19 Aug 2010
The time has come for the oft-discussed Facebook Places to finally launch. One of the biggest topics of discussion around Facebook Places is how this will affect user privacy – especially due to some of the huge privacy issues in the past that Facebook has had to deal with. The Facebook Places functionality just became available to many of us here at Room 214 and we have already noticed some interesting privacy issues that you should definitely take note of.
When I checked in to Room 214, I was not listed in the “Person/People Here Now” area at the top of our new Room 214 Places listing. However, a few of my colleagues did show up here:
Turns out, some users’ default privacy settings allows this information to be displayed by default, while some others (like myself) do not. If you go to your privacy settings (Account > Privacy Settings > Customize…
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13 Aug 2010
Location-based mobile apps continue to be the latest rage, with Foursquare leading the pack. It seems like every day there is a new partnership announced, which leaves us social media marketers wondering, “Should we be jumping on the bandwagon?”
I have to admit, there are some pretty innovative Foursquare campaigns out there that help drive traffic and sales for local businesses. But what about entertainment brands? Bravo was the first TV network to partner with Foursquare and, according to Mashable, is one of the top five brands on the platform. They offer tips from their “Bravolebrities” on restaurants, bars, and stores.
History Channel provides Foursquare users with historical facts about locations they check-in to around the country.
MTV took some of their hottest celebs (DJ Pauly D anyone?) and gathered their tips and stories from local hot spots to share with fans.
All of these campaigns are missing something. The bottom line! If you’ve…
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07 Jul 2010
Like Michelle Obama? Sure. NPR? Of course. Anchorman? Who doesn’t? The ever-evolving internet behemoth Facebook has updated its homepage to occasionally include a small area with two “Recommended Pages”. Much like a regular ad on Facebook, these recommendations include a small picture and the title of a page that Facebook’s algorithm deemed most relevant to you. Also included is the line “Many who like [a page you already like] like this” followed by the “Like” icon. An immediate call to action to “like” a page you’re, statistically speaking, bound to love!
What I found most interesting about the new feature was its endlessness. If you do “Like” a Recommended Page you are not sent to its landing page, but stay on your home News Feed. Within seconds, the “liked” page fades away and is replaced by a new band, movie, brand, etc. that you’ve loved for years. If you get tired…
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25 Jun 2010
I opened Facebook this morning and as 10,000 others did in the last hour, saw and clicked on the talking mint. I was kicked over to a “Like us” landing page and clicked the like button.
I then agreed to install the mentos coupon app (and let it have access to my friends and profile information). After that, I was sent out of Facebook to SmartSource coupons which for security and fraud prevention wanted to run / install a java apple, promising coupons afterward.
Coupons may or may not print. Around this point I began to remember the portion of behavioral economist Dan Ariely’s ‘Predictably Irrational‘ that dealt with the lengths people are willing to go to for “Free.” “Free” is like a bug zapper for consumers. You may know better, but it’s not likely you’ll be able to stop yourself. These free Mentos…
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