Google Buzz's Role For Businesses

There's a new social network in town, and on your email. Google's launch of Buzz should put up a good fight in the social media space for awhile. While many people are hesitant to use it as they say "it is just one more thing to update and follow", Google is building this platform on their uber-successful Gmail. So they have an immense established base.

And let's be honest, just like in real estate, location can prove to be king. Google should do well if for no other reason than the 38 million users who are already sending emails from this platform. Now they can look just below their Inbox to see how much new Buzz is going on.

So that gets me to wondering. How will businesses use Buzz? Facebook was built for students to converse, network, etc...now businesses are using it to get closer to their fans. Twitter started as a business tool in NYC for dispatching cabs. The general public then adapted it. Then came more businesses. The trend? Businesses will go where people are...location.

I just noticed while writing this blog that Mashable can be followed on Buzz. They seem to be utilizing it like a less-restrictive Twitter, asking questions of their followers.

So how do you use social media? What are your goals? How do you see those evolving in the future? What does a new platform do to your plans when you were just thinking that you were getting a handle on the current ones?

Something So Simple

As a brand/product manager, I spend so much of my day job trying to find the best way for my products to break through. What will help us stand out. It's not just me though. Every brand manager is asking the same question. When I came upon this lid for my Hungry Jack syrup this weekend I was pleasantly surprised.

So much time goes into the sticker on the front of the bottle. So much goes into the shape of the bottle, so much goes into the awareness marketing. Who would ever have time to say to their product team "what if we added a little fun to the lid?". Well Hungry Jack did. And in my opinion it works. It talks to me (not like that). But it tells me something about the brand, that they have a personality.

Next time you are working on a marketing project ask yourself "what else can be done here to improve the consumer experience?". Hungry Jack did, and they came up with this smiling lid for (my guess) no added cost. I know the next time you find me behind the microphone I will be asking myself what more can I do to improve the consumer's experience. Because afterall, isn't that what it is all about?

Serge
sergetraylor.blogspot.com

The Power of Network TV Continues

I'll admit it. I am a huge fan of the TV show Shark Tank. Every once in awhile a show will come along that I just can't miss. Amazing Race is one, The Office is another that is currently running, but Shark Tank gets my blood pumping like no other. I am an entrepreneur at heart and this show just goes right at that part of me like no other show has.

Tonight's episode was no different. Some interesting ideas, some good laughs...another good show. But this is what really got me (you may want to click on the image to enlarge it).


Looking at the "Hot Searches" for Feb 5th #1, #3, #5 and #7 were all products from Friday's Shark Tank. One show! On a Friday Night! This reinforces that content is king, and that there are new ways to interact with the content on TV.

When you are creating your next commercial (or TV show for that matter) have you thought about how consumers might interact with your content? Will consumers go online immediately for more information? Are you portraying your brand in such a way that carries through from one medium to the other. There is a lot to be said about having an integrated marketing message. Do all of your points of contact deliver the same main points? Do all of your interactions look like a family? Does all of your content sound the same?

Hey folks, TV is not dead yet. I am a huge believer in customized content and spend much more time on the internet than I do watching TV. But if a little show like Shark Tank can have 4 of the top 10 "Hot Searches" you may want to consider where your message is being seen - and where it may be seen again by the same market.

Serge
sergetraylor.blogspot.com