Gawping at Google

December 13th, 2010

Google is the search engine of choice for most internet users, here’s a quick rundown of top searches in 2010.

Unsurprisingly Social Media behemoth Facebook was crowned as ‘the most searched term’ with such a huge amount of users searching for the site and of course new users looking to sign up, the top search item was written a long time ago.

The BBC’s news gathering credentials are undisputed, but perhaps the reason that the BBC has managed second place in this list might have everything to do with its Iplayer service streaming content to almost every computer in the country.

YouTube grows and grows, now with 2 billion videos streamed every day, it would be a huge surprise to see it usurped as the world’s leading video-hosting site. Hotmail too features prominently on the site and continues to evolve, now with Active View and Office docs its popularity remains strong.

In the midst of economic gloom a bidding site is assured of a top-five placing on this list, and with Ebay a well-established leader in the field it rightly assumes its place

It’s funny that Google makes it into its own list of search results, remembering that this a list of Google search results! Maybe Chrome users don’t realise their URL bar is also a default google search bar? It’s unlikely though that web users are navigating to a Google search engine to search for Google’s search engine, but rather it’s a lazy search made by people looking for one of Google’s products; Documents, Android OS , Nexus phones, tablets, netbooks, maps, streetview (it’s endless).

Predictions for 2011

Surprisingly twitter is not on the list, despite its leading role in many breaking stories this year. Breaking news, celebrity spats and great trending topics will ensure Twiiter emerges onto this list next year.

Facebook’s lead will not last with so many browser plug-ins, extensions and a rise in social browsers such as Rockmelt, there shouldn’t be any need for anyone to browse to Facebook, it’ll be instant, a homepage or in-built function directing the masses to their most-used website. That’s not to mention the growing take-up of all the mobile apps that lead Facebookers directly to their friends.

Surely the BBC will maintain its heady place in the list, especially now that it plans to roll out to paying US customers, perhaps it might sneak onto the US list!

What this list shows however is that either web browser developers haven’t made bookmarks simple enough or it’s the average internet user that is simple. Google might be instant but we could all save time by navigating directly to our favourite sites by organising our bookmarks, simple.

by fraser and tagged BBC, Democracy PR, facebook, Manchester, PR, social media, Twitter
Posted in Gone surfing, Media | No Comments »

Bury’s got The Rock Factor

December 7th, 2010

Retweet

As XFactor reaches its conclusion (vote Matt Cardle) and Strictly filters down to the top 5, people of Bury are also being treated to their very own array of talented performers as local singers, dancers and musicians battle it out in ‘Street Stars’ at The Rock.

We launched the Street Stars competition as an opportunity to showcase the best emerging talent in Bury, and the initial campaign was launched on The Rock’s popular Facebook page. Performers auditioned back in October with the final 8 chosen by our panel of judges which included representatives from Democracy PR, The Rock and David Agnew from Bury’s Met Theatre.

The 8 finalists are of an exceptionally high standard, and include an eclectic mix from original singer-songwriter Martin Poole, to teen street dance sensations Darcey & Paige. Krazy Horse has even produced an exclusive Christmas song for the contest, aptly titled ‘Christmas at The Rock’.

The Street Stars have performed every Saturday at The Rock in the lead up to Christmas, and Democracy have launched an application that enables Facebook fans to vote for their favourite acts. The act that receives the most votes will scoop a prize worth £1000 to help further their performance career.

The competition has seen fantastic online results with not only a massive increase in fans but also general activity (status likes, video views etc) and time spent on the site. The competition has proved a phenomenal success.

So the Street Stars will continue at The Rock over the next 2 weeks, with performances taking place on Saturday 11th and 18th December. Voting will carry on until January 7^th 2011, when we will be announcing the overall winner.

View all the Street Stars, and vote for your favourite here

by maxine and tagged App, facebook, Strictly, The Rock Bury, X Factor
Posted in Democracy, Marketing, Retail, social media, Technology | No Comments »

The Changing Face of Charity Campaigns?

December 7th, 2010

Retweet

“Change your Facebook profile picture to a cartoon character from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (December 6), there should be no human faces on Facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is a campaign to stop violence against children.”

This message populated the facebook news feed as faces of friends were changed to images of Fireman Sam, Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles and Bananaman getting behind the ’cause’.

Potentially this campaign had the power to reach millions, a simple idea that appealed to the public. 250m users log onto Facebook every day and with, on average, 130 friends each the reach for the campaign is huge even with a relatively small uptake.

But the campaign seem to raise more questions than answers. How could a change in profile image stop violence against children? There was no request for a donation, no unifying, easy to find, official group that set out the objectives of the initiative.

More harmful still is the seemingly widespread belief that this was all started by paedophiles. Just as a campaign can spread like wildfire across social networking sites, so too can rumour. The NSPCC were in a position to unify the cause but while the charity did belatedly condone the idea it did not adopt it.

The various fan pages/event pages i’ve seen purporting to represent the campaign claim seem to muddy the water further.

What’s clear is that despite being a great idea, it was poorly executed leaving it open to abuse from some and reducing the penetration of the campaign. In the social space it’s not enough to have a great idea, you’ve got to know what to do with it.

by fraser and tagged cartoon, Democracy PR, facebook, Manchester, NSPCC, PR, social media
Posted in Charity, social media, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Stars Die a Digital Death for Charity

November 29th, 2010

Retweet

Ever since the advent of the internet and, increasingly, since social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook sprang into life, celebrities as much as anyone in the public eye have used offline media with increasing scarcity. With huge followings on social media channels they can reach almost anyone instantly.

Alicia Keys has enlisted the support of pop stars and sport stars alike to join her in eschewing their Digital Lives to raise $1m for Keep a Child Alive. As of Wednesday, World Aids Day, a who’s who of celebrities will die digitally and not return from their death until fans raise the total.

Lady Gaga is one of the most high profile stars involved; 24m fans on Facebook and 7m followers on Twitter. That’s a staggering reach at her fingertips should she wish to plug her latest single or post a photo of her most recent fashion experiment.

It is an extraordinary step. With such high profiles involved the campaign is destined for success and personally i’m relishing the irony that it’s now the offline media that will generate the hype around the project.

We will be able to gauge just how successful the campaign has been, just don’t expect Lady Gaga to tweet about it anytime soon.

(Image: Rennet Stowe: Flickr)

by fraser and tagged Alicia Keys, Charity, Democracy PR, facebook, Lady Gaga, Manchester, PR, social media, Twitter
Posted in Gone surfing | No Comments »

Down with silver surfers

September 2nd, 2010

Retweet

It’s been hard to miss the efforts going into transforming the nations over 55s into “silver surfers”.

Online workshops, niche networking sites like Saga Zone and even Sir Terry Wogan as a Silver Surfer Day ambassador (Yes – it really exists!) and all urging the over 55s to log on.

It all seems to be working. According to the latest research from Pew Research, the average age of users of social networking websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are getting older.

According to the research, the number of online users over the age of 50 has nearly doubled to 42% in May 2010 from 22% in April 2009, as older people use social networks to keep in touch with relatives and catch up with old friends.

So what? Well to many brands, the rise and rise of social media has been considered a youth phenomenon (or under 35 anyway). Encouraging brands to reevaluate this, even with the latest stats is challenging. Just like all social situations – understanding who you’re talking with, and why, is key.

I don’t think many do – and what’s more, I believe that the ‘silver surfer’ title may be doing us all more harm than good.

Lumping everyone over the age of 55 in one group in any other sense seems ridiculous. At 55 you may have taken early retirement and be pottering around the garden, but you may also be a high flying businessman or woman. At 65, 75, 85 and 95, life, commitments and challenges are different. (For those who think 95 might be pushing it, then remember Ivy Bean, the world’s oldest tweeter, who died aged 104 this year.)

Mixing an older audience into current social media communications means that we all need a greater understanding of how all of the people over 55 use that space.

Just like the niche communities that spring up in our teens, twenties and thirties – this 50 year age block wants different things, from different people at different times.

They may be on Facebook but are they watchers, commentators or broadcasters? Do they actively look up brands that they engage with to share their opinion, or do they silently read, absorb and relay the news to their offline community?

It’s time for brands to consider the people behind the tag and gain a greater understanding of their desires.

by hannah and tagged facebook, Manchester, pew research, silver surfers
Posted in Democracy, Gone surfing, social media, Technology, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Facebook gets square

September 1st, 2010

Retweet

There have always been rumours about Mark Zuckerburg , if the strapline of the new facebook film is anything to go by anyway: ’You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies’.

If you’re not familiar the story goes that the world’s most successful social network may not have been entirely his idea, but then are any ideas ever totally original?

The inspiration for these philosophical ramblings is the launch of Facebook Places, essentially an introduction of the services already offered by the likes of Foursquare and Gowalla into Facebook’s smartphone app.

In brief users log their locations or ‘check in’ from a list of places generated by the app in response to GPS technology. In the existing apps users can earn points, rewards and badges.

Clearly in a commercial sense brands investing in rewards and prizes makes more sense on Facebook because of its superior user numbers, but as with the rest of the online world you have to decide who you’re after. Because of their release policies and early adopters Gowalla and Foursquare have difference audiences and it remains to be seen which sectors of the Facebook community take up the offer of Facebook Places.

In a true lesson from Zuckerburg himself we’ll be keeping a close eye on how things pan out in America in the run up to the UK release, and learning from the experiences of others.

by Charlotte Morley and tagged facebook, Facebook Places, Foursquare, Gowalla, Mark Zuckerburg
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Everything is Just So

August 23rd, 2010

Retweet

This weekend for BabyDeli we’ve been at the delightful Just So festival with a pop up gastro restaurant for the under 2s.

It’s the first time that Louise has invested in live event activity to support brand building and the team at Democracy managed every aspect of the campaign – from the design and production of the vinyl branding, the management or the kitchen and the data capture tool – all supplemented by a social media campaign.

The event was fantastic, the visitor profile matched the BabyDeli target customer perfectly – and the cafe proved a real success with some parents popping along twice a day to feed their little ones delicious BabyDeli food.

The lovely Hannah also managed to secure a break at luxury family hotel Calcot Manor to encourage parents to check out the new facebook.com/LoveBabyDeli page.

We’ll upload more photos and some video footage later today. Can’t wait for next year!

by Jennifer O'Grady and tagged BabyDeli, babyfood, event management, facebook, LoveBabyDeli, Manchester, PR Public relations, sampling, social media, Twitter
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

All the gear, no idea ….

July 19th, 2010

Retweet

Given everything that the internet can tell us about our clients, customers and ourselves, it’s almost unforgivable for new business approaches to be made without some basic desk research.

Our landing page gives you an idea of what we do, who we work with and a quick click to the team page tells you who the team are. We really do make it easy.

For the sake of saving their blushes, I’ve removed the details of the ad agency who sent this, however … let’s be honest, I don’t think they’ll ever see it.

SUBJECT: Digital PR

Sent to: info@democracypr.com

Do you guys offer your clients any digital services , or do you include them in any pitch work? e.g social media – facebook apps, iPhone apps, micros sites, games, data collection sites etc?

Mark

From: Jennifer O’Grady [mailto:jennifer@democracypr.com]

Sent: 19 July 2010 10:46

To: Mark

Yes we do

Sent from my iPhone

SUBJECT: Digital PR

Sent to: jennifer@democracypr.com

Hi Jennifer

In house or do you outsource?

I’m actually after a partnership – we have all the skills to make iphone app, mobile apps, facebook applications, custom facebook landing pages microsites, games , viral – all the things clients want as we see a shift from traditional media and move to have campaigns which have a digital element or elements to them.

In recent months we have started working with PR agencies , so that they can be confident when pitching campaigns or for new clients that they can include a digital element.

If you want pop into our Leeds HQ – top floor penthouse office, I’d be happy to spend 20 mins with you and explain how we can help.

+ don’t worry we are very used to working with NDA’s so you can rest assured that your clients are kept safe!

From: Jennifer O’Grady [mailto:jennifer@democracypr.com]

Sent: 19 July 2010

To: Mark

Hi Mark

We do everything in house outside the app building, however, we also work with a number of different agencies to deliver that.

We have reciprocal arrangements with them, meaning that we send business in both directions.

I’m unlikely to be in Leeds over the next few weeks, but if you’re ever over in Manchester feel free to pop in, I’m sure I have 15 minutes that I can spare.

I can’t see him making the journey over to Manchester for a 15 minute chat, but that’s OK, because the truth is that they don’t really want our business, if they did, they’d have put the effort in.

Taking time to get to know your target consumer, to understand what they want and be able to apply it is a basic communication tool that every business benefits from.

This weekend, we’ve been working on the launch of The Rock in Bury, staging a social media campaign that has amassed almost 3,000 fans in less than two weeks.

The heart of this campaign has been to really get to know and understand what the people of Bury want from their new retail and leisure destination. Some love it, some have areas where they believe it can be improved – but every one of those 3,000 fans know that The Rock is listening to them and cares enough to want and keep their business.

by Jennifer O'Grady and tagged facebook, Manchester, New Business, PR, public relations, social media, The Rock
Posted in Democracy | 1 Comment »

Facebook gets private

May 27th, 2010

Retweet

I do feel sorry for Facebook at the minute. They’re getting battered again over their privacy settings in the papers today; The Mail tastefully adding its previous headlines of deaths its attributed to the site.

The changes are simplified here by the BBC but essentially Facebook is now forcing you to choose who sees all your content. It sticks to the same options as ever: ‘friends’, ‘friends of friends’ and ‘everyone’ but now pushes these options in your face rather than having them sit on a privacy settings page.

Facebook is feeling the internet bite back. No longer is the internet the utopia of a group of Californian nerds, all humanity is there and we’re starting to get to grips with the need to apply the same caution in the online space as we would in the street.

We’re anticipating a big positive PR push from the Facebook gang as they attempt to squash the privacy issues. Watch this space for a focus on re-kindled relationships, friends reunited and the important moments of life shared wherever your network extends around the world.

by Charlotte Morley and tagged BBC, facebook, Facebook Privacy
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Facebook gets square

Facebook gets private

Recent Comments

Archives

“Change your Facebook profile picture to a cartoon character from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday (December 6), there should be no human faces on Facebook, but an invasion of memories. This is a campaign to stop violence against children.”

We blog about

Recent Comments

Archives