Have you ever stopped to think about the marketing behind Zumba? What attracts the first-timer? Zumba radiates fun! How could it not with a motto “ditch the workout, join the party!” The latest infomercial featured on QVC home shopping network really sparked my interest. In just under the first…
Great post on the importance of Marketing in different fads and trends (especially to get lazy Americans to the gym!), courtesy of @themeltz. Follow her for updates on the Zumba world!
Good thoughts and an important reminder about having a discerning eye when consuming media (you’re doing it right now). It’s always scary to me that people don’t look at sources or ask important questions about unsupported information. Be saavy, people. And education activists, is there anything being done to teach media smarts to kids in elementary school? Just as important as a World Civ requirement, I think.
While Twitter and Tumblr (especially Twitter) have been invaluable in the dissemination of information during major crises like the unrest in Libya and the Japan earthquake, they have also been echo chambers of inaccurate reports and unconfirmed sources. It’s becoming apparent that the speed at which information is reblogged and retweeted cements a “fact” before it can be fully vetted and confirmed. If something is regurgitated thousands of times or by a usually respectable source, it becomes considered truth.
That isn’t far from the old days of news when tidbits were passed through word of mouth, perhaps losing nuance or becoming exaggerated with each retelling. Especially in a world where so much relies on nuance, accuracy and tone, it seems important not to rely upon a word of mouth approach that is susceptible to corruption, exaggeration or rumors. This may end up being journalism’s true worth in this new age: its ability to establish credibility and vet information. Sure it’s thrilling getting live updates from Youtube and Twitter about what’s going on somewhere, but how do we know it’s true and current? How do we know that someone isn’t pulling a prank or exaggerating to hog the spotlight?
Whether you are a job seeker or recruiter, you are probably one of the 90 million professionals who are members of the LinkedIn social network. According to LinkedIn’s website, the site is a ”networking tool to find connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts and business partners.” LinkedIn continues to grow and maintain its status as the largest professional network with unique packages for both recruiters and employees around the world. Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn has become increasingly interactive, which is a huge part of the reason why it has been so successful in gaining and retaining membership.
The latest technology offered from the company is called LinkedIn Skills. This new profile function allows job seekers to add skills to their profiles and help them stand out in a sea of candidates. This is also a great way for job seekers looking to break into a new field to diversify their profiles with skills they may have learned outside of the office. Also, LinkedIn Skills allows recruiters to search and pin point experts in certain skill sets ranging from Java, iPhone, Android and even Ballet! Recruiting for specialists in niche fields has never been easier.
DJ Patil, LinkedIn’s Chief Scientist shared, “Through LinkedIn Skills we believe we have a whole new way of understanding the landscape of skills - who has them and how they are changing over time – and how truly diverse the universe of skills actually is…”
LinkedIn Skills will without a doubt allow professionals to jazz up their profiles with unique skill sets to attract recruiters while at the same time making it easier for companies to find talent.
Do you think listing skills on your LinkedIn profile will make you a better job candidate in the eyes of a recruiter?
I am a big music fan, so last night I decided to live tweet the Grammy Awards. I used the application Tweet Chat for the first time to monitor all tweets with the hashtag of #grammys. I knew there would be a lot of tweets. However, I did not expect the extreme volume of tweets that took over my computer screen. So many tweets, so little time during commercials to read all of them.
From monitoring the Grammy tweets in real time and engaging with my own followers, I discovered that there were definitely a few very popular topics from the Grammy’s peanut gallery. The biggest online reaction during the show was definitely Esperanza Spalding’s win for Best New Artist. Drake and Justin Bieber fans alike were perplexed that a relative unknown could beat out the Young Money rapper and the adorable Biebs. Also, the Twitterverse enjoyed the Aretha Franklin tribute, despite a few jabs at Christina Aguilera here and there. In addition, you cannot even discuss the 2011 Grammys without mentioning Lady Gaga’s incubation in an egg in order to be “born” for her performance. Tweets about Gaga’s creative red carpet entrance took over my Twitter feed during the pre-show.
Another popular Grammy topic? Performances! Twitter was buzzing with love for: Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow’s muppet-filled performance of “Forget You,” B.o.B, Janelle Monae and Bruno Mars’ retro black-and-white performance, Rihanna killing it with both Eminem and Drake (but also being super-duper good looking,) Lady Gaga’s raw and exhilarating performance of “Born this Way,” and of course, the epic performance of rockin’ and ageless Mick Jagger.
Celebrities were also extremely active on Twitter to share their Grammy love. Here a few fun tweets from the show:
@kanyewest: Mick Jagger is crazy fresh!!! #OGSWAG
@actuallynph (Neil Patrick Harris): Nicki Minaj’s hair made me hungry for carnival snacks.
@stevemartintogo (Steve Martin): Long story short, stuck in egg with Gaga.
@kimkardashian: My fav part of the night was Gwenyth Paltrow! Her performance with CeeLo was crazy! And her jumpsuit was amaze.
All in all, the 2011 Grammy awards were a huge success both on television and in the Twitterverse. I can’t wait for the upcoming Academy Awards!
Sources: http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/02/14/grammys-cee-lo-green-gwyneth-paltrow-tweet-dreams/
The Social Media world was buzzing last night with many opinions and even more hashtags. When Pittsburgh Steelers fans were tweeting #blackandyellow, Green Bay Packers fans were tweeting #greenandyellow. Other viewers were more interested in the commercials and were active in the #brandbowl chat. Also, many music fans were ready to praise or criticize Fergie’s voice and attire during the flashy Halftime Show.
You are never truly alone while watching events anymore, which is a pretty cool thing. A colleague of mine at Likeable Media wrote a blog post regarding the positives of filtering out event tweets that you don’t fancy seeing on your Twitter feed. However, I find it a big positive to be exposed to a plethora of ideas and opinions, even from those annoying _________ fans.
Why not engage with the folks who are live tweeting events? You could a) learn something new, b) hear new perspectives on your favorite team or celebrity or c) simply have a laugh or two from a funny tweet. Utilize third party applications such as TweetChat to follow hashtags that interest you. With the upcoming #Oscars and #Grammys, why not give it a shot?
Before you jump in to the new world of hashtag debates, I have one word of advice: Beware of opposing Kanye West and Taylor Swift fans. That may get ugly.
Besides that, tweet on, my friends.
I came across an interesting article in Philadelphia Magazine while I was home this weekend. The article is by Sandy Hingston and is titled, “Is It Just Us, Or Are Kids Getting Really Stupid?”
As much as I do not want to agree with the article (Social Media has become a growing profession and is making the Zuckerbergs of the world billionaires, for crying out loud!), Hingston makes some valid points. However, my generation’s response to Facebook, Twitter and beyond is much different than current middle-schoolers and high-schoolers. This group’s engagement concerns me quite a bit.
My generation had unattractive flip phones that made it nearly impossible to text. High school students now mostly have some kind of smart phone (glued to their hand.) My generation got Facebook access when they were accepted to their chosen college. Facebook is now the communication of choice for many teenagers.
Social Media, to me, is the ultimate form of accessible information first and a way to communicate second. To younger audiences, I feel that Facebook and Twitter can become a distraction since these channels provide them with communication tools rather than with actual information. Don’t even get me started on high school kids and BBM-ing or texting. U do not want 2 hear my th0ughts :(
While the article doesn’t give a clear cut solution to the (lack of book-reading, increase of tweeting) problem, there are a few things that can be done by parents and teachers that can re-smartify Generation Y: Teachers can get creative and start fun, engaging activities at school, parents can limit their children’s time on the computer or their phones (bribing with frozen yogurt might be required), and parents can allow their children to play sports or go out and explore with friends. See? A few quick ways to create fun activities that don’t require an IP address.
What are my hopes for Gen Y? To utilize new media to their advantage: learn more, engage and connect with new cultures and ideas, and to even pick up a pen and paper once and a while.
ARTICLE: http://www.phillymag.com/articles/feature_is_it_just_us_or_are_kids_getting_really_stupid/
Lil Wayne’s Lollipop Remix - Cumbia style!
Never thought I’d hear this song with Zumba beats! This has nothing do do with HR or Social Media…but I do love my hip-hop.
Today is certainly a, “few steps forward, one step back,” kind of day for social media in the Middle East. According to Tech Crunch, the main Twitter site is not accessible for social media aficionados in Egypt. Like many of its neighboring countries, Egypt and its residents are in a constant battle over freedom of speech and expression, and the rising popularity of sites such as Twitter is adding fuel to the fire. “Increasingly, social media is playing an important role in organizing and broadcasting protests against governments around the world. Unlike television or newspapers, Twitter and Facebook are not so easy to control other than blocking them entirely because of their distributed nature,” according to the article. Also, it is being reported that the Egyptian police is firing at protesters of the Twitter ban with rubber pellets. It’s unfortunate that a protest over the right to Tweet had to end in violence. However, Egyptians that are active on Facebook and other sites are still able to communicate with their peers today, proving that the influential power of these tools can’t be stopped - even with a countrywide ban of Twitter. Times like these make me thankful to have freedom of speech in the United States, and I hope our virtual friends in Egypt are allowed these basic rights sooner rather than later. Article: http://tcrn.ch/fXCbZX
Which category do you fall under?
Did you chose a job that pays the bills or a career that excites and motivates you each and every day? If you’re lucky, you might be able to have a nice balance of both. However, mixing both passion and practicality seems to be rather difficult these days in such an unforgiving economy.
Right now, I’m doing my best to follow my passion. I’ve had the great job that was on a certain career path. Been there, done that. Now, I’m (hesitantly, but excitedly) back at square one. Working, taking classes and hopefully becoming some kind of mini-expert in my chosen field of Social Media Marketing. Some may say it’s risky, but I think it’s a risk worth taking.
I’m certainly no math whiz, but: Passion + Practicality + Smarts = Success.
