<link>http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com</link> <description /> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:46:10 +0000</pubDate> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1</generator> <language>en</language> <atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SoaringInteractiveMedia" /><feedburner:info uri="soaringinteractivemedia" /><atom10:link xmlns:atom10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" rel="hub" href="http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/" /><item> <title>ViRAL:Skittles’ Social Experiment http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoaringInteractiveMedia/~3/beMsA_cGd2s/ http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/skittles-unsocial-campaign/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:18:14 +0000 InterativeU http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/?p=233 ShareThis

]]> The entire concept around social marketing is that it IS social. This means that it is social — a conversation. For our private clients I am constantly reminding them to get in the conversation. This means more than show it. It means that you need to participate in a conversation. If someone comments, comment back.

I personally applaud MARS for taking the the risk that comes with innovation. However, the shortcomings of the campaign itself as well as the lack of understanding of social rules and relationships by the Mars marketing team is standing out like a beacon for criticism.

Skittles.com menu

A few modifications to the campaign and they could be back on track. The most serious campaign flaws are noted below.

The Products button clicks through to Wikipedia. I must admit I was stunned to see a product marketing page on Wikipedia and wonder why the moderators allow it. Not only that but Wikipedia is probably the least “social” of any of the Web 2.0 properties. Think of being social with the Encyclopedia Britanica…not my idea of exciting reading. Mars could receive the full impact and benefit of a wiki without the restrictions of Wikipedia, by launching at WetPaint. At WetPaint, they could create a wiki that they can “control”. Skittles fans could post there and it would be a real social campaign with contributions from fans and conversation. Imagine an entire Skittles world. After all, marketing is all about brand management.

Chatter rolls right up to Twitter like a bull in a china shoppe. Twitter faithfuls shout strong ridicule as the private sanctuary and marketing segment for the solo-preneur and small business owner is “invaded” by a seeming goliath.

And where’s the blog? Missing in Action.

The overall missing element in the campaign is any cohesive conversation that ties everything together. It is almost like spraying YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia out over the net and hoping something sticks. People expect social marketing to be social… to be an interactive experience allowing the participants to experience.

Unlike “Peeps” or the M&M Guys who have a cult following, personality and a story to tell, Skittles have not had a recognizable marketing personna. This may be at the heart of the challenge MARS is having with their campaign.

While the campaign is viewed as flawed by professional social marketers, MARS has managed to get a lot of increased visibility for Skittles. The dramatic rise in brand awareness is obvious to even the novice social marketer.

Skittles Campaign Stats

As the bigger brands begin to embrace social marketing, we may see a dramatic change to the way we all “socialize” on the net. We will begin to see a significant level of proof that social marketing works. As more people are staying home due to the economic tides and traditional advertising proves to have too little of an ROI, more larger corporations will look for ways to expand their marketing to include social media.

We love it when your business SOARS!

This article was written by Deb Murray, buzz marketing specialist and founder of Soaring Interactive Media a buzz marketing agency bringing social media marketing strategies and campaigns to life. http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com
]]> http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/skittles-unsocial-campaign/feed/ http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/skittles-unsocial-campaign/ FB App: Facebook meets Twitter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoaringInteractiveMedia/~3/2G4zlSDCUZo/ http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/fb-app-facebook-meets-twitter/#comments Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:02:11 +0000 InterativeU http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/?p=234 ShareThis

]]> With so many pieces and parts to a comprehensive social media campaign, it’s like a gift when you find a way to save time. One of the critical steps to keeping facebook current is to update your Facebook status several times a day. This is also a requirement of Twitter, LinkedIn and other components in your plan. Below are six simple steps to letting your Twitter posts update your Facebook status. This will send ALL of your tweets to Facebook. If you prefer to only send selective tweets to Facebook, then read the article on the Facebook App - Selective Twitter Status.

Step 1

 Login to Facebook. Go to the Twitter Application page. Click on the Go to Application button circled below.

Step 2

 Click on the Allow button shown below to continue the process.

Step 3

 Login to your Twitter account. Enter your Twitter username and password. Click on the Login button.

Step 4

 The screen that displays will allow you to update Twitter from within Facebook. However, we want to use Twitter to update Facebook. Click the Allow Twitter to Update Your Facebook Status button as shown below.

Step 5

 The Allow Status Updates from Twitter? verification message displays. Click the Allow Status Updates button as shown below.

Step 6

 You will return to the Twitter application screen as shown in Step 4. Ignore this and go to Twitter, enter a tweet. Return to your facebook home page and your tweet should show up in a few minutes.
]]> http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/fb-app-facebook-meets-twitter/feed/ http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/fb-app-facebook-meets-twitter/ Create Your Own Stimulus Package http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoaringInteractiveMedia/~3/0PPv-bHdp_A/ http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/create-your-own-stimulus-package/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:16:46 +0000 InterativeU http://www.soaringinteractivemedia.com/?p=228 ShareThis

]]> Letting you know of two events we will be at… along with several of our business partners.  Please join us in developing our new marketing plans and business relationships.  You won’t want to miss out on our Radical Partnering and marketing makeover activities — guaranteed 100% to get your business more visibility when you participate.

Your Guaranteed Stimulus Package

 

As smart business owners, it is time we create our own stimulus package.  There are too many scams out there and we must take control of our marketing, branding, image and our personal pursuit of happiness.

 

For your business: 

 

Learn more about social media marketing or creating powerful business alliances!  In order to thrive in this economic roller coaster you must do three things.

 

1.       Get visible and create positive brand recognition

2.       Partner with others to create added value packages and savings for your prospects and customers

3.       Find new streams of income for your business.  Think outside the box.

 

On the weekend of March 20-22, bring a power boost to your business at 5 Seasons Resort and Spa in the Russian River Resort area of Northern California.  Learn exactly what you need to do whether you are an event planner, jeweler, real estate agent, wholesaler, life coach and everything in between.  These $10 workshops provide you with specific case studies and what to do to in your social marketing portfolio.  Start with understanding the secrets of viral marketing, launching effective video seeding campaigns, FREE marketing you can do yourself, getting incredibly visible on your blog in less than 60 days, building informal strategic partnerships to create product/service packages that can extend your current marketing reach to new customers. 

 

These workshops are being held as part of our local community Sustainability Conference in Guerneville, CA at the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country.  More information about our workshops and the Sustainability Conference can be found at  http://5seasonsresorts.com/EV_ResortActivities.html#Million   

 

The dinner on Saturday is limited to 4 savvy business owners as I plan to create a true mastermind experience; performing a business marketing makeover right on the spot – creating new possible streams of income for each business involved.  Cost of attending this dinner is $90.   All other workshops at the resort are $10 each – a bargain!

 

For you and your family:

 

Celebrate Life and join us at the 5 Seasons Resort and Spa for an exciting program in honor of Earth Day.  Visit our new Nature’s Apothecary.  Meet Phyllis Bala our resident doctor of Indigenous Medicine.  We must learn to go back to basics we can count on.  Let us teach you how to leverage and nurture the gifts of the Earth.  Phyllis specializes in Women’s health and marrying your needs with the right plant spirit for increased health and vitality.   Two Saturdays, April 18th  and April  25th for your personal Celebration of Life.  Reserve one or both for your step into spring.   http://www.5seasonsresorts.com/Earth-Day-2009.html

 

**

 

Space is limited for both events.  So please email (guestservices@5seasonsresorts.com) or call (1.707.869.8139) the resort today and reserve your seats for these events.   At $10 you cannot find a better deal to improve your life and that of your business.  Let’s make a point to get together during these events and strategize how we might be of benefit to each other during these economic times and beyond.  Stay over and we can work until the late hours on our plan.  Imagine what 4 or 5 of us business owners can do together.

 

Please pass this on to people you know who might be interested in creating their own personal stimulus package.  They will thank you for bringing this value to them and helping them at this time as well.

Author: Deb Murray, Founder, Soaring Interactive Media, LLC.  www.soaringinteractivemedia.com

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