Checking In On The Slopes by Erik Sass

One of the interesting emerging trends in social media is the rise of geo-targeted social networks focused on specific neighborhoods or locales -- which I will refer to as place-based social networks, until someone comes up with a better name. This week brought the unveiling of an innovative new place-based social network for skiers visiting slopes in Colorado and California, called EpicMix, which puts a new spin on the whole check-in. ...Read the whole story

  • food Licorice Co. Launches Social Media Campaign by Aaron Baar

    The site, which went live Friday, is closely tied to Facebook and Twitter (users can use Facebook Connect login to begin posting), and a concurrent contest (which awards a prize for every 100 miles of virtual Red Vine created and a $5,000 grand prize to help one winner take a trip around the world) is tied to Facebook and Twitter response. ...Read the whole story

Marketers Need to Understand Social Game Mechanics by Joe Marchese

If it seems that in what is an increasingly fragmented digital landscape, social games have broken some secret code to building and engaging massive audiences, it's because they have. Look at social gaming giant and far away leader, Zynga and the millions upon millions of engaged consumers spending time with their highly addictive, and ever-evolving games (full disclosure: my company, SVnetwork works extensively with Zynga). Marketers should be asking themselves; what can I learn from social games and apply to my digital marketing efforts? ...More

  • Acceptance of Social Media by Marketers by Scott Eagle

    According to a study presented at a Pivot Conference (in partnership with Extra Mile Research) entitled "Marketers' Current and Future Use of Social Media," 63% of marketers are already investing in social media marketing, and of the 37% that are not currently investing in social media marketing, 62% are planning to invest, including 46% who plan to do so within one year. ...More

  • Kneel Before the King of Disinfectant by David Berkowitz

    I don't even want everyone using Barcode Hero because then my kingdoms will crumble. If it becomes a great recommendation engine, though, I may gracefully let a few of my titles lapse. ...More

  • The Inevitable Demise Of The 'Social Media Strategist' by Sarah Larcker

    The answer is not always a Facebook page and, in fact, this tactic may be more detrimental than beneficial to a brand. This is regularly the case in the pharmaceutical industry, where it may not occur to the "social media strategist" that no one wants to "like" a hypertension product on Facebook, and that in fact this is probably not the right tactic for this brand at all. ...More