orange nuggetsChunks of Newsworthy Goodness

July 15, 2011

Chunks of newsworthy goodness and current events in the Advertising and Marketing world.

Brought to you by the brilliant interns of Swanson Russell.

What’s New In:What’s New In:

Social Media

Digital + Mobile

PR + Media Relations

Current Events

• Saudi women tweet for the right to drive

• Ryan Dunn’s tragic demise• The Social Media Revolution [video]

• Consumers choosing mobile over web

• The new iPhone (4S or 5?)• Location-based media• What’s Viral?

• Don’t fret, PR grads!• Why PR shops are falling in

importance• Baby seal abusers hire PR firm• Americans gain confidence in

TV

• New in the Green industry• Whopper TV• Man jokes with the Dalai Lama• Charitable sweet 16

Ted Talks• Aaron Koblin: Artfully

visualizing our humanity

Women in Saudi Arabia fight for the right to drive

Utilizing social media, Saudi women have made headway in pursuing their right to drive. It is not written law, but rather an unwritten religious belief that keeps the women from driving. Saudi women have been photographing themselves and posting the images on Twitter and Facebook.

Social MediaSocial Media

A petition now supported by Hilary Clinton and many other important female political figures, has asked that Subaru boycott the country until driving conditions are made fair and equal. Learn more about the petition here.

Social MediaSocial Media

Citizens were able to tweet questions to #AskObama, some of which he answered on Twitter. Click on the image for more information.

Obama to hold first “Twitter Town Hall” on July 6th

June 30th declared Social Media Day in Las Vegas, Toronto, San Jose, and Dublin. See the Lord Mayor of Dublin sign the “Social Media Day” Proclamation.

Social MediaSocial Media

‘Jackass’ member, Ryan Dunn, dies in tragic accident The famed joker [left] and his

friend, Zachary Hartwell [right] were killed June 20, 2011 when Dunn’s car burst into flames after crashing into a tree. It is presumed, due to a tweet that night from Dunn, that the two were intoxicated. Read more here.

Film critic, Roger Ebert, tweeted “Friends don’t let jackasses drink and drive” for which he received quite a bit of heat from fans of Jackass, as well as mourning friends of Dunn.

Social MediaSocial Media

Lady Gaga uses pictures of fans on her new dress

A new MAC campaign has emerged, starring Lady Gaga. Fans of Gaga are asked to go to the MAC vivaglam.com website, where they will submit photos of themselves. These photos will all be made into sequins for a dress that Gaga will wear to fashion week in Paris. All proceeds go to the MAC AIDS fund.

To submit your own photo, click here.

Facebook + Microsoft could mean trouble for GoogleAs one of the first investors in Facebook, Microsoft has quickly proven to be a valuable ally to the social network. By incorporating the information of Facebook with bing.com, consumers will see a new era of search within the next few years. (But…)

Social MediaSocial Media

Twitter + Apple integration could make Facebook obsolete Twitter will now be fully integrated into

iOS5, coming this fall. Instead of the Twitter app, or tweeting online, users will be able to tweet directly from photos, contacts, Safari, and more.

Social MediaSocial Media

Google Chrome reaches out to LGBT youthPrior to the passing of same-sex marriage in New York, Google Chrome started a viral video campaign on YouTube called “It gets better.” The campaign is directed at LGBT youth to stop hate and give hope to those suffering from confusion and bullying. Some of the most popular include Lady Gaga, Radiohead, Adam Lambert, Anne Hathaway, and Woody of Toy Story. To see the video, click on the image below.

Did you know?

According to PRDaily.com, when a Facebook page gains one fan (or one like), it means 20 extra visits to the actual website.

Social MediaSocial Media

How to gain the most from social mediaTwitterBest time to tweet: 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. EST Best days to tweet: Midweek and WeekendsHow often to tweet: 1-4x per hour for best click-through rate.FacebookBest time to post on Facebook- 7 p.m. ESTHow often to post on Facebook: Once every 2 daysView the infographic for more information.

Watch this enlightening Social Media Revolution video.

Consumers now spend more time on mobile apps than web

Digital + Mobile Digital + Mobile

*Information taken from mashable.com

Location Based Apps

According to mediapost.com, location based advertising will reach $6.2 billion by 2015.

Digital + MobileDigital + Mobile

Starbucks Coffee is paving the way for mobile payment using 2D barcode scanners and virtual Starbucks rewards cards. Read more here.

You can now scan your area for the best fishing spots using the iAngler iPhone app.

The highly trusted concierges of the Ritz Carlton are now leaving tips on Foursquare. Instead of limiting their knowledge to the Ritz, the concierges leave tips all over town to entertain tourists.

Google+ emerges eerily similar to Facebook

Digital + MobileDigital + Mobile

The widely popular search engine has now developed a social network in response to Facebook. Ironically, the new interface is remarkably similar to that of Facebook. Though Google+ is late to the game, attributes such as “Hang Out” which allows up to ten users to simultaneously video chat, could help Google+ to be the new worldwide social network.

What’s Next?

Many have long anticipated a Facebook app for the iPad. Mark Zuckerberg may not answer the question fully, but his blunt response is comical and correct.

Digital + MobileDigital + Mobile

Rumor has it that a new iPhone will be released in September to coincide with the release of iOS5. One question that remains is what the new iPhone will be called: iPhone4S or the iPhone5?

New laptop invented in Australia to be powered via typing by converting mechanical energy into electrical power.

What’s Viral?

Hot Wheels developed this campaign prior to the Indy 500. Watch both installments to see the full story.

Digital + MobileDigital + Mobile

Did you like the Exorcist? You’ll know when it’s the Devil.

•Hot Wheels Fearless at the 500 Teaser•The Yellow Driver’s World Record Jump

Digital + MobileDigital + Mobile

Bad news for Beliebers. Justin Bieber launched his new fragrance, “Someday” with this commercial, mustering a pathetic 2 million views. Chump change compared to his video for “Never Say Never” which has 228 million after one year.

What’s not?

Bieber continues to torment the hearts of young girls everywhere, including this adorable three year old in “Little girl crying over Justin Bieber.”

Confidence in newspapers, TV news on the riseA new Gallup poll reveals 28% of Americans are confident in newspapers and 27% in television. While this is a slight rebound of the record lows in 2007, Americans’ confidence in these industries still lags significantly from the levels seen in the ’90s and into 2003.

PR + Media RelationsPR + Media Relations

PR + Media RelationsPR + Media Relations

The twins who sued Facebook have filed a new lawsuit, which emerged a day after deciding not to appeal their U.S. Supreme Court-ruled $65 million. The pair say undisclosed documents from Facebook would indicate they deserved more money.

The Facebook twins aren’t giving up…

Don’t fret, PR grads!Here are 5 reasons you’ll land a job…For those still in school, here are 5 things you can do now.

PR + Media RelationsPR + Media Relations

Agency holding companies all reported PR increases in 2010. But in the PR category at the Cannes Lions Festival, ad agencies curiously entered double the amount of entries as PR agencies. Some analysts say PR agencies need to use some of their own skills and self-promote.

PR shops come up short at Cannes

Ponder this…PR (and ad) pros communicate on 10+ platforms daily, including email, phone, Twitter, Facebook, text messaging, forums, Skype, instant messaging, LinkedIn, snail mail and even in person. Just think, 15 years ago, there would’ve only been a few.

PR + Media RelationsPR + Media Relations

Two men in New Zealand clubbed a baby seal, and after being charged with violating the Marine Mammals Protection Act, hired a PR firm to help tell their side of the story.

Pair clubs baby seal, hires PR firm

“Holy grail” of energy created?A safe, clean and unlimited power source is in the works by physicist, Michel Laberge. If this idea succeeds, it would be the first time a controlled “net gain” fusion creates more energy than is required to produce it. Experts say it could solve major problems, including climate change and reliance on foreign oil. Learn more about Laberge here.

Current EventsCurrent Events

New studies reveal the most widely used herbicide, Roundup weedkiller, contains glyphosate, a chemical that poses a serious threat to public health.

Top-selling weedkiller causes birth defects

DVR= Energy hogA recent study by the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates U.S. residents’ energy bills add up to $3 billion annually. About two-thirds of these costs actually occur when no one is even watching TV or using devices. AKA those little boxes that are so convenient for your TV appetite are also wasteful.

Current EventsCurrent Events

In light of weak sales and stiffer online competition, Best Buy joins other national merchants who plan to sublease space in its stores to smaller retailers, such as grocers, beauty supply stores, home furnishing outlets and others. The 20% downsize to its stores will allow the retailer to cut costs and be more efficient.

Bigger isn’t always better

Non-stop trains could transform travelA U.K. designer has come up with an idea for high-speed trains to pick up and drop off passengers without stopping, saving energy, time and hassle. See this revolutionary idea for yourself…

Current EventsCurrent Events

Burger King recently launched a “Whopperlust” campaign on DirecTV channel 111 that enticed viewers to stare at a Whopper for five minutes. The reward? A free Whopper. Really hungry viewers could stare for up to 30 minutes total for three free ones. At the end of the week, BK gave away more than 50,000 Whoppers to winning households.

Stare long enough and you could be full

Joking with the Dalai Lama

Watch this reporter try to make the Dalai Lama laugh.

Current EventsCurrent Events

After a 16-year-old went to Haiti for her birthday, she decided to create Morgan’s Sweet Sixteen Foundation, a non-profit that gives birthday celebrations to orphans around the world. This month, the organization is travelling to Haiti to celebrate with 300 orphans. Like them on Facebook.

Teenager starts non-profit

If you haven’t had enough, watch Aaron Koblin’s video: Artfully visualizing our humanity

We hope you can now go out in the world and pretend you actually know what’s hip. These chunks of newsworthy goodness are produced by the brilliant interns of Swanson Russell and come out every two weeks. We promise to catch you up on the latest trends, news and funny happenings in the marketing and advertising world. For more information about Swanson Russell's Real Connection™ approach to advertising, public relations, interactive and branding services, visit www.swansonrussell.com. 

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