Word-of-Mouth campaign spending

It looks like companies are spending more to stimulate WOM --
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/media-agencies-research/e3i98008be32bed3d6cf5b7e3d0a7c934d6

Academic studies on social networks

We are finally starting to seem some empirical academic studies relating to social networks and social contagion:
http://www.msi.org/publications/publication.cfm?pub=1474

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2170
http://www.msi.org/publications/publication.cfm?pub=1564&utm_source=publications&utm_medium=email&utm_content=pub%2Bins09s-3&utm_campaign=pub%2Bins09s
http://www.msi.org/publications/publication.cfm?pub=1572

More about blogola

More discussion about the practice of accepting gifts and other incentives in exchange for blogging about products --

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111083779

Social media careers

Check out this post from CNN.COM & CareerBuilder.com to learn about potential careers in social media. Thanks to LaDonna McCuan for bringing it to my attention.
http://www.edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/07/28/cb.best.job.facbook.addict/index.html

Intuit uses social media for customer service

This Business Week article talks about how Intuit is saving money by using social media for customer service. Thanks to Chris Wooldridge for bringing it to my attention.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_28/b4139066365300.htm
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/+BUILDING+A+SOCIAL+NETWORK+THAT+PAYS-a01611924597

Small businesses use Twitter

Twitter is becoming an outstanding communication tool for small businesses. Thanks to Edie Busija for forwarding this NY Times article--
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/business/smallbusiness/23twitter.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Starbucks is top Facebook brand

It looks like Starbucks is not the top Facebook brand --
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=110369

Zappos' customer service

This is an excellent article about Zappos' customer service --
http://adage.com/cmostrategy/article?article_id=138080

Social media and revenue

These posts suggest that social media activity may be positively correlated with revenue.
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=110120
http://www.altimetergroup.com/2009/07/engagementdb.html
http://www.engagementdb.com/downloads/ENGAGEMENTdb_Report_2009.pdf

Social Media and Customer Relationship Management

This is an excellent white paper by Brent Leary on social media and customer relationship management.

http://www.sagenorthamerica.com/assets/Sagenorthamerica/documents/PDFs/White_Papers_PDF/SocialCRM_Final.pdf

Razorfish's Social Influence Marketing Report

Razorfish's Social Influence Marketing Report is definitely worth noting, especially the discussion about the SIM score beginning on page 24.

http://www.goingsocialnow.com/2009/07/launching-fluent-the-social-in.html

http://fluent.razorfish.com/publication/?m=6540&l=1

Social media and customer service

This is an interesting post about a person who used Twitter to get a service organization to provide ... well ... service!

http://womma.org/word/2009/07/07/how-to-get-that-plane-off-the-tarmac/

Still more on blogging for pay

These links add to those below on the topic of blogging for pay:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2009/tc20090518_532031.htm
http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5288280519513576492
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/2.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/3.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/4.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/5.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/6.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/7.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/8.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/9.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/10.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/11.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/12.htm
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/05/0518_blogger_paid_endorsements/13.htm
http://mashable.com/2009/04/29/general-mills-moms/
http://www.blogcatalog.com/topic/myblogspark/

More about blogging for pay

This post is a follow-on to the one below:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/18/army-of-paid-bloggers-sud_n_203740.html
http://www.whineymomma.com/2009/05/have-your-bases-covered.html
http://www.blogopinionz.com/quick-no-fax-payday-loans/
http://www.glenndzblissfullife.com/?p=1504
http://www.thelaborparty.co.cc/2009/faster-friendly-payday-loans

Blogging for pay

Blogging and the use of other social media posts for pay is going to be addressed in the soon-to-be-released FTC guidelines. Here is some background information on the practice:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124026415808636575.html
http://www.blogherald.com/2008/07/15/blogging-jobs-how-much-are-bloggers-paid-to-blog/
http://payperpost.com/home.html
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090621/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_bloggers_freebie_disclosures
http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere/blogging-for-profit/
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_much_do_top_tier_bloggers_make.php
http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-us-now-has-more-paid-bloggers-than-lawyers-2009-4
http://econsultancy.com/blog/4073-ftc-goes-after-paid-bloggers
http://www.smorty.com/
http://www.bloggersblog.com/blog/629051
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2005/06/26/for_a_fee_some_blogs_boost_firms/?page=1
http://www.contentcurrent.com/write?gclid=CPzT-4TzxpsCFSQMDQodKgntBA
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124045072480346239.html
http://www.barefeetstudios.com/2009/05/19/paid-bloggers-still-get-google-downgrades/
http://www.payingpost.com/get-paid-to-blog.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/08/politics/main659955.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600575.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2349166,00.asp
http://www.sponsoredreviews.com/
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090629/BUSINESS/906290306/Are-bloggers-paid-to-be-nice-about-what-they-review
http://oreilly.com/pub/a/javascript/2002/08/12/megnut.html
http://workforward.org/2009/05/20/paid-bloggers-promoting-payday-lending/

LEGOs co-creates with lead users

http://ceciliaweckstrom.com/2009/02/01/the-full-value-of-lead-user-innovation/
http://outsideinnovation.blogs.com/pseybold/lego/

Co-creation

This is a good blog post about co-creation where the company and its customers work together to create new products and services:
http://blog.freshnetworks.com/category/series/co-creation-series/

Legos and social media

Legos and social media --


http://blog.freshnetworks.com/2009/03/engage-different-consumers-in-different-ways-%E2%80%93-why-segmentation-is-key/

http://interactivemarketingtrends.blogspot.com/2008/03/lego-social-strategy.html

http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/publications/telecomreport/archive/2009/social-media/article1.shtml

Business Week article on employees' social media usage

This is an excellent Business Week article about how companies are addressing their employees' social media usage:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_22/b4133000631535.htm

Academic article on word of mouth within online communities

There aren't many good social media marketing articles in the academic space. This one is worth noting.


http://apgsweden.typepad.com/apgsweden/files/viralzzz.pdf

Social media & healthcare slide show

http://tinyurl.com/l74wld

Kobe Bryant, Nike, philantrophy, & the Chinese market

Kobe Bryant is ramping up his philanthropic efforts in China. He and Nike may reap the rewards many times over.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204556804574258222289862830.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

Hardees engages customers

Hardees is engaging its customers by asking them to help name a product --
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=108849

DVRs and media advertising

DVRs and other time-shifting devices are of great concern to advertisers and media companies alike.
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/cable-tv/e3i3a983edc0e93a51b96899546994ac1ce?pn=1

Smokey Bones uses its employees to drive social media

Smokey Bones Bar-b-Que uses its employees to drive social media efforts at the local level:

http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=137595
http://www.dmnews.com/Smokey-Bones-adds-social-media/article/129635/
http://gaspedal.com/case-studies/smokey-bones-bbq-asks-employees-to-engage-fans-in-social-media/

Social mapping and online ads

Companies are using social mapping to deliver advertising to those who are the friends of the friends of someone who purchased their product. See how they do it --

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/business/media/26adco.html?_r=1

Sharpie markers

The new campaign for Sharpie brand markers has a strong social media component. An Advertising Age article discussing the campaign can be found at:

http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=137235

The "Sharpie Uncapped" URL is:
http://www.sharpieuncapped.com/default.aspx

Much of the social media can be found under "Sharpie Communities" --
http://www.sharpieuncapped.com/community.aspx

Social Media University Global

Check out Social Media University Global. The Chancellor is the manager for syndication and social media for Mayo Cliinic.

http://social-media-university-global.org/

Planning for social media

Tips for social media planning can be found at --
http://blogs.openforum.com/2009/06/23/social-media-business-plan-in-5-easy-pieces/?campaignid=OF2_ola_sb

Social media at Mayo Clinic

Check this out to see what Mayo Clinic is doing with social media --

https://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/how-to-use-social-media-an-interview-with-lee-aase-of-mayo-clinic

Jyri Engeström slide presentation on social object theory

A slide presentation on social object theory by Jyri Engeström can be found on SlideShare at:


http://www.slideshare.net/rashmi/jyri-engestrom-social-objects

More about social object theory

Further explanation about social object theory can be found at:

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/004390.html

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/004265.html


http://herd.typepad.com/herd_the_hidden_truth_abo/2007/12/on-the-seventh.html

http://www.slideshare.net/jyri/microblogging-tiny-social-objects-on-the-future-of-participatory-media

Social object theory and other principles

Jyri Engeström introduced Social Object Theory and other principles of Web 2.0 Success at a conference. See the following for more information:


http://www.zengestrom.com/blog/2005/04/why_some_social.html

http://www.consumingexperience.com/2007/06/5-principles-for-web-20-success-jyri.html

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/003995.html

http://strange.corante.com/2007/06/13/nmkforum07-jyri-of-jaiku

Other companies weigh in on the FTC's proposed guidelines

Several other organizations have also weighed in on the FTC's proposed guidelines:

http://www.crnusa.org/pdfs/JointComments_Associations_FTC_Endorsement_Guides.pdf

WOMMA weighs in on the FTC guidelines

The Word Of Mouth Marketing Association has submitted its comments on the FTC's proposed guidelines:

http://www.adlawbyrequest.com/uploads/file/Reed%20Smith%20Comments%20for%20WOMMA%20-%20FTC%20Proposed%20Revisions%20to%20its%20Guides%20Concerning%20the%20Use%20of%20Endorseme.PDF

The Association of National Advertisers and the FTC guidelines

The Association of National Advertisers weighs in on the FTC's proposed guidelines:

http://www.adlawbyrequest.com/uploads/file/Reed%20Smith%20Comments%20-%20ANA%20-%20FTC%20Proposed%20Revisions%20to%20its%20Guides%20Concerning%20the%20Use%20of%20Endorsements%20.PDF

Entrepreneur magazine's summary of the FTC guidelines

Entrepreneur magazine's summary of the FTC guidelines regarding testimonials and endorsements can be found at:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/192692583.html

PRSA responds to the FTC's proposed guidelines

The Public Relations Society of America responds to the FTC's proposed guidelines:


http://media.prsa.org/article_print.cfm?article_id=1238

Social Media Marketing Industry Report

http://marketingwhitepapers.s3.amazonaws.com/smss09/SocialMediaMarketingIndustryReport.pdf

BzzAgent's responses to the proposed FTC guidelines

Word-of-mouth marketing firm BzzAgent weighs in on the FTC's proposed guidelines.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/endorsementguides2/539124-00004.pdf

The WSJ on testimonials and endorsements by bloggers

This Wall Street Journal article discusses bloggers' testimonials and endorsements.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124045072480346239.html

The FTC and social media

The Federal Trade Commission's guidelines pertaining to endorsements and testimonials are likely to have an impact on some aspects of social media's promotional uses.

The FTC's current guidelines (as of June 15, 2009) pertaining to endorsements and testimonials can be found at:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/endorse.htm

A summary of the proposed guidelines can be found at:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/fedreg/2008/november/081128guidesconcerningtheuseofendorsementsandtestimonials.pdf

See the June 8 post (below) for further discussion.

Convenience stores & social media

Check this out to see how convenience stores are using social media --

http://www.csnews.com/csn/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003983942

Dell is making money from Twitter

It looks like Dell's presence on Twitter is paying off --


http://mashable.com/2009/06/11/delloutlet-two-million/

Dell's presence on Twitter

Dell has quite an extensive Twitter presence

http://www.dell.com/twitter
http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2009/06/twitter-isnt-making-money-but-delltwitter-is.html
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/06/dude-%E2%80%94-dells-making-money-off-twitter/

Generational cohorts and social media

Thanks to Sheila Bourland for forwarding this interesting post about Boomers, Gen X, & Gen Y and how they use social media. Are we crowding into Gen Y's space or is there room for everyone? Do you really want your grandparents checking out your Facebook status updates?

http://tech.msn.com/news/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=19904693

The FTC on endorsements and testimonials

The FTC is still considering guidelines regarding the use of endorsements and testimonials --

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=107399

Retailers and social media

Thanks to Jan Skinker for calling this WSJ article to my attention. It discusses how retailers' are using Facebook Connect and other applications to facilitate online word-of-mouth.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204038304574149191666838018.html

Using YouTube as a promotional vehicle

This post identifies some organizations that are doing a good job of using YouTube to promote their products & services.

http://mashable.com/2009/06/01/youtube-brands/

Demand creation, demand fulfillment & online metrics

This is an interesting post about demand creation (advertising) vs. demand fulfillment (selling) and online metrics --

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i372a427229d39d58f8364a7a9cd54c66