Everybody’s making lists…my top 5 sites (right now).
NMA asked me for a list of my top 5 sites for their Industry Opinion section. Here they are, inevitably starting with….
It goes with the territory....
Running an agency is tough at the best of times, but it’s really tough when you have a ten week- old daughter. This site has the right breadth and depth of information for new parents and is a welcome resource at 3am.
Google to roll-out multiple log-ins
Trying to manage multiple log-ins across sites and browsers, as well as devices, is no simple task. Programmes such as 1Password are helpful, but I’m relieved to read that Google are looking to roll-out multiple log-ins in the near future.
Google Multiple log-ins (from Switched.com)
Hopefully this will help to manage personal and client log-ins. It’s not yet clear whether this development will incorporate Google Apps.
Ironically, it’s quite a good strategy.
The actual strategies generated by Mike Phillips‘ site are scarcely similar to the real thing – they actually sound plausible. That makes the point that there’s an awful lot of cliché and gumpf in Social Media. No huge surprise there. In fact it reminds me of Bullshit Bingo which was doing the rounds a couple of years ago.
What the fuck is my Social Media Strategy?
Of course this belittles and simplifies what we do – any strategy taken out of context can sound like marketing waffle. But it’s also a reminder that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.
What’s really quite ironic is the instant success (by most measures) of Mike’s campaign. Within hours I’d received it, firstly from Jez Paxman at LiveUnion, then quickly from 2 other industry sources. Over the next few hours it got some traction then BOOM, Ashton Kutcher and TechCrunch bowl in with their take (and implied endorsement). I’m assuming NMA will have picked it up for the front cover of Friday’s edition…
So well done, Mike. It’s funny and insightful, engages the audience and it’s easy to share… Sounds like a strategy to me.
A brief review of Forrester’s Marketing Forum EMEA 2009
Toyota’s use of social media to support the launch of the iQ was covered by Forrester Research as a case study, and so it was that Head of Digital Simon, along with three hundred-odd marketers, struggled through what felt like gale force winds to the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, in not-quite-Westminster-but-ooh-look-there’s-Big-Ben for Forrester’s Marketing Forum EMEA 2009 earlier this week. Simon had a slot to present the case-study on day 2. I hung around playing blogger-on-the-wall for good measure.
Most of the Forum took place at least two floors below ground. Cue tweets complaining that the lack of mobile reception prevented them from tweeting. (1. How did you manage to tweet that, then, smartypants? 2. What – you, like, don’t have a smart phone?) Technological disparity aside, #FMFE09 got off to a good start. The calibre of the speakers proved to be high overall, with Conny Kalcher (LEGO) and Forrester’s own Lisa Bradner (@lisabradner) being particular highlights for me.
EMC Consulting’s Paul Dawson (@poleydee) was on fine form, and his presentation software was the hot topic of the entire event for most of day two. I was genuinely impressed and fired up by Starbucks’ social media efforts and achievements with Alex Wheeler (@aewheeler) at the helm. Simon (@simonru) did Toyota proud, with the augmented reality video getting a positive reaction on Twitter from Forrester’s Nate Elliott (@nate_elliott, also a great speaker), among others.
The themes of orchestration, ‘joining the dots’, personas, the new/old Four Ps and the media meltdown recurred throughout (as did cutesy pictures of people’s daughters). What did I take away, apart from a free EMC bag and the express intention of mixing Vegemite and cream cheese as soon as the opportunity arose? That, to quote Lisa Bradner, ‘the whole notion of managing brands is becoming untenable’. iFood For Thought 2.0.
Other links:
Forrester on Twitter: http://twitter.com/forrester
Toyota’s ‘Today / Tomorrow’ blog: http://blog.toyota.co.uk
The Toyota blog on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ToyotaGB
IAB Engage 2009
We (Melissa, Carly and I) really enjoyed our ‘day out’ at Engage. As you’d hope, there were some inspirational speakers (if slightly lame panels) and I got the chance to catch up with Kieron Matthews, Vikki Chowney and Phil Buxton.
Phil has written a review of the event here. Oh, and Stephen Fry recommended this book , Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives, by David Eagleman. He’s right (of course). It’s a great book.
Case Study: Social Media Helps Toyota Communicate Complex Attributes Of New iQ – Forrester Research
Forrester Research recently completed a Social Media Case Study on our iQ launch – Case Study: Social Media Helps Toyota Communicate Complex Attributes Of New iQ – Forrester Research. The full report is a paid download, but in summary, Forrester concluded:
“Don’t underestimate the importance of listening”
“Focus closely on the benefits social media achieves that other media can’t”
“Combine social media channels to increase engagement”
Fair summary!
Vertical Focus: Automotive | Features | New Media Age
Here’s an NMA article from August covering the Automotive Industry in the UK: Vertical Focus: Automotive | Features | New Media Age.
Some quick facts from the article (no surprises):
- A recent Yahoo survey showed that one in eleven people are looking to buy a new car in the next six months
- When looking to make a major purchase decision, 83% of British consumers usually research companies online first
- Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover rolled out revamped websites in 2008, centralising brand content in online hubs
- Car manufacturers are increasingly focusing on social media, with Fiat, Honda, Volvo, Peugeot and Volkswagen carrying out recent campaigns
cubaka begins to buzz….
cubaka is beginning to buzz....
I’ve had a great time for 18 months as the acting Head of Digital at Toyota. In that time we’ve managed to totally redesign our corporate website. And the redesign has worked – we know that from research.
Toyota's corporate website has changed beyond recognition in the last 18 months
We’ve also introduced a blog to work alongside the main site – you can see it here. It’s really important for clients to run a blog, or at least a platform which allows proper discussion and debate around their products and services. It’s also critical to allow customers and prospects access quick and easy answers to any questions they may have.
Toyota's 'Today/Tomorrow' blog
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