The Muppets for Google+ Hangout

This past year has been a big year for The Muppets. Over the last few months Disney has invested a lot of time and creativity into making them “popular” to a younger audience. I saw The Muppets in theaters last month. It’s actually incredibly funny and the plot pokes fun at how Muppets aren’t cool. In fact, that’s a primary part of the storyline. The Muppets are “out of style”. Using social media from YouTube video parodies of popular films like Twilight, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Hangover 2. The Muppets have a Google+ page and now they are featured in the latest Google+ Hangout commercial:

I’d describe Google+ Hangout as a fun group Skype I’ve done a Google+ Hangout with friends and we all liked it! Have you tried Google Hangout yet?

A Brave New World – The New Facebook Timeline

My senior year in high school we read Aldous Huxley’s futuristic novel Brave New World. At the time, I thought the book was out there – in a good way of course. It was all about this future that in 2004 I couldn’t imagine. Somehow, in 1931 Aldous Huxley imagined up this future society in the confines of his mind. The book is really spectacular and by far one of my favorites ever. Just thinking about it makes me want to get back into science fiction books.

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Babies are now exposed to all sorts of technology while in the womb. After looking through the new Facebook timeline, it made me reminisce on this book. The new timeline is supposed to get us ready for the future. See, many of the children born from the last 7 years or so will have their entire lives documented on Facebook if they like it or not. The new timeline design is for the future. That future when everything that has been done in a person’s life will be documented on the site. I have friends with photos ranging through the entire timeline of their lives. From prom to high school graduation through the birth of a child. I understand we all don’t go in that order, but regardless of order it’s all documented on Facebook. Here are some things I really like about the new design:

1. I like how Facebook has recognized important life events and lets you post them in your profile. Some significant life events that you might want to tell your friends about like buying a home, losing weight, travel and new tattoos. Other random stuff that Facebook has listed: telling your followers when you get contacts or glasses. I guess that would be significant if it was a huge dramatic change. But still a slight stretch.

2. The Facebook Cover is a great new addition. I appreciate being able to have a more unique Facebook profile now where I an add a personal photo. Right now, mine is a photo from Thanksgiving with my grandmother.

3. The year timeline on the right side of profiles is a great addition. I had a great time reminiscing on my experience cheering in college and reading old comments.

4. Nosy people have less stuff to search through while looking at Facebook. Come on now, everyone that has a Facebook is at least slightly nosy. And now the timeline helps you see where people were 7 years ago. As if that makes a huge difference on how they are now.

I hope with the new Facebook timeline, Facebook will also improve their apps. My iPhone and iPad Facebook apps had to be deleted because they wouldn’t cooperate. That’s another post though, of course.

How do you feel about the new Facebook timeline?

Silverpop Agent ROI Atlanta event recap

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Silverpop Agent R.O.I Digital Marketing Tour 2011 at Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead. The event lasted about half of the work day. Silverpop pulled out all of the stops and the hotel offered us a wonderful lunch, snacks and cocktails. I had lots of white tea to keep warm and I even picked up my first HonestTea to try later. I found out about the event on Twitter after seeing a tweet from Silverpop. We (FiPath) are also new customers. Here’s a gift they sent us last week:

Tootsie Pop and PopRocks were inside of the cup. I like the “pop” theme and the mug is perfect for tea.

I learned so much great information about how to create an effective email that our members at FiPath would love to read. One of my responsibilities is to manage and create content for the email. Or as Meg Heuer describes it, I am a Content Strategist. Sounds snazzy right? I really enjoyed being in a space with other professionals who experience the same frustrations as me. There’s no “how to” book for this crazy social space. I guess now it’s “mocial” now (social + local + mobile) as described by Loren McDonald. I took some great notes and I won a prize for most unique tweets! Below I have a recap of the top 5 takeaways:

1. The “forward to a friend” email option is dead. - This got me thinking. When was the last time I did this? Umm…well over a year ago. Nowadays, I share emails via Social media sites before I press forward to a friend!

2. Don’t make all of your emails a hard sell - Ask yourself, do you want an email that always says “Buy this” “Deal here”.

3. Care enough to send the very best email – Don’t send what you think people want to see. Or what someone tells you people want to see. Research!

4. Do not re-purpose advertisements and direct mail pieces – This one made me chuckle. I hate seeing re-purposed ads in email form!

5. Be human – Please and thank you aren’t called the magic words for nothing! These relational words make emails more human.

Super 8 Review

This weekend I went with friends to see the movie Super 8. The movie used social media to create suspense and last minute hype. The plot was relatively unknown and the previews were all lacking in detail. The first full length trailer was released via Twitter and the movie even had promoted tweets and a promoted trend to continue building on the buzz. Here’s a great blog about the hype created on Twitter from EvoApp. I won’t ruin the story for anyone who hasn’t seen it. But I will say, Super 8 was a great movie. Funny, suspenseful and dramatic. I liked the clothing, the story and the musical score. According to MTV blog, the score was created by Oscar award winning composer Michael Giacchino. He also did the score for Pixar films: The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Up which all had great music too. I’d say this movie is for anyone even kids. However, they did have a few curse words and suspenseful moments. The film made me think of E.T. and the teens who acted in the movie did a great job being authentic and vulnerable. Have you seen it?

Samsung Refrigerator with Apps

While watching a Sex and The City marathon on E! on Memorial Day I saw a commercial for the Samsung 4 door refrigerator. Besides the catchy Duffy song in the commercial, what caught my attention was the fact that the fridge has apps. A social media friendly fridge. Very cool!

Celebrities on The Web

What do Jay Z, Jermaine Dupri, Russell Simmons, and Tyra Banks all have in common? They all have their own social networking websites. This week I found out about Jay Z’s new social networking website Life + Times. And in a previous blog, I did a spotlight on Tyra’s current web project, Type F. But lately, I’ve noticed many celebs are increasing their web presence.

One of the main things I wonder is “Why?” I mean, don’t they do enough already? All are entrepreneurs with many different roles. But to an extent celebrities are just like the rest of us out there trying to expand our web presence. I’m sure there’s no way that we all can listen to Jay Z or Jermaine Dupri songs all day long. Eventually, the America’s Next Top Model reruns go off. But the internet doesn’t go off. By creating these website, they can expand their personal brands.

Check out each one of their websites:

1. Jay ZLife + Times

Lifestyle site featuring sections on Fashion, Leisure, Sports and Technology

My take: I like the simple layout and the plethora of information

2. Tyra BanksType F

Fashion and beauty customized for individual readers

My take: I really like TypeF in particular the Daily Look section where readers can upload their look and be featured on their Facebook page and also let’s you shop the look.

3. Russell SimmonsGlobal Grind

Global Grind describes itself as the world according to Hip Hop

My take: Global Grind features some thought provoking articles and stories that I often bookmark. I also like that the site goes from hard hitting real news, to less heavy topics like Celebrities, Entertainment and Fashion.

4. Jermaine Dupri - Global 14

The site is a “discussion based” website built to stimulate discussion with over 500 groups talking about relationships, music, cooking and education.

My take: This site reminds me of Ning.com a little bit. I would sign up for it. But I’m not sure if I would come back frequently.

Have you heard about these celebrity driven websites? Which of these sites would you go back to?

Tyra Banks launches typef.com

Yesterday Tyra (formerly known as Tyra Banks) launched typef a site featuring original content in the categories of beauty, fashion and “ultimate style confidence”. What makes Tyra’s site stand out is the fact that it will feature original content and powered by Demand Media.  In doing a little research I found out that Demand also powers Livestrong, eHow and GolfLink.

I felt like the orange really stood out and the logo was simple and to the point. I’m curious to see more original content on the new website. I think that it’s a great idea and that there is room for a website like this out there. I also like that typef offers customized content based on your skin/eye color/face shape.  Since it just launched there isn’t much content yet, but I think the concept has great potential and I can’t wait to see where the site goes in the near future. The video production is more sophisticated than regular social media sites. I like how the video is informative, well edited and not a regular low quality YouTube instructional. Here is a clip with Tyra and Andre Talley Leon talking about all about trench coats:

Have you heard about TypeF? Find them on the web here. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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Creme of Nature Argan Oil

I got my package of Creme of Nature Argan Oil goodies today! Last week I won a Twitter contest for some Creme of Nature products. I’m excited because I’ve been doing some research on Argan oil lately.

Argan oil is full of Omega fatty acids and vitamin E that nourishes hair! It also re-hydrates your hair from the drying heat of blow dryers and straighteners. And it is non greasy! Which is an excellent quality for my hair type.

Here is the package the goods came in:

Here are all the goods they sent:

The box included:

  • Intensive conditioning treatment
  • gloss and shine mist, foaming wrap lotion
  • replenishing sheen spray
  • gloss and shine polisher

I can’t wait to try all of these products. I’ll have to give a post about the results!

Race Relax 5k

This past weekend I enjoyed running in the Virginia Highlands Summer Fest 5k! This was my second 5k but it was my first tweet-up/social media 5k event. I participated in Get Moving! Race and Relax with a group of diverse, talented and beautiful ladies. For some this was their first race, but for others this was just another race to add to the tally sheet. Overall, each of us were able to get together and enjoy the day first with the race, followed by a relaxing brunch sponsored by The Walt Disney Company at Einsteins ATL.

Me talking with The Broke Socialite

The pre race photo with everyone!

Our lovely event organizers Lorraine & Christie: The BlogRollers!

Me with Lisa

Me focused on finishing the race. This was one tough 5k with the hills of the Virginia Highlands and the heat. I wanted to set a PR, however, once I realized how hot it was and that I had not properly fueled up on pre race water, that wasn’t happening! I happily finished at 31:29. I didn’t beat my time from the Susan G. Komen 5k a few weeks ago. But I was satisfied nonetheless!

I smiled because I saw our photographer (@NuDad) ready to snap photos at the finish line!

All of us with the after race glow at the finished line!

Us with our trophies at Einsteins for brunch!

Our swag bag and all the gifts it gave! The bag was sponsored by Winesisterhood. The Disney Princess Half Marathon shoulder bag and spa gift certificate came from The Walt Disney World Resort. Our custom t shirts, trophies and pre race Cherry tart juice from The Cherry Marketing Institute.  We received spa samples (which I tested out as soon as I got home) from Pampered by Adrienne. Maria Bailey (@MomTalkRadio) added the Zippity Do’s hair conditioner (which is FANTASTIC and I definitely plan to buy) and BioGaia to our bags. It definitely felt like Christmas in June!

I can’t wait until the next Race Relax event. I really enjoyed myself and met some great social media enthusiasts I can relate to. The best part was getting to know so many new people before the race and at the brunch. I’m so thankful I got to be apart of this fun day!