Social Media Buzz Can Predict Elections by Erik Sass

Social media buzz can predict the winners in political elections, although it can't necessarily forecast the size of their victory, according to a new study by NM Incite. The NM Incite study examined social media buzz in relation to four races during the 2010 midterm elections, and found that in three out of four races, the candidate who was mentioned most frequently in social media went on to win the election. However, NM Incite also noted that their share of online buzz didn't necessarily correspond to actual percent of votes, suggesting there is a correlation between social media buzz and ...Read the whole story

  • beverages Pepsi Next Offers Internet 'Taste Test' by Karlene Lukovitz

    The campaign is encouraging consumers to try Pepsi Next at sampling events being held in 800 Walmart supercenters in 40 cities (the Facebook page offers a zip code-based event locator), or through the online "taste test." ...Read the whole story

search How Google's, Localeze's Vision On Social Changes Local Search by Laurie Sullivan

Descriptive information about a company exists in social sites and apps, but pulling in the information to a database that serves up in local search queries on mobile and desktop will rely on technology rather than manual labor. Automation would make it far more cost-effective, according to Jeff Beard, president at Localeze, a Neustar service. ...More

  • Social Media's Real Benefit For TV: Helping Weak Shows by Wayne Friedman

    Now we know the real secret about social media and TV. It isn't necessarily about "engaging" current viewers of popular TV shows. It's about keeping low-rated shows on the air. ...More

  • Video and Social Marketing Drive Content Marketing by Jack Loechner

    According to the Outbrain State of Content Marketing 2012 report, content marketing continues to be one of the rising stars of the online marketing world as brands from American Express and Proctor & Gamble to GE and General Mills use it alongside more traditional strategies to reach their target audiences. ...More

  • How To Drive Earned Media -- Even When Your Content Is Less Than Stellar by Mitchell Reichgut

    There's nothing quite like that special moment when a video goes viral. Millions see it; millions are entertained, and the media landscape is enthralled for a while with its newest pop-culture darling. When a brand is involved in this phenomenon, it's an unqualified, grand-slam home run -- and every marketer's dream. The natural corollary to this line of thought is that only superb content will work in social media. Most advertisers we speak with are under this impression. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. ...More

  • Video Search Goes Social, and to Israel by Daisy Whitney

    Video search is a nut that needs to be cracked. And while there have been numerous attempts over the years to deliver better video search, the industry still hasn't unearthed an ideal solution. There's movement afoot, though. Joy Marcus, venture partner at DFJ Gotham Ventures, said during the recent Beet.TV executive retreat that she's keeping her eye on several new audio and video recognition technology startups in Israel that may have interesting tools for video search. ...More

  • It's The Person, Not The Platform, Stupid by Catharine P. Taylor

    Over and over, we've seen stereotypes emerge about digital media, with people making sweeping judgments about a particular social publishing platform without taking into account that it's the individual that dictates what goes on the platform, not the platform itself. ...More

  • search Twitter And Facebook: Do You Feel Good Enough To Make A Purchase? by Laurie Sullivan

    Finding human connection means bringing together technology and products to make that connection, which can lead consumers to jump from Twitter, Facebook and other social sites to make a purchase. But brands don't seem to view Facebook's ad offering -- Sponsored Stories -- as a tool to connect with consumers. While some advertisers and marketers might consider the offer a connection because the messages in the ad directly reflect consumer sentiment, a survey from Social Fresh estimates that only 55% of Facebook advertisers use the tool. ...More