Spotify Privacy on Facebook & Google Analytics in Real Time
Spotify Adds Private Listening Mode for Facebook
Only one week after Facebook unveiled the Open Graph API platform, companies are implementing changes to limit the amount of information shared. Spotify, which allows people to share playlists with friends, recently partnered with Facebook to offer integration on the new platform. This partnership means that users Facebook feeds automatically display the song they are listening to in real-time.
Users were disgruntled with the automatic sharing of this data, and as a result Spotify has released a “private listening” mode that operates similar to private browsing on the Internet. This new private platform is noteworthy, as data-sharing across platforms is the main selling point of Facebook’s new Open Graph.
Many large companies have announced plans for automatic sharing such as Netflix, Hulu, the Wall Street Journal.
As online privacy becomes increasingly limited, we expect to see more users asking for “private modes” which could ultimately affect the popularity and acceptance of the “New Facebook.”
Google Analytics in ‘Real-Time’
Do you know how many people are looking at your website at this very second? Google Analytics’ new “real-time traffic ticker” will allow you to access that information, which could prove revolutionary for brand control and marketing efforts. The new feature will make it easy for website owners to see what content their audience is clicking on and use the data accordingly. Previous versions of Google Analytics delivered traffic results with a few hours’ delta.
Marketing professionals can utilize this data to see how their website traffic responds to social media promotions, posts, etc. and adjust their strategies accordingly. If Google Analytics’ is showing a surge in traffic, the company should first determine the sentiment of the traffic and implement new tactics to either contribute to or subdue the conversations. When working to maintain a brand reputation, it is imperative that companies participate in consumer engagement efforts, and this real-time tool will facilitate that process.
Negative Feedback Is Postive For Brands
In marketing, it is our number one job to represent our clients in a positive light. We plan campaigns centered around positive feedback earned on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.
By opening up two-way dialogue on social media sites, comments of all sentiments, positive and negative, are a possibility.
However, recent case studies suggest that negative feedback is actually a good thing for a company. Negative feedback allows for two things: companies can reach out to disgruntled customers to turn them into satisfied one. Second, companies can improve products based on authentic and real feedback.
L.L. Bean has a company policy that a manager must respond to customers if a product receives more than six negative comments.
The power of marketing today is feedback and the ability for conversation. When looking at the most successful brands, you will find they act on both positive and negative customer feedback, which increases credibility, transparency and ultimately, brand loyalty.
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2012 Election Machines Hacked By Research Group
A group of computer science experts recently exposed vulnerability in the election system.
The group was able to hack an e-voting machine similar to ones that will be used on Election Day in 2012.
The hack is performed by inserting a cheap electronic device into the e-voting machine. The device allows the machine to be controlled via a remote control unit at a distance of up to half a mile.
Even more alarming, it is believed that the hack, which could alter voting results, can be carried out without any trace of tampering having occurred.
Cyber security is a growing concern, as technology becomes a staple to our society. Hacking Amazon.com or Facebook is entirely different from hacking into a countries election system and potentially disrupting results.
As with all cyber security issues, we take privacy very seriously and hope that the Department of
Homeland Security and the Electoral Commission will take the preventative steps necessary to thwart any hacks on Election Day 2012.
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Voting Machines Hacked & Brand Feedback
Election Machines Hacked By Research Group
A group of computer science experts recently exposed vulnerability in the election system. The group was able to hack an e-voting machine similar to ones that will be used on Election Day in 2012.
The hack is performed by inserting a cheap electronic device into the e-voting machine. The device allows the machine to be controlled via a remote control unit at a distance of up to half a mile. Even more alarming, it is believed that the hack, which could alter voting results, can be carried out without any trace of tampering having occurred.
Cyber security is a growing concern, as technology becomes a staple to our society. Hacking Amazon.com or Facebook is entirely different from hacking into a countries election system and potentially disrupting results. As with all cyber security issues, we take privacy very seriously and hope that the Department of Homeland Security and the Electoral Commission will take the preventative steps necessary to thwart any hacks on Election Day 2012.
Negative Feedback Is A Positive For Brands
In marketing, it is our number one job to represent our clients in a positive light. We plan campaigns centered around positive feedback earned on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc. By opening up two-way dialogue on social media sites, comments of all sentiments, positive and negative, are a possibility.
However, recent case studies suggest that negative feedback is actually a good thing for a company. Negative feedback allows for two things: companies can reach out to disgruntled customers to turn them into satisfied one. Second, companies can improve products based on authentic and real feedback.
L.L. Bean has a company policy that a manager must respond to customers if a product receives more than six negative.
The power of marketing today is feedback and the ability for conversation. When looking at the most successful brands, you will find they act on both positive and negative customer feedback, which increases credibility, transparency and ultimately, brand loyalty.
Facebook, Losing Face?
By: Jay Osterholm, founder and CEO of The ODM Group
This morning I was driving to work and I heard an interesting comment on NPR, “Facebook is becoming more like Adbook”. When I arrived at the office, I shared this comment with my staff and it led us to this: What is the difference between “members-only” and the “only-member.”
If the trend continues, some are speculating that the popular site Facebook, with its overnight success and embodiment of the social media revolution, may soon see a mass exodus of its younger membership.
Facebook originated as a site for college students, and then expanded largely among younger generations. In addition to advertising taking note of the growing Facebook popularity, older generations have taken up the torch and joining the online community.
While it is impressive that the same site can appeal to a 13-year-old and a 65-year-old, it is essential that we carry our normal social boundaries into the online space. Would you invite your grandparents into a conversation with your teenage friends?
The young users, generations Y and Z, have grown up with digital communication, and the Internet is second nature to them. When older users, 30+ years-old, embraced Facebook and reveled at the novelty, digital social divides were created among the generations. The privacy and exclusivity started to fade for many of the younger members.
Facebook is undoubtedly revolutionary in its ability to keep us connected, and allow us to reconnect with friends and acquaintances we meet along the way. But, the Timeline and the launch of the new Open Graph API take these “friendships” to a new level. These updates are going to make the content that you share with others more accessible than ever before, which can be creepy.
We can assume that Facebook implemented these changes to sell the information to marketers, thus increasing ad sales. However, with each new wave of changes, members threaten to leave and find a new platform.
Without a doubt, Facebook is the largest social network. With an estimated personal net worth of $17.5 billion, it is not surprising that Mark Zuckerberg has been blinded by the light of his own success, possibly at the expense of his original creation.
This presents the ultimate love/hate relationship for Facebook users. Recent studies show that globally, we spend 2.6 million minutes spent on Facebook each day. The site we are “addicted” to is no longer meeting the demand of its users. This begs the question: would you ever actually delete your profile?
Product Placement Failure on ‘Two And A Half Men’
Product placement is nothing new, in fact it generated more than $24 billion in 2010. However, Ashton Kutcher’s recent attempt on the premiere episode of Two and Half Men was unique example of how quickly product placement, and branding, can fail.
During the episode, Kutcher’s character was using a laptop that had six stickers of company logos on it – the catch is Kutcher is an investor in each of the companies. Since the episode aired, Kutcher has been banned from promoting his own companies on the show.
All six companies received valuable prime-time TV exposure for free. However, the logos did not have words or company names, and only one was easily identifiable – FourSquare.
Many companies strive to create a signature logo that speaks for itself, such as the Nike Swoosh or Apple’s apple.
It is imperative that new companies take the time to establish brand credibility and recognition over time before transitioning fully to image-only logos. Simply put, startup logos must incorporate company names, because you cannot Google-search a logo.
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Amazon Release “Fire” Tablet for $199
Amazon unveiled a tablet today called “Fire.” At an introductory price of only $199, “Fire” is expected to heavily compete with Apple’s ipad, which starts at $499.
The device will have a 7-inch display, and will run Google’s Android software, and use Wi-Fi connections. However, it will not have a camera, microphone or 3G capabilities.
The tablet market has been difficult to penetrate for many companies such as Samsung and HP, and one main point of differentiation between tablets is the online stores. Amazon’s new tablet will have access to the online store, downloadable music store, movie and TV streaming service, cloud-based computing services and electronic books.
Shares of Amazon.com jumped more than 3 percent this morning immediately following the announcement, and Barnes and Noble stock dropped 6 percent.
Additionally, Amazon announced a new browser, Silk, which will run on the tablet. Silk utilizes predictive technology to detect user behavior and predict what the user will request next.
While all features have yet to be unveiled for “Fire”, we expect to see a noticeable market interruption and increased competition, specifically on price, among other tablet manufacturers.
Women Prefer Facebook, Men Prefer Texts
The differences between men and women are a never-ending discussion point. However, recent studies have been honing in on specifics, such as communications and social media preferences.
According to research company Rebtel, women are more likely to use social networks such as Facebook or Twitter, while men prefer to talk on the phone or send text messages.
Nearly 68 percent of women use social media to stay in touch with friends, whereas only 54 percent of men do.
Rebtel’s CEO Andreas Bernstrom said, “Our findings show that men tend to lag behind women when it comes to communicating with others through social media, which debunks other recent studies that suggest that men are more savvy networkers between the genders.”
Data such as this is critical for marketers aiming to specialize their campaigns to key demographics.
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Obama Announces Job Plan at Linked In Event
Yesterday President Obama continued explaining his jobs plan at a town hall meeting in the Silicon Valley.
The meeting, conducted in cooperation with business social networking company LinkedIn, created an ideal partnership as LinkedIn has more than 120 million members who are primarily professionals.
The president fielded pre-screened questions from an audience of 300 people, most of whom were LinkedIn employees and members.
While LinkedIn is primarily popular among business professionals, this event will likely gain exposure for the company outside of their corporate-dominated membership.
Obama’s speech emphasized the importance of technology in creating jobs. Social platforms such as LinkedIn that are able to connect people based on their work experiences are pivotal in the current job-recruitment process.
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