Saudi Embassy on Twitter, YouTube by Erik Sass

What's the latest social media-savvy organization to get on Twitter? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Embassy to the United States! Yowza! Okay, it's not quite Ashton or MTV, but that's kind of the point: if risk-averse diplomats (whose whole job is basically message and brand control) see value in Twitter, it would seem to suggest even the most conservative, publicity-shy brands can find a home on the burgeoning social communication site. ...Read the whole story

  • Google: Dynamic Data And Social Features Can Save Display Ads by Laurie Sullivan

    Display ads will incorporate a variety of social elements in future campaigns, but integrating creativity and dynamic data today can provide marketers with indispensable consumer mindshare and loyalty. The technology now exists to create these opportunities. ...Read the whole story

  • Making Social Media Connections, Budgets and ROI by Laurie Sullivan

    Technology has historically pushed people away from each other, isolated them, and allowed them to work independently. Today, technology gives us the ability to connect. So when you hear the words social and media, it's important to remember the pathway that creates an emotional connection from the brand to consumer. ...Read the whole story

  • PCH Unveils Sweepstakes Social Media Service For All by Laurie Sullivan

    Publishers Clearing House (PCH) has developed an out-of-the-box service that lets any company launch a sweepstakes social media marketing campaign on their Web site, Facebook Fan page, Twitter or other social networks. The service unveiled Tuesday with launch partner Wildfire Interactive lets marketers create an online promotion within minutes. ...Read the whole story

A Peek Into How the Feds Use Social Nets -- Like What You See? by Catharine P. Taylor

The New York Times has a big story today on online privacy -- or lack thereof. But that's not really the privacy story of the week that interests me. Yesterday, the AP ran a story detailing how the Feds use Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter to nab suspects -- sometimes by breaking the terms of service of these sites by pretending to be someone else. The IRS even uses Google Street View to investigate taxpayers, as it turns out. Better think twice before you claim poverty while actually in the process of putting a huge, new addition on your ho ...More