Media

iSnack2.0 Was No Vitameatavegamin!

by Ron Callari

It sounded like a good idea. Create a viral buzz campaign built around a contest to rename Kraft's Vegemite's cream cheese spread first launched in 1923. Out of 48,000 Australian entrants, the food company selected the winner who submitted the name "Vegemite iSnack2.0" because of its inference of making something new out of something old. So what went wrong?

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Flip.to, Social Media Tool Creates Evangelists, Buzz & Sales

by Ron Callari

To promote a brand in today's Web 2.0 milieu, one no longer needs the excessive advertising and promotional budgets that have been previously required in the past. In today's business climate, its important to select social media tools that are cost-efficient, create evangelists,generate a viral buzz and produce sales. With the recent launch and beta test of Flip.to, brands and social media specialists now have access to a tool that can accomplish all those goals.

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Social Media Nazi Says "No Twitter For You"

by Ron Callari

Anyone that remembers the classic Seinfeld episode, "Soup Nazi" will be able to relate to the current prohibition of Twitter and Facebook in the workplace. Working 9 to 5, what can an employee do when he or she gets the urge to dip his or her toe in the Twitterstream? Unfortunately, there are too many Social Media Nazis out there throwing the hammer down on this type of activity.

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Tweetup In Space, The Final Frontier

by Ron Callari

Twitter has conquered a lot of international territory around the world, but tweeting into Space is definitely allowing man to go where no man has gone before. Astronauts Nicole Stoff and Jeff Williams who are currently circumnavigating the globe at five miles a second will attend a Tweetup while in space.

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Twitter's Landmark Tweet Against Impostors

by Ron Callari

Twitter's landmark case strikes the first blow at Internet anonymity and identity theft with the issuance of one single tweet. But where is that 140 character message that was responsible for breaking new legal ground? Inquiring minds want to know.

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Uniqlo Showcases Tokyo 2009 Collection With Interactive Online Runway

by Fashion Finds

Uniqlo is a Japanese design house that goes the extra mile to make sure that fashion lovers get a good look at their clothes. Their website is one of the most innovative spotted to date, with an interactive fashion runway that's just as good as being at a runway show with one added perk.

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Top Ten Social Media Sex, Lies & Videotaped Tales

by Ron Callari

On the one hand, social media has connected us with our fellow man (and woman) in a much more upfront and personal way. On the other hand, social media has connected us with our fellow man (and woman) in a much more upfront and personal way!

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McDonalds McTweets Born Too Late?

by Ron Callari

McDonalds has finally set up shop in the Twitterverse. But is it too late? McDonalds' movies, videos, blogs, social networks and Web sites have been cropping up all over the social media landscape for the last five years. And unfortunately they are not singing the praises of the hamburger joint giant.

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Fox to Add Interesting Features to Blu-ray Discs

by Chris Weiss

Fox is planning a host of new upgrades to make the Blu-ray experience more engaging for the viewer. Access new content, enjoy faster loading and expect an overall better Blu-ray experience in the future.

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The Business of Grave Plot Sales: Buying Burial Plots with Celebrity Neighbors

by Beth Hodgson

Unless you've buried a love one, you probably don't realize just how big of a business the sale of grave plots happens to be; it's an industry in itself that seems like it might operate on poor moral grounds, taking advantage of the bereaved. That aside, it's a profitable industry, especially when it comes to dealing with the sale of graves near the final resting places of celebrities.

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One Billion Hours Of Sex In Second Life?

by Ron Callari

In slightly over six years, the members of Second Life have lived out over one billion hours in a virtual world. To give you a sense of the popularity of SL, one billion hours equates to slightly over 115,000 years. With that much time on our hands, you can imagine what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into!

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Google Wave Wants You!

by Ron Callari

It's a little bit county! It's a little bit rock 'n roll! It's one over-sized network mash-up! Google Wave is part Outlook, IM, calendar, Twitter, wiki, spreadsheets/docs/presentation, picture sharing, social media, forums, maps and just about everything else on the web, but the kitchen sink! It's what some have called "email on steroids."

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New Sneakers May Cause Puffy Hair

by J. Barker

Adidas has a new athletic shoe line that, if the ads are accurate, may cause serious hair problems.

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Kutano,Twitter's Super-Charged Search Engine Is Enhanced By Google Sidewiki

by Ron Callari

Twitter's cool search engine gets an added boost of fire power from Google Sidewiki. On September 29, 2009 both apps joined forces to improve the effectiveness of Kutano's search capability.

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Consumer-Generated Ads vs Mad Men

by Ron Callari

Web 2.0 has not only ushered in social media, it fostered a movement of consumer-generated content and crowdsourcing. We can believe and trust in things we read and view if its endorsed by one of our friends, business associates or social networks chums. Traditional advertising? ... not so much! Consumer-generated content as a sea-change has gained so much traction that even advertising in a lot of respects is now controlled by the public.

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Advertising In Your Face: Product Placement Slaps Consumers Around With Brand Recognition

by J. Barker

You may not feel it, but while you're watching your favorite movie or TV show, advertisers are slapping you in the face with product imagery to keep you - as a consumer - aware of what's out there. Want a few examples?

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Top Ten Massive Multiplayer Online Games on Facebook

by Ron Callari

So why are they called "Massive Multiplayer Online" Games, or MMOs for short? Because the popularity of social media gaming has gone through roof and the numbers of players now engaged have skyrocketed into the millions. While many MMOs can be played on stand-alone systems like Play Station, Nintendo and Xbox game players, the latest trend is registering for the online versions of these games on the world's largest social network...Facebook!

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Will Microsoft's LookingGlass Shed New Light On Social Media?

by Ron Callari

Mining social media has been an illusive task. A multitude of analytics are available, but no one comprehensive tool to really cut through the clutter. A new product in development by Microsoft Advertising under the code-name "LookingGlass" may be the help brands are looking for. It claims to monitor and analyze social networks up close and personal.

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Top Five Hotel Mobile Apps

by Ron Callari

Although a little late to the party, hotels are finally jumping on the mobile app band-wagon. The development of free applications can now extend a hotel's service beyond the front desk, beyond its Web site... right onto your mobile device. Since hotel guests are always on the go, whether for business or pleasure, what better access is there than getting one's hotel info right on their smartphone?

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OneForty - The Apple Store Of Twitter Apps?

by Ron Callari

Apps, Apps, Apps! Everywhere you look, there is a new all-purpose-handy-dandy-must-have-app to enhance your Twitter experience. It was only a matter of time for someone to consider opening up a store where you can shop to your heart's content off of one Web site versus the hundreds that are out there.

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