Peter Kim has a great blog post that lists all the brands involved in some way shape or form in social media.
While I'm sure there are more, this is a pretty comprehensive list. Peter's always on top of What's Next in the digital space. If you don't follow his blog or Twitter posts you should.
Like I've said, if you are not paying attention....
So if you are a regular reader of this blog you've read about my thoughts on why a huge part of the agency business is still about being able to tell a great story, how technology has greatly enhanced our ability to do so, and how Campfire is one of the best at doing just that.
The guys who founded Campfire produced the Blair Witch film, and a bunch of other great pieces of storytelling.
This article from the NY Times outlines how they have done it again for HBO's new series, "True Blood". Not only is it a very cool marketing campaign, but also a great example of how technology has enabled us to put together amazingly interesting stories that engage and hold on to the attention of both consumers and the culture.
Enjoy.
Really simple explanation of Social Media and it's importance. A must read for anyone trying to understand What's Next in this space.
Kudos to Marta Kaga, who writes a great blog on marketing.
http://bonafidemarketinggenius.com/
PS Be sure to read the "About" section of Marta's blog. Great stuff.
I'm so proud of my colleagues at Y&R Tel Aviv who have just been awarded a Gold Lion for their work last year to raise awareness about Israeli soldiers that were being held prisoner by Hezbollah.
A great cause. Of supreme importance. And an incredible example of how to use the social web to promote your message.
I wrote a post a few days ago about "Groundswell", this terrific book I am reading about Social Media.
http://whatsnext.typepad.com/whats_next_in_marketing/2008/05/whats-next-forr.html
Wanted to point you to a good article on adage.com about the recent H&R Block campaign that relied heavily on social media.
http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=127078
There's some good lessons in the article about what to do and what not to do. I thought the most interesting point was the following:
Corral the agencies
Perhaps one of the biggest logistical challenges: Agencies also have to
abandon some of their traditional silos, with media, creative and the
client working together to craft a social media experience.
"You have to rip up the business card and try to solve the
problem," said Art Sindlinger, VP-activation director at Publicis'
Starcom USA.
H&R Block used four agencies in total to complete its
social media efforts because it was hard to find one that could do it
all, said Ms. Worley. But, she added, all the direct communication came
from the client."
Interesting because it should not be hard for a client to find an agency to do all of the components of a social media campaign. Other than the actual media component (don't get me started on the tragedy of unbundling media), an agency should be able to handle ALL of the components needed.
That doesn't mean that all of the talent needed to get it done needs to be in house, but your client needs to feel that they can come to their primary marketing partner and that you'll tie it all together for them in a nice bow.
Social Media is now like interactive was a few years ago: it shouldn't be a nice to have, it's a must.
Interesting post over at Organic's Three Minds blog.
http://threeminds.organic.com/2008/03/vw_spot_leads_with_the_web_sit.html
Volkswagen UK just launched a new campaign in which they lead with the website in the spots.
I thought: Cool. This should be really interesting.
The spot is well done and I think does a nice job of encouraging viewers to go to the site.
But the site was a bit of a let down.
After such an intriguing TV experience I thought that the site would be more innovative. But it's just another car site. See the car. Look at the parts. Read about the parts. Etc.
A missed opportunity.
Back in 1979 when I was at the University of Maryland, I participated in what's called "Fraternity Rush", the long standing ritual of visiting fraternities to determine which group of "Brothers" you would want to live, drink, and run around naked with.
Rush back then consisted of parties at the various fraternity houses, resplendent with beautiful sorority girls who were "Little Sisters" of the house, and who insured you got plenty of refills from the beer keg. The brothers would then come visit you in your dorm room to determine your worthiness, and then, well, treat you like shit for the rest of the semester until you were initiated into the "frat".
It was kinda like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8psQi7ScQQ
Digital marketing has completely changed the agency and marketing landscape, and it appears that fraternity rush has changed quite a bit as well.
Love this.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8852672623&ref=nf
Wonder if those "Little Sisters" are still around?
Per a piece in today's NY Times:
"For the first time, advertising spending online is expected to exceed television ad revenue in two developed countries, according to a forecast by the GroupM unit of the WPP Group, London. Internet ad revenue will pass TV ad revenue in Sweden in 2008, the report predicts, and in Britain in 2009."
