i'm lovin' it

2009 seemed to be the year social media exploded into the mainstream. Maybe it's been huge for a while but it's me that caught on this year. 

There were two social media items at years end I thought were interesting. The NY Times wrote a piece about the first Twitter Christmas. It ranged from posting special deals and shopping strategies to popular gift items and wheres the open parking spaces in shopping malls. What was most compelling to me was this anecdote from Black Friday:

After buying a new navigation system at 6 a.m. on the most frenzied shopping day of the year, Laura S. Kern of Los Angeles could not figure out why it was not giving her traffic updates. She sent a message to Best Buy’s Twitter account and within five minutes not one, but two Best Buy employees responded with fix-it advice.

Businesses are using the Twitter open platform to create better interaction between customers and their employees therefore the brand. Its more time efficient, more personal, more modern. Every brand is trying to incorporate social media into their marketing. The Christmas season is a seamless approach to utilize social media in communicating with consumers. Finding a comprehensive over arching brand strategy beyond the season is another. 

Someone at McDonald's, one of the world most recognizable brands, put together a social media strategy to create a stronger bond with their customers and enhance their image. Go through the deck. It's impressive thinking. I'n curious to see if McDonald's actually implements this strategy. Personally I won't let my kids go near the place but I'd love to see them take these marketing steps. I believe they would further distance themselves from the competition and set a new standard for other brands not just those in the fast food business. 

BDI 11/12 The Social Consumer - McDonald's Presentation

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