Monday, June 30, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #8

Welcome to Pittsburgh's Social Media Marketing Buzz, keeping tabs on the social media activities going on in and around the 'burgh. Issue 8 takes a look at a career coach with a future design and we bring you tips for email marketing in time for July 7th policy changes.

A Future You

So what does a career and life coach with a Zen and Christian Chaplain background do to reach an audience. Well, Neal Griebling turned to the web and brought Future Design Studio to the World.

Future Design Studio even has its own blog with helpful tips for those that want to change their career direction and even a little Zen as well.

Neal has big plans for social media as well. He is looking into bringing video and maybe even a podcast in the future and will begin selling products as well soon. In his other time, he gives seminars and counsels job seekers on how to become career ronins.

Email Marketing Provisions Update

Originally released in the UniversalWit blog, we thought it should show up in this space as well. New CAN/SPAM regulations will go into effect on July 7th, 2008.

The new rule provisions address four topics:

1. Unsubscribe Requirements: In the new rules, the FTC states that an email recipient cannot be required to pay a fee, provide information other than his or her email address and opt-out preferences, or take any steps other than sending a reply email message or visiting a single Internet Web page to opt out of receiving future email from a sender. This will impact senders that currently require their subscribers to provide a password or visit more than one web page to unsubscribe. We recommend marketers utilize a One-Click Unsubscribe mechanism or link directly to their subscription center to manage this process.

2. Definition of “Sender”: Under CAN-SPAM, a “sender” is defined as the entity whose goods or services are advertised in a commercial email message. The new rules provide a clearer definition of “sender”, and make it easier to determine which of multiple parties advertising in a single email message is responsible for complying with the Act’s opt-out requirements. Those mailing on behalf of other advertisers or including advertising in their messages should take note of these changes. Generally speaking, the new rules state that the sole sender appearing in the “from” line of the email becomes the designated sender of the message, and therefore must comply with all provisions of the Act (such as listing a physical postal address and providing an opt-out mechanism).

3. Post Office Box Allowed: A “sender” of commercial email can include an accurately-registered post office box or private mailbox to satisfy the Act’s requirement that a commercial email display a “valid physical postal address.”

4. Liability Clarifications: The definition of the term”person” was added to clarify that CAN-SPAM’s obligations are not limited to natural persons. The scope of the Act includes individuals, groups, unincorporated associations, corporations, and non-profits. There is no exemption from CAN-SPAM for any of these groups.

The above info was provided by ExactTarget and they recommend consulting your own counsel to learn how these changes specifically impact your email program. You can download ExactTarget’s new CAN SPAM compliance whitepaper for more information.

If you are unsure about your email marketing programs, please feel free to contact UniversalWit.

Don't Forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. We will begin weekly drawings for $50 gas cards on July 4th.

In the next issue:

MEOW Updates An Old TV Trick

Are You in This Boat?

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to
blog@universalwit.com

Monday, June 23, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #7

Wow! We have made it to issue #7 of Pittsburgh's Social Media Marketing Buzz already. Just goes to show you that there is a lot of new media happening in the 'burgh. In this issue, we look at a little band that could with its small social media steps and then visit a favorite
Pittsburgh topic - Zombies.

Taking Care of Business

I have a task for you. Type in businessmen in Google and tell me what comes up. Go ahead and do it and then come back and read the rest of this article.

So what did you find? Wiki #1. AskMen #2. And then a little band from Pittsburgh is the coveted #3 spot. Businessmen is a fairly common term so how did this band of 30 and 40 somethings manage to move that spot.

They are utilizing social media concepts for search engine optimization. The Pittsburgh Businessmen utilize the My Fast Site web platform (so does UniversalWit), which has a social media architecture. My Fast Site has search engine optimization plug ins built in and feature a blog on the home page complete with RSS feed.

Couple this with their ability to generate traffic for their loyal following and because of the wonderful charitable works that the band provides and you have a winning SEO strategy built with social media.

Following in the Footsteps of Zombies

Ever since George Romero brought zombies to Pittsburgh, the city has been obsessed with them. There have been Zombie Walks and Zombie Fests and zombies wandering the local haunted houses.

Pittsburghers will be glad to know that zombies have even moved into social media. There are numerous groups on Facebook and My Space devoted to the beasts. There is a claymation movie being promoted on My Space. My personal favorite is the addition of several zombie widgets on Facebook.

UniversalWit is also zombie obsessed as we try and bring Zombie Invasion as part of our game slate for Halloween. Our plan is to give you both a physical and online challenge that honors the great Pittsburgh zombie tradition. We are currently seeking sponsors, advertisers and even
investors to help us realize the vision. Join us as we launch a new chapter in zombie and social media hstory.

Don't Forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. We will begin weekly drawings for $50 gas cards on July 4th.

In the next issue:

A Future You

Email Marketing Provisions Update

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to
blog@universalwit.com

Monday, June 16, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #6

Hi and welcome to issue #6 of Pittsburgh’s Social Media Marketing Buzz. In this issue, we take a look at the local classic theme park updated and revisit rueVolution.

Making New Memories & Sharing Them

Summer time here in the 'burgh and that leads a lot of people to think Kennywood. Kennywood has been around since the 1800s and has plenty of history. IT could have gone by the wayside many times in its history, but managed to always come about with something new.

This year's new includes a revamped website complete with user generated content (UGC) in the form of KTube. KTube allows users to upload their videos from recent or past Kennywood experiences. It all culminates on August 29th with the Kennywood Film Festival. Can't wait to see your videos.

While you there, check out the Kennywood ringtones. Yes, that's two social media programs from one old amusement park company.

Igniting Teens - Follow Up with rueVolution

Way back in episode #2, we told you about rue21's rueVolution, a program that allows teens to share how they are impacting their community by submitting video, photos, artwork, poems or stories.

As a follow up, we wanted to share with you the rueVolution Gallery. The Gallery launched about a week ago and is full of submissions already. It is nice to see that a generation that is empowered through UGC is enjoying showing how they make a difference in the world.

IF you know a teen, encourage them to participate.

Don’t Forget UniversalWit’s Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com

In the next issue:

Taking Care of Business

Following in the Footsteps of Zombies

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #5

Hi and welcome to issue #5 of Pittsburgh’s Social Media Marketing Buzz. In this issue, we take a look at the Pens and their marvelous season on and off the ice as well as a local company that is driving podcasting.

Going For the Cup on Facebook

The city came to a collective sigh as the Pens season ended just a little short of the Stanley Cup. At a time like this, it is a good opportunity to take stock on the past season. When we look back, it was a tremendous step forward on the ice, for the franchise, and even in marketing for the Pens.

What a turnaround can be seen in the Pens. A new arena is being built and a strong image is being built alongside it. I would argue that the team’s brand is stronger today than even in the glory years of Mario. A big part of that are the new media and technology tools now at the disposal of the Pens’ marketing team.

You can see this on display if you go to the game. How cool is the new projection technology used pregame that displays videos right on the ice surface. IT does not stop there though. The Pens made a run for the cup on Facebook as well.

The Pens page on Facebook has over 15,000 fans already and it launched approximately mid-season this year. It is not a passive arena either. The fans actively utilize the wall to post and carry on discussions about their favorite hockey topics. There is also a gallery where fans post pictures from the games. It is truly an interactive social media site that has brought together the Pens community and given them a forum to engage.

I look for big things to continue on and off the ice for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Congratulations to all.

Live & Direct to Your IPod

In the Wexford suburb of Pittsburgh sits a company with a funny name and some real technology that is impacting podcasting. The company is TalkShoe and the technology is a service that allows listeners to connect and participate to live community calls.

The technology allows podcasters to broadcast their show live and take calls just like a terrestrial radio program. TalkShoe also has created widgets to aid in distribution of podcasts across other social networks like ITunes, Facebook, blogs, and more.

As a listener, you can join in and participate in the calls and broadcasts going on at anytime. For a full list of programs and schedules visit TalkShoe.com.

Don’t Forget UniversalWit’s Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com

In the next issue:

Making New Memories & Sharing Them

Igniting Teens – a Follow Up to a rueVolution

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #4

Hi and welcome to issue #4 of Pittsburgh’s Social Media Marketing Buzz. In this issue we leave the retailers behind for an issue and move onto the politicians and we will send some love out to PodCamp Pittsburgh3.

A Direct Line to Politicians

Do you really believe you control how a politician governs with your vote? We all know that there is a power behind the power and that has ruled politics for decades here in the US.
Well, the GOP is actually giving you the opportunity to be the brain trust in the future. They have recently launched a public beta called GOP onDemand . GOP onDemand allows you to communicate directly to your Republican committeeman and committeewoman. On the other side of GOP onDemand is the Republican committee people’s software, Republican All in One. It allows the Republican committee people to be more responsive to your concerns, to be more of service to you.

You can sound out on issues, take your leaders to task, and otherwise support the political process. The site was programmed locally by Political Technology Group. They report brisk sign up in the first few weeks of the launch.

I have not heard of any initiatives from the other parties at this time, but I expect they will follow suit. In the future, you as a citizen will have a direct stake and the technology to shape the country’s political future.

PodCamp Pittsburgh

The 3rd edition of PodCamp Pittsburgh returns in October '08.

PodCamp Pittsburgh is a FREE community UnConference, run by and for people who create, enjoy or are interested in learning more about:
• blogs
• vlogs (video podcasts)
• audio podcasts
• web video
• social and content networks
• new media monetization
• more!

It happens on October 18 and 19, 2008. Registration and more information can be found at PodCamp Pittsburgh.

Don’t Forget UniversalWit’s Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com

In the next issue:

Live & Direct to Your IPod
Going for the Cup on Facebook

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #3

Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz by UniversalWit Blog Issue #3

Hi and welcome to issue #3 of Pittsburgh’s Social Media Marketing Buzz. In this issue we look at American Eagle’s Aerie brand on Facebook, a look ahead to the New Media Conference in Las Vegas, and The Seeker online game from UniversalWit.

Smooches from Aerie

It is not by coincidence that 2 of our first 3 episodes involve the large Pittsburgh retail companies. Both rue21 and American Eagle Outfitters are on the forefront of social media marketing in Pittsburgh.

AE has set the bar high for other companies. They found success with YouTube with their webisode – ‘It’s a Mall World’. In fact, the episodes even made their way to MTV. Recently, AE turned their efforts to Facebook, especially with the Aerie brand.

Facebook got the jump on bigger competitor My Space by offering businesses free pages on the site. Pages are slightly different than profiles and it does take some work to develop an audience. Aerie took the page concept one step further by creating a Facebook widget. If you have played with Facebook, then you know how much fun and addicting these can be (I really like throwing sheep for some reason). Aerie gives you the chance to trade smooches with other Facebook fanatics in their kissing booth. The Aerie Kissing Booth is a great example of using social media to build your brand through fun and engagement.

The New Media Expo

This year’s New Media Expo will be held in Las Vegas on August 14-16th. The Expo brings together some of the leading minds in New Media as well as exhibits on the latest technology. Sponsors include Ambrosia Software, Sony, and many other names.

I am making plans to attend and will file reports on the Buzz during and after the conference.

UniversalWit Presents a New Online Game

On Friday, May 30th, UniversalWit launched The Seeker and the Hidden Skulls seek and unscramble game. It is free to play and no registration is required either. Simply find the 13 skulls hidden throughout the UniversalWit sites and collect the letters they contain. Unscramble the letters to make a word and send that word to games@universalwit.com.
Correct entries will be entered into a weekly drawing starting July 4th, 2008 for a $50.00 gas card. Game ends August 31, 2008. Good luck and have fun. More information is available at UniversalWit.

In the next issue:

A Direct Line to a Politician
Pittsburgh Podcamp

The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at www.universalwit.com. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com.