Thoughts From a Distance

The Music Revolution Part I

2011-12-07T16:26:00.001-05:00

Note: This blog post was originally posted on Knoxsocial's blog on November 30, 2011.

The digital music revolution is at hand. This is exciting because ultimately, music makes the world go round…

Do you remember a time when listening to one artist’s album used to cost $10-$15 bucks? Remember another time when downloading and sharing peer-to-peer files landed you a big fat lawsuit? Well, fear no more, music-lover, because you now have a gazillion songs at your finger tips. And guess what? Most of it is FREE or for a small fee if anything.

Some could argue that this new revolution is great for artists, especially lesser-known ones, in that it’s putting more control (and ears) into the hands of the artist and less in the hands of major record labels. Of course, not everyone is feeling all tingly or butterflies for it. For instance, according to a recent Mashable article, Adele and Coldyplay have decided NOT to release their new albums on Spotify for undisclosed reasons which are more than likely financial ones. Mashable also said that according to estimates published in Rolling Stone, “artists only make about three-tenths of a cent every time one of their songs is streamed, and 20 cents for every song sold on iTunes.” This just proves there’s an obvious divide on whether these new platforms are beneficial or not.

So we’ve recognized that the music industry is changing. But exactly how is it changing? The biggest change is in its shareability. No longer is listening to music a private activity you do alone at your desk, but is now a series of connections and experiences you share with others – strangers or not. Of course, we all like to brag about our impeccable musical taste. And what better way than to broadcast it to all of your friends on Facebook? You know that once they see what you’re listening to they are going to think you are 10x cooler, right? And then you take a look at what they’re listening to and think ‘like, seriously, are they really listening to ABBA?!?’

OK, the last couple of statements may have been a bit of a stretch. Regardless, it’s clear that music is integrating into our life experiences, online and offline, especially with the rise in portable devices. And because of this ease in accessibility, the music industry needs to make a decision and make it quickly – either jump on the digital train and figure out a way to make it profitable or get left behind.

So what’s the best music site out there? Well, as they say, “Different strokes for different folks.” But seriously, that’s for the next blog post – The Music Revolution Part II. Thanks for reading and happy listening!

Also, if you have some time to spare, I HIGHLY recommend you watch this interview with Sean Parker during the Web 2.0 Conference. He touches on some great points on the music industry and social media in general.

How do you feel about the introduction of music services such as Spotify – do you think these will help or hurt artists in the music industry? What do you think the industry will look like in the next 5-10 years? Share your thoughts below!

Timelines and Tickers and Apps, Oh My!: The Complete Facebook Breakdown

2011-12-07T16:22:00.001-05:00

Note: This blog post was originally posted on Knoxsocial's blog on September 27, 2011.

Editor’s Note: These are just some of the changes to Facebook. To get a complete list of updates visit this link.

Wow. Alot of buzz going on in the social media realm last week. First, Google finished Beta and opens up Google+ to everyone. Second, Faceook did a News Feed overhaul (which was not so well-received). Third, Facebook held their f8 Conference last Thursday and made some pretty HUGE announcements. You may have missed some of these things but never fear because I’ve got the breakdown.

Google+

After three months of invites-only, Google+ is now available to everyone. Furthermore, Google has finally given Goolge+ers the ability to search people and topics on Google+ (kind of seems like a no-brainer). For instance, a search for “amusement parks” would pull up conversations from users that have discussed this topic in addition to content from around the web.

Newsfeed Overhaul

Bye Bye “Top Stories” & “Most Recent”
Facebook has officially removed it’s “Top Stories” and “Most Recent” links to give you the most import news feed updates that have happened since the last time you logged on. For instance, if it’s been six days since you’ve last logged on, you will then see the top stories that have happened since then so that you don’t miss a beat. If you can’t go a day without logging on to Facebook then your news feed will be in chronological order. In addition to these changes, Facebook now allows you to customize your newsfeed by marking/unmarking updates that you deem most important or not important at all in your “Top Story” feed.

Ticker

In addition to this update is the introduction of the Ticker stream at the right corner of your homepage.

The Ticker is a real-time feed of everything that is happening within your social network.

Filters & Lists
Thought the changes stopped there? No way, Jose! Implementing a Google+-esque functionality, Facebook now lets you control who sees your posts as well as determine which posts show up on your feed – giving you the utmost control of your news feed (Goolge+ anyone?).

Although Facebook has had this concept available for some time, Facebook has recently made it a point to make this feature more prominent and easily accessible.

f8 Conference

Facebook revealed some crazy changes during the f8 Conference last Thursday. From the introduction to the new Profile Timeline, to advanced media integration with partners such as Hulu and Spotify, to new action buttons that go beyond the normal “like” – you could say they’ve been keeping busy these last few months.

Profile Timeline
This new profile layout, I must say, is definitely something of merit.

Now you can have a complete timeline of all the important moments in your life portrayed through your past your photos, life events, wall posts, apps you’ve used, and places you’ve been – taking you all the way back to when you were born. Their goal is for everyone to fill in those gaps of time before Facebook ever existed so that you can have a complete view of your life.

Media Integration

Another awesome update is the integration of media partners to give your Facebook experience a slight face-lift.

Now you can listen to music on Spotify…..

watch a show on Hulu….

and read a news story through Yahoo News without ever leaving Facebook! In addition, you can see exactly what your friends are watching or listening to through the new Ticker and can even share the same experience by clicking on the their link.

“Like” turns into more verbs

Lastly, Facebook has decided to traverse past the trite “like” button and has revealed new actions, or Facebook Gestures, such as “watch”, “listen”, and “read”. And the fun doesn’t stop there as any Developer can manifest their own verb into a button. Perhaps it’s time for the often-suggested “dislike” button to soon emerge??

So that was a breakdown of some of Facebook’s new initiatives. But what does this mean for marketers? It’s hard to say but Mashable’s Todd Wasserman tells us that it will be even more imperative that businesses come up with innovative ways for fans to fuse their brand into a user’s life-stream whether it be via apps or engaging them with interesting and shareable content.

So the question is, what do you think about all of these changes? Do you think that these updates will have a major impact on marketers?

Google+: A Leg Up on Uncertaintity

2011-12-07T16:17:00.001-05:00

Note: This blog post was originally posted on Knoxsocial's blog on August 2, 2011.

I’m no Nostradamus so I can’t predict the future as to where Google + will go. I can say is that there’s quite some hype about it. Some say that it will trump Facebook while others say that Google is doomed to a similar outcome as Google Buzz. Which will it be? The answer, no one knows…yet. All we can analyze is what we are currently able to utilize while Google beta tests Business profiles behind closed doors.

So, what CAN you do on Google+?

Circles

What you can do is control exactly who is seeing your messages through a feature called Google Circles by creating groups such as ‘family,’ ‘coworkers,’ ‘high school friends,’ or ‘alumni’. An advanced hybrid of Facebook’s “lists”, Cirlces allows you to customize your messages and share it with the people that you truly want to see it.

What is the potential for advertisers? A huge benefit is in the ability to accurately target your conversations on an even more defined level, and ultimately, engaging the right people.

Hang Out

Another “plus” to Google+ is Google Hang Out. This video chatroom lets you chat with up to 10 people from anywhere. Perfect for business conferencing or boredom.

The advantage to this feature is in its great potential as an advanced Customer Service tool. You are taking communication with your followers beyond the common constraints of text and photos by adding a layer of real-time video interaction (and no Chatroullette doesn’t really compare as far as “valued” correspondence).

+1s
+1s are Google’s version of Facebook’s “like” button. Google, however, has a “+1” over Mark Zuckerberg because of its integration into the site that billions of searches are conducted a day, Google Search. In addition, it is interspersed into sites across the web.

Similar to the “like“button, you use +1s to publicly show what you like, agree with, or recommend on the web. As you can see, Ben Parr likes the article I recommend too, and Google+ was kind enough to connect me straight to his profile. Another ^1 to Google is in its ability to customize your search result through your selected +1s and social connections.

A Leg Up
Google is the GOD of search. Dave Williams recently posted an article in AdAge describing the edge over Facebook:

“Google knows what consumers want while Facebook, on the other hand, has a very clear understanding of what users like and who they know.”

Google’s personalized and relevant search results in combination with its social integration across all of its products will definitely make Google a force to be reckoned with, especially if they allow businesses to utilize its comprehensive knowledge of user data.

Will Google trump Facebook? It’s hard to say, especially at this state of uncertainty of Google’s potential. However, I have to avert the question to ask why can we not have both? The last time I checked the social world was big enough to hold two networking sites (LinkedIn and Twitter do still exist, right?). Founder and former president of Myspace, Tom Anderson, apparently agrees too. Social media doesn’t have to be a “winner takes all” and it would be idealistic to see a variety of networks thrive.

So my question is to you, Google and Facebook: why can’t we be several united communities coexisting in harmony?

Social Media – The Human Hunger

2011-12-07T16:15:00.001-05:00

Note: This blog post was originally posted on Knoxsocial's blog on May 9, 2011.

Last month’s Social Slam was full of great insight and bright minds from around the nation. Social Media experts such as Jay Baer, Trey Pennington, and Christina Kerleygave keynote speeches that sparked the long round of incessant tweets (KnoxSocial = GUILTY).

But one teaching really stood out above the rest for me and that was Trey Pennington’s speech on the ” Three-Fold Hunger”.

Three-Fold Hunger

What’s this “Three-Fold Hunger” you say? It’s the three most basic needs that all human beings have.

1. We all want to be heard.

2. We all want to be understood

3. We want to feel that our lives count.

Not only are these the most basic of human needs, but are also the most fundamental levels of customers service. Luckily, social media serves as a fantastic arena to meet both of those needs: to listen to and to be heard. Most of us commonly use SM as a place to voice our opinions, crack jokes (hoping to get a couple “LOLs”), and to ask advice from fellow social medialites.

For business owners, it’s a way to really dig into the psyche of your fans and get to know them on an even more personal level. The one-to-one communication through social networks lets users know that they have been seen, heard, and of course, that their voice matters.

Measuring Success

Another statement from Trey that grabbed my attention was that, “If you are in social media for the profits, you are likely in it for wrong reason. And at best, profits are trailing indicator. ”

ROI is the biggest obstacle that businesses face and is also the hardest to truly quantify. According to a recent Social Media Examiner survey of 1,356 businesses, how to measure social media return on investment is the number one question that marketers are asking.

Although sales in the end does matter; as Trey said, it’s not the only indicator. Success can be seen through the conversations you’ve sparked, the debates others have had between each other, a fellow fan answering another fan’s question, or a big praise on your wall. It’s about creating a place that people can go to chat and form a community around your brand.

What Social Media Isn’t

So what is social media NOT? Social Media is not about selling or shoving your product in people’s faces. The true key is genuine dialogue, deepening relationships with current customers (or new ones), and giving a human voice to the brand.

Your readers are smart. They can sense a schmoozer from a mile away. So long as you are providing interesting, quality content they’re bound to stick around. Who knows, they may even BUY something from you!

When it comes to it, put yourselves in the shoes of your fans. What interests you? Think of it as telling a story around your brand and products.

Where’s the $$$?

So where’s the actual sales piece in this? The sales aspect happens when you continue to keep your customers happy and keep them coming in. They are now brand loyal patrons who are guaranteed to bring in a friend (or two); and, who knows, they may even refer a friend.

The Facts: Experience vs. Time

It’s important to remember that “success” doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to evolve and have your community grow with you. Social Media Examiner’s 2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report found that there is a direct correlation between time spent and experience. Those with more years of social media experience spend more time each week conducting social media activities than those with less experience. For example, 63% of people with 3 or more years of experience spend more than 10 hours a week doing social media activities. Only 41% of those with 1 to 3 years experience spend that much time.*

Time commitment for social media marketing

(*Source: Social Media Examiner, “2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report”)

Another interesting find is that the number one advantage of social media marketing is generating more business exposure, as indicated by 88% of marketers.

So what does all of this mean?

It means that:

1. Approaching social media in a way that puts your customers’ wants and needs (listening, communicating, and appreciating) is absolutely necessary to drive success.

2. “Success” is a very loosely-based term and is one of the top questions that marketers have today. Do not solely measure success on numbers.

3. Social media has an extremely high level of time commitment. However, the more time spent and experience gained the bigger the pay out in the end. So don’t give up!

4. If there are any four things that get out of this blog post its: Be genuine. Be transparent. Listen. Communicate.

How do you measure success? Share your own thoughts in the comment box!

Top 5 Things to Know about Facebook Page Updates

2011-12-07T16:10:00.001-05:00

Note: Originally posted on Knoxsocial's blog on March 3, 2011

Facebook never ceases to out-do itself. Mark Zuckerburg and his clad of troops know how to give us advertisers what we want (at least most of what we want). And this is evident in their launch of new updates to Facebook Business Pages.

Not only have they upgraded the “Start a Facebook Page” so that it is clearer and more user-friendly….

but they’ve also made some big changes to their page’s functionality. And at Knoxsocial we’re here to dig into what exactly it is you need to know.

1. See Through the Eyes of Your Business Page

The image above shows you the steps to toggle between your user Profile and the Page you admin. Once you get there you’ll notice several interesting things.

The first thing you’ll notice is your homepage. You will no longer see a news stream consisting of your friends’ most recent posts, but instead will see posts from other businesses that you have “liked”. And “likes” are another change in themselves – what was formerly known as “page favorites” (which we’ll get into later). In other words, you are now able to see and engage from a Page’s point of view.

Page's Home Feed

2. Page the Social Butterfly

The second thing you’ll notice, and this is probably my favorite feature of the new page upgrades, is the ability to comment and like other posts as your Page. Previously, Pages were limited to communicating with others strictly on their own Wall, but we now have the ability to venture off to other Pages and start a conversation there thus enhancing meaningful business relationships. Not to mention a brand’s visibility.

Another added bonus? We now have the ability to choose whether we prefer to comment/like a post as our Business Page or as our own personal account – whereas before this option didn’t exist. W00hoo! I l<3ve options!

Post Comments on Other Pages As Your Page

3. Alert Alert!

The third upgrade that will help busy business owners tremendously is the email notifications sent each time a user comments or posts on your page. So no more excuses, owners, for neglecting to respond to your fans’ comments and questions because you’ll be getting an email EVERY TIME!

4. Show Your Page’s True Colors

The fourth, possibly least enthusiastic, upgrade is the ability to give your page a tad bit of personality. These changes are very subtle. For instance, your “My Page Favorites” now become “Likes” and are shown on the lef- nav of your page. These are displayed every time you as Business “Like” a page – just as you would as a fan.

Page "Likes"

You also have the ability to organize which order your “Likes” are seen so that you can show the most prominent and relative ones at all times. In addition to these changes, you now have theability to control which images appear on the photostrip (photos at the top of the Page) which consist of the most recent photos uploaded to the wall and tagged.

5. Relating to the Visitor

The fifth and final set of important upgrades that you need to know about has to do with the noninvasive environment for the Facebook user. What I mean by this is that your friends will no longer be bombarded by a thousand notifications to join your page or accept your ear of corn from Farmville, but will instead see your Page suggestions in the right-hand-column as they navigate through Facebook. An additional feature that enhances the user experience is that Facebookers visiting your page can now see what mutual friends and pages they have in common with your page.

So what does this all really mean for a businesses? Well..

Additional opportunities for visibility
Deepen relationships even more with both users and pages
Ability to quickly respond to comments or posts in real-time
Capability to personalize pages and express personality
Allow users to have a more natural, unintrusive experience

So that’s everything you need to know! Well, not completely everything but you can get additional info here.

What has been your experience with the new Page Upgrades? What do you like or not like about the new Page updates?

The Broadway Bucket List

2011-06-27T19:40:00.010-04:00

Ok, so I've lived in Knoxville only most of my life (19 years to be exact) and I have yet to visit a few places that are claimed to fame (or at least the majority of the Knox populous have visited) - specifically in the Broadway/Central area.

Since I'm the fat kid, you better believe these places have to do with food! So, here I am today, proclaiming that I will cross these visitations off my new "Broadway Bucket List". OH, if you have ever been to any of these places - feel free to give some suggestions on what to order. Or, better yet, stop me if it is a complete waste of time.

Super Mario's

Does this place even exist any more? It looked closed as I was driving by today. But my reasoning is anything with the same name as a classic children's video game is A-ok with me. And ANY pizza is good pizza!

Vic & Bill's Deli (Absolutely no photos exist of this place??? What are they trying to hide???)

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this place has been around for a while. Hopefully, the food doesn't taste like it's been out for a while........

Dixson Bar-B-Q

Ok, so this place is not only NOT on Broadway, but it's also in Rape Town, U.S.A. However, if Adam Richman from Man vs. Food says it's a "must-try" then, dammit, I Must Try It!

Three Rivers Market

Why? Because it's so cute and brightly colored! Other than that? It looks extremely intriguing and quirky from the outside...Oh, and I guess it's because they're organic, local and Tennessee's only community-owned food cooperative (yadi yadi yada).

MagPies (not on Broadway either but it's neighbor, Central)

One word: CUPCAKES.... And really, need I say more?

Glowing Body (neither on Broadway nor "food" related)

After day's worth of gorging my face off I owe it to myself to do some relaxing yoga (the REAL kind)....

So those were some of North Knoxville's little "gems". That's not to say there aren't other areas of Knoxville with little "gems". If you know them, send them my way. That'll be " XXX Bucket List Part II".

Where Has Thou Chatroulette Gone?

2011-02-03T07:38:00.010-05:00

Once upon a time I wrote on a previous blog post about the ridiculousness of an emerging online network called Chatroulette. I was kind of skeptical of the new craze and it made me laugh to think that people were actually using this thing.

I believe that I said (and I quote) that "No thanks. I'll let this craze slide and stick to the rule engraved in me since I was a child of never talking to strangers. I'd like to try and avoid any dirty old men with their pants down as much as possible. " (apparently not everyone thinks this way?)

It seemed a no-brainer to me that the immense amount of men's (and women's) genitalia floating around on this platform would curb people's enthusiasm for it.

Honestly, I was so frightened as to what horrors would pop up on my screen that I couldn't get myself to click the "scan" button to try it out. It's definitely not a site you want to dabble your toes into at work.

So the other day I caught myself wondering what the hell ever happened to that phallic fad? Did it ever emerge as the newest venue for business ventures to apply their marketing efforts? Or perhaps it failed miserably and wiped off the face of the earth while amassing a herd of perverts and pedophiles (redundant????) leaving them to unfortunately to do something else with their day......?? (say that five times fast)

And the Answer is..........

Yes, it's still alive - but barely. The site is cheerfully falling down the slopes of Faux Paux Mountain.

I do admit that their site has had a bit of an upgrade since I last saw it (and when I say "a bit" I mean they must've hired a geeky highschooler from the '90s to do it)

Check it out:

Whoa! Trippy! Did I just step into an online time portal? So Chattroulette is a time machine now....??

So what led to Chatroulette's demise?

Well only the obvious: it was weird, creepy, and gross. There may have been a split second thought of "ooh maybe there could be an opportunity here" but that was quickly squashed by the influx of penises.

There's a great explanation on Quora of why it didn't work out - way more in-depth than I would ever get into - but basically it's that the majority of people's perceptions were mainly negative (shocker) and that the top two psychographics involved were perverts and loners (which sound like real winners). However, Chatroulette has done a fine job of adapting to it audeince by adding the "Connect with singles" button.

Way to go Chatroulette! You've acclimated yourselves well to the passions and values of your followers!

Have you ever tried Chatroulette? What do you think about it?

Social Media: It Ain't No Shot-Gun Wedding

2010-11-29T12:50:00.406-05:00

(Note: Italicized sentences = personal thoughts)

There are plenty of good analogies to describe the process of how a business can utilize social media. The first analogy that came to mind was how its slow development is like "nurturing a baby". And honestly, that came to mind first because I REALLY wanted to include a funny picture of a baby in this post.

(Ok now that I got that out of the way...) But after much thought, I finally determined that the best way to describe it is in romantic terms. Which, if you ever read my blog, I've actually compared blogging, another social element, to romance in a previous post. I'm just a hopeless romantic I guess.... :)

So why do I keep coming back to this absurd analogy? Well, because that pretty much describes social media's essence in a nut shell (IMO).

Here's the breakdown:

1. Ain't No Shot-Gun Wedding
Relationships take time to grow and develop (unless you're the type prone to a shot-gun wedding and in that case this doesn't pertain to you). In the beginning of a new romance, a typical person's level of comfort is not automatic. Time is needed for that significant other to open up, share their feelings, and to let you in to who they truly are. Quite similarly, creating your online community is the same way. That's why interaction and fan growth is generally slow to start.

First, you need to understand that your audience must grow accustomed to you, get to know you and really dig into what you are all about. Only then will they graciously give you their partial attention (because we all know that the chances of having their complete, full attention is as much as me saying no to that 4th slice of hot, cheesy and oh-so delicious pizza) and determine whether your messages actually strike their fancy or not.

2. Don't Be an Open Book
You DON'T want to give everything away. Remember that fun thing called the "Dating Game" that we all "claim" to hate to play but yet still do anyways because it's a basic need of survival (ummm hello? mating calls/dances anyone?)? Well, the same rules apply (only in a slightly different context). You don't want to give away too much about yourself right away because then people have nothing to come back to - they already know everything about you (or your brand). Keep them on their toes and allow them to be mystified as to what exciting news, questions, or updates your going to post next. Allow the relationship between you and your fans to evolve with time. It's that process of evolving and revealing that is so exciting to the user.

3. Duuude, don't smother me.
This rule is a biggie. Don't lie, you know you are guilty of this. You get excited because things are so fresh and new that you want to be around that person all of the time. Unfortunately, just like your annoyed partner who is desperately seeking some space or avoiding your phone calls, the same goes for your fans and followers. You have to find that healthy balance of being there enough but not too much to where your posts are clogging up everyone's "news feed". The last thing you want to do is come off as desperate (or as the psycho-girlfriend who calls and texts every 5 minutes...noooo thank you!). In a relationship, this will put you on the fast track to Splitsville, USA. In the cyber world, you get the dreaded push of the "unlike" button (*gasp*).

Generally, my school of thought is this: you put in what you get out. Your posts should be relative to the amount of interaction you get in return. But the hard part is finding what it is that is going to generate interaction.

4. Many Fish in the Sea
Just because things didn't quite work out this time around - don't give up on love. There are many potential mates out there, you just have to be open and willing and eventually you'll find the right one. Social media is the same way. Just because you aren't seeing the fan growth or interaction you want right away don't feel disheartened. As I said, it takes time for users to become comfortable with a brand. If you put yourself out there, create interesting and relevant content, and start to build relationships with users, sooner or later you'll find the engagers you are looking for. Only then will you start to see the interaction and growth that you want.

The key point to take away is that building your online social hub and brand evangelists doesn't just happen overnight, especially if you are a local business. You MUST give it time, stay consistent, and continually measure performance against goals and objectives (you do have those, right?). Alot of it is trial and error. You've got to find out what's working, what's not and then make adjustments accordingly. Once you've gotten that down, you can then start to see those $$dolla dolla billz ya'll$$.. that $$cha-ching$$... that $$cash-flow$$....you'll $$ make it rain$$! Ya know what I mean?

What are your own tips or observations with building your online social communities?

Tosh.0 A Social Marketing Genius?

2010-10-12T19:01:00.000-04:00

Ahh hello there old friend.. I admit, it's been a long while since my last post. June to be exact.

I've just been so busy that I barely have time to write nor the motivation. I guess that's what happens when life happens.

However, tonight I am motivated. Motivated by a young, fearless chap by the name of Daniel Tosh.

Now, I know in my last post I said that I would do a follow up on bringing the basics back to social media...and I will...some day. But for now my inspiration comes from this guy...

...since I am about to see his show at the Tennessee Theatre Wednesday, October 13th. I CANNOT WAIT!

But the point of this blog post is to recognize his own great use of social media. I applaud him for his creative efforts.This guy is swimming in the Sea of Social. Hell his show, Tosh.O, is entirely based on user-generated YouTube videos!

His show has invaded my personal life and has become a weekly staple. It's sad, but almost daily I say to myself "It's fun to do bad things..." like the 7-year-old kid who stole his grandmother's car.

I can't help but crack up everytime I see it. Not to mention I wouldn't have even seen the majority of these videos without his show because 1.) I have a life and 2.) am not constantly watching videos like SOME PEOPLE I KNOW **ahem**(not to mention any names ((Devo)) but you know who you are ;-))...

His social marketing (and/or his marketing department's) skills are superb. He knows exactly how to appeal to his audience; by maintaining the exact same perverted cynicism he displays on his show and integrating it throughout all his social vehicles. And people eat. it. up! I guess people thrive off assholes.

Also, Tosh definitely knows how to cash in on user-generated content by encouraging viewers to submit their own YouTube videos for a chance to be on his show or to take part in well-known impossible challenges like the Cocao Challenge.

The guy has got some great ideas (or at least someone on his team does) that I think many businesses can utilize and incorporate into their own social marketing strategies. Well, perhaps not to the extent of his level of putridness but you get my drift.

So kudos to you, Daniel, for leading the way in the social viral realm.

P.S. Can't wait to see your show.

And as always..."Is this going to be forever?"..

What?!? Mark Zuckerberg's Plot to Destroy the World??

2010-06-23T22:22:00.008-04:00

Social Media.

I know what you’re thinking…

You are thinking… ‘Why, Nicole, those two words sound awfully familiar to me. Could it be something that I possibly spend 7 hours a month on?’

No lie. Surprisingly, I’m not making this number up at all. Mark Zuckerberg’s sitting there laughing in our faces right now because he knows what he’s done. He’s created a little devil monster whose main agenda is to steal our level of productivity and ability to have natural, face-to-face interactions.

I’m only kidding. The destruction of man-kind and world domination is not on his list of things to-do. This techi-tree-hugger’s mission is to spread the virtual love by evolving our social experiences and relationships on the web. And it’s big. I mean REAL BIG.

I don’t know about you but it seems like every time I look there is something new coming out. I sometimes find it hard to keep up with it all, and quite frankly, my sanity as well. Just stop with advancements already! You still have about 40 years to reach global domination! OK?!

But for those of you who like to take a step back for a moment, to "catch your breath" if you will, I thought that it might be useful to have a little refresher course. You know, a back-to-the-basics kind of thing to remind us the power of using social media from a business stand-point.

BUT that will be for the next post. So, until then!

Tah-Tah!

♪{Musac BlogRevue} Stimulate Your Ears with Rafe Hollister♪

2010-05-11T09:31:00.025-04:00

If you are ready to get your honky tonk and boot scootin’ on, then Rafe Hollister’s “Stimulus Package” has got the plan to bail out your desires (eh, too much? Probably). Country boys Sam Brinkley- Lead Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica, Jeff Mendenhall- Fiddle, Brooks Butler- Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals, Joseph Massie- Bass, Vince Seabrook- Drums, and Mark Moser- Mandolin all spawned from the rolling mountains of Maggie Valley, NC which I suspect is the root behind their unique mountain rock sound.

The album has all the workings of a good country/rock album: bluegrass, rock, folk, blues, punk and country while Sam’s vocals resonates a southern, classic-rock feel (which I absolutely love). Even the lyrics are genuinely redneck as they tell tales of moonshine, inbreeds, missing teeth, Bigfoot, “coon dogs”, hillbillies, mullets and many other subjects that define the everyday life of rural Appalachia.

Although most of the songs have similar sound qualities, their lyrics and use of traditional bluegrass instruments give them a distinct patriotic feel. From just listening to the album I can only imagine the high energy level performed at their live shows, nor can I deny my intense urge to slap on my cowboy boots and do a hoedown.

Check out a show near you!

A Slight Turn off The Beaten Path

2010-04-16T11:39:00.005-04:00

If you occasionally glance at my blog you may have noticed an increase in the number of music-related postings I've been doing (well there have only been two but you know what I mean). It seems as if my blog is taking a different shape - a shape that I am excited to conform to.

Music is my passion and will always be for as long as I live. So it makes sense to me that I should blog about something I am passionate about. But don't get me wrong, I am passionate about all things advertising/social media-related as well. Therefore I will continue to write about these things too. The only difference is that I will distinguish my music-related posts with these markings: ♪{Musac BlogRevue}♪ (just for your ease and my amusement).

The point of this post is to give you a glimpse into the transformations taking place in my blog. "Thoughts from a Distance" is slowly but surely becoming what it seeks out to be "✯ Sporadic thoughts ✯ Insightful insights ✯ Attempt at words" or a big ol' mash-up of systematic disorder.

'Hmm note to self: Use Systematic Disorder to cash-in on as good band name....'

So if you are reading this, you can continually expect to find that whatever happens to randomly inspire me shall be written.

Also if you are reading this, are in a band, and have a CD that doesn't suck, send it to me and I'll review it!

Thank you that is all...

♪{Musac BlogRevue} East Coast Dirt Debut CD: A Dirty Blend of Brilliant Complexity ♪

2010-04-06T22:03:00.016-04:00

(Check out the preface to this post, "The Dirt on East Coast Dirt")

Last January I was asked by a friend at Suprema Lex Music to check out the Asheville-based band, East Coast Dirt, at the Preservation Pub. I walked in half-expecting a slightly amateurish group frantically struggling to keep things in tune; however, that was not the case at all. No, I was surprisingly hit by a wall of funky, improv-driven sounds, or as they coin it, “sneaker boogaloo”.

Now I get the awesome chance to review East Coast Dirt’s debut CD. Unfortunately, I have to narrow it down to a couple of my favorite songs, which is hard to do with an album chockfull of audible splendors. The whole album is an infusion of chaotic elements of jazz, percussion, electric guitar, and keys that all coexist in perfect harmony.

The first track I listened to was no doubt destined for me to stumble upon. Perhaps it is the title of the song, “10-15 on Mole Mountain”, that stirs up my imagination, but I can’t help but envision deep, heavy guitar riffs theming a journeyed car ride along a mountainside. It’s as if an electric guitar consummated with Latin rhythms and birthed the taunting melodies of this song. (That may have been a tad bit unrefined, sorry.....)

.... Let’s just say that I can’t seem to get this one out of my head since I first heard it!

The next track to strike my immediate fancy, “The Dog that Bit Me”, is a monstrous product of tunes ranging from all sides of the music spectrum. If I could describe the elements of this song in one long, run-on sentence it would be intense dub/reggae beats meets Electric Light Orchestra blended with sporadic bursts of Rusted Root-inspired percussions and invigorating jam band-y vocals that are all interwoven into one little package. Needless to say, it's like eating candy because it's so sweeeett!

(Did I insert enough adjectives in there?)

I can assure you that East Coast Dirt doesn't hold anything back on this one as they shove a collection of genres straight into your eardrum. However, as frenzied as it sounds, the album intelligently merges arrangements of melodies and grooves in a very thoughtful way.

I could probably analyze and dissect every song on this entire CD, but that would ruin the surprise you’re in store for. (Or your attention span might start to shift to that of a two-year-old.) So purchase a copy at one of their shows near you and find out for yourself. I must forewarn you though; be prepared for an eargasm of jazzy-funk and psychedelic-rock layers that are utlimately going to rock yo' socks off.

Click on the player below for a little East Coast Dirt teaser...

Chatroulette..... The Next Social Media "Craze"

2010-03-19T09:24:00.001-04:00

Chatroulette, a new video chat platform, is becoming one of the biggest social media phenomenons to hit the virtual world since Twitter. In February alone there were around 30 million unique visitors to the site (one million US visitors according to Comscore reports).

The concept is that you are coming face-to-face with a randomly selected person and have the option to choose "next" to skip them and on to the next (kind of like a girl who gets tired of the Boy of the Week and is off to the next victim). You are creepily taking a quick look into another stranger's life. Luckily, no subscription or personal information is required.

Seriously? This is the next social media phenomenon?

Sounds like a short-lived craze in my opinion. I don't see any value you are getting out of Chatroulette. At least with Twitter you are gaining valuable information from other Tweeters through shared articles, news, specials, etc. I Can Has Cheezburger is making one a little happier each day with a good laugh. And with Facebook you are building personal relationships with friends, family, co-workers or other networks. Plus you have some control over what information is shared and who can see it.

Oh and not to mention what sort of obscenities you'll run into with Chatroulette.

No thanks. I'll let this craze slide and stick to the rule engraved in me since I was a child of never talking to strangers. I'd like to try and avoid any dirty old men with their pants down as much as possible.

What do you think about Chatroulette? Do you think it will remain a strong player in the social media realm? What effect do you think it will have on other video chat platforms?

Discuss.....

I Can Has Unhealthy Obzezzion Wit Kittehs

2010-01-28T17:12:00.011-05:00

Do you have things you obsess over? Perhaps things like shoes, tiny collectibles or boy bands? I too have an obsession........

......an obsession with CATS.

Ironically, I'm not a huge cat person. They're alright from time to time. Of course they'll give you the time of day when they want to. When it's "convenient" for them (they're rather selfish in my opinion).

No, my obsession started from a little thing called ICanHasCheezburger. LOLCats are the culprit for my obsession.

How can you not like this............

..............and this...............

...........or this????

As you can see, ICanHasCheezburger features silly pictures of cats with silly captions. Who would of thought that this hilarious site and its sister site, Fail Blog, would have nearly 50 million page views a month (self reported for the network), and over 1 million unique visitors for ICanHasCheezeburger.com (according to Compete.com statistics). *(Data from 2009)

In other words, serious $$cha-ching$$ potential.

Ben Huh, CEO of the CheezBurger network, explained in a past Inc. article that they have a simple company mission: “making everyone happy for 5 minutes a day.”

Of course, ICanHasCheezburger wasn't a success overnight. It took alot of followers to ignite the flame but it soon spread like wildfire. As the network grew larger so did the launch of new sites. The cool thing about each site is that each pertains to a different niche audience based on their interests.

Here's a list of a few of their other sites:

So how do they get the ideas for these radical sites? Interestingly, it's the users who are the brains behind these sites and they submit more than 10 thousand submissions of content a DAY.

I believe that the Cheezburger network is a great example of a growing trend in business models - one that focuses on the consumer and builds from customer feedback, recommendations, and interactions.

So yes, because of LOLCats I can't help but imagine a cat in some ridiculous pose with some outrageous caption from every kitteh I see. Thus the reason why I just want to squeeze every kitty to death.

I Can Has Unhealthy Obzezzion Wit Kittehs?

What do you think the future holds for user-inspired content?

Do you think more companies will adopt this type of model?

Money Ain't A Thang

2010-01-21T13:11:00.039-05:00

So picture this: I'm sitting at home yesterday couch-ridden due to a sinus-infection and minor bronchitis. Of course there is absolutely nothing on TV so I am forced to watch marathons of The Real Housewives of Orange County and The Millionaire Matchmaker. What do these shows have in common besides millionaires, gaudy jewelry, cocky attitudes and silicon? Surprisingly, it's the presence of two, high-profile, self-made, successful women.

1. It's really hard to see successful a chick on television that has accumulated wealth on her own.

and

2. Especially today when all you see is extremely superficial reality television.

I wanted to stand up and give them the **HELL YEAHs**!

Successful Business Woman #1

Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County is a successful business woman who owns here own life insurance company. Out of all of the wives on the TRHOC she is the only one who has found success on her own and is a big advocate for self success. For example, in season 1, when the housewives go on a jewelry shopping spree, one housewife moans that she doesn't have a man in her life to buy her jewels in the shop; Gunvalson responds by telling her that she doesn't need a man to buy her things because they can earn the money independently and purchase the jewels themselves.

Plus +1 for Vicki!

Successful Business Woman #2

Patti Stanger founded the Millionaire's Club, a matchmaking service in L.A. because she felt that successful men in the dating arena needed a private, exclusive club where they could come to find their beautiful and "intelligent" wives (I say " " because we all know who they end up going for any...). Amusingly, clients pay megabucks (up to $25,000+) for her services. Needless to say, she is raking in the cash. So in short, business began booming and soon enough she had her own reality show, The Millionaire Matchmaker.

Plus +1 for Patti!

Money Ain't A Thang
After goggling and admiring their self-made wealth and fame I started to realize something. Not only are Vicki and Patti seen as controlling and wound up like a screw-driver (which could put a slight damper on personal relationships); they also appear so consumed in their business and sucess that they don't have time for all the REAL things that matter: ie. relationships, LIFE, family and time to one's self. Even Patti claims on her show that her business is a 24/7 job.

Ok, maybe now they have time to do all of that stuff. But I'm sure that in the process of gaining all of that success alot of sacrifices had to be made and many moments were missed out on.

I, myself, would love to be successful. However, I will not do it at the expense of well, for one thing, my sanity, well-being, or time spent with those I care about. We're losing cherished moments in the process of trying to reach this illusionary purpose. An illusion that selfworth is based on obtaining superficial tangibles.

MONEY ≠ SELF WORTH

What do you think?

♪{Musac BlogRevue} The Dirt on East Coast Dirt♪

2010-01-07T22:53:00.003-05:00

Wednesday night I had the pleasure of checking out the beats of Asheville natives, East Coast Dirt at the Preservation Pub. Instantly I was impressed by their funky chaotic instrumentals. Going in not having a clue of what to expect, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It was if I was slapped in the face by elements of rock, roots, and experimental sounds (they cleverly deem this mash of audibles "Sneaker Booglaoo"). As soon as I got a taste I immediately associated it with the experimental jazz sounds of MMW (Medeski Martin and Wood).

Though East Coast Dirt brings a fairly new sound to the mix, band members Wilson Hawes (bass guitar, vocals), Brad Boughton (drums, vocals), Brian Steele (guitar, bass, vocals) and Will Little (keyboards, guitar, vocals) are no amateurs. Delivering complexity, with a dash of spontaneity and a touch of playfulness, the band's chemistry sends sparks flying all over the stage.

Although the band mostly tours on the east coast, their growing fan base has allowed them to expand geographically. After collaborating in the studios this winter, the band is set to release a new album in Spring 2010. The new album captures the dynamics of their live shows while emphasizing each member's unique writing styles and innovative instrumentals.

Don't miss out on this progressive rock-fusion quartet! It'll be sure to make you put your boogie shoes and party pants on!

* Photos by Kelsey Caran Wiggins

Find a shows near you.
Suprema Lex Music

Whoa Whoa Technology! Slow down! Let me breathe for a Second..

2009-12-30T11:14:00.002-05:00

(Note: The topic I have written is strictly a matter of opinion. I do not mean to offend anyone, as these are only observations. In a sense, I could be considered hypocritical as I do, myself, use technology and appreciate it to an extent. I am merely speaking of getting into the hype of technology.)

Technology, to me, is a double-edged sword. Of course technology has revolutionized every single aspect in our lives, whether it be in communication, health, research, transportation, etc but I also see it as a path to destruction. To me, it’s my “how can I live with out you?” to my “bane of my existence.” We, as a society, are so reliant on technology and we seek to eternally expand its advancement. But it’s certain types of technologies that get me…. gadgets per se. From refrigerators and washing machines that tell you “Good morning”, the time of day, and the temperature outside to cell phones telling you where you are, what your pet’s vet records are, and how to say, “Where is the bathroom?” in French.

Sometimes I just wonder, ‘is all of this necessary?’ When is enough enough? And, will we ever live a simplistic lifestyle ever again?

Now, I’m not trying to discount technology. Heck, my industry worships it. The advertising industry is constantly clawing and scratching just to keep up with technology. I’m just trying to take a step back here and reevaluate the impact technology is having on our planet and society as a whole. We are a society that is so fast-paced and on-the-go, and are constantly seeking the easiest ways to cut the corners of everyday life. I can’t help but fear that either we are on the path to laziness or just completely missing out on life’s simplicities. In simplicities I mean living a life with the absence of technology (i.e. visiting a friend, enjoying the outdoors without constantly talking or texting on the phone, or reading a paperback book instead of a digital on).

I’m all for advancements in finding the cure for diseases and determining more energy efficient usages. But where do our values lie? Apparently in cool gadgets like Amazon Kindle (For me, no thanks - I like to read without straining my eyes from trying to read teeny tiny typeface) and TomToms (Um MAPQUEST THAT SHIT! And yes I realize that Mapquest is just another facet of technology BUT there is one difference: Map quest is FREEEEE. Or are the little things called maps still available?).

I just can’t get that tiny voice of Dr. Mariea Hoy’s out of my head in Advertising Issues class as she pounded our heads with the issues of classical theory (people are innately intelligent enough to actively seek out information before making purchasing decisions) vs. neoclassical theory (people are easily persuaded by the influence of others - i.e. media, advertising – in making purchasing decisions). One of the discussions that most comes to mind is that of overconsumption. One of our readings commented that overconumption = the world’s apocalypse. Basically, in a nut shell, the world as we know it will end because we as human beings have completely exhausted all of our resources due to our need for overconsumption and will completely wipe out our entire race, all other existing species, and the environment. Ishamel, a novel written by Daniel Quinn speaks of a fundamental difference between two types of people: Leavers and Takers. The Leavers take what they need from the world and leave the rest alone. Living in this manner ("in the hands of the gods"), Leavers thrive in times of abundance and dwindle in times of scarcity. Takers on the other hand, well, take. Takers are people often referred to as "civilized." Takers produce enormous food surpluses, which allows them to thwart the gods when they decide it's the Takers' time to go hungry.

Ok…..I’m going off in a tangent here. The point I’m trying to make is that technology is evidence of our need for overconsumption as we constantly seek to upgrade and use up our resources. I feel that perhaps we should focus our technological efforts and spending on more important things like finding the cure for cancer, than on upgrading gadgets that make our go-go lifestyle easier.

(Another food for thought that is not entirely related to the thoughts above.)

Here is my question: Do I have to be into the iPhone, iTouch, e-book, Blackberry to be considered tech-savvy? Can I be up-to-date, “with the times”, “ahead of the curb”, if I myself do not practice getting into the hype of technology? For example, I’m so lame my OLD cell phone (I have to emphasis old because I caved in and bought a new ENV3 with my Verizon upgrade…only because I got an upgrade though) could only dial people the old-fashioned way and text with graphics that resembled that of the Ataris era. Which, honestly, I was ok with. I don’t really need an iPod on my phone when I already have an iPod (and have gone through about 5). Or the T-Mobile G1 that has instant access to Google when I have a computer in front of me about 90% of my lifetime.

So how behind the times am I? Well, as far as social media goes - yes, I use Facebook (I think I could be considered an early adopter in this mass social phenomena). Of course I used Myspace (before it took on its creepy, sketchy-like persona). LinkedIn? Check! Twitter? Check!

Ok, so am I a laggard? I sure as hell hope not because as a young professional I have a technologically-savvy, Gen-Y reputation to uphold.

According to the Innovation Adoption Curve I fall into the early to late majority categories:

Early Majority: Thoughtful people, careful but accepting change more quickly than the average.

Late Majority: Skeptic people, will use new ideas or products only when the majority is using it.

However, I have my own set of definitions. In my own Innovation Adoption Curve I am in the “I Don’t Really Care” to the “I Will Not Conform To Society” curve.

So does anybody else feel this way? Do you feel overconsumption and the need for new gadgets is destroying our society? Can you be cool, hip, and “with it”, if you don’t fall into the hype of new gadgets? DISCUSS….

A Blogging Romance

2009-12-10T15:16:00.012-05:00

Most marketers will tell you that blogging has become a social revolution that has completely changed the way we do business and has altered how consumers react and interact with brands. Working with credible bloggers is a useful tool that can enhance a brand’s visibility and credibility, if done so correctly. Tapping into the blogosphere allows a company to work with an existing foundation of trust, authority, and influence. Bloggers can attract thousands of loyal readers who are often persuaded by the ideals of each post. Readers will trust his or her ideas and will act upon their recommendations. Of course, there are always adverse affects such as damaging a brand’s reputation or the slight chance of offending the blogger (if there’s a monetary incentive, some may see it as persuasion and manipulation of the true voice of the people). However, there is a right way to go about it and here are some tips to guide you through.

Budding Blogging Relationship

Just to give you a visual, the relationship between a business and a blogger could be compared to that of the romantic kind but without the messiness of a breakup of course. How is that you ask? Well, like a romantic relationship, it begins slowly, more friendly, and then progresses into budding new romance, or partnership in this case. Also like romance, you must find someone you are compatible with, make an impression on them, peek their interest, and give them gifts occasionally. However, all of this must be done with honesty, authenticity and total transparency in mind.

A Match Made In Heaven

The first step in building the blogger relationship, or any romantic relationship, is to find one who is a perfect fit. A match made in heaven. You must find a blogger who matches your brand’s personality, values and interests. Another factor to think about is that the blogger’s audience matches that of company’s target audience. Of course, all of this requires a lot of research. Technorati is a great place to start. It lists according to a blog’s popularity and number of visits. Here are more tips to find popular “influencers.”

I Just Want To Take It Nice And Slow. (Now Baby Tell Me What You Want To Do With Me.... couldn't resist a lame Usher reference).

Like most relationships, you’ll want to take working with a blogger slowly. Being a diva and demanding they write about you straight off the bat is pretty much an automatic DE-LETE! (OR an automatic ticked-off blogger ). Keep it friendly and casual at first. Take at least a few months getting to know the blogger by understanding the 4 Ws: Who they are, What their interests are, What they write about, and What entices them to blog. Another great way to build a relationship is to become a regular reader of their blog and be an active commenter. This shows that you have made an effort in understanding who they are - which in return will allow them to be more receptive and accepting of you.

Takin' It to the Next Level

Once a good foundation has been established, you can then proceed to take it to the next level in the relationship. Explain who you are, whom you are representing, why you are sending them a pitch and why it is pertains to them. A couple of important things to keep in mind are to ensure your idea is going to add value to the blogger and that your pitch is something they would be genuinely interested in. Create excitement by sending them a story that will entice their interest. And by all means, do not assume that their readers are going to enjoy it. That is only up to the blogger to decide.

Another helpful tip is to write the pitch in a similar tone and language as the blog you are targeting. Since you have become a regular reader of their blog and are already familiar with the content doing this shouldn’t be hard. This will show that you have done your homework, which the blogger will appreciate.

Shower Them With Gifts

Like relationships, you’ll want to pamper them with gifts, or in this case, give the blogger an incentive to work with you. One great way to exhibit this is to offer them a freebie. Bloggers love gifts, particularly if it's related to their niche. They are anxious to test out new products and provide feedback, especially before their readers. Or offer something that they can give away to their readers. Giveaways and contests are a surefire way to attract readers. Offering an incentive is a simple way for you to add value to the blogger while also achieving your own promotional goals.

I Swear Honey, There's No One Else But You
Like a significant other, bloggers like to feel like they are the one and only focus of your attention. Put the blogger at the center, not your product. Make them feel like they are on top of the world and that no one else matters. Set them on cloud nine; make them blush. Whatever it is, just make them happy. A few simple ways to do this is to feature them or their blog on your company website, invite them participate in any focus groups that are being conducted, or seek their feedback and thoughts on new products or services.

This is just a basic guide on how to build a “romance” with a blogger but there are many more complexities and gray areas that need to be defined. However, there are a plethora of resources out there. Remember, a little research and careful planning goes a long way. If executed with accuracy and authenticity, partnering with a blogger can greatly enhance a company’s brand loyalty and visibility.

Let the romancing begin!

The Whuffie Factor

2009-12-07T09:29:00.004-05:00

Photo credit: sundarganapathy.com

Last September’s AAF Luncheon was a tantalizing one as we explored the different approaches to marketing. Panelists consisted of representatives from all the like of the marketing world - ad agencies, pr firms, in-house operations, freelance, and independent consultants.

Many great in-depth conversations were had. Ranging from media convergence, to how advertisers execute their own Green initiatives, to the often discussed, but still ambiguous, nature of social media.

The topic of convo that most struck my chord (and also threw me for a loop) was casual toss of the term “whuffie”. Not familiar with this absurd word “whuffie”? That’s ok, neither was I, and by the looks of some perplexed faces amongst the crowd, neither were they.

The definition of “whuffie”, according to The Whuffie Factor author, Tara Hunt, is a social capital, composed of reputation, trust, connections, influence, and other factors. It becomes a kind of currency.

Want to know the 5 Way to Raise You Whuffie, according to author, Tara Hunt? Well, here ya go!

1. Turn the Bullhorn Around. Instead of shouting impersonally at your customers, listen to them. Become a "beacon for constant feedback." Focus on individuals, and understanding the needs of the community. People want to be treated like "special snowflakes."

2. Become Part of the Community You Serve. Get out of your head, and into the community. Collaborate and share with them. Fall in love with what your customers love. Figure out what problem you're solving, and for whom you're solving it, then join them.

3. Create Amazing Experiences. Become remarkable. Solve problems for your customers so seamlessly, it feels like magic. Engage in fun, lightweight activities that encourage user participation, aka "throwing sheep." Lighten up.

4. Embrace the Chaos. You cannot control the message. Get that through your head. Let go of your perceived control, and you'll see good things come back to you.

5. Find a Higher Purpose. Find a way to give back to the community. Whuffie is part of a gift economy. It's only worth something when it circulates, and the more you give away, the more you get. Do well by doing good.

Now, want to know how to completely DESTROY your whuffie?

Here’s a wonderful example that I read from a Fame Foundry blog:

In summary, AT&T customers who had iPhones were very upset about the network’s unreliable service and were determined to be vocal about their issues.

In an attempt to calm the madness and display some sheer dignity, AT&T released “Seth the Blogger Guy” who made his first appearance on the company’s YouTube channel earlier this year to promote the launch of iPhone3GS.

Instead of coming off as sincere, viewers immediately recognized its transparency and saw it for what it was: patronizing and incredible. Seth is far from engaging in genuine dialog and also isn’t some “blogger guy” as he claims, but instead is Seth Bloom, senior vice president at Fleishman-Hillard, AT&T’S PR agency.

One commenter on the blog said it best, “If AT&T truly cared about repairing its reputation and earning the loyalty of its customers, it would not hide behind a fictional persona but rather would put a legitimate company heavyweight on the front lines of its social media efforts.”

AT&T, you have just filed for Whuffie Bankruptcy.

Blogger Virgin

2009-12-04T16:03:00.001-05:00

SOoo this is what blogging is about, huh? I'm not much of an avid blogger. Sure I've written a few for my company's website (DNP - Davis Newman Payne, which I'll include on my blog as well) but never on a consistent basis, yet alone my own blog. I feel like the internet world is calling my name on a professional level and I want to fully dive into the digital pool. I think the topics of this blog will be at random. Probably more industry-related (advertising, marketing, etc.) than anything but I'll probably share my thoughts and feelings on things going on in my world as well - my "Dear Diary".

Can I now say I've been de-flowered as a blogger?

2009 Bonnaroo

2009-12-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

*Note: This blog was originally posted on my company's website.

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is a four-day music festival that is in its 7th year. This event is held in the small town of Manchester, TN and is produced by Superfly Productions and Knoxville’s own AC Entertainment.

Not Just A Jam-Band Festival Anymore
Being that this was my third Bonnaroo, it never ceases to surprise and amaze me. With 80,000 attendees, this festival had something for all ages and demographics: Phish for the hippies, Mars Volta and Coheed for the slightly rougher metal heads, Beastie Boys for those in their mid-30s, Springsteen and David Byrne for the older crowd and last but not least, babies. Yes, even babies had a good time at the Roo.

You Can Still Roll VIP
Can’t stand the heat, nasty port-a-potties, or sitting on the harsh ground during a show? Of course VIP passes are available for those wanting to spend the extra cash. However, special showers and restroom facilities, preferred parking and camping, and bleacher seating during shows may be worth the increased pricing. And don’t worry; there is also a VIP Payment Plan if you can’t dish out the $1,349.50 per pair plus applicable fees.

The Bonnaroo BUZZ
Bonnaroo is all about the one-on-one consumer interaction. This strategy has helped to create the enormous buzz that has been fluttering around the festival for years. Various social media vehicles were apparent everywhere such as the Bonnaroo Fan Page on Facebook, Bonnaroo’s online newsletter, AC Entertainment’s eblasts sent via email, and Bonnaroo’s own Twitter account and Tweetaroo where you can find and follow your favorite Bonnaroo artists. Even Rolling Stone magazine is deeming it as the best festival of the summer.

What’s in a Brand Name?
With Bonnaroo being such a big event it was no shock to see companies promoting throughout Centeroo (area where all the activities, vendors and stages are held). Here are some of Bonnaroo’s partners that I thought weren’t intrusive and promoted their brands tactfully.

Photo credit: http://bonnaroo.com

Fuse Barn
The Fuse Barn gave you a chance to unleash your inner rock star by taking the stage in front of a live rock band, karaoke style. Or test your music trivia IQ by competing against all your friends in the Fuse Game show for prizes. You could even charge your cell phone, update your Facebook status, twitter or check your email from their computer lounge. I used it to give my peeps a quick update on my Facebook status, mostly to rub it in their faces. :p Fuse also broadcasted live throughout the festival as the official TV partner of Bonnaroo.

Photo credit: http://bonnaroo.com

Bonnaroo Salon Hosted by Garnier Fructis
While I was partially fond of my own dirty dread-lock forming hair, Garnier, who is no amateur to the Roo had returned for its third year. Their Salon gave away complimentary hair washing, hair styling, free samples, had a karaoke contest and other giveaways. Now you can dance to the tunes of Of Montreal AND have great hair!

Photo credit: http://bonnaroo.com

Arcade Discotheque Powered by Xbox 360
Not only did the Xbox 360 tent provide a nice cool and shaded area to rest in between sets, it was also the place to rock on stage and test your Rock Band skills. Gamers had the chance to test new Xbox games as they danced along to the Live DJ spinning tunes. They also graciously provided ponchos for the predicted monsoon that was to hit. Luckily I never had to make use of them.

Photo credit: http://bonnaroo.com

The Silent Disco Powered by Vitamin Water
My most unique experience and Bonnaroo’s top attraction was bustin’ a move at the Silent Disco. This wireless dance party provided stereophones that broadcasted Live DJ spins directly to your ears. Not to mention, the refreshing Vitamin Water was a nice touch at the end.

Although Bonnaroo can make quite a dent in the wallet, I encourage anyone who hasn’t gone to take the trip at least once in his or her lifetime. Bonnaroo isn’t just a hippie-fest, but a place for doctors, lawyers, business owners, and families to come together and enjoy a friendly community, fun activities, and most importantly, great music.