| End of the World as we know it…? For us in the automotive PR world the News International phone hacking scandal is compelling for myriad reasons, not least because the most widely-read Sunday newspaper has disappeared – and its motoring page along with it. Other newspapers look vulnerable to being dragged into the mire. Twitter and its ilk are alight with comment and speculation. It is, without doubt, a juggernaut of a story, and the dust has far from settled yet. Ian Monk, a former executive at The Sun and The Daily Mail, (writing in PR Week) reckons it is ‘inconceivable’ that market forces will not shortly meet the prurient demand of the News of the World’s 7.5 million readers with the launch of another, similar paper. Meanwhile, Andrew Gilligan argues on the Telegraph’s website that a free press and ‘robust journalism’ must endure. |
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Check out the check-in media Who’s on Foursquare? Do you even know what it is? It’s arguable whether it matters but, as the number of registered users has now passed the 10 million mark, Brian Solis thinks that companies should consider getting involved. Perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at this ‘geo-location network’ as a way of connecting with the media and customers, as well as creating eye-catching campaigns. |
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Is this the next big thing? Possibly of greater significance than Foursquare is the recent arrival of Google+, a new social networking site which promises to tweak the nose of Twitter and slap the face of, er, Facebook. This useful link not only discusses the pros, cons and future of this hugely significant launch, but also includes a handy further link to Google’s official introduction to its new baby. This is essential reading – there’s a chance that this could become a dominant force in Social Media. |
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Bare neccessities Remember the recent, unfortunate episode when US Congressman Anthony Weiner sent a ‘revealing’ image of himself to an admirer – but posted it publicly rather than directly to her? Ouch. It resulted in his embarrassment, his resignation and a top news story with plenty of commentary on the perils of social media. In this link the Gadgetwise section of The New York Times suggests three rules to follow to prevent ‘Twumiliation’. |
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Money for nothing? Can anyone place a financial value on business involvement in Social Media? This interesting question is posed by Fast Company, which reckons ‘we are in the I Love Lucy era of social-media marketing, a golden age of unaccountability’. But with an estimated 80% of companies engaging in some sort of marketing activity on Twitter or Facebook this year, is it time to quantify the results of this rush to be a part of it all? |
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Twitter: to follow Auto Trader recently held its first tweetup in London for prominent automotive Twitterers. Here are some of those attendees, along with their autobios… @sam_burnett – ‘20-something writer having pre-life crisis. Rapscallion by appointment to Her Majesty. Deputy editor at Driving and Driving Instructor mags’ @zuffle – ‘Author of http://www.milesperlitre.com and freelance journalist specialising in UK Automotive fuelling and emissions’ @MajorGav – ‘Creator of PetrolBlog.com. Car nut who believes the world’s best cars were built between 1974 and 2001. Likes tea and Hobnobs. Not keen on Shatchbacks’ @A1GOY – ‘Freelance motoring journalist, Voice Over, Presenter, Podcastist, MSN Him bloggist and Pro Moaner. Keen harpist’ @OwenReady – ‘Car and Design Geek | Freelance Writer | Design Strategy Consultant | Aspiring Polymath | Associate Editor of Car Design News’ |
The Hub – Issue #6
– 19 Jul, 2011
