NineSigma Launch First Open Innovation Social Media Platform

One of the leading providers of open innovation solutions, NineSigma has launched a new platform aimed at streamlining the innovation process. The platform, NineSights, was launched on 5th June 2012 and is the first open innovation social media hub that looks to better connect innovation providers with solution seekers from all sectors and industries.

Founded in 2000, NineSigma has been a provider of open innovation services long before it became standard practice across most industries, and has set the standard of how open innovation is practised today. NineSigma has helped companies from a wide range of industries including blue chip clients such as Kraft, Philips, and Unilever engage with the open innovation process. Thanks to open innovation, NineSigma clients have been able to solve immediate challenges as well as integrate new knowledge into their operations and overall, improve their financial performance. NineSigma boasts the largest community of solution providers and a comprehensive database of established innovation solutions.

NineSights came about following an extensive survey of professionals across different industries indicating something missing in the provision of open innovation services. The survey revealed a need for a more extensive innovation programme to meet both the needs of solution seekers and provides. NineSights is free to use and enables innovation seekers to post briefs with details of their requirements whilst providers can easily submit details of their technologies and proposals. The NineSigma team will take steps to ensure that both seekers and providers are properly vetted. 

"We have listened to our clients and solution providers who told us that a social media enabled platform where quality trumps quantity is what the world needs right now. As a result of this unique platform, organisations are able to make better connections faster and thus accelerate time to market." - Andy Zynga, CEO Nine Sigma

The NineSights platform, currently in Beta format, acts as a supplement to NineSigma's existing service offering users a more streamlined innovation environment. Solution seekers from all sectors be it commercial or non-profit will have access to a carefully selected pool of innovation experts including inventors, entrepreneurs, and researchers. The new service looks to be in keeping with NineSigma's mission to help organisations build and embrace a culture of innovation whilst developing its vast community of skilled innovation providers.

Image Credit; Opensourceway

How to Use Facebook for Your Crowdfunding Project

In the world of Web 2.0, crowdsourcing and social media make the best bedfellows as one benefits from collaboration and the other enables it through a limitless potential of vast networks. Crowdfunding especially, depends on social media to make connections and attract potential donors. Creating a Facebook page to promote a crowdfunding project is a positive step to securing those much sought after funds, but it is important to know how to use Facebook effectively. 

Creating a page and hoping enough people from Facebooks 1 billion registered users find their way to it is not the way to start out. Ben Hamilton of the UK crowdfunding platform PleaseFundUs offers five (and a bit) pointers on how to maximise Facebook for your crowdfunding project.

Last summer witnessed Facebook reach over a billion registered users and it’s a tool that should not be ignored when it comes to crowdfunding your idea. Click here to read more.

Acknowledgements; Thanks to Ben Hamilton
Image Credits; Javier Reyes Gomez

Play the Durex Facebook Game To Win Tickets to Launch Party

By now Gazette readers and UK television viewers are fully aware of Durex's latest product campaign in which everyone is asked "How in-sync are you?" The campaign is geared to promoting the Performax Intense, a new condom designed to enhance the enjoyment of sex by helping partners remain better in-sync with one another. To mark its arrival, Durex are holding a launch party at one of Soho, London's exclusive venues and are offering you the chance to win tickets to the event.

Durex have always embraced crowdsourcing and social media as part of their marketing campaigns with great success, and with their latest venture are bringing game playing into the fore. Those who have seen the television ads will know that it features two turntables playing "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye but at different speeds, when adjusted using a cross fader, it plays the song at the correct pace, in-sync. The public are then invited to visit the Durex UK Facebook page to play the Durex In Sync game in which a number of songs are played at varying speeds and the player has to achieve the same result. 

Those who visit the Facebook page and participate in the game will also be in with the chance to win tickets to the Performax Intense VIP Launch Party to be held at the exclusive London Soho club,The Box on 28th February 2012.  The party will be a glamorous and uninhibited celebration of the launching of Performax Intense, a night that "promises to be lusty, mysterious and one you will never forget." Guests will be treated to an assortment of signature Durex cocktails as well as a performance by The Box - Theatre of Varieties, and headlining the event a titanic sound clash between Radio 1 DJs Annie Mac and Scott Mills. 

So if you fancy an unforgettable night of decadence and debauchery at one of the most hard to get into venues in London, then click here to visit the Durex UK Facebook page. You have to "like" the page to participate, then simply play the game and then submit your scores into the competition.

Image Credit; HI Rorro

Suffolk Council Win Best Use of Social Media Award

The use of social media by UK public sector services are not always perceived to be a successful partnership. However, Suffolk County Council's Trading Standards (SCCTS) challenged this notion by tackling consumer fraud using digital communication and social networking sites to tackle consumer fraud. Their efforts were recognised and the local authority received the award for Best Use of Social Media at the 2011 Public Sector Digital Awards.

The award category reviews how the public sector uses social media to improve public interaction with the government and increase transparency. It emphasises the importance of social media and digital communication in the public sector. The SCCTS tackle the activities of rogue traders by providing information for business and consumers alike, for which social media has proven to be a valuable tool for communication.

With so much information to process and distribute the council use the GovDelivery digital communication management system. GovDelivery enables better management of the flow of information through automated email alerts to subscribers, and posting updates to social network sites and blogs. The system also monitors the council's website for new content which it then automatically conveys by way of email alerts and status updates. 

We are thrilled that our efforts to protect Suffolk communities were recognised last night. Twitter, Facebook and the like offer a brilliant platform for people to tell us when they think an advert, salesperson or scheme might be untrustworthy, and helps us share this information with others. Sarah Nagra, Community Engagement Officer, SCCTS

The SCCTS campaign has attracted over 8000 Facebook and blog views, 900 followers on Twitter and over 5000 email subscribers. Rogue traders cost individuals and businesses thousands of pounds. The campaign has helped better inform and equip the public with the necessary tools to protect themselves thanks to the power of social media.

Image Credits; Whatleydude

Latest Durex Product Campaign to be Led by Social Media

The most recognisable name in the manufacture of birth control products, Durex has never shy in embracing Web 2.0 principles in their campaigns, including crowdsourcing and social media. To promote their latest product Durex are embarking on a social media led TV campaign to be launched on YouTube before hitting the mainstream airwaves in which members of the public will be asked "How in-sync are you?".

Performax Intense is a new condom specially designed to enhance a couple's sexual enjoyment by enabling them to be more in-sync during sex. To promote Performax in the UK, Durex has partnered with Euro RSCG London who devised the social media led campaign. The campaign will start with a fifty second advert which will to be aired on YouTube on 1st February 2012. The ad features two turntables playing at different speeds but when they are brought in perfect sync a song by Marvin Gaye is heard. 

In conjunction with the YouTube ads, leading up to Valentine's Day, a Facebook game will be launched in which players will be challenged to find out how in-sync they are with the partners using a cross-fader device. The game features a number of a well known songs which need to be slowed down or speeded up in order to be heard clearly. Partners work together to bring the levels in-sync so that they can clearly hear the song, and must keep it in-sync for up to ten seconds. Those who are successful progress to the next level.

This campaign is further evidence of our social media capability working powerfully at the core of our uniquely integrated offer. We have taken an intrinsically social idea and used an online platform, ahead of TV, as its launch pad. - Russ Lidstone, CEO for Euro RSCG London

With the Performax Intense brand already established through social media, by the end of February the campaign will be aired on UK terrestrial channels ITV and Channel 4, during prime time slots. 

Image Credits; Hi Rorro

More Questions on Social Media and Employers

There is still some controversy and much uncertainty surrounding employers vetoing candidates based on their social networking profile. It is generally considered that a person's Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ account is off limits, and that no employer, potential or otherwise, has any right of access to what is considered a personal domain. Yet, from a lay person's point of view the law seems to be somewhat unclear on this issue, so let us consider it carefully.

As far as can be determined there is no law either prohibiting or allowing employers to access an employee's (or potential) social networking page. This means that an employer has a right to ask but is not necessarily entitled access to a person's social networking account. In the case of existing employees, with whom extensive interviews, references, and (for sensitive roles) background checks have led to their acceptance in the role, this would seem less of an issue. The real concern is when employers want to make a hiring decision based on the contents of a candidate's Facebook page or Twitter stream. It seems there is a genuine fear of potential employers learning about a candidate's partying habits, political affiliations, a few embarrassing photos, or possibly an admission to acts bordering on criminal or certainly anti-social that might influence their decision. So is there anything wrong with potential employers glancing at our social media accounts to get a more rounded picture of the person they are entrusting a job to? Well, yes and no.

Some roles do contractually place their employees under certain restricted behaviour, beyond the workplace, depending on the nature of the work involved. Any employer working in a profession/market dealing with sensitive matters such as law, finance or intelligence and defence departments of the government would need some reassurance that a potential employee can be trusted. If a candidate has a tendency to talk openly on the web in detail about their job thus revealing protected information, or whose behaviour compromises the sensitivity of the role they are entrusted, any employer would want to know. Surely employers should be allowed to view any information, not normally included on a CV or disclosed during interview, as a precaution to safeguard their interests in making sure they can hire the right person for the job.

There is an argument against employer access to social media accounts on the grounds of privacy principles. Yet many argue that social media is actually not protected by privacy laws.  Twitter hashtags, unsecured Facebook and Google + status streams are largely in public domain. In fact, in his article Should Social Media Determine Your Employment Status  Jeremy Simmons argues since the aim of social media is to convey personal information to an ever increasing circle of friends, family, and followers, it can hardly be considered private. He states; "It is not called 'private media' but 'social media', arguing that with some social media users whose circle of followers are equal to the population of a small village it is difficult to maintain any semblance of privacy. So it follows that when requested by an employer for access to their social media accounts, those who refused could be hard pressed to base it on privacy.

However, the privacy argument is far from defeated. It is true to an extent that a large social circle on Facebook, et al could negate the privacy factor however users have the option to determine with whom information is shared. Facebook allows users to choose which list to direct information to, Google+ has its circles, and Twitter gives users the option to protect tweets or use direct messaging. By only sharing information with select groups, privacy is maintained within that circle of trust. It is worth noting that employers cannot discriminate employees and recruits on the grounds of age, race, religion, nationality, handicap, or marital status. Much of this information should be provided although religion and race are not required disclosures, so an employer having access to information deemed confidential could leave themselves liable to legal action if it is successful shown that such undisclosed information, later uncovered, affected the decision of that candidate's employment. 

Employers can get a fuller picture of a potential employee based on their social networking posts. However, aside from the fact that any such access would have to be approved, a user can always clean up their profile to make it more acceptable before giving access. That said, using social media to determine the suitability of a candidate based on their personal life is drifting dangerously close to invasion of privacy. Whether a person has ten friends & followers, or thousands, this does not constitute an implied surrender of the right to privacy. 

An employer has every right to concerned about a potential employee's outside activities affecting or compromising their business. However such suspicions cannot surely be accurately determined just because someone enjoys a heavy night drinking or might express frustrations in their current job, or even have less than savoury political views, has little bearing on their potential to be good workers. Employment should simply be based on qualifications, experience and references, and not personal activities that may or may not put a business into disrepute, since the process already settles this. The issue of employers demanding access to candidates' social media profiles remains a controversial one lacking some legal uncertainties and setting a concerning precedent over the fine line between the much coveted work/life balance.

Social Media Not to Blame for UK Riots

The riots that erupted in various cities around the UK made newspaper headlines and top billing on the nations news channels. Whilst accusatory fingers were pointed at many aspects of society  for the escalation of the riots, whether it was single parents inability to control the children, or a backlash response to the government's public sector cuts, only one was afforded the lion's share of the blame; social media.In response to one or two arrests which revealed that Facebook and Twitter, as well as Blackberry were used to incite criminal acts, the government responded in true knee jerk fashion, called meetings with police and the intelligence community to discuss possibly shutting down access to social networking sites in the likelihood of any similar trouble erupting. Yet a study conducted by academics at the University of Manchester concluded that the role of social media during the riots was quite the opposite.

A multidisciplinary team made up of experts from universities around the country, led by Professor Robert Procter of the University of Manchester, undertook an extensive review of the use of social networking sites during the riots. Using an extensive JISC funded project known as the National e-Infrastructure for Social Simulation (NeISS), the team analysed over 2.4 million Twitter messages. They concluded that there was no evidence to support the call for a nationwide shut down of social media should riots every break out again. In fact the study has supported the notion that social networking was more valuable as a source of breaking information, some factual whilst others were rumours, that was shared across the country ahead of the mainstream media.

Where social networking played a vital role however was in the co-ordination of major clean up operations around the country. As the Prime Minister and security experts were condemning how social networking sites were being used to organise the riots, calls were put out on Twitter under the #riotcleanup hash tag for manpower and resources to help clear away the remnants of the destruction. This unifying aspect underscores the argument as to value of non interference in the daily functions of social media, and if the government still needs convincing then perhaps a reminder of the role Twitter played during the protests in Iran two years ago is in order. 

In my first editorial I challenged the mainstream media's perception of social media users, specifically an article in the Daily Mail that claimed to source scientific studies as to it's negative qualities. The almost witch hunt-esque pursuit by the UK government depicting social networking as the spark that lit the fire of the riots is an extension of those prejudices highlighted in my editorial. Thankfully however this scientific study by leading academics as to just how vital social networking site were for conveying information and helping communities in the aftermath, will hopefully lay much of those negative assumptions to rest. The results of the studied were printed in the Guardian newspaper as part of it's Reading the Riots blog.

Image Credits; Dirt Licker

Businesses Need to Embrace The Power of Social Media and Crowdsourcing

More and more businesses are turning to social media to attract and engage customers around the world, as well as develop new ventures and products. Virtually every business has a Facebook page, Twitter account and more recently Google+ page in which directly engage potential customers/clients, to source feedback on an existing product or field ideas for new projects. Yet many businesses still shy away from social media, preferring to stick to more traditional marketing methods. 

So why are some businesses still reluctant to tap into the limitless potential that social networking has to offer? One possibility has to be, like crowdsourcing, they are simply unsure of how it all works. Many people find social networking akin to a different world with its own rules and language that they simply do not understand. Many assumptions are hurled around on comments pages of news sites and forums in which social networking is seen as either a glorified chat room or virtual playground for self obsessed individuals. This blinkered view tends to blind some businesses to the potential of social networking to engage with customers about their product and generate potential interest which in turn translates into income. 

Some reluctance is not just down to lack of knowledge or popularist assumptions. There are still many fears as to the security of accessing social network sites. The recent Facebook porn scandal has not allayed the fears of the less Web 2.0 savvy who use it as the perfect cautionary excuse to stay away from these sites. This is reflected in a survey carried out by consultancy and audit firm Protiviti in which they reported that 17% (around 1 in 6) of UK employees consider social networking sites to be a risk to corporate security. These fears can be calmed through proper guidelines as to use of these sites, and an effective security system.

The real problem however seems to be a lack of vision. Monitoring customer feedback on Facebook for example, can be seen as not wholly representative of other customers leaving analysts unsure of how to interpret the feedback. Could this however be down to incorrect implementation? If you bombard followers with generic sales messages on a mass scale then feedback is likely to be vague. However if businesses can better understand the interactive component of social networking then they can start to build a relationship with potential customers, feeding them sales messages and information more relevant to them. Vodka giants Smirnoff used social networking and crowdsourcing to engage customers with their highly successful Nightlife Exchange campaign. 

It is also interesting to note how the reluctance to use social media has blinded some businesses to the potential cost savings. Ten years ago focus groups were used by businesses to determine customer reactions to their brands and were very costly to organise. Depending on size of venue and location the cost could range from £500 to £1500. Organisers would have to arrange venues, find the right groups, and determine reward incentives. Registering with any social networking site is free and you can start asking questions straight away, thus saving on costs. Whereas focus groups have limited number of participants social networking offers the potential to tap the insights of a limitless number of consumers thus ensuring high quality results. 

An understanding of crowdsourcing as a source of ideas and innovation through social networking could not only enhance a company's brand but even help develop new brands and ventures. By embracing social networking and Web 2.0 principles businesses can take advantage of a limitless customer base and develop an advantage in a rapidly competitive business world.

Image Credits; Social Grow

New Social Networking Site Puts Priority on Privacy

Privacy and security are the number one concerns when it comes to use of social networking sites whether for business or personal use. The big names are under pressure from uses to better protect their privacy but also from other sites looking to capitalise on this call with assurances of such protection. The latest is FourNote.com, a social networking site that promises to put the security into the hands of its users.

FourNote is like any other social networking site in enabling the sharing of images, audio and video files, as well as a means of messaging and chatting to other users. However it also allows for the sharing of other files such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and PDF, making it ideal for business and academic purposes. 

Fournote.com is for select individuals and groups who want to retain privacy while sharing their lives on the Internet It’s easy to use and designed for friends, schools, students, communities, social organizations, families and businesses. - Alessandro Bani, Founder, FourNote

The new site also enables users to create filters or spheres through which to share information. The group members can then easily communicate and share information with one another or even other members. The user is then empowered to determine who can share what and with whom either within the individual groups or its members. This also helps cut down on the amount of inbox clutter.



FourNote enables message and information exchange with such ease that it opens up the potential to revolutionise the way group meetings can be conducted, for example; a user could conduct a seminar within a group and distribute accompanying materials to all the group members. Business meetings could also be conducted in a similar manner with company performance data or project proposals easily shared. With an emphasis on placing privacy protection in the hands of its users, FourNote could give other social networking sites cause for concern.


Image Credit; Dave Bleasedale

Social Business Networking Platform Announces Latest Upgrades

One of the latest business information and social networking platforms, GageIn has announced upgrades to its service making it easier  for users to share valuable information with their clients, effectively network and promote their businesses. In addition to service enhancements, GageIn has added incentives for new users who register today looking for another way to build their business online. 

One of the stars of this year's DEMO conference held in San Francisco, GageIn is the only business-networking platform that is content run. GageIn acts as a hub for sought after quality business content which is shared amongst its users looking for ways to enhance their business need.GageIn's algorithm searches through millions of news sources which can then be filtered to the users' dashboard or email inbox. The system also operates like any other social media site allowing users to track and follow individuals and companies by keeping update with their streams as well as tagging and sharing information. 

Busy professionals want business intelligence gathering and social networking tools that can help them cut through the data clutter, save time, and act on information faster.Based on feedback we've received, we wanted to simplify and optimize the GageIn platform to allow users to find better content and receive insights from their peers more efficiently. - Luosheng Peng, CEO, GageIn

The new enhancements to GageIn include an aesthetically revised interface which not only gives   the platform a new look and feel but will allow users to better access their aggregated content from their business ecosystems. Content will be easier to filter and read as well as access news and updates from all media outlets and social media platforms. Users will also be to track keywords to monitor real-time news and updates, as well as create saved search alerts which deliver  updates via email. As well as pulling data and updates from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, GageIn will pull in all comments on shared content. This makes it easier for users to track shared conversations and gain an insight into their business ecosystem.  

As well as performance and interface enhancements, GageIn offers new users who sign up to build their network of business contacts can earn referral points. These points, awarded for referring new users to GageIn, can be traded in upgrades, features, and prizes. GageIn is all about empowering business professionals to better build contacts and expand their business, thus putting the business in social networking.  

Image Credit; V Talk

Can Social Media Improve Dialogue Between Religions?

The use of social media to improve interfaith communications and relations will be the theme of this year's Doha Interfaith Conference. The 9th annual two-day conference, set up by the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID), will be held on 24th October 2011 and is expected to draw over 170 participants from the Middle East, Europe, and the US to examine the theme of  'Means of Social Communication and the Interfaith Dialogue; a Futuristic Outlook'.

This year's conference will revolve around issues like interfaith dialogue, civilisations and cultures with a focus on the role of social communication media in influencing people's opinion. Ebrahim Saleh Al Nuaimi, the director of the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID)

Religious scholars and experts at the conference will examine the impact social communications and networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube in the Arab world. They will examine whether or not free and open channels can encourage better understanding between the faiths and perhaps even lead to constructive dialogue as a way of resolving disputes. 

The DICID is committed to promoting the acceptance of different religious and philosophical views which can be facilitated through social media. Free and open communications offers the opportunity and the means for people of different cultures to communicate and share ideas. Yet the DICID want to put equal focus on how to implement those tools effectively, in the hope that effective communication will lead to better understanding and perhaps even resolutions to disputes without leading to war.

Source; Gulf News
Image Credit; Seeds of Peace

First Printed Magazine All About Social Media

In an age when more publications are available online, some would assume that a need for printed publications would diminish. Social Media Monthly is the first, and to date, only printed magazine to publish articles on all things to do with social media. With only it's first edition it has generated both positive reviews as well as some critical scorn.

The magazine was launched by the technology group Cool Blue Company LLC, based in Washington DC, and focuses on all aspects of social media from the uses of different networks to viral marketing. The magazine is the brainchild of the group's founder Robert Fine, who formed Cool Blue Company whilst studying for his PhD at George Mason University. Fine has over 17 years experience in systems and sales engineering working for various prominent groups such as the Hughes Network Systems LLC, an international provider of satellite broadband internet. 

Social Media Monthly was launched in May 2011 at New York city's BlogWorld and New Media Expo.  Attendees at the event were given early editions of the magazine to read and offer feedback, which has largely proven to be very positive. Praise has been offered for the magazine's provision of  the latest news and in-depth insights on the word of social media with contributions from various leading proponents in the world of social media including Simon Mainwaring, Shelley Kramer, and Beverly Macy. 

Whilst some technology writers such as Heather Matheson of Technorati praise the magazine's ability to cast a discerning eye on all aspects of social media and giving it some much needed positive recognition, one or two sceptics have failed to see the relevance of a paper publication on a digital phenomena believing it to be best suited as an online platform. 

I am basically speechless that a venture capitalist funded this idea – I’d sooner fund a magazine devoted to dancing about architecture. But if you want to read about social media on the train instead of just doing social media on the train, go to Barnes & Noble and get a copy. -  Hank Campbell, Science 2.0 

It seems that despite such scathing rhetoric the magazine is already creating a growing demand, with founder Robert Fine reporting a 20% increase in retail orders since the first issue, and the second issue scheduled for release in October. For those wishing to judge for themselves, the magazine is available to buy in the US from Barnes and Noble, and newsagents internationally in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Canada (recently included for international distribution), and of course, the UK. It is also available to download as an app for both the iphone and ipad.


Source; Social Times
Image Credit; Social Media Monthly

Crowdsourcing & Social Media Help Heal UK Communities After Riots

The British media is focussed on only one story today; the riots which started on Saturday 6th August escalated across various parts of London as well as other cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. The police are having to continue their investigations and emergency services dousing the raging fires, and attending to those injured, amidst continuously repeated incidents. Underneath all this, fractured and still angry communities are rallying together to clean up their neighbourhoods and making use of social media and crowdsourcing to find help with this thankless task.

The Big Clean Up
With certain media outlets focussing on how social media and instant messaging was used to rally scores of thugs to carry out precision attacks, it seems that it has been reclaimed for a more positive use. Using the #riotcleanup hashtag on Twitter, local residents putt out the call for help in clearing away the remnants of the devastation. Melted wheelie bins, burned out cars, and assortment of other debris scatter the streets of areas hit by the riots, but there are simply not enough people to help due to work commitments and the difficult task of clearing up their own wrecked homes and businesses. 

The response has been overwhelming with a website established to provide those who are able and willing to help, with information as to what can be done. The #riotcleanup tag  is awash with offers of help as well as messages of support boosting morale for those with rolled up sleeves and in the thick of it. Labour politician John Prescott, actor Simon Pegg and writer/comedian Graham Linehan have all been on Twitter making sure the message is continuously spread with regular tweets and updates. 

Police & Social Media on the Hunt

Whilst there is some indication of understanding as to the situation which led to the riots, the perpetrators it seem have incurred the wrath of much of the UK and the communities caught in the crossfire of hurled debris and petrol bombs. 

So that the public can help in the capture of those involved in the riots, police have posted CCTV stills of suspected rioters and looters on their flickr stream asking people to look through them and call if they recognise any of the individuals. The page has been circulated throughout Twitter by users and it seems that "Catch a Looter" has become one of the UK's top trending topics. It is too early to indicate whether or not this is proving a success, only time will tell. 

In what has been one of the darkest days for the UK and its citizens, social media and crowdosurcing have mobilised people in a singular display of compassion and humanity. It proved to be a symbol of defiance in the wake of wanton destruction and violence by thugs seemingly intent on causing chaos. It also provided some iconic images more likely to be associated with the riots than the all to familiar scenes of destruction. 

Image Credit; edufiend.com

Link with Friends on Facebook Without Computer or Smartphone

Facebook is experimenting with technology enabling users to access and update their profiles without the the use of a computer or mobile enabled phones. Instead of carrying your laptop or tablet around, the user is presented with a wristband or badge containing an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip to access and update their Facebook profiles at designated stations. The system emerged last year at an Israeli amusement park, the Coca-Cola Village and is already being used by recognisable blue chip names with some notable success.

Dorst & Lesser is a Dutch advertising firm that specialises in helping its clients maximise the potential of social media. The company already successfully used this method of interaction with Facebook at the Dutch Autorei exhibition for Renault. Attendees would be issued with chip-enabled badges to "Like" their favourite Renault model by swiping their badges on terminal pillars. Their latest venture is with trendy Spanish hotelier Ushuaïa.

Located in the holiday resort and party capital of the world Ibiza, Ushuaïa caters to those who enjoy the night life and the music scene, and is often used as a paying concert venue. Hotel guests and concert goers are issued with a wristband containing an RFID chip which synchronises with their Facebook profiles. By swiping any one of the pillars located throughout the hotel, people can upload pictures and post status updates. Other users can view these posts on  Ushuaïa's wall. 


Facebook integration Ushuaïa Beach Hotel from Dorst & Lesser // Social Media on Vimeo.

The advantage of this system is that allows guests to leave their laptops at home thus lessening the risk of loss or damage. It also saves significant costs on roaming charges incurred when trying to  connect with your smartphone. Within the first week of going live the hotel has doubled its Facebook fan conversion rate from 1000 to 2000 per week during which guests have taken over 1200 pictures.

With Ushuaïa singing the system's praises with such encouraging numbers, Dorst & Lesser's creative director Niels Verhoeven stated that there had been interest in developing the same network from hotels and businesses across the globe, with India possibly being the next port of call.

Source; Wall Street Journal

Image Credit; Dorset & Lesser

Music Production Gets the Social Media Makeover

Musicians are no doubt already aware of the power of social media and the internet to promote themselves and their material with sites such as YouTube and Facebook. YouMusic.com is the latest social media platform available to musicians and designed to specifically enable them to spread their music to a much wider audience.

Whilst conventional social networking sites are suitable for this purpose, YouMusic.com is specifically geared to creating a one stop shop for independent fledgling artists to share their music with interested fans and music lovers alike. 

The site is free to use and incorporates users' existing social networking accounts to access their YouMusic page. Once logged in, artists will have their video and audio files along with blog posts added to their YouMusic page. At the same time the site will post updated material to their Facebook wall and Twitter feeds, all of which are easily accessible by their fans.

We are constantly looking to add more value to independent musicians. Our latest deployment is the ability for musicians to fast-track the login process with their social media logins such as Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and LinkedIn, which also leads to their ability to promote their new music to the social media. - Shelva Navah, CEO YouMusic Inc.

The advantage of YouMusic over other social networking sites is that it affords users more time. Using social media to promote music can be time consuming especially if artists rely on other means to generate income. The YouMusic platform provides a central hub from which users can promote their material across different sites without having to carry out numerous tasks. This makes it easier for the artists to maximise the promotion possibilities of their music whilst able to fit it all around their busy life. 

Image Credit; Pip R. Lagenta

Challenging Press Prejudice Against Social Media

Whenever a story hits the mainstream news about social media and networking it is almost always shown in a negative light, or so I have observed in a number of instances. Take for example an article posted by the Daily Mail on Saturday 30th July 2011 with the following headline;

Facebook and Twitter are creating a vain generation of self-obsessed people with child-like need for feedback, warns top scientist

The article penned by Sarah Harris cites comments made by Baroness Greenfield, professor of pharmacology at Oxford University. She believes that friendships forged over the Internet through social networking sites are rewiring our brains thus having a detrimental effect on our concentration and ability to engage with people face to face. In her damning of social media the academic Baroness points her accusatory finger at Facebook and Twitter.

What is interesting to note (and not surprising given it is the Daily Mail) upon reading the article is the lack of any empirical evidence and balance. Ms Harris' article makes no reference to any study carried out by the Baroness so there are no results to examine and refute.There also seems to be an absence of factual statements, instead referring to the Baroness' beliefs or suggestions . Yet the article presents negative and at times stereotypical views of social media users as statements of facts, and even overlooked that Baroness Greenfield made similar claims in an article by The Guardian newspaper. 

The Daily Mail article has obviously decided to exclude any counter arguments as to the benefits of social media, and cyber interaction. Such benefits include reuniting old friends, schoolmates and work colleagues, and even estranged family members. It also bypasses the ability of social media in providing a more intricate way of keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, be the in the next town, city, or continent. Other omissions include;

• breaking real time news, 
• monitoring crisis situations all over the world, 
• making it possible for even more philanthropic ventures to gain support
• even helping to solve and/or prevent crimes.

Yet almost all of this can be forgiven since very little of these feature boldly in the mainstream. The most disturbing aspect of Ms Harris' article however is the Baroness' negative profiling of social media users.

It seems the Baroness has damned us all as lazy, infantile, and egotistic sharing banal information about our lives seeking attention by the bucket loads. This might be true of some but by presenting them as facts The Daily Mail has indulged in an exercise of irresponsible journalism. It fails to make any mention of the countless scientists, authors, and other social & political commentators who use social media to share information and engage in healthy debate. The news outlet also ignores those Twitter followers and Facebook friends who are in fact well educated and well read, keep up to date on current events around the world, and even display a sense of social responsibility and moral concerns. 

The Daily Mail article is far from being a balanced reporting of facts supported with evidence but rather a mish-mash of assumptions and perhaps an expression of personal disdain on the part of the Baroness.  It serves no purpose other than to fuel the fire of the Mail's readers who already make such negative assumptions, and thus the article validates their hostile reactions. The Daily Mail would do well to consider this article by Kelly Rusk, and perhaps do a little more research into the benefits of social media.

Image Credit: Ed Yourdon