Burberry website - excellence at the other end of social media presence

Our work for clients involves a great deal of research into all the channels, particularly social media and news, so below you’ll find some graphical and value wonders you may have seen before. Or, if we are lucky enough, ones you will have discovered here. First up is a travel oriented entity, HSMAI New York’s Twitter feed, the local contingent of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, is a black and white magnet that is impossible not to remember.

It’s not just the bold contrast of B & W, the aesthetics that is key to having a great SM profile – the content and engagement is even more important. But, one without the other makes for – well, you can answer that. For people interested in hospitality, particularly in the US, HSMAI serves some Twitter recipes for being informed. Their job is:

“(a) commitment to growing business for hotels and their partners by fueling sales, inspiring marketing, and optimizing revenue.”

Certainly at the top of anyone’s list of Facebook presences, outfitter LL Bean understood from the start how to engage via SM. Simple, elegant, and with outdoorsy motif in tact, the Bean pages call to visitors to check out what’s underneath, in the huge store founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean in one room. I have bought many an item from this company, and in all honesty have never once been dissatisfied with their service or quality.

LL Bean Facebook profile - clean as the woods, crisp as mountain air, quality written all over

Why is a two day markdown a big deal? Well, at LL Bean the prices and quality are nothing like you’ll find at Wal-mart. Both are substantially higher – so, chopping anything off is just value added. If my little blurb here sounds to sales-y? All I can say is; I hate it for you, Bean rules the mail order outdoors roost. What’s wrong with saying what one thinks?

We have been researching and engaging all across the g+ platform since its inception. One thing we have noted of late is that massive influx of businesses since “pages” were inserted into the Google framework. Where Google Plus is concerned, you could delve deep, deep, deep into the branding aspects of this social network. For that, here are the Brandz Top 100 (PDF) brands on the net at Google. To press the “easy button” of g+ coolness, just visit Burberry’s profile.

Burberry, so cool it's snowing on their g+

In case you were abducted by aliens, Burberry is a 155 year tradition of luxury, the essence of what being British is, of timeless quality. And if you think the Burberry g+ is cool, check out their website. Especially the “Bespoke” intro, fabulous. I’m ordering a trench coat after I finish this post. Really.

By now there must be upwards of 160 million blogs in the world now. So, me picking one that rules over all the rest is going to be a bit of folly. Picking one most people will get some value out of, and enjoy looking at – this is not so hard. I actually ran across the blog of photographer Henry Chan as a suggestion of Epoch Times editor Jan Jekielek. For me there is nothing more elegant and stylish than a simple white linen tablecloth with shiny silver, gold, or pigmented china spread across it. This is the feeling on gets from the HenryShoots – HenryBlogs blog and his website.

Only through the eye of a great photographer - are photos strewn so nicely

I cannot show you now, but this photographic talent is exquisite. I will endeavor to contact Henry to see about an interview and showing off more of his work. Taking from his brief bio on the blog, he is inspired by told-school cinematography, and it shows. If you look at the images he offers up on his various sites, Henry’s art is in the mixing and matching light and shade, the contrast and the congruity of imagery – I do not have the words to accurately describe, just visit this superb blog (if somewhat unattended of late).

YouTube Channels. Most social media people do not actually consider YouTube efforts within the social media realm. Social Media gurus out there not aware of the power of this channel must not have seen Cassetteboy’s channel. If slicing and dicing reality, then serving it up to millions of views is not social worth – it simply does not exist. The Bond Vs the Recession edit below, shows a bit of this talent’s talent.

YouTube can be about a lot of things, real time streaming news or music videos, but the thing that powers view on this social media marvel is humor. Cassetteboy leads a pack of comedic super editors and performers business types could take lessons from. For the rest of us, Cassetteboy’s channel is just entertaining. I ran his whole reel as backdrop for writing this – stopping to check out the hilarious moments.

So there you are, 5 very nice social profiles we hope you love. As suggested, we’ll try and reach out to Henry and the others too. We suggest you hook up on your own too. Phil out for now.

According to this policy if a particular tweet is offensive in some countries, it  won’t be published in those countries but would appear in other countries where it is not forbidden by law. Like, for example, the pro- Nazi sentiment can be provocative in France and Germany and hence tweets regarding this subject would not be displayed in France and Germany but will appear in the rest of the world.

Censorship

Recently, censorship emerged as a major concern in the media. The users are disapproving strongly the policy change of Twitter as supporting a regressive regime of law making bodies. Although Twitter is doing this proactively, it defends itself by saying that it has handled a very difficult matter very intelligently.

Some careful observers say that Twitter has accepted the proposal and lost to the war very easily rather it should have led the war against censorship.

In Twitter’s Defense

Twitter’s defenders say that there is never appropriate appreciation for it and other similar web based companies even if they work and perform the difficult task around the globe. For example, Google, in China, was asked to publish only censored information. Google tried to comply with China’s censorship restriction laws but it later on left the country and pulled out its business quoting it was not able to do what it is meant for- providing free information to people.

What Happens Behind the Scenes Remains Behind the Scenes

Twitter does not celebrate promoting censorship rules by some countries but there seems to be no other option with these businesses except to comply with the local laws of the country. Otherwise, the company will not be allowed to work in that country. And this will benefit none, neither the businesses nor the country.

It might be possible that Twitter tries to change the mindset of governments of different countries and also their censorship rules but it is very difficult to change government policies. Countries like China and Iran have shown their solidarity when it came to censorship. It is quite evident from the behavior of these countries that they want to ban all the foreign internet based companies.

But, all this fuss about Twitter’s policy to censor tweets is of no point. This is because in many of the countries Twitter is already banned. In countries where it is allowed, but censorship has taken place, then the best part is Twitter’s message that a tweet has been deleted. This is a better step taken and a forward step in the sense that before when a tweet was deleted there was no  sign of its existence but now at least the reader will know that a post has been removed and can also to some extent decipher its meaning.

Our guest author, Alia Haley, is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of cell phones. These days she is busy in writing an article on Luxury yachts and Burberry Handbags.

These are the new finds on how mobile users in the US interact with their phones, quite useful as mobile channels become more popular as a customer approach medium. In the US alone, 114 million people are expected to use their phones to go online and browse the Internet in 2012 and over 75% of the country’s population is already subscribed to mobile web services.

Data released by Jumptap after analyzing ad requests served over the past year shows mobile web has a slighter bigger chunk than apps, but the growth rate is similar for advertising volume on both mobile channels. Jumptap points out that a company’s decision to build a mobile website or develop an app depends on the kind of audience they want to target. For tight budgets, there’s always the option of a simple mobile landing page, or advertising on third party apps.

Yet other studies carried out by Yahoo and Ipsos stress out the option between apps and mobile web is really determined by what consumers are doing. Thus the choice between advertising through apps or through mobile websites is made based on when a company would like to engage users. For example, if it’s when searching and shopping, mobile websites are the best bet. For connecting with friends, navigation and  information gathering, apps are a far better option.

Are you planning to invest in either an app or mobile web? Have you already implemented mobile marketing and advertising in your strategy? Which were the results?

I was reading some of the articles this morning, stories which open the next chapter in what has been (for most observers) the greatest fall from grace any Internet entrepreneur could imagine. The literal deconstruction of the most visited web entity ever launched, Yahoo! was once the most valuable piece of web real estate on Earth. Co-founder Jerry Yang called it quits last month, and now Roy Bostock and most of the rest of the company’s board of directors are out the door. Who hasn’t been fired or left Yahoo?

In a letter to shareholders from Bostock, the departing chair offered this:

“The board has concluded that in order to accelerate the company’s transformation, the combination of a new chief executive officer with an enhanced team of independent directors would provide Yahoo with the expertise and perspectives necessary to drive innovation and growth going forward.”

Bostock went on to announce that Yahoo! is seeking other “fresh” board room minds to fill the vacancies, as well as patting each-and-every-one of Yahoo!’s outdoing leaders on the back for basically firing themselves. Sorry to be so cruel here, but this is pitiful. Yahoo! may as well have announced at halftime of the Super Bowl (maybe Clint Eastwood could have done it) – “We want the world to know, that despite our past incompetence running one of the world’s biggest businesses, we do have the insight to quit when the quitting is good.”

Why These Men Are Smiling - Sinking With $1 Billion Lifeboats

Next we will hear that Yahoo! has decided to replace each-and-every-one of their 13,000 plus employees. As for the minds behind Yahoo! Yang has joined fellow David Filo pursuing other dreams and to play the stock market. Bostock can now spend more time on the boards of Morgan Stanley (helping with investor confidence no doubt) and Delta Airlines (let’s hope your sky miles don’t run out). Other directors with free time on their hands soon will be; Vyomesh Joshi (who can now devote more energy to your HP printer value), Gary L. Wilson (Destination unknown?), and idependent investor Arthur H. Kern (who is probably just ready to retire).

We will keep you updated as the next deck of the steamship Yahoo! slips beneath the digital waves.

Oh, for those who do not know me, I actually rooted for Yahoo! all along. This is actually sad. Watch Jerry Yang below.

Image mashup courtesy © Javier Castro – Fotolia.com

Countless celebrity life stories are being penned by a talented ghost scribe (Image © gunnar3000 - Fotolia.com)

By all accounts ghostwriting can be a rewarding experience, both creatively and financially, but how did this phenomenon gain a foothold in the publishing industry? The answer is, quite simply, that ghostwritten celebrity novels and memoirs are frequently bestsellers and are therefore a safe and often lucrative choice for publication.

Examples of stellar celebrity works written by ghostwriters include Pamela Anderson’s Star, Hilary Duff’s Elixir, Nicole Polizzi’s A Shore Thing, Nicole Richie’s Priceless, Katie Price’s Being Jordan and David Beckham’s My Side. These books seem to be more branded products than literary works. After all, the people who read these books do so because of their interest in the celebrity, or the nature of celebrity itself, rather than an interest in literature.

Parallels have been drawn between ghostwritten celebrity books and branded fashion lines and fragrances. They are an extension of the celebrity’s domain, their presence in the publishing industry that slots into the PR schedule alongside TV appearances and film roles. TV and film studios always seek the big stars to ensure their productions are hits, is it so shocking publishing houses have started to do the same?

Despite sometimes getting a brief mention on the acknowledgments page, ghostwriters usually remain shadowy spectral figures whose name is only whispered between agents, editors and the publishing house, a secret kept from the prospective book buyers. It could be argued that two authors on the front page might be confusing, but the main reason for only the celebrity’s name appearing must always go back to the notion of branding and commercial interests.

The reasons for publishing houses embracing celebrity ghostwriters may be clear, but what do the ghostwriters think themselves about standing to the side and letting the celebrities take centre stage? Well, the successful ghostwriters behind the books seem quite comfortable, both professionally and financially, and they also get to leave the promotion work to the cover stars.

David Beckham received an award for his extremely successful ‘autobiography’ My Side, turning up in person to collect it, yet the writing was the work of broadcaster Tom Watt, formerly an actor who played Lofty in Eastenders. Watt conducted hours of interviews with Beckham, his family and his friends, but feels no pang of jealousy or disgruntlement over missing out on the limelight. When questioned he responded that he had his own life to get on with.

Interestingly, Watt likened his ghostwriting experience to his former profession of acting. He received someone else’s words and tried to give them an authentic voice, to convincingly bring them to life on the page rather than the stage. Watt views his ghostwriting as a collaborative effort to bring a famous person’s life into print by assisting the star to overcome their lack of literary ability. Beckham had lived the life, wanted the story told and well over a million readers bought the book.

Andrew Crofts is one of Britain's most successful ghostwriters.

How does Crofts feel about the ghostwriting process? In an article he wrote for the Telegraph, the ghostwriter highlighted that the romantic illusion of a single author had been overturned by collaborative forms of writing like TV and film scripts and shepherded literary series like the James Patterson’s novels, which are now mostly collaborative efforts.

Crofts views the work of the ghostwriter, working with people famous or otherwise who have stories to tell but lack the word skills to tell them, as similar to the work of editors and proof readers, shaping characters, ideas and treatments into more polished books. Loving the writer’s lifestyle, Crofts relishes the process and has made a successful living from his endeavours.

If ghostwritten celebrity memoirs and novels continue to find readers and do good business, publishing houses will continue to publish them. It is doubtful the notion of the author will be profoundly affected by such books and if ghostwriters are more than happy to write them it seems pointless to argue against their efforts.

The most effective way for discerning readers to protest against the immensely popular trend for ghostwritten celebrity works is to leave them on the shelf and purchase a different genre to read. But for now, the books and celebrity ghostwriters are here to stay.

This article was produced by a mystery writer at PrinterInks – suppliers of toner and ink cartridges, perfect for any aspiring scribe.

Users who open images in Facebook may also see "Sponsored Stories" featured under the name of the photo owner and comments.

Claims that Facebook has tweaked its photos feature to make it easier for users to view images are overrated. With its recent IPO, Facebook needed a tweak that appealed shareholders. Selling ad space on every single Facebook property made sense – the photo viewer is one of the most popular, if not the most popular of all.

For common users, this new feature doesn’t mean much. For marketers, on the other hand, this equals opportunity: a new channel to push sponsored stories on Facebook. This means that Facebook will make more revenue in selling sponsored stories space – and that’s the bottom line.

The debate whether the new photo viewer resembles Google+ viewer (and it does) becomes redundant and irrelevant.

In the meanwhile,the Associated Press reports that Facebook will make its stock market debut in three or four months, hoping to raise $5 billion that would surpass the $1.9 billion raised by Google Inc. in 2004.

Also in the company news, this April Snapp Conner will celebrate their 5th year in business. Their press release however, leaves a bit to be desired where listing the benefits of using the firm. This particular press document is as much focused on their ability to get coverage in the media for clients as it is on the clients mentioned. Which, I might add, are listed like a grocery list rather than individually or in a much bigger release.

All criticisms aside though, Cheryl Conner, Founder and Managing Partner of Snapp Conner PR has this to say about the company’s new clients:

“When we work with a company, we become partners and our entire team participates in programs to ensure the growth and success of the companies we represent. We’re able to blend traditional PR with new and emerging practices to help our clients achieve great success. We are particularly excited to work with these new clients in groundbreaking programs we are creating to help achieve their milestones while meeting and even exceeding their expectations.”

Jay Cichosz, Wavelink Vice President of Marketing, added this about their decision to choose Snapp Corner.

“We chose to work with Snapp Conner PR because of their reputation in strategic communications and their ability to secure coverage in top-tier print, broadcast and online business, trade, technology and consumer publications. Companies inside and out of Utah recognize Snapp Conner PR for their outstanding reputation and their ability to incorporate the PR efforts as part of a larger plan to achieve overall business objectives.”

For more information the reader can visit Snapp Corner’s Twitter feed here, or join the 30 people who like Snapp Corner at their Facebook profile.

About Snapp Conner PR (via the release)

Born out of 23 years of specialized experience in the technology industry, Snapp Conner PR provides all aspects of strategic and tactical PR for companies in the technology, health and wellness, and life sciences space. We assist organizations ranging from start-ups and growth companies to established ventures and public companies in creating and executing PR programs to achieve maximum possible business results. For more information about Snapp Conner PR, please visit www.snappconner.com .

Choosing a new employee is never easy.

The most important asset at any company is the people that work there.  Hire the right people, and your company will prosper.  Pick the wrong people, and the workplace will become a place full of tension and negativity.

How can you tell which people will be a good match for your company, and which to avoid?  Well, the following personality types are bad for any company.  Next time you’re interviewing a prospective employee, watch out for these signs:

The Victim

Victims see every business crisis as a reason to complain about how hard things are for them.  They don’t look for chances to innovate, or challenges to overcome.  They think that everyone is out to get them, and they relish every opportunity to complain.

Victims also like to play the unfair dismissal card, so if you want to avoid problems, watch out for signs of victim personality issues in the interview period, so you don’t hire them in the first place.

The Nay Sayers

Nay sayers are another group that hates to innovate.  They think that everything is pointless.  They don’t believe that the product they’re working on will be a success.  They think that they could prevent a crisis by giving up now and just following what the rest of the market is doing.  Once in a while, they’re right – and they use those occasions as ammunition for every other thing that they don’t believe in.

If you want to achieve something great, avoid the non-believers.  A passionate, driven team is far more valuable than a team full of drones.

The Know It Alls

This breed of employee has a good education, knows one subject, and takes far too narrow a view.  They say “that will never work”, but unlike the nay sayer, they say it with authority. The problem is that the Know It All is not willing to learn anything new.  Their failing is not one of apathy, it is that they view anything new as a threat.  They’re worried that if they go out of their comfort zone, they will make mistakes that will ruin their reputation.  So, to prevent a crisis, they stay where they are – while the rest of the world forges ahead without them.

A good company can survive the occasional business crisis.  A good boss understands that when people try something new they will make mistakes.  Failure proves that one idea won’t work.  It doesn’t prove that all ideas won’t work.

To succeed in modern business, you need to find confident, skilled workers that are able and willing to try out new things.  Encourage them to experiment, and support them when they try new ideas.  If they fail, make sure that they know that the only failure that will be punished is a failure to try in the first place.  Help them to pick themselves up and try again.  If they succeed, share that success with the rest of the team, and use that as ammunition to encourage everyone to keep looking for even bigger, better things.

Written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Insignia, business crisis communications experts.