  This application, named Passport, allows you to check into sporting events, see who is there, and converse with other attendees.  This application will allow true fans to declare there unwavering dedication to their team, and provide another platform for immense amounts of trash talking.  Philo and Miso are new real-time applications that allow people to chat about TV shows currently airing on public platforms.  These applications, will be apparent to mainstream app users by the Fall, and will undoubtedly continue to partner with cable conglomerates like Miso’s relationship with TNT.

Participating in real-time media provides extremely useful analytical information for companies, and that is why companies like Gap have implemented promotions for customers who check into Foursquare when showing up to shop.  Gap offered 25% off a foursquare participant’s entire purchase last weekend when they checked in, but because of the lack of advertisements for this event almost no one was aware of this opportunity.  Be on the look out for additional events like these in the future.

screen-shot-2010-08-16-at-55613-pmBlurring the line between entertainment on your phone and the real world is also something that real-time media is trying to offer with certain apps.  SCVNGR is a site that tries to link experiences in the real world with your phone by placing you on scavenger hunts with people in your area.  This app allows you to check into cafes or any location but also alerts you to scavenger hunts or activities that people are engaging in.   I am also reminded by my hunger that their are applications that give you up-to-the-moment announcements of where LA food trucks can be found.

The underlying factors of immediate interaction with real-time updates in entertainment, news, and contacts is the enjoyment people get by staying informed, and the benefits advertisers obtain by staying fresh on the minds of their consumers.  The constant presence of a company’s message is a dream come true for advertisers, but is easily disguised as daily entertainment.  The introduction of new interactive information is a great tool for a site’s SEO attempts as well, so integrating games or a reward system in your content is a great incentive to get customers to continually return to your site or app.

Please leave your favorite real-time website below so we can all stay in the loop.

Start an Online Buzz with PPC

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Are you trying to promote an event? Are you looking for the most entertaining way to spend your day? Then look no further because this article has every website, email update, blog and tool for staying in the loop and ahead of the crowd.  screen-shot-2010-08-02-at-80944-amLet’s start with finding a great party first, then we’ll move on to how you can promote your own.

Here are a few websites that highlight the most exciting events happening in your city.  Thrillist does a great job of updating you on restaurant openings, coupons for local activities, all types of events, new products relative to your preferences, and news appropriate for your demographic.  Thrillist provides these services for Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, London, and many more cities across the globe.  This extensive collection of prudent information pertaining to party goers is also an essential tool for vacations, so you don’t look like such a tourist.

If you enjoy having a good time, all the time, then check out (your city).going.com, for example losangeles.going.com.  This website is very similar to Digg, or the organic search functions of Google, because the most popular events stay towards the top of screen-shot-2010-08-02-at-95422-amthe page.

Here is a quick collection of websites that aggregate announcements of local events, parties and concerts; Urbandaddy.com, gets you in the know, RunDown.com, allows you to stay up to date with great events and the latest viral sensations, DailyCandy.com, is for the ladies and fashionable conscious, and for the most comprehensive collection of consumer reviews I would check out Citysearch.com or Yelp.com.

Here is a quick list of websites that aggregate cultural events, just in case you want to impress a date with your intellectual side.  Public radio stations provide a plethora of interesting events, which are typically free or inexpensive.  Local news papers are always a great tool for searching through your city’s interesting activities.  For example the LA Times assembles a diverse list of popular events and places.  For an easy way to search through events associated with museums across the country, check out MetMuseum.com.

screen-shot-2010-08-02-at-23338-pm

If you want to promote your own amazing event, whether it is aimed at hundreds or thousands of people, local PPC campaigns are a powerful way to approach a large amount of people.  Experienced SEO firms that handle PPC campaigns typically provide a team of dedicated account executives, keyword research, 24 hour monitoring of account’s PPC activity, optimization of search engine campaigns, and many more objectives that synchronize your online marketing goals.

If you know of any other websites that highlight upcoming events, or if you want to promote your own, please leave a comment below.

Social Media’s Effect on the Music Industry

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Your favorite band is coming to town, and because you know what the internet is, you should definitely know about their concert. Just in case you are not aware of the extensive presence of online marketing geared towards upcoming concerts, here is a collection of websites that will keep you in the loop all summer.  This blog will also be comparing the two approaches, niche and mass marketing in this industry.

screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-85630-amLet’s start with the basics, if you have a Facebook account you also have a direct link with everything your favorite band is up to.  For example I went to Phoenix’s band page, and I could easily find a list of their upcoming shows, download free MP3’s, buy tickets to their shows, connect with other fans, see videos of past concerts and much more.  The great thing about finding your bands on Facebook is being constantly aware of all the updates that your band is posting.  Staying up to date on secret shows and new releases is always a plus.

screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-104128-amIf Facebook is too sophomoric for you, here is a website to obtain free remixes and upcoming show announcements for all of your favorite bands.  Hype Machine aggregates music websites from around the world to bring you the most current releases of all types of genres.  While adding fresh tracks to your iTunes library, there is a quick list of upcoming concerts for whatever band you are searching for, and a link to buy the tickets.

Just to save some time here is a quick combo of sites that enables users to find new bands, obtain free MP3’s, and then get updates on upcoming shows.  Flavor Pill and Earplug are great websites because they are quickly becoming social networks where people share information about upcoming bands and smaller concerts.  Two more websites that highlight the release of music from new small bands, is EarMilk and rcrdlbl.  These websites feature bios from up and coming bands and is usually the first sites to receive releases, so they are an amazing place to hear music before Kiss FM overplays it.

These websites are great vehicles for niche marketing because bands can advertise their concerts, promote their music and screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-51841-pmreach out to their die hard fans.  These websites were once an area where enthusiastic fans could obtain new tracks and leave, but now because of the social media approach all of these websites have adopted, advertisers can speak directly to an audience that is undoubtedly excited about the content they are viewing.  Websites that focus on a specific niche, whether it be up and coming dub steppers or crocheting fanatics, are amazing online destinations that are not overwhelmingly saturated with advertisers but are definitely populated by attentive fans.

Make it easier for advertisers everywhere, let me know what your favorite niche website is below!

Inception’s Viral Success

Monday, July 19th, 2010

“Inception” earned a well deserved 60 million dollars this weekend because of its “mind bending, cerebral experience” of a story. This movie inspired an Oscar worthy buzz and could undoubtedly stand on its own to draw in millions of impressed fans, but much of the monetary success has to be attributed to the omnipresent hype machine that was “Inception’s” marketing campaign. Warner Brothers teamed up with Verizon, Wired Magazine, Fandango, and Yahoo to produce an engaging viral campaign that reached across many demographics.

The first steps of “Inception’s” 100 million dollar viral campaign included the launch of an intriguing website with only the presence of a spinning top.  This ominous top began spinning at www.mind-crime.com, on August 21st 2009, and did nothing but enticed fans to seek out the first official trailer.  After surfing the web in anticipation all weekend, eager fans had to settle for a brief teaser.

screen-shot-2010-07-18-at-63218-pm

Fans had to wait four more months for any more word from Warner Brothers, but in December the top in the banner above started to slow down.  Die hard Christopher Nolan fans reported that the once relentlessly spinning top was about to topple over, and when it did a link brought fans to the campaign’s next step.

screen-shot-2010-07-19-at-50947-pmFans in search of insights to “Inception” were brought to a video game where they could either design mazes that other players could try to solve, or try to solve mazes that other players had created.  This addicting game also served as a portal to release posters and images for the movie.  This initial launch of the game was incomplete and kept players waiting for additional levels and viral clues to follow.

screen-shot-2010-07-19-at-53643-pmAfter the release of Mind Crime, posters and movie stills were released slowly, and orchestrated in a way that highlighted the overall theme of secrecy and adventure.  Seemingly important  aspects of the movie were utilized in scavenger hunts, contests, interactive advertisements, and always demanded a viewers full attention.   “Inception’s” adventurous attitude was dialed right into Verizon’s Droid phones with the Protect Your Dreams app.  This interactive application gave fans a chance to play games that promoted the movie’s music, themes, actors and Verizon.

“Inception’s” success has been attributed to the overall distinctiveness of its plot, settings, and unrelenting entertainment value, and those qualities will always create a substantial buzz.  When analyzing the overall success of the film, don’t forget that the marketing style utilized drew fans in, making them feel as if they were apart of the action.  Because “Inception’s” marketing alone provided entertainment value of such a high standard fans had no choice but to be swept up in the excitement.