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Episode #167 - September 23rd, 2011
This week on the Marketing Update, Karen and Mike sit down and talk with their guest Anne Holland, the publisher of WhichTestWon.com. Anne shares her expertise and opinion on this week’s most talked about topics, including PETA.XXX and Facebook’s ‘TimeLine’.
1. PETA.XXX
PETA is planning to shock everyone with a pornographic website called PETA.XXX. PETA's goal is to utilize shock-value/pornographic photos and videos to attract and redirect their audience's attention to their animal rights and vegan diet message. However, this sexually suggestive endeavor may not provide the results PETA is looking for. Hopefully, PETA understands the consequences of taking such measures to gain attention. This decision may cost PETA their reputation and image.
Marketing Takeaway: Out of the box ideas and remarkable content attract attention. PETA has been successful in the past with radical strategies to gain PR attention. Mike Volpe mentions in this week’s episode that even if PETA chooses to not follow through with PETA.XXX, they have already created a buzz by just mentioning their plans on taking this step.
2. Facebook’s Timeline
Facebook's new profile design, 'Timeline', is a type of "digital scrapbook" that enables you to go back in time and look at all of your past posts. You can navigate through your profile's history and find specific posts from your past by clicking on any year in the 'Timeline'. With 'Timeline', you are also capable of adjusting the privacy settings of past posts and are able to delete any videos, pictures, and comments that you regretted posting. This allows Facebook users to have more control over their 'digital identity' and how they represent themselves and display their life history on Facebook.
What Facebook needs to worry about, is negative feedback from users unwilling to accept these changes and reject the new design. However, there will definitely be users willing to accept and utilize the new ‘Timeline’ features.
Here is a recent interview with Vadim Lavrusik discussing the details and capabilities of ‘Timeline’.
Marketing Takeaway: In the past, getting “likes” on Facebook would help you spread your message to people. However, now your Facebook strategy might need to be aimed at engaging and keeping people on Facebook. The new changes to Facebook, including ‘Timeline’, are focusing on keeping users logged in and using Facebook for longer periods of time during their sessions.
