10 Things You Need To Know About Google+

This is a presentation given at this year's Pubcon Conference in Vegas that I am very sad to have missed out on. Presented by Jay Berkowitz of Ten Golden Rules.

Google+ Pubcon Presentation

View more presentations from Jay Berkowitz

From @MarkRaganCEO: Communicators share their favorite smartphone apps. Are yours on the list?

Integrated Social Media - Study Done by Ogilvy-ChatThreads

Ogilvy-ChatThreads Integrated Social Media Sales Impact Study 2011

View more presentations from 360 Digital Influence, Ogilvy PR Worldwide

First Google Wallet Customer

This really just made me laugh....

New Dodge Ad Campaign Taps in to YouTube Users

I was watching the start of football season today when a new commercial caught my eye. Dodge has unveiled a new ad campaign which taps into the use of YouTube, in which they are giving away 3 brand new 2012 Dodge Journey’s.

“Find the Hidden Journey and it’s yours!" I thought to myself, well that is really clever. The commercial directs viewers to their YouTube channel for details, then there are a series of videos one has to watch in which unlocks clues on how to find this new SUV they are referring to as, "The Search Engine for the Real World."

The contest ends on September 27th and is open to all US Citizens, one car has already been located on the West Coast, the Mid-West is next (9/16), and the East Coast will follow shortly after (9/23). Following the clues is one thing, but actually racing to the location is completely different. It is definitely a pretty cool way to give away a car.

Check out the how-to's below:

Incubus - New Approach to How Social Media Meets PR

I have seen a lot of different social media campaigns in my day but one that struck me as very clever has been what the band Incubus has done. In preparation of the launch of their 7th studio album "If Not Now, When?" and kickoff of their U.S. tour in over 3 years the band has setup what they refer to as "IncubusHQ".

IncubusHQ launched on June 30th, the campaign enabled the band to interact with their fans regularly through multiple events most of them via the web. For 7 days (6/30 – 7/06) Incubus was inviting fans in the LA area to undisclosed locations for the most unique, personal and up-close fan experience - I have to admit I was wishing to be there with them.

Incubus' official statement about the kickoff stated:

"In “Incubus HQ Live” the web meets reality; it’s where web technology combines with fan-to-band interaction complete with impromptu live sets, live web streams, instructional clinics, and full performances from the band all being captured in a real-time documentary. Basically anything is possible and anything can happen!" http://on.fb.me/rbQBAm

But that's not all IncubusHQ was focused on, they also heavily promoted the album, and US Tour via email, on PING (iTunes Social Network - awesome), Facebook and Twitter - they also had press on sites like Mashable. The emails were great because it gave any fan a step by step rundown of what the band is up to, and how to connect with them as they were approaching the first day of the US tour. All the hype was to lead up to the live feed of their 1st show at Red Rocks on August 17th.

I have always known that PR and Social Media cross paths but this particular campaign has really brought a new element for musicians and how they now can approach new ways to promote their music without the help of MTV, David Lettermen, and Jay Leno, and I have been enjoying the hype from a social media distance.

Social Media Faux Pas - E-470 Twitter Mistake

I recently spent some time in Colorado and as I was driving along highway E-470 I noticed an interesting social campaign unfolding before my eyes. On the emergency digital road sign, which is typically used for Amber Alerts, Highway Accidents, and Emergency Road Announcements, the sign said, “E-470 Live Twitter Chat - Tweet 2 Win June 15th 11AM” – while I understand the intention of a Social Media campaign, I could not help but think to myself how people can misconstrue this for a promotion to tweet while driving – can you say dangerous?? I don’t believe that signs like this should be used to advertise a sweeps or anything for that matter other than what it was intended for. With all the hype the story hit the local news, it seems many others felt the same way I did and I was not surprised. A spokesperson for the highway said the message was never intended to promote tweeting while driving at all. Well I bet they learned their lesson and I am sure they will think twice now about promoting the use of social media on their emergency road signs.

Check out the news story here, "E-470 Twitter Signs Cause Controversy"