Foursquare Collaborates with 'Color' App

'Color' is the hottest new app out there for Android and iPhone users. This new application allows users to share pictures with other users that are in a close proximity, whether they know each other or not. This is a great way to obtain pictures of events that you attend that may not have been possible for you to personally take. For instance, if you're in the nose bleed section of a basketball game or concert the pictures you take won't be that great, but 'Color' allows you to get pictures of the event from those people that were lucky enough to be in the front row.

'Color' has taken it a step further by collaborating with Foursquare. This collaboration allows users to share photos of events that other users have checked in at. Now, on the Foursquare check-in detail page you can view the pictures that a user's friends took at a particular event. An interesting feature of 'Color' on Foursquare is that it arranges photos by event in comparison to 'Color' arranging them by time.

I believe that collaboration between different social media platforms is on the brink of emergence. It began with linking one social media site's profile to another and has evolved into integrating specific tools of a particular platform into various other platforms. This is a great way to reap the benefits of multiple social media sites in one place and makes particular tasks, such as sharing pictures, easier and more efficient.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383775,00.asp

Brand Mascot Identity Theft on Twitter

Popular brand mascots such as Mr. Clean and Tony the Tiger are becoming members of the Twitter community. Some of these mascots do have verified accounts that are set up through the company that promotes them, however many of these so-called mascots are nothing but impersonators. Anyone can set up a Twitter account claiming to be the Pillsbury Doughboy, Mr. Peanut, or any other well known character and complete their profiles with a picture of the popular mascot.

Brands can’t do anything about the fake Twitter accounts other than set up their own verified account or make complaints to Twitter. Nothing can be done about these impersonator accounts simply because these people are not making money off of the brand’s copyright. Complaints sometimes result in the company reclaiming accounts that use their characters, but most are dismissed because the impersonator accounts do not have the intention of tricking consumers.

The major issue with brand mascot impersonators on Twitter is the fact that some people use these characters with a negative connotation. This could result in poor goodwill and bad publicity for the company or business. An example of such misleading representation is the @420jollygreen account which uses General Mills’ Jolly Green Giant name and character to promote marijuana usage. (@GreenGiant is the official General Mills Jolly Green Giant account in case you want to follow him!)

While Twitter has become a popular place for many brand mascots, some brands do not feel as though Twitter is the place to promote their characters. Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man won’t be seen on Twitter anytime soon. "We believe the Most Interesting Man doesn't spend too much time with technology. He's busy with his worldly adventures," stated Paul Smailes, senior brand director for Dos Equis and Sol beer brands.

Impersonation in any form, especially in social media, can have differing effects than what a person or company may be striving for. It is important for companies to be aware of false stereotypes that they may have due to misleading information posted by someone unrelated to the company. False, negative connotations can be detrimental for a business, therefore it is important to monitor these and take steps to correct incorrect portrayals of character and motive. 

Have you ever come across any impersonator accounts on Twitter or even Facebook that have a bad connotation associated with them? Did this affect your perception of the brand?

http://adage.com/article/digital/twitter-identity-theft-strikes-brand-mascots/226902/

Expedia's New Facebook Campaign

Expedia has created a Facebook sweepstakes campaign that is sure to attract the attention of many users. The campaign is called 'Expedia FriendTrips'. To enter into the competition, fans of Expedia's Facebook page simply start a plane and become its pilot. Then, the pilot invites their friends to accompany them on the plane. The pilot and the five passengers on each plane are entered into the sweepstakes. To increase your chances of winning, you can create multiple planes and invite multiple friends.

What makes this competition so enticing is the fact that there are over $1 million dollars worth in prizes involved. There is a $160,000 tour of South America which includes stops in Chile and Peru. There is also a $100,000 trip to Las Vegas that includes a $25,000 cash shopping spree. A $100,000 European cruise is another one of the prizes available. Each of these trips is for the winner and five friends.

My blog entry last week was about a survey that revealed the reason that consumers follow companies on social media sites is for discounts and coupons. This campaign does not involve discounts or coupons, but it uses something even better to attract its followers. What could be better than winning something completely free? I think Expedia is on the right track with this campaign. It may be quite costly to carry out, but in the end I believe it will definitely be worth it. The bigger the risk, the bigger the return, right? This campaign will launch the Expedia name and attract the attention of many Facebook users because of the nature of the prizes. I have never used Expedia before but I am thinking about checking out this sweepstakes!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/expedia

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/expedia-launches-sweepstakes-on-facebook/