We Are Social’s Monday Mashup #94
CMOs to increase spend in social media
Online marketing strategies are ever changing and keeping on top of it can be a difficult task. In light of this, findings in a recent study in eMarketer conducted by IBM show that 82% of the CMOs surveyed plan to increase their investments in social media in the next 3-5 years.
Google+ adds brand pages, direct connect and focuses on Google elements
In a blog post this afternoon, Google launched brand pages on Google+, amonst a slew of other features – check our separate post for the lowdown.
Groupon stock sees impressive debut while shares of LinkedIn flounder
Daily deal site Groupon made their debut on the Nasdaq on Friday morning for $20 a share and by mid afternoon had climbed more than 40% to about $28.
This IPO offering values the company at almost $18 billion, and makes the $980 million raised the biggest IPO by a US web company since Google.
Speaking of blockbuster IPOs the business social network LinkedIn, who famously doubled their stock prices on the first day of trading is failing to keep up investor confidence. Although both revenue and site membership grew over the past 6 months, shares in the site dropped by 9% after releasing their latest results.
Despite the company’s reported net loss of $1.6 million, LinkedIn has seen a strong fourth quarter, acquiring two new companies and opening two new European offices, so the future may be bright. And as for Groupon, only time will tell if they will be able to sustain their initial stock market success, but it’s certainly one to watch.
adidas launch the world’s first social football boots
Football boots have come a long way in the last few years, from being lucky to receive a choice of colour to the new addition of an on-board computer. However, adidas’ new boots may usher in a ‘whole new level of tactical analysis’.
The boots measure speed, distance travelled and top speed. As soon as a game is over, the data is wirelessly transmitted to your phone, computer or tablet. adidas hope it will see a rise in sports stars sharing their stats to the community, letting fans compete and discuss their own or their favourite athletes’ efforts in a new light.
Using tweets to knit the world’s longest football scarf
Football fans are known for being passionate. Now as part of the promotion for the new Fifa 2012 game, EA Sports are giving fans a chance to show their passion and see their tweets knitted into history as part of a world record attempt for the world’s longest scarf.
The current record is 33 miles and at the time of writing, the Fifa scarf is 343 metres long meaning there is still a long way to go.
Burberry attempts ‘Mass Customisation’
This week Burberry launched an attempt at mass customisation with their Burberry Bespoke programme. The website allows people to design their own version of the company’s iconic trench coat. Prices for this piece of personalised luxury start at $1,800 and extend to $8,800, but according to Burberry, this offers customers 12 million different combinations of jacket, ensuring no two are the same.
If the price is a little steep, fans can still show off their creativity and customise a jacket to share with their friends on Twitter and Facebook.
Glamour gets 50,000 ‘Likes’ by combining Facebook and 2D barcodes
The September issue of Glamour magazine generated over 50,000 Facebook ‘Likes’ for advertisers by including 2D barcodes with adverts. Glamour ran the codes, which were activated by over 100,000 users in total, in response to advertisers wishing to spur more readers to action.
The results show a strong uptake, proving that users are looking for a more interactive magazine experience. Glamour plan to repeat the approach in a later issue but say they will expand it to include e-commerce options.
Volkswagen giving away the world’s first Facebook vehicle – The Fanwagen
Volkswagen once again push the boundaries of social media with their new campaign that lets a fan win the world’s first Facebook car or van – the Fanwagen.
The campaign surrounds two of their classic models where fans are asked to vote on the one they want to be converted to the social-mobile. Once the winner is selected, they will win the vehicle, which has unusual features such as that ability to change your relationship status on the licence place and a ‘Like’ shaped gearstick.
The car certainly includes more gimmicks than you could shake a gear stick at, but we must admit we ‘Like’ it.
Converse go low-tech
In a recent competition from Converse shoes, they have taken to leaving boots all around the UK. Pictures are posted on Facebook with further details added on the Twitter feed.
Users have to go out and find them, and if the shoes are the wrong size, then they just have to give them to a friend. It’s a great way of merging social media with an old-school treasure hunt.
Fox’s launch the Great Pudding Heist
Biscuit brand Fox’s have taken a different approach to Converse and have launched a Facebook based treasure hunt game to mark the launch of its new Christmas pudding range.
The new campaign features loveable mascot Vinnie the panda, who is enlisting the help of users to find his stolen treasure. Fans must follow clues on Facebook and Twitter to track down this treasure in cities across the UK. Fans who find these locations win a cash prize of £250, so get tracking!
Kim Kardashian’s divorce sparks 9 trending topics on Twitter
After Kim Kardashian announced her divorce after just 72 days of marriage, it immediately became hot topic across the Internet, sparking a total of 9 trending topics on Twitter.
At the very peak of the conversation, as many as 1.75% of all tweets were about the Kardashian split. Trending Topics ranged from whimsical topics such as “#ThingsLongerThanKimsMarriage” to “72 Days”. Whether you love or hate the Kardashians, people sure like talking about them.
The face Of Shippam’s Paste is revealed
A few weeks ago a Twitter account claiming to be an intern working on behalf of Shippam’s paste and planning on ‘engaging’ with their followers arose tweeting brilliant pieces of advice such as: “no sorry i dont think you can use any shippams paste or spread as sun cream please lets have safe fun only :)”.
Discussion on Twitter as to whether the account was real or false was widespread and after being suspended, a confessional from the person behind the account has confirmed that it was in fact just a prank.
The feed was not borne of a grudge or to be malicious – it was intended as just a bit of fun aimed at companies trying to get into social media without a solid strategy. Even with this, the account managed to gain over 9,000 followers in a few weeks and create a lot of laughs from us.
Check in at Internet Week Europe for a new Foursquare badge
Internet Week Europe kicked off today in London and to celebrate, Foursquare have announced a new badge just for those attending the event. Internet Week features over 100 panels, speakers and seminars on a wide range of internet-related topics.
The “Internet Week Fever Badge” is gained simply by checking into one of the events that take place all over London.