blog 2-Auto Trader Magazine

     I've been following Auto Trader Magazine, a periodical that started out as a weekly publication that you could purchase at any newsstand or anywhere newspapers and magazines were sold. It's content is just as the name implies, a place where a seller could advertise their new or used vehicles for sale. In the last few years they have become a free online publication only. No longer does a seller have to worry about missing a publication deadline or a buyer having to wait a week before they can view the new listings.

     I have noticed the links to social media Face book, Twitter, You Tube and Google Plus at the bottom of Auto Traders web pages. But until taking this class "Widgets, Clicks and Tweets" I never had the curiosity to click on one of the links. To my surprise, I found the links to be a clever marketing tool. Other than the "follow us on" line that directs you to these links, you can also post a vehicle you're interested in on Auto Traders web page and when that vehicle posts for sale you can ask to be alerted via one of or all of the links that appear at the bottom of Auto Traders web pages.

     I found this to be a clever use of social media. If I used social media more often I would most certainly take advantage of the service. If I were to make any suggestions they would be to include the options of being notified by text or email. The idea of not having to browse the web site everyday for new listings and instead simply be notified via web 2 technology is a fascinating idea.

Langham Chicago Hotel

           When I thought about a company that was using social media to boost their clientele market, the new Langham Hotel in Chicago immediately came to mind. The Langham just opened a few days ago in downtown Chicago, across the street from Trump Tower. I do not usually spend my time neither researching hotels nor focusing on them whatsoever; especially those in the city I live in. This hotel caught my eye as I followed them on Twitter, and every day they posted multiple tweets about the happenings of the hotel, sneak-peaks at the suites, and even food tasting parties prior to opening. This was exciting as it led to light the beauty of architecture and interior designing, two things that I am very passionate about.

            The Twitter handle @LanghamChicago has over 2,300 followers, and makes for a personable social media by following 2,616 itself. Over the past few months, the hotel has kept for a very fascinating twitter by uploading pictures of the architectural process, the interior design choices made, how much of a process picking out furniture and color paneling are. The hotel has also included photos of beautiful Chicago sunrises and sunsets, pictures of the city for even out of towners to appreciate. This twitter has boosted my interest to experience the city through a new set of eyes, and to even check the hotel out for myself. Prior to following the Langham hotel on Twitter, I would not have wanted to “waste” my money on a hotel in my own city when I have an apartment right around the corner. Though this hotel has boosted my interest to experience what beauty the hotel has to offer.

            Like the Wheat Thins commercial; the Langham offers potential clientele a moment out of their hectic lives to gain luxury and relaxation; even for just a night. Though everyone wants a break from the busy city, no one wants to spend the money. The Langham has competitive prices that keep this luxurious potential five star hotel to a price that many people my age can appreciate. Langham, I commend you for turning my feeling of wastefulness to a feeling of excitement and curiosity to see what your hotel has to offer me in this beautiful city of Chicago.

RSS Feeds

RSS stands for Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication.  You can use an RSS feed to keep updated on your favorite websites.  Instead of bookmarking a site and having to go out to each of your favorite sites manually for updated content, you can use an RSS feed to do all the work for you.  An RSS feed will list the latest posts as clickable headlines on your reader application. 

Google Reader was a very popular RSS reader but is now defunct.  I went on a search for another good website and found http://digg.com/reader.  I used the website to put together a quick sample of this technology.  One can either add a website to your RSS feed by the URL or you can browse categories on digg reader and add suggested pages.  I took about two minutes to add several websites from the browsed categories and this is what my digg reader now looks like:

 I can click on each headline, and view an article, sometime in its entirety, like for this NPR article:

For some sites, a summary of the article comes up, and one can click on the article again to be redirected to the site.

 

This can be a quick, valuable way to catch up on information and news that is personally important to you.  I, for one, am going to start using this technology more to streamline the influx of information I get from my social media feeds.

-Katie Eckert

Dove's Social Media Self Esteem Mission

Since 2009 Dove has been focused on self esteem for girls.  It all began with Dove's evolution television campaign where a woman was taken from her everyday look to supermodel with a time lapse hair and makeup session.  She is then photographed and her picture enhanced via photoshop or some other picture enhancing program where the model's featured were changed.  At the end it makes a statement like "No wonder our perception of beauty is distorted." 

Dove has taken great strides in their use of not just media but social media in their pursuit to make every girl love herself just as she is.  Dove is the most successful in this pursuit on YouTube.  At the time of this post, Dove's US channel only has 23,182 subscribers however, their latest videos have garnished almost 70 million views. Dove Real Beauty sketches is a highly watched YouTube video with over 55 million views speaks to how woman view themselves versus what other people see.  The woman were asked to describe themselves to a forensic sketch artist who cannot see them.  Later another person who the women were paired up with are asked to describe the woman to the sketch artist.  In every instance, the picture description from the woman herself is far more unattractive than the depiction given by their counterpart.  Another great video is Dove's Camera Shy video, showing how many women don't want to caught on video or in photographs.

Aside from YouTube, Dove's website is a great source for woman and girls.  Dove offers self esteem kits to girls as well as guides to mothers instructing them how to talk to their daughters about self esteem.  Dove's Self Esteem Project offers not only instructions but an annual Dove Self Esteem Weekend to celebrate a girl's real beauty with performances, exercises, speakers and fun activities designed to build up confidence and celebrate beauty.  The Self Esteem Project has a commitment to enroll over 15 million girls by 2015, as of this post that number is already 11 million.  The Dove website also has a Social Mission menu button that has a pull down menu with items such as "Make Girls Unstoppable" and "Self Esteem Kit and Resources;" all of which further push their campaign of helping women and girls love themselves, and of course using Dove products to complete this mission.

1 Like = 1 Balloon

Beginning in early January of 2012, Heineken Brazil began a clever and fun campaign to boost the awareness of their presence in social media, specifically Facebook. For those of you not familiar with Heineken, the brand is an international Dutch beer brewing company. They produce pale lager beer with 5% alcohol volume. I, myself, am not a fan of their beer. However, I am a fan of their Brazilian marketing campaign, "Um Like, Um Balao" (translated: 1 Like, 1 Balloon).

It was a simple, yet interactive campaign. The gist of it all was as follows: for every 'like' they got on their Heineken Facebook page from a user, a member of the office crew would blow up a green balloon and fill an office up with it until it got to the brim. Select users who 'liked' the page were shown a custom video of a Heineken employee blowing up a green balloon and filling up the room to its capacity. At times, they would give out shout-outs to those users in their videos.

In just one day, Heineken Brazil's offices were packed with green balloons, the Facebook page got thousands of 'likes', and their campaign videos were viewed tens and thousands of times by users.
With a campaign like this one, a 'like' isn't just a click of a button. Along with the addition of a follower, Heineken can now spread more awareness about their company and products, other new campaigns, interact with more fans, and get their name out into the social media world. A 'like' is also a way to tell a follower's friends, "Hey! I trust this brand and you should too!" It's stronger than word of mouth because it takes less effort and is quicker to spread.

Heineken did a great job in expanding the popularity of their Facebook page and keeping followers entertained.

Yogurtland - Looney Tunes "Flavors With Character" Ad Campaign

Yogurtland's new Flavors with Character campaign features the characters from the popular Looney Tunes animated series. The campaign features six new flavors of yogurt as well as several new toppings that are based on the characters from Looney Tunes. Posters in the store window inform customers when the new flavors will be released. They also direct customers to download the free Yogurtland app to earn special rewards.

Customers who have the free app are able to scan QR codes in the store when they visit. These codes are located in the description for the new Looney Tunes themed yogurt flavors. Each store carries two new flavors at a time. Patrons are allowed to scan only one flavor per day. Rewards are earned once you have scanned at least four unique flavors of the new yogurt. Four character flavor scans earns you four ounces of free yogurt. If you manage to scan two more for a total of six unique character flavors, you earn six additional free ounces of yogurt!

I think this social media campaign is an excellent way for Yogurtland to market to customers. I think incorporating the Looney Tunes brand was very smart. Looney Tunes is something that connects with many demographics and I think it really evokes the childhood spirit that is associated with the show and with eating frozen yogurt. Personally I have gone ahead and downloaded the app to earn free yogurt. This campaign is almost irresistible (I think) since it rewards participation with free yogurt. I think it will definitely attract many new customers and sell a lot of yogurt.

Largest 4G LTE......VZW!

A company that comes to mind that is using social media for marketing is Verizon Wireless. Verizon has the largest 4G LTE network in comparison to all other vendors. With over 5,794,019 likes on Facebook and now joining together with Redbox and Comcast, there are sure to be even more advertisements and campaigns to come. I am a Verizon customer and I have been for quite some time. They consistently advertise their newest products and notifications of any new updates on the new and current products being used. I see the advertisements and tips in my news feed on Facebook and also on the sidebar telling me which of my friends like their product as well.

I like Verizon Wireless, however I hide their statues most of the time because it may not always be something I want to see or hear about when I go to my Facebook news feed. I cannot say if the campaign would make me likely purchase the products or services necessarily but their offers are quite tempting. I guess it would depend upon my financial situation at the times they advertise new products or services. Other than that, I sometimes like to hear about any special features or tips on how to use certain apps or icons that I might have on my phone. Their notification of joining Redbox; “Redbox Instant” made me curious to know how they work. Since I currently use Netflix and have gotten pretty bored with their library. I decided to try them out for the free 30 day trial offer.

Quite interesting; but they pretty much hold the same selection of movies as Netflix. Netflix has a larger selection than Redbox Instant, but that’s because they are fairly new and most of their sales are via the kiosk. I like the idea of getting 4 free movies (even new releases) a month out of the kiosk for about $8 a month. However, to me, it’s just another way to get more Redbox sales. I think I’ll stay with Netflix for right now.  

Overall, advertisements, campaigns, and promotions are part of the many ways to market within today’s society. Providing alerts on the side bar for specials or promotions that are going on would make me all the more of interested into what they have to offer. Especially, with all the hottest phones they tend to bring out every quarter, they are sure to grab my attention!

Like....www.facebook.com/verizonwireless

Here comes the apperating system

Apple has iOS. Google has their Android platform. While these two operating systems rule the mobile device world, there is something coming down the pipeline that could the balance. Apperating Systems for mobile devices.

The iOS system, while not as lucrative as the iPhone itself, still yields a significant amount of revenue for Apple. Google fairs well also as their app store and advertising revenue continues to grow. Apps on the other hand, are actually poor investments. According to a recent survey by tech site GigaOm, the average app developer only takes in $45,000 per year.  Now, something new is happening. Operating systems and apps are essentially being combined to give the mobile device user and interface that combines the two. Facebook’s Home is a great example. Dropbox and Amazon have also joined the fray. The result: an apperating system.

Apperating systems like Facebook’s Home is an app that runs on top of the Android operating system. A constant stream of Facebook updates appears on the lock screen and instant messaging occurs while you are interfacing with other apps in a seamless progression of never-ending Facebook programming. What this does for Facebook is keep them front and center while pushing Google based content in the background. Think Google cares? Ask the software teams who run Google+.

Dropbox is another great example. Apple’s iOS system is not as open as Android and sharing data across multiple devices can be cumbersome. Enter the Dropbox apperating system. It allows you to sync data across multiple devices or apps. What does this mean? I could have started writing this post on my laptop, added to it while sitting in the airline terminal on my iPhone, and then finish and edit the post on the plane on my iPad without missing a beat. In other words, it speeds up your interaction with multiple files and multiple devices.

Where the apperating system will head is questionable. Typically Apple and Android are quick to adopt any kind of technology that threatens their business model. I could picture iOS relegating Dropbox to nothingness in the future and Android could push the Facebook Home app into the background as well. For now, these two examples are giving the big boys a run for their money.

Source: Wired. July 2013. Stealing Home. The Rise of the Apperating System. Pg 25-30

Southwest Airlines' Luv2Like

Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic airline in America. What has helped them is using social media as one of their marketing tools to attract customers. On, their Facebook page there are discounted offers, were you use a promo code to get the offer. Oh, let me not forget you have to “Like” Southwest.  On, their Facebook there is an employee holding a sign that says “I am a hard working Father working in 122 degrees. Can I get 1,000,000 likes?” (see below) He does not have a million likes; but the visual will make you want to like the page and comment. That is what they are hoping for that people would see this advertising and make comments and fly on Southwest Airlines. That is creative marketing using employees to help get the message out about Southwest Airline and receive discount offers.  Starting July 3 a new promotion, they are celebrating 15 years of Click’n Save! Offering 30% off your next flight with promo code. 

Southwest Airlines marketing campaigns have gained a lot of attention when the airline industry is hurting for revenue.  In my opinion social media has helped Southwest with its marketing campaign to gain recognition and become the largest airline carrier in America. It is effective marketing and has not missed the point when reaching the public. Social media is a more innovative approach to get the point across and to communicate the message to the public.  The lesson that I see in their marketing campaign is that when you pay up front it can help with the profits and using social media campaigns to help spread the word it’s like a phenomenon.  The most important element in a social media success story is it reaches the people. 

In my opinion social media is an innovative approach that is used today when marketing and communicating to the public. Not all marketing campaigns work and leave a lasting impression. Southwest Airlines leaves a lasting impression because everyone is always looking for a deal.  Southwest has taken an approach where there is enough visual to keep your attention.  I fly on Southwest Airlines it has become my main carrier. So, like southwest and get a discount https://www.facebook.com/Southwest

                                                                                                                      

 

 

Ziosk

Ziosk® Pay-at-the-Table Touchscreens Now at Six Chili’s

Technology and convenience has now made its way to the dining tables at Chili’s with the addition of Ziosk touchscreens.

The Ziosk (rhymes with kiosk) was created by TableTop Media to alleviate the biggest complaint from guests in restaurants – not being able to pay their checks and leave when they are ready. It is the first digital entertainment and pay-at-the-table device for the casual dining restaurant market. A Ziosk resides on each table and enables guests to see featured items, play games, watch movie trailers, sign up for e-clubs, order desserts, take surveys and pay on demand when they are ready to depart.

Through its pay-at-the-table functionality, the Ziosk eliminates the frustration of waiting for a busy server. Guests can view and pay their checks at their convenience with credit, debit and gift card payment options. The Ziosk also offers guests the flexibility of splitting the check and auto-calculating the tip.

Guests can feel that their payment information is secure when paying on the Ziosk because their credit card never leaves their hand. “Paying on the Ziosk eliminates that security risk like other card readers have done at grocery stores, gas stations and virtually every other industry with credit card payment.”

Making the time between ordering and eating pass quickly is another benefit of Ziosk. Guests barely realize they’ve been waiting for their food when they are interacting with activities such as watching movie trailers, getting show times and tickets for nearby theaters, playing games, taking quizzes, and watching cartoons and reading USA Today.

Catina

 

 

OREO Cookies

Oreo Cookies

Who loves Oreo cookies? I certainly am an Oreo lover. Do you know over 362 Billion Oreo cookies have been made, and eaten, since it was created back in 1912—and this numbers still grows every day. The Reo cookie is basically two chocolate disk cookies connected by a sweet crème filling in the middle. I’m salivating just thinking about it. In 1975, variations of the cookie emerged with different color cookies and double stuffs not to mention the seasonal covered cookies to celebrate Christmas and Halloween.

Through the years, the Oreo cookie was marketed in many different ways that was consistent with marketing practices associated with the times during its life. Recently, the marketing has taken to the social media phenomenon that has exploded in the last decade or so. Oreo currently can be found on the web, with Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, and Instagram.

Obviously the product is the Oreo cookie. The Target audience is any cookie lover especially the thousands fans that follow the product, but they use different promotions to target individual groups like sports fans, females who love to bake, and students who like to “play” in the social media arena. The solution is to engage the public in conversation about their product and the many different ways it can be used to create more sales of the product. Their efforts make me want to eat an Oreo cookie!

The biggest success Oreo had in social media was during the Super Bowl. They kept a team of people ready to take advantage any situation that could arise in order to get publicity during one of the most premier events that happens every year. When the power went out during the game, and there was a 30 minute delay in play, Oreo tweeted, “You can still dunk in the dark” free of charge when companies were paying millions of dollars for 30 second times slots for advertising. Twitter erupted and the brand’s audience immediately engaged and re-tweeted the message 10,000 times. Facebook earned 18,000 likes and 5,000 shares within the first hour of the tweet. What a social media success!

I know you have already stopped reading this as the urge to dunk hit you and you are off to find some Oreo’s. However this is the perfect example of the power of social media. Known as “The Oreo Blackout Tweet”, the cookie received weeks’ worth of publicity and more than 525 million earned impressions which was five times the viewing audience of the actual Super Bowl game at the cost of zero media dollars! Great job my little cookie friend—heading to the cookie jar now for some sweet satisfaction!

Google Glass

This innovative new technology is being developed for everyday people and is a smartphone that is wearable technology. There is a touch pad on the side if you need to alternate the interface of the screen. Currently applications are being further developed. It is remarkable!

GLASS has the ability to:

1. Take a picture
2. Record what you see hands free
3. Share what you see in real time
4. Provide directions in front of you
5. Send messages via speaking
6. Translate
7. Answer Questions

If it was available to the public now the cost would be $1500. We will see if that will change when development is over and it is out on the market.

Check it out: http://www.google.com/glass/start/

Padlet (Wallwisher)

The extremely useful tool that I am going to talk about today is called Padlet and it is, as they simply explain, "paper for the web". This site allows you to create a bulletin board on your computer. This site is very user friendly allowing you to drag and drop virtually anything you want to your board and move it around as necessary.

This tool would be very useful to someone who works in an office setting because it reduces clutter and it is always available on the website no saving necessary. Even for those who work on the go or for students because the bulletin board can be viewed from a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer. Another great feature that would be helpful for all individuals mentioned above is that it is the wall can be kept completely private or used among friends or co-workers, giving many people access to one wall from different devices. 

This tool really allows the user to keep it as simple or as creative and complex as they want making it a useful tool for everyone! 

The Great Gatsby - QR Barcodes

Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan

The Great Gatsby has been remade time and time again. On May 10, 2013 Hollywood did their best to release a worthy adaptation of this timeless classic. The public relations and advertising for this movie were flawless. Tiffany & Co. transformed their window displays with roaring twenties decor and jewelry. Brooks Brothers paired their All-American style with vintage 1920's flair. The month prior to the release was full of elegant and classic advertisements throughout Chicago. While living in the city, I have seen my fair share of advertising. Absolutely nothing competed with the beauty of the Gatsby advertisements.

The more interactive advertisements were located at bus stops and on CTA trains. I managed to capture one of my favorites at the Ashland bus stop in Lincoln Park. This advertisement shows Carey Mulligan as Daisy. The advertisement is beautiful and sad just like Daisy Buchanan. Although this advertisement does not contain any interaction with social media, many others did. One of the most common technologies I see utilized by movie advertising is a Quick Response (QR) bar code. These bar codes can be scanned by cell phones and take users to various sites like Facebook, Twitter, Official movie website, etc. Often these scans bring users to the Fandango website where tickets can be purchased, providing consumers with instant access to the film. 

Numerous companies were teaming with this classic movie adaptation to advertise their product. More importantly, the movie was doing all it could to reach mass audiences. I'd say that it paid off in the end, considering they grossed approximately $19.4 million on opening night. They received mixed reviews, but definitely seemed to make their money's worth.

“To Capture and Share the World’s Moments”

Are you new to social media? Are you overwhelmed by the immense options of social media? Well Facebook is doing their best to eliminate all competition. Last year Facebook purchased Instagram, the popular photo sharing app, for one billion dollars. Instagram remains an independent app, but is now better utilized with Facebook.

Instagram is known for its photo editing features and various filters. Photographers and amateurs alike are drawn to the world of Instagram. Instagram focuses on the art of photographs. They want users to see the world through their eyes. This is definitely not a time for #nofilter.

With the rise of the 6-second Vine video sharing, Instagram and Facebook are asserting their dominance in the social media world by introducing the new 15-second Video On Instagram option. What does Instagram have that Vine doesn't? 9 more seconds and filters. Not only do users receive more video sharing time, but they can also edit their videos. Instagram and Facebook are staying current with social media trends. Every time they update their technology they are maintaining and attracting more and more users. Become an artist and share your world through Video On Instagram.

Uber Transportation App

The Uber Transportation App is a new way to get around no matter where you are. This Web 2.0 tool is available for download on both Android and IPhone devices. The app allows the user to locate a taxi, black sedan, or SUV in the area and request a pickup. Currently the app is available in nine languages: English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Swedish, Chinese, and Japanese.

The user simply enters his/her address and Uber uses GPS location technology to find available taxis in the area. The app sends a reply text with an estimated arrival time whenever you are attempting to schedule a pickup. Uber uses an on-file credit card for payment making it quick and convenient.

This technology can be utilized by businesses that have a need to transport their employees in an urban setting. It is also efficient to use Uber to schedule pickups for meetings so you can be sure to arrive on time. Finally, the app uses a registered card for each payment so the user does not have to worry about having cash on hand. This feature is great for small businesses because they can register their company card with the Uber app and have access to quick transportation whenever it is needed.

New Technology: Vine app

New Technology: Vine app

By Avis Durant

Most likely born of the Tim Burton age of stop animation, Vine, is taking video to new heights in short bursts.  Each video on Vine is only six (6) seconds; that means your message must be conveyed succinctly and with purpose.  You press your phone’s screen for one or two seconds, release, press it again for another two seconds, release, and finally the last two seconds.  Video complete!  You submit your video and the world (or only your contacts if you decide to go private) will be able to see your video. 

While many people have utilized Vine, it remains in its infancy stage as Vine has only existed since 2012.  It was started by Dom Hofmann, a former Product Manager for Mobile and Rus Yusupov, a Big Human Co-founder in June of 2012.  Twitter purchased the brand before its debut in October 2012, with the launch date of January 2013.  Since Vine went live, it has become the world’s foremost video go-to app.  Initially, iOS was the only format available, but in June 2013, Vine became available for Android as well.  

Click this link for an example of a Vine video: http://t.co/oVfZz6Rt.

Since its debut, Vine has made some updates, making it easy to share videos on Twitter and Facebook; searching for videos; categorizing videos; video effects and giving you the option to make your videos private.   Vine has been the #1 video-sharing app on iOS since April and continues to dominate despite the fact that Vine has spent $0 on advertising or marketing to increase visibility.  Impressive to say the least, but with a large company such as Twitter behind you, who needs to advertise.  Who has time, six seconds is all you get.