Google Enhances Its Social Media Ties

Google will now have, what it calls, a real time search page. Google's new real-time display will be more interactive than the usual static search engine results page we have seen previously. The display will feature a scroll along bar with a pause button that will allow people to stop and start results pages and the paid advertising on the side. With this new infrastructure, google will be partnering with Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to get help with their real-time results. This will also give the most up-to-date trends for people to be able research.

My first reaction when reading this news story was, what difference will this really make with search results and why did Google think it necessary to take this step? I soon found out! Google's partnering with Twitter comes from the ever-growing competition and pressure Bing is putting on Google's search engine. Google hopes that this new partnership and real time search display for the most updated trends and search results will help leave Bing in the dust. Is this effort by Google enough to keep Bing away? Only time will tell.

Social Media a CRAZE

have learned more about social media in this semester than I have in my whole college career. And I thought I was so ahead of the social media movement. I mean I had my first blog in middle school on http://livejournal.com. My friends and I updated each other daily about our lives. From there I moved onto http://myspace.com in 8th grade where I learned all about networking with "new" people. Then I got nervous when I found out it had over 64,000 registered sex offenders, so I moved on to http://facebook.com once I registered for college. I figured if only college students could go on it, then it must be safe. Now Facebook is open to anyone with an email address. Everyone, and I mean everyone is on it. Businesses and even my dad and aunt are on it now. What is going on? So now not only do we have to worry about our parents seeing what we post, but also potential employers seeking out our profile to see "what we're really like." Then http://twitter.com came about. Now, I'm all about jumping on the social media bandwagon, as you can see, but I was not too keen on it. After hearing about it for a while I finally decided to sign up. I signed up and did not understand a thing. I never went back...until Gee forced a Twitter assignment on us! haha. From there I learned the basics, but still I could not even figure out how to put my picture up. So I had my friend do it. I'm not sure if i'm much of a Twitter-kinda gal but it was good to learn and have the account for any future possible endeavors. I'm not sure where my heads at when it comes to social media, but sometimes that constant communication can be a bit draining and I want to return to the landline and answering machine with dial up internet. Just kidding! But seriously, I'm not sure how much more I can take of constant social media additions and inventions.

Having A Greener Christmas

Going green,and living environmentaly friendly has become a catchy trend. Everything from hybrids,organic cotton clothes, and reuseable shopping bags. But whoever thought that cutting down a tree would be the green thing to do. According to an article on msnbc, scientists say that cutting down a tree is actaully more environmentaly friendly that buying and using a fake on.

In terms of fake trees petorleom is used to make the plastic in them, and a lot of carbon dioxide is used transporting though. Because most real christmas tree and grown on a tree farm, just so they can be cut down, there is no effect on deforestation.

National Geographic also has a lists of ways to have an eco-friendly Christmas.

I know my family always gets a real tree. Something about having a fake one with a pin glade plug-in isn't the same. Also for the past two year my family has been using newspapers and magazines to wrap our presents. We use new ribbon and everything, but wrapping paper always seemeed like such a waste. Plus the presents always look really neat under the tree with all the black and white.

Any one else's family have special holiday traditions that have to do with being green. Whether it be re-using gift bags or stringing up less Christmas lights?

Too Much Media?

For my last elective, I took a journalism seminar class that focused solely on the 2008 Presidential Campaign. I figured this class would just be another look at the election and the candidates involved. The class, instead, focused on the media's coverage during the campaign. We looked at what they covered and why. One of the main things we discovered was that the candidates personal life was at the forefront and their stance on issues was just an additive, if involved at all. My question is when did the media become a tabloid for celebrity gossip. These candidates have become "celebrified" and are nothing more than that. The media pounces on topics like Tiger Wood's latest affair or what the Jon and Kate are fighting about today. Does anybody really care about that stuff? I admit I'm a tmz.com addict, but is this a direct result of overexposure to mindless details such as "Did Tiger leave these flowers for his wife or are they for him?" Back when JFK was president, his affairs were never publicized to the world or made a big deal, but I remember back to 6th grade when Bill was drowning in the Monica scandal and that was all anybody could talk about. As time goes on the media gets more personal, so where does it stop?

PR Blog Number 3

After working on my Company Portfolio Project, I have come to the realization of how important it is to be clear with your words. As I have been writing my press releases, news releases, etc, it is important to make sure that every single piece of information is included so that the receiver of the message is able to get everything they need.

I also think that this project is very helpful so that we can get used to the many different aspects of media writing. Not many classes and/or internships give you the opportunity to exercise the skills you will need in the field of PR.

Something a little different

Something a little different

So while doing my daily check of news events on CNN I found this great piece in the Tech section.
Something a little different in the social media world: Reality Tweeting. Mark Horvath, was once a high paid executive in California. However, he quickly turned homeless drug addict. After finally getting clean, he realized he needed to do something with his life so he roamed homeless tent cities all over and documented his experience via the web on his twitter stream @HardlyNormal.
His Bio section reads "Just a hardly normal guy trying to navigate through an abnormal world by helping others." All by spreading the word through social media. His Twitter brings awareness to issues about poverty and homelessness. It also tells of homeless people he has met. Sad truths in the world today. Twitter informs us of daily events, new products, people's mundane life updates, I'm happy to see it can also keep people updated on the not so great parts of the world and hopefully inspire people to do something about it.
Mark also takes his advocacy a step further. He tapes homeless people's stories and puts them on this website. To put a face to a story has so much more impact. These people are part of our community. Most have just hit a rough patch and are in need of a little help. Mark Horvath is trying to get people to notice that through this new thing hip thing called social media.

World Cup 2010

I am so exciting! Next summer 32 of the best football team will meet again, 4 years after the France- Italy final. Oh, I didn't tell you , I am a HUGE soccer fan ( France is my favorite, of course!!)

The biggest sporting event on the planet, the soccer World Cup, will be held in South Africa next June. Today, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of football, held its draw to decide the makeup of the eight groups.

Charlize Theron announced next year's World Cup brackets in her native South Africa.

The group are the following:

Group A: South Africa, Uruguay, Mexico, France
France should easily qualify herself.

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
It is a pretty easy group for Argentina.

Group C: England, U.S.A, Algeria, Slovenia
The U.S.A should not bother unpacking.

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group D is the group of hospice.

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
We ll have to see, but I am pretty sure Japan is not a tough candidate.

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Italy never gets into difficult group.

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Spain and Chile should rule the group with relative ease.

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
The most challenging group, no question. Three of these teams are potential semifinalists.

In conclusion I will just add : "Lets just hope for a non France vs Algeria draw in order to avoid blood on the streets..." So people won't think that French are savages!! We are NOT, we are very well educated people, I think...

Social Media Press Releases

I give it two years until I leave Facebook. Not because I don't like its features - in fact, I love being able to store my photos online, creep on my friends, and see what my Aunt is up to. No, I plan on leaving Facebook because of a trend that is already starting to happen.

Last week I got a Facebook invitation from my friend Ryan to purchase tickets for the first Milwaukee Wave game of the 2009-2010 school year, a place where he currently interns at. I don't know about you, but I love when I get unsolicited offers to purchase things or give my demographic information. What should otherwise be considered unethical from a marketing standpoint now seems to be okay because of "Facebook friend" status. All I know is that once my friends all get entry level positions and need to start building data-bases, what is now a once a month occurrence is going to be all the time. There is already a sort of pseudo-pressure to reply to friend's requests online, especially if they are good friends. I just hope that this trend doesn't escalate to the point where Facebook creates awkward online social interaction.

In a Failing Job Market, some CEOs offer Hope.

For many the hope of a plush corner office and their dream job seems unattainable in a market such as the one we seniors are about to delve into. I look outside each day and wish I were beginning my years at Marquette all over again. How great it would be to enjoy four more years of friends and fun before entering such a competetive market.

Though most see no light at the end of a long, long tunnel, these CEOs offer hope. In an article by Minyanville, 9 CEOs from different cultures and situations tell their stories with the hope to inspire todays youth.

For example, in July of this year Ursula Burns (Xerox) became the first black woman to be named CEO of a fortune 500 company. Burns grew up in the project of the Lower East Side of Manhatten. She was raised by her single mother, who ironed clothes to pay the bills. She worked hard at her studies and was committed to making a better life for herself and her family, which is exactly what she has done.

Her advice to students is to continue working hard and never to beleive a job is too small.

Each of these CEOs has their own "Rag to Riches" story. After reading that they sold Christmas Cards door to door and sodas at Yankee Stadium to pay the bills, we should all believe that there is a way to build our own empire.

Social Media Gaining Ground with Major Companies

It's amazing to me that, even during a recession, social media use with major corporations is still going strong and even gaining ground. I guess I'd just assume they have bigger fish to fry. Not so, according to this MarketWire article. Apparently 50% of all companies are increasing their investment level in social media monitoring. There is a wealth of free-flowing, unmonitored information on these sites where people feel free to vent, rave, or offer suggestions about businesses and products. In a true testament to how important social media has become, companies are now hiring people with social media monitoring as part of their job description. I think such improvements in this type of monitoring is exciting because it truly does give more power to the people. We consumers have something to say, and social media is quickly becoming one of the best and easiest ways to get our voices heard.

How to Lose a Customer in Ten Minutes

I like looking good. In a professional environment, that mean wearing a tie. Some men hate em', I love wearing ties. I have a pretty good collection and am always looking for new additions.

So when I saw a Facebook ad that read "Four quality ties for a buck! No hidden fees" I clicked.
Ten minutes from that click, they would lose me as a customer forever.
The next page is laid out well. There is a photo at the top, a selection of 18 ties that you can choose from, instructions for ordering on the bottom left and testimonials from past customers on the bottom right of the screen. The bottom of the page even has a guarantee and trust-type seals.

Nowhere on the page is there anything about shipping charges, or any other obligations. At first glance it appears that the site is merely a way for potential customers to sample a company's product at a low price, with hopes of making future customers.

I should have known better.
As I was about to make my four selections, I realized that I had to check a box that stated that I had read the terms and conditions...uh oh.

I don't see any terms and conditions. So I wonder if this company would sink so low as to not include the terms and conditions until after you check the box. Turns out they were. As I checked that I had read them, a new box appears on the page that explains all the terms and conditions.

I finally got it. This wasn't a company looking to supply customers with new ties. It was another scam that insulted my intelligence by actually thinking that I would fall for it.First off, they want $14.95 for shipping and handling. I actually might be able to accept this, even though real shipping is only a fraction of that, because I'm only paying a buck for the ties. Its still less than in a store.

But then I get into the fine print. By buying I'm automatically enrolling in a Wholesale Discount Club for "just $7.49 per month, billed annually." So if I don't tell them within 14 days from my signup date (note, if shipping takes a week, it's only 7 days from receipt,) they're hitting my card for $89.88. For that I get nothing other than the right to buy more ties for $19.99 each (probably plus $14.95 s&h, so they're probably $35 ties.)

Interesting deal - I've gone from an expectation of spending a buck plus some probably outrageous shipping costs to forking over $90 to have the privilege of overpaying for ties for a year. (I'm assuming these ties are of the quality that you would pick up at a Wal*Mart, not a fine men's store - admittedly, I could be wrong.)

But more importantly, they promised me "No hidden fees!" and a relationship I could trust. What I got was clearly not what I had expected.

I'm sure their refund and chargeback rate is astronomical.Lessons to be learned:

1. Don't lie. Lying is bad.

2. If you want to build an offer for something that will be in addition to your advertised offer, don't slide it in on the sly, tell your customers about it, and sell them on the benefits of your offer. Be explicit, and sell it, don't do the bare minimum to pass a legal challenge.

3. Recognize that in today's world the consumer has a voice and that voice can be VERY effective in driving people away from you. Do you want people talking about how horrible you are to deal with, and how you ripped them off, or singing your praises. It's up to you!Needless to say, I didn't buy any ties from this company. I wouldn't recommend that you do so either.