"I don't care about your farm, or your fish, or your park, or your mafia!"-Social Gaming, the newest generation of gamers!
This is the name of a group I am a fan of on Facebook. I don't know if it's because my name starts with an "A" or because sincerely my friends on Facebook think I'm interested, but I get requests for Farmville, Mafia Wars, & Aquarium DAILY... and not just from one friend. I'm not the only one who isn't interested in any of these gameseither; there are over 5.7 million fans of the page "I don't care about your farm, or your fish, or your park, or your mafia". Unfortunately for us, there are over 40 million people that are! Zynga, the company who created "Farmville" & "Mafia Wars" has an estimated value of $1.5-3 BILLION dollars! That is more than twice the worth of the company who made the "Grand Theft Auto" games. So, is social gaming the new XBOX?
New Generation of Gamers
The term "gamer" is traditionally for those who are devoted players of electronic games, especially on the machines specifically designed for such games. Lately, though, this "gamer" has a new "machine" to play on; the Internet. The average age and gender of a gamer is said to be 21-year-old males, but today's Facebook gamer has a new face. The average player is 48 and 55% are women. The 48-year-olds have become the NEW generation of gaming!
Facebook gamers are hardcore
Statistics show that many Facebook gamers are hardcore, seeing as they don't just play these games once or twice a week. They are actually playing daily. Although I am not a FB gamer, I'm definitely addicted to my iPhone games and frequent "Words With Friends" almost as much as I check my email. The appeal of these games is that they are simple and approachable and I can play them quickly while passing time (say, while I'm waiting on a client in the lobby or at the doctor's office). Facebook, iPhone, and BlackBerry gamers make up an audience that is larger than the number of Xbox360, Play Station 3, and Wii owners combined!
The point of this blog is not to promote any of these games (unless you want to play "Words With Friends" J) but to show that the concept of social media is changing EVERYTHING in society, and for those of you who do not want to accept it, wake up and smell the Farmville flowers! What will the next "social" impact be? Will you accept the reality or just hit ignore?
Amber Leatherwood, Account Manager
Unified360
It's no secret that companies are turning to online efforts through social media to build their brands and reach out to customers. The NCAA tournament is no exception.
March Madness is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only do I enjoy cheering for my Baylor Bears (3 seed this year!) but the conversation and participation from fans online only adds to the excitement. Make no mistake about it... marketers have taken notice of the amount of online hype surrounding March Madness and are using it to their full advantage. Companies ranging from Coca-Cola to Papa John's are seeing the season as a social media marketing event and a chance for consumers to be more involved with their brands.
College basketball and March Madness is one of the busiest times of the year for social media. In fact, 5 of the 10 "peak" minutes of Internet traffic ever recorded were linked to the NCAA tournament. A point that further proves that people aren't just watching the games.... they're chatting about them. Marketers want to be a part of that online conversation. This year, we're seeing everything from phone apps being launched to online contests and sweepstakes taking place. Companies know that their customers aren't just behind the TV screen; they're in chat rooms, checking their emails and updating Facebook and Twitter.
Social media is how we communicate now. It allows businesses a chance to participate in a conversation with consumers instead of a lecture. 2-way conversation will produce the most results. The best way to take advantage of this medium is by spotting marketing opportunities like the NCAA tournament. The 64 teams chosen on Sunday will play for the national title over the next few weeks and as a result, businesses everywhere will utilize the occasion to entice consumers to play with their brands as well.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
As I was checking the mail the other day, I noticed several children playing outside with bubbles. Yep, bubbles. They were laughing, jumping around and having a great time. I couldn't help but smile to myself... when was the last time I got a laugh out of the simple pleasures in life? When was the last time I actually saw a scene like this? It seems that everywhere we look these days kids are glued to the computer screen, checking Facebook, chatting it up on their cell phones or have their iPod's hanging out of their ears.
That night, I got the chance to babysit my 9-year-old sister. Boy I sure didn't know what I was in for! She spent 90% of her time on her cell phone, constantly texting and calling her friends. I finally told her to put the phone down and spend some time with me... of course she responded with the attitude of a 25-year-old. I suggested we go outside and play but she wanted to eat a snack and watch TV instead. Did we watch iCarly or Hannah Montana? No, we tuned in to the latest episode of E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians".
I remember being my sister's age and everything seeming to be much simpler. I would wake up, eat a quick breakfast and watch "One Saturday Morning" on ABC. Afterwards, I left the house and spent the rest of the day outside, a seemingly foreign concept to kids these days. I didn't have a cell phone to "check in" with my parents every second, but you know what? That was okay. I got to experience that freedom as a kid and would never be caught dead inside the house before dark. I was too busy having fun with my friends, riding my bike and playing at the neighborhood basketball court.
My sister and I are 10 years apart, and I got to see firsthand how technology has influenced her childhood and how it has grown over the span of a mere decade. It makes me wonder, is technology forcing children to grow up too fast? Has anyone else noticed the lack of children playing in the yard and the increase of them in front of the Xbox? Maybe it's just me, but I wish that I could have spent more quality time with my sister instead of coming in second to her cell phone.
Has technology hindered or helped the lives of our children? When is it considered "too much"? I think these are important questions that parent are beginning to face every day. Obviously there are many advantages to having the available technology that we do. Parents can more easily stay in contact with their kids which is a beneficial safety element. We blogged a couple months ago about Elmo's in the classroom and how they improve the quality of learning. Children with parents who travel can Skype them to stay in touch. Yes, there are many upsides to the technology advances that are available to our children. The tough part is recognizing where to draw the line.
Felicia Cienfuegos, Guest Blogger
The typical daily routine goes something like this: wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. But lately social networking has become a big part in that cycle. Some people wouldn't
think of starting their day without checking Facebook or Twitter. Social networking has become more and more apart of our lives, sometimes more than we even recognize.
Businesses are now using social networking as a cheap form of advertising. CEOs create LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter accounts to help brand their companies and reach a wider client base. They can connect to there current or potential clients and easily update them on the newest products and specials, post links to there blogs, and even upload photos from there company functions. With the click of a mouse they can generate leads and gain more customers all thanks to social networking.
Social networking is even taking over the news. When a newspaper hits the stands the news in it is already a day old. With the help of social networking, people can get on the Internet and see what's going on while it's happening. There's even social networking applications on cell phones, so no matter where you are you can get on your phone and see what's going on in the world around you. Take the Fort Hood massacre for example. Before the news even hit the TV, the men and women locked down inside Fort Hood were Tweeting and updating their Facebook's, assuring their families and friends that they were safe. With no social networking, the young men and women inside Fort Hood during the lock down would never have been able to ease the minds of there loved ones. Twitter even had special profiles made just for the Fort Hood massacre so instead of weeding through hundreds of articles, those interested could just follow the Fort Hood profiles and get the latest updates from the shooting as they were happening.
With the excessive use of social networking, there are bound to be a few downsides as well. Soon, there may not be a need for newspapers or even televised news reports. This is slowly starting to create fundamental problems in our society. The generation that we live in today is completely different and more technology savvy than our parent's generation. How does this affect them? Are they able to keep up? The more technologically advanced we get, the bigger the chance is that some people may get left behind. However, it also increases the options for information that people have at their fingertips. Five years ago Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace didn't even exist. To look back and see how different our world is and how much the technology has changed just in such a small matter of time is astonishing.
In a recent study that took place at the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg Center for the Digital Future, teens were interviewed by researchers and the information they obtained was shocking. The participating teens did not understand the concept of how the television fit in to someone's daily schedule. They explained that they watch all of their shows on their computer screens. With the increasing use of the internet, television had been put on the back burner. Instead of turning on the television to check the news or watch your favorite shows, people just turn on their computers or get on their phones and pull up whatever information they need. Just look for yourself... there are significantly fewer newspapers outside of grocery stores and gas stations because many have made the switch to online publications. And it doesn't stop with newspapers; it has great impact on newsrooms and the television industry as a whole.
Mass communication in the traditional sense is now also internet based communication in both its production and its delivery. The combination of on-line news with interactive blogging and emails has transformed newspapers into a component of a different form of communication called mass self-communication. So, where do you get your information? Do you still prefer to watch the traditional daily newscast or read your morning paper? Do you visit online publications more often? How has this shift in information technology affected your life?
Felicia Cienfuegos, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIN. You Tube. Hootsuite...
Hootsuite?? Yes, you read me correctly. I didn't know what it was either, until last week. Those mentioned above, and many, many other social media forums have made their grand entrance into our lives and have been embraced in different ways by those that have opened our doors for them.
Sure, I was quick to follow the Facebook craze back in 2008. Why not? Everyone was doing it, right? It was a great way to keep up with old friends from school; see more pictures of your friend's kids than you had of your own (& even see some pictures you probably didn't want to see); find those that really have more time than they know what to do with (I really didn't need to know what you were doing every minute of every hour of every day); and show your affiliation to anything from political party to your favorite music group.
Having said that, let's dig a little deeper than the personal aspect social media has had, and focus on its relation to the business environment. Think back to the early stages of the "dot-com" era when this thing called the Information Superhighway was banging on our door. Business leaders were asking themselves "how can my company use the internet?" The web soon became more than just a marketing tactic or an avenue for communicating. Instead, it was a revolution that altered the way companies did business. This was a time of fear, confusion, and change, yet more importantly, a time for OPPORTUNITY. Many organizations struggled to adapt to these changes.
Social Media has and will continue to bring these same types of changes to the business environment. Now take a minute and reflect on this well known quote: "Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". Ouch. That took many of us back to the late nineties didn't it?
So what can we expect and how can we prepare?
- The internet was initially dismissed as a playground for kids & geeks. (sound familiar to social media discussions you may have had recently?) It became evident that its usage was making its way quickly across age, gender, race and almost every other demographic. More importantly, was recognizing that while virtually everyone was going to be "surfing" (online shopping, reading newspapers, using search engines, etc.), not all would use in the same manner. Therefore, organizations couldn't then, and can't now, rely on a single online strategy to reach their intended audience.
- Businesses must understand the needs & expectations of their prospective targets. There is not a "sure-fire" way or a simple checklist that every company should follow to guarantee immediate success with social media. The key is......you have to play the game. Take risks. Get involved. Educate yourself and your employees. Try new ideas. Some will work, some will fail. Those that sit on the sidelines and wait for it all to get sorted out will quickly find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
With the Super Bowl right around the corner, here's an interesting article regarding one of the "Marketing Giants" of our time (Pepsi) and how, for the first time in 23 years, they will not be purchasing a commercial spot for this year's big game. Instead, they are sinking $20M into a social media program that they expect will have a huge effect on the community.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/pepsis-big-gamble-ditching-super-bowl-social-media/story?id=9402514
How will your organization adapt and react to Social Media??
Brian Day, Account Consultant
Unified360
After reading Tara's blog and comments posted yesterday titled, What Technology Means to Haiti, Post-Devastation, one question comes into my mind: Where in the world did texting and social media come from and why is it so popular?
If you look back at Jim Barker's comment posted on the blog, the Red Cross alone had reported over $22 million in donations from texting 90999 for Haiti. Facebook and Twitter have reported hundreds of status updates and tweets regarding the Haiti tragedy and how others can help or donate. So it brings my question to mind of how technology has changed from emails and letters to texting and social media.
The actual "breakthrough" date of text messaging and social media is debatable for many people, however, I am certain that today it is the #1 form of communication for today's society. What is the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? I know at my house it is to reach over and grab my IPhone to read and respond to texts or emails. The second thing I do is click on that little icon titled Facebook and read the latest status updates of my friends. How many of you have the same routine each morning? This truly is what they call viral marketing.
Now that you are thinking about how you communicate daily, does it really surprise you that over $22 million in donations for Haiti have come from text messaging? I watched the same Cowboy's vs. Vikings game as Jim's wife and also considered texting in a donation...the only thing that stopped me was that my company probably wouldn't appreciate a "personal donation" on my phone bill!
So really, is it that big of a leap to think that texting and social media are the primary forms of communication for many people worldwide? The world operates at such a fast pace; who doesn't want a quick and easy way to stay up to date with current events? I know I do so thank you Mr. Fortini, Mr. Zuckerberg & Mr. Dorsey for giving us the technology that helps us communicate effectively and efficiently.
Kimberly Kelly, Director of Marketing
Unified360
For those of you who refuse to join the Twitter world because you think it's pointless, stupid, or it's simply the "fear of the unknown" that keeps you away, I suggest you adjust your thinking; stat. Twitter is the newest and fastest growing information network on the internet right now. It's growing at such a pace that Google and Microsoft are taking notice and including Tweets in their search results.
For the average person, Twitter is a way for information to come to you. Long gone are the days of searching for information by weeding through articles and websites. With one look at the "trending topics" or by following your most trusted news source on Twitter, the news has found you instead. Not only do you get directed to general news stories, but YOU have the chance to personally respond to, and generate breaking news as it happens.
Take the Fort Hood massacre for example. Before any T.V. station or newspaper broke the story, news of what was happening was already on Twitter. How, you ask? People were tweeting from inside Fort Hood as the events were happening around them. Those who were under lockdown for the next several hours were able to share their thoughts and fears and receive comforting messages and updated information through Twitter. There were several Twitter profiles created specifically for news about the shooting. I personally follow @FtHoodShooting to get hourly updates on news about the event, and I don't have to search through tons of other stories to get it.
For business owners, Twitter is a way to brand yourself and get your name out to an audience you haven't reached before. Tweet about the latest updates within your company, post a link to your blog or a Twitpic from last week's office party... The more you utilize it as a marketing tool, the more you will see an increase in web traffic and brand recognition. For those of you who are concerned that Twitter will replace all of the hard work you put into blogs, press releases, etc... no need to worry. 140 characters does not a story make. Post a link to your article with a catchy tagline and drive Tweeters to your site. Remember, it's all about simplifying things and making news more accessible.
Facebook and LinkedIn are two other social networking sites that are now working with Twitter to allow peoples Tweets to show up on their profiles. A smart move if you ask me. Though the connection to Facebook was inevitable, the partnership with LinkedIn has secured Twitter's role as a network for professional conversation.
So, back to my original point; if you're not on Twitter, make the move now! It's up to you to keep up with advances in information technology and this one is taking off, rapidly. As with everything, there is a learning curve. I'm still learning new things about Twitter everyday. But take the time to study it and use it to your advantage. You won't regret it.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360
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You might have already guessed that I'm talking about Social Media. Of course, who isn't talking about social media these days? I know it sounds cliché to mention how it's changing our lives and everything about how we communicate... everybody already realizes that, right? The problem is I think everyone is chalking the social media phenomenon up to a fad that they can choose whether or not to participate in. This video I found on YouTube really put things into perspective. Though some (not very many, but some) people will choose not to participate in the social media revolution at this point, they will soon find that if they want to be informed about anything going on in the world, they won't have a choice.
Social Media is changing the way we distribute our contact information. We run our businesses almost entirely through contacts and leads. Now, there is definitely a broader view of what a contact is and what ways we can use to communicate with someone. Typically, one would include a name, company, phone number and email address in their contact information. The next step from that might include a picture and a web address. Now, the shift is including the addition of social network ID's and a field that explains a person's expertise and why you know them. And that's the key; it's not just who you know anymore, but why you know them and what form of communication you should use to get in touch with that person. With this extensive contact information, I could do a complete search of someone by name, company or profession and know the best way to communicate with them.
In addition to expanding our contact information, Social Media has also blurred many lines of communication. One very important one is the line between our professional and personal lives. Is there such a thing as a 9-5 job anymore? You may be in the office during those hours, but your social network always ensures that there is a way for someone to contact you, know where you are and see what you're doing. No doubt with the way things are progressing, it is important for people to be able to reach you via these forms of communication, and maybe we should look at it more as "blending" instead of "blurring" these lines. We just need a way to manage it all to avoid becoming overloaded.
Personally, much of what goes on in my life is facilitated through Facebook and Twitter. It's an easy way to stay in touch with your friends and everything going on in the world. Whether it was debating about the election last year, finding out about the death of Michael Jackson or seeing if the Cowboys won their game on Sunday; these media platforms are excellent, fast ways of distributing information which our society has come to depend on.
I also feel that businesses, large and small, find more success with a bigger online presence. They can stay up-to-date on how to better their products as well as letting others know about new developments quickly and efficiently.
How are you embracing the social media revolution? What challenges have you faced so far? What was your reaction to the YouTube video about Social Media? I'd like to hear what impact it has had on your life and communication style.
Tara Young, Marketing Coordinator
Unified360