I hear this quote a lot:
"If the world is coming to an end then I want to be in Pittsburgh, because it is 5 years behind the rest of the world."
This blog is devoted to the companies and individuals that dare to surf the waves of new media change in Pittsburgh. We are always on the look out for progressive application examples. In the 12th edition those come from a regional banking institution and a regular featured company in this space.
Banking on IPod
NexTier Bank is not your ordinary banking institution. After all, how many regional banks can boast having services that even some of the big banks don't offer. This progressive thinking also lead the company to embrace podcasting as an educational tool.
The NexTier Business Education Series is available at the www.thebank.com or from ITunes. It has a variety of speakers from within NexTier that delve into topics from wealth management to personal financial advice and beyond. The podcast is produced with the help of TalkShoe, which was featured in a past edition.
The portability of podcasting means you can take the advice on the go with you in the car, at the gym, or even cutting the grass.
Rockin Out with More Retail
Pittsburgh has an advantage over other cities. Unless it is Jimmy Buffet, you are likely to be able to get concert tickets. When I lived in NY, this was a never ending battle to see the shows. What we lacked was a good festival to show off our city's rich musical tradition from a great local music scene.
American Eagle Outfitters recognized this need and is delivering with the New America Music Union on August 8th and 9th. The festival takes place at the company's new digs at South Side Works and features Bob Dylan, The Rancoteurs, Spoon, Gnarls Barkley, The Roots and more.
A second stage will feature the 15 best up and coming college bands. Being a clothing company, AE is giving the concert tee with every ticket purchase. Music and fashion go hand and hand and I can't even begin to list all of the many social media outlets that have been tied in from social networks to podcasts.
In the next issue:
The Local Blog Edition
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, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Pittsburgh Social Media Buzz #11
We are back with the 11th edition which has the latest in social media from rue21 and a look at Google's new Lively.
Adventure on a Subway
rue21 is at it again. They have again pushed their social media program to new heights with the launch of The Metro. The Metro is a sub area of their website for their social community to connect and in turn have some fun. The Metro has stops at their other social media places on My Space, Facebook and YouTube as well.
Another stop on rue21's Metro is the rueVenture: Quest for The Hidden Temple of Denim game. Players must navigate a series of challenges following the clues to open the Temple and the treasures that lie within.
To ride the Metro you have to be a member of the 'rue community'. Sign up is free and simple.
A Lively Addition to the Edition
Google announced a competitor to Second Life in virtual entertainment. The new world is called “lively”. It features 3D Avatars common in other virtual spaces as well as rooms that can be furnished and visited. Lively will also play YouTube videos on screens, taking advantage of other Google properties.
Here are some thoughts from around the web on the new site:
Earlier in the week, we reported on the social media initiative from Google called Lively, a virtual entertainment site. Several responded with some excellent insight that I would like to share with you today.
Pierre DeBois -
Although new, I think the ability to display visual content relevant to your firm and have the world of Lively linked to the company website or blog to add a new component of branding. To a degree it may make either a website or a blog irrelevant if the content is combined in a certain way.
Gerald Inman -
There is some merit to a “Virtual World” concept for conveying information. IBM and Linden Labs have begun to work together to create an “Open Sim” concept in which an avatar can move from one virtual world to another.
(http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/07/08/ibm-linden-lab-interoperability-announcement)
Since information transference has been the goal of these virtual systems, there is merit for this technology. “Wallace Jackson” hit on a key point in that computing power at the desktop level has increased significantly over the years so the success of this technology is far better now than the mid 90s when “The Palace” first came on the scene.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Palace_(computer_program))
I suspect that Google’s interest has to do with running advertisements in these virtual worlds. Although the security is not as strong as “IBM’s Metaverse”, as Google matures the technology, I am sure there will be opportunities for business.
(http://www.product-reviews.net/2008/07/09/googles-lively-vs-ibm-metaverse-and-second-life-virtual-world)
With so many eyeballs in these environments, advertisers would want to capture that market as well. If Google can build an advertisement model for their Google Lively, then they will be a viable competitor.
I hope this information helps you Christopher.
Links:http://www.raphkoster.com/2008/07/08/googles-lively/ http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9984909-2.html
Tim Whale-
As a keen proponent of virtual space and a develop of 3 years standing in second life, I have great enthusiasm for developments such as this.
I created my 3d room on day one and sent out a subscriber list invitation to an event in the room for the weekend.
Within 3 hours of that invite going out, I had received 18 acceptances, despite the recipients not having heard of lively, for obvious reasons.
There is no real comparison between lively and second life. Lively has the potential to being a superb tool for marketing events, I would expect my rooms to be empty when events are not being hosted, as when I seek to drive 3d continual traffic, I use second life, as it is a far more interesting ‘hang-out’ platform.
But for an event, lively suits my target market and requires no lengthy or steep learning curve.
The main issue with lively is the inability of mac users to gain access.
In the next issue:
Banking on IPod
Rockin Out with More Retail
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
Adventure on a Subway
rue21 is at it again. They have again pushed their social media program to new heights with the launch of The Metro. The Metro is a sub area of their website for their social community to connect and in turn have some fun. The Metro has stops at their other social media places on My Space, Facebook and YouTube as well.
Another stop on rue21's Metro is the rueVenture: Quest for The Hidden Temple of Denim game. Players must navigate a series of challenges following the clues to open the Temple and the treasures that lie within.
To ride the Metro you have to be a member of the 'rue community'. Sign up is free and simple.
A Lively Addition to the Edition
Google announced a competitor to Second Life in virtual entertainment. The new world is called “lively”. It features 3D Avatars common in other virtual spaces as well as rooms that can be furnished and visited. Lively will also play YouTube videos on screens, taking advantage of other Google properties.
Here are some thoughts from around the web on the new site:
Earlier in the week, we reported on the social media initiative from Google called Lively, a virtual entertainment site. Several responded with some excellent insight that I would like to share with you today.
Pierre DeBois -
Although new, I think the ability to display visual content relevant to your firm and have the world of Lively linked to the company website or blog to add a new component of branding. To a degree it may make either a website or a blog irrelevant if the content is combined in a certain way.
Gerald Inman -
There is some merit to a “Virtual World” concept for conveying information. IBM and Linden Labs have begun to work together to create an “Open Sim” concept in which an avatar can move from one virtual world to another.
(http://blog.secondlife.com/2008/07/08/ibm-linden-lab-interoperability-announcement)
Since information transference has been the goal of these virtual systems, there is merit for this technology. “Wallace Jackson” hit on a key point in that computing power at the desktop level has increased significantly over the years so the success of this technology is far better now than the mid 90s when “The Palace” first came on the scene.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Palace_(computer_program))
I suspect that Google’s interest has to do with running advertisements in these virtual worlds. Although the security is not as strong as “IBM’s Metaverse”, as Google matures the technology, I am sure there will be opportunities for business.
(http://www.product-reviews.net/2008/07/09/googles-lively-vs-ibm-metaverse-and-second-life-virtual-world)
With so many eyeballs in these environments, advertisers would want to capture that market as well. If Google can build an advertisement model for their Google Lively, then they will be a viable competitor.
I hope this information helps you Christopher.
Links:http://www.raphkoster.com/2008/07/08/googles-lively/ http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9984909-2.html
Tim Whale-
As a keen proponent of virtual space and a develop of 3 years standing in second life, I have great enthusiasm for developments such as this.
I created my 3d room on day one and sent out a subscriber list invitation to an event in the room for the weekend.
Within 3 hours of that invite going out, I had received 18 acceptances, despite the recipients not having heard of lively, for obvious reasons.
There is no real comparison between lively and second life. Lively has the potential to being a superb tool for marketing events, I would expect my rooms to be empty when events are not being hosted, as when I seek to drive 3d continual traffic, I use second life, as it is a far more interesting ‘hang-out’ platform.
But for an event, lively suits my target market and requires no lengthy or steep learning curve.
The main issue with lively is the inability of mac users to gain access.
In the next issue:
Banking on IPod
Rockin Out with More Retail
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, July 14, 2008
Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #10
The Buzz hits double digits. The 10th edition features a look at one person's passion for a new work out lead to social media and some thoughts on how you can be a part of the next viral campaign.
Working Out The Web
Dan Lapic is not your typical trainer. Lapic has a full time job with a local hospital, writes music in his spare time, trains the Freedom High School Wrestling Team, and wanted to share his passion for a home gym with the world.
About two months ago, he brought his vision to the web with USA Jungle Gym. On the site, he not only gives information on websites that you can do at home and inexpensive options for building your own home gym, but he also practices what he preaches by demonstrating exercises and regimens on video.
Lapic also has a channel on YouTube with video editions of work out routines. Lapic reports that he has been contacted by exercisers from outside of this area for advice, including those training for a triathlon. He is always happy to share advice and can be contacted on his site.
Catch a Viral
Content is king on the web. Egaging content can explode and spread fast. However, you don't necessarily need to create your own content to hitch a ride on the viral express. Amazon recently announced it is releasing a service for video advertising. YouTube is now selling placements and pre-roll as well.
For smaller content producers, who have been holding their own against their larger colleagues, there is a service at Sponsor Bids for product placement opportunties. Content creators post their projects and potential advertisers can review and evaluate opportunities. There are often some great bargains for marketers on the ste and in exchange smaller content producers can off set their costs.
Viral is one of the least expensive with high effectiveness for branding. Take a look and catch a viral. Don't forget to let us know so we can feature you in this space.
Don't forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. Weekly drawings for $50 gas cards began on July 4th.
In the next issue:
Adventure on a Subway
A Lively Addition to the Edition
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
Working Out The Web
Dan Lapic is not your typical trainer. Lapic has a full time job with a local hospital, writes music in his spare time, trains the Freedom High School Wrestling Team, and wanted to share his passion for a home gym with the world.
About two months ago, he brought his vision to the web with USA Jungle Gym. On the site, he not only gives information on websites that you can do at home and inexpensive options for building your own home gym, but he also practices what he preaches by demonstrating exercises and regimens on video.
Lapic also has a channel on YouTube with video editions of work out routines. Lapic reports that he has been contacted by exercisers from outside of this area for advice, including those training for a triathlon. He is always happy to share advice and can be contacted on his site.
Catch a Viral
Content is king on the web. Egaging content can explode and spread fast. However, you don't necessarily need to create your own content to hitch a ride on the viral express. Amazon recently announced it is releasing a service for video advertising. YouTube is now selling placements and pre-roll as well.
For smaller content producers, who have been holding their own against their larger colleagues, there is a service at Sponsor Bids for product placement opportunties. Content creators post their projects and potential advertisers can review and evaluate opportunities. There are often some great bargains for marketers on the ste and in exchange smaller content producers can off set their costs.
Viral is one of the least expensive with high effectiveness for branding. Take a look and catch a viral. Don't forget to let us know so we can feature you in this space.
Don't forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. Weekly drawings for $50 gas cards began on July 4th.
In the next issue:
Adventure on a Subway
A Lively Addition to the Edition
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, July 9, 2008
Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz #9
Welcome to Pittsburgh's Social Media Marketing Buzz, keeping tabs on the social media activities going on in and around the 'burgh. Issue 9 takes a look at cat celebrities and a survey with direct implications on social media.
MEOW Updates An Old TV Trick
With video exploding on the web, Del Monte has taken their campaign to TV, using a method that has successful roots in the past. Meow Mix brand cat food is sponsoring a branded TV game show on Animal Planet in the fall.
Branded entertainment was very popular on TV in its infancy with Your Product Here Hours. The networks used this to gain more content and offset development costs, while the brand got maximum exposure in this new medium.
Meow Mix branded entertainment seeks to find and showcase the talents of cats and likely their owners from around the nation.
Though it is starting in a traditional manner, a logical extension to the web is plausible. Stay tuned.
Are You in This Boat?
You may be feeling uneasy about adapting new media as part of your marketing programs. Sure, the stats show us that traditional marketing is declining and new media is growing. However, we know that there is still uneasiness over a customer base that is empowered and a communications explosion.
A recent study of CMOs shows that you are not alone.
The following information was reported by Ted Mininni in his blog.
Marketing Daily recently conducted an interview with The CMO Council’s Donovan Neale-May, who divulged some starting information. It appears that in a survey conducted by The CMO Council and the Boston Consulting Group of 1000 senior marketing execs, only 6% of respondents felt that their “go to market” capabilities were “very good.”
The opening paragraph shocked Mininni - “Marketers are not taking advantage of all-or even many-of the tools available to them to create effective sales and marketing platforms. What’s more, they know it-and they’re not doing much about it.”
The study and article disclosed that “despite their acknowledged deficiencies, the majority of executives are unwilling to stray outside of their comfort zone.”
* 66% of respondents reported that they remain focused on traditional marketing, branding and promotional communications.
* Only 26% reported making inroads in better understanding their consumer targets was a priority.
* Only 14% cited retail and service execution was a priority.
Neale-May observed that the “same old” proven marketing strategies might be effective, it’s also important to embrace “innovative new approaches.”
Many of the marketers surveyed recognized a need for the following:
* 52% are modifying sales and marketing strategies for better results.
* 32% need to hire new talent.
* Yet these two areas are not a fiscal priority-58% cited these two initiatives would have to be financed from current budgets.
The survey found that a healthy 48% of executives surveyed stated they had “insufficient resources as a barrier to implementing successful programs”.
48% said they had “talent issues” and 35% cited “a gap between current and desired capabilities.”
As to the future focus for the marketers surveyed?
* 56% are focused on ‘talent management and performance’-85% reported that they are rating the success of their marketing programs via revenue growth. And 53% reported that customer acquisition and retention were employed as marketing measures.
* 52% are focusing on ‘business strategy’
* Only 14% are focusing on investing in new metrics
* Only 12% are focusing on technology and IT
* Only 20% are focusing on productivity
* Only 10% are focusing on channel development
That is a lot of numbers to digest. The key take away that I see is you are not alone, but that does not mean you should not try. Don’t embrace social media just for social media sake. Take a look at your customers. How have their patterns changed over the last few years.
Do more use text to communicate now? Do they turn to blogs for information? Do they utilize social communities for dating, friendship, or other services? Would they prefer to see your materials in video rather than on paper? Do they turn off prime time television to play video games?
Get a good picture of your customers and begin to think about the best ways to communicate with them. How much budget should be devoted to these new activities? Where are your current programs failing. Can money be diverted from these programs to new programs?
Management may be hesitant towards new media, but one thing remains common from old to new and that is ROI. Devote the time to understand how to measure your programs. Social Media is measurable in many ways. When you can show bottom line improvement, management listens and you as a marketer are rewarded.
Lastly, you are not alone in facing these issues either. There is help out there, including UniversalWit to guide you, educate you, and help you along the way no matter what the budget turns out to be.
Don't forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. Weekly drawings for $50 gas cards began on July 4th.
In the next issue:
Working Out The Web
Catch a Viral
The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at http://www.universalwit.com/. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com
MEOW Updates An Old TV Trick
With video exploding on the web, Del Monte has taken their campaign to TV, using a method that has successful roots in the past. Meow Mix brand cat food is sponsoring a branded TV game show on Animal Planet in the fall.
Branded entertainment was very popular on TV in its infancy with Your Product Here Hours. The networks used this to gain more content and offset development costs, while the brand got maximum exposure in this new medium.
Meow Mix branded entertainment seeks to find and showcase the talents of cats and likely their owners from around the nation.
Though it is starting in a traditional manner, a logical extension to the web is plausible. Stay tuned.
Are You in This Boat?
You may be feeling uneasy about adapting new media as part of your marketing programs. Sure, the stats show us that traditional marketing is declining and new media is growing. However, we know that there is still uneasiness over a customer base that is empowered and a communications explosion.
A recent study of CMOs shows that you are not alone.
The following information was reported by Ted Mininni in his blog.
Marketing Daily recently conducted an interview with The CMO Council’s Donovan Neale-May, who divulged some starting information. It appears that in a survey conducted by The CMO Council and the Boston Consulting Group of 1000 senior marketing execs, only 6% of respondents felt that their “go to market” capabilities were “very good.”
The opening paragraph shocked Mininni - “Marketers are not taking advantage of all-or even many-of the tools available to them to create effective sales and marketing platforms. What’s more, they know it-and they’re not doing much about it.”
The study and article disclosed that “despite their acknowledged deficiencies, the majority of executives are unwilling to stray outside of their comfort zone.”
* 66% of respondents reported that they remain focused on traditional marketing, branding and promotional communications.
* Only 26% reported making inroads in better understanding their consumer targets was a priority.
* Only 14% cited retail and service execution was a priority.
Neale-May observed that the “same old” proven marketing strategies might be effective, it’s also important to embrace “innovative new approaches.”
Many of the marketers surveyed recognized a need for the following:
* 52% are modifying sales and marketing strategies for better results.
* 32% need to hire new talent.
* Yet these two areas are not a fiscal priority-58% cited these two initiatives would have to be financed from current budgets.
The survey found that a healthy 48% of executives surveyed stated they had “insufficient resources as a barrier to implementing successful programs”.
48% said they had “talent issues” and 35% cited “a gap between current and desired capabilities.”
As to the future focus for the marketers surveyed?
* 56% are focused on ‘talent management and performance’-85% reported that they are rating the success of their marketing programs via revenue growth. And 53% reported that customer acquisition and retention were employed as marketing measures.
* 52% are focusing on ‘business strategy’
* Only 14% are focusing on investing in new metrics
* Only 12% are focusing on technology and IT
* Only 20% are focusing on productivity
* Only 10% are focusing on channel development
That is a lot of numbers to digest. The key take away that I see is you are not alone, but that does not mean you should not try. Don’t embrace social media just for social media sake. Take a look at your customers. How have their patterns changed over the last few years.
Do more use text to communicate now? Do they turn to blogs for information? Do they utilize social communities for dating, friendship, or other services? Would they prefer to see your materials in video rather than on paper? Do they turn off prime time television to play video games?
Get a good picture of your customers and begin to think about the best ways to communicate with them. How much budget should be devoted to these new activities? Where are your current programs failing. Can money be diverted from these programs to new programs?
Management may be hesitant towards new media, but one thing remains common from old to new and that is ROI. Devote the time to understand how to measure your programs. Social Media is measurable in many ways. When you can show bottom line improvement, management listens and you as a marketer are rewarded.
Lastly, you are not alone in facing these issues either. There is help out there, including UniversalWit to guide you, educate you, and help you along the way no matter what the budget turns out to be.
Don't forget UniversalWit's Seeker Game is going on now at UniversalWit.com. Weekly drawings for $50 gas cards began on July 4th.
In the next issue:
Working Out The Web
Catch a Viral
The Pittsburgh Social Media Marketing Buzz is a publication of UniversalWit. More information on UniversalWit is available at http://www.universalwit.com/. Submit your new media news to blog@universalwit.com
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