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    Online observations of public relations, marketing, advertising and social media; the occasional frivolity; and The Rundown show notes. Jump in, the water's fine.

    Please Note: Everything posted on this blog is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of my employer or its constituents.

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Friday Frivolity: A Facebook Update In Real Life

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Luke Armour

Many of us get really frustrated when our online platforms make changes to the user experience. Sometimes we like them, but more often than not, we get really angry and outraged by changes to our favorite social networks. I’m not immune to the anger; I’ve just gotten really good about understanding that I don’t have control over these things and I’m not obligated to use the platforms anyway. But, still, it can be a hassle.

I’m also a big fan of the “[insert online tool] in Real Life” meme. This video, shared with me by one of my bosses, demonstrates the disregard many of us feel when new changes occur to these platforms. I give you: A Facebook Update In Real Life.

 

Filed under: Facebook, Frivolity, Internet, Social Media, Social Networks | Leave a comment »

Internet Party: Social Sites as People

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Luke Armour

Or, Why Nobody Gets Anything Done On the Web.

A new fav. Enjoy.

The Google portion is one of my favorites. Also, Facebook not caring.

YOLO, LOL, SMRICJRES. Okay, I made that last one up.

Filed under: Digital Tools, Frivolity, Internet, Social Media, Social Networks | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Friday Frivolity: Look at this Instagram

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Luke Armour

During a very interesting professional development presentation at Kent State University yesterday, I was exposed to this highly entertaining video from College Humor: Look at this Instagram. It says a lot about our desperate need to overuse fun social tools. And what it says about us. Visual communication can be an amazing way to tell stories, but what story are we inadvertently telling? Take a look at your social media posts, bios and pictures. What are you really telling people?

Special thanks to Eric Stoller for the presentation and for showing me this video. I’ll be posting some more in-depth thoughts about his “Digital Identity, Social Media and Higher Education” presentation as time allows. But in the meantime, enjoy…

 

My apologies, but College Humor has disabled embedding this video. You can still click on it to watch on YouTube. It’s worth the click.

Filed under: Digital Tools, Frivolity, Social Media, Visual Communication | Tagged: , , | 7 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – Web Site Story

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Luke Armour

Geek dinners tend to resort to nerdy talk about tech news, the latest shiny social media gadget, and the latest social networking stories and stats. In our space, it also tends to turn into a discussion of the latest PR and marketing gaffes. It is called a Geek Dinner, after all.

I was pleased, while in Toronto last week for a vacation with my wife, when she agreed to join me for such a meet up with some of Toronto’s PR and marketing best, Donna Papacosta, Dave Fleet, Martin Waxman, Ed Lee, and fellow FHers David Bradfield and Eden Spodek. It was a blast to meet some of my coworkers face-to-face finally and shake hands with some of my inspirations and corporate rivals. Bonus, my wife even enjoyed it, so she says.

Donna, in addition to organizing the whole thing, tipped me off to this hilarious gem from College Humor that turns West Side Story into…well, I imagine what a Geek Dinner Musical would sound like. Thanks to all for making the trip downtown for the meet up.

Vodpod videos no longer available. more about “Friday Frivolity – Web Site Story“, posted with vodpod

Filed under: Frivolity, Music, Virtual Geek Dinner | 2 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – Google Roommate

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Luke Armour

With all of the exciting things being released from Google recently, including the convoluted, yet promising Google Wave, the experimental organized search-relevancy tool that is Google Squared, and the promise of Chrome on Mac and Linux, Google is certainly making strides to bury the release of Microsoft’s search engine Bing continue to be the a powerhouse in search and Internet-based collaboration.

So, what else will Google continue to provide to us – and at what cost? Check out ROOMMATES – Episode 1 from the boys at The Big Honkin, a hilarious adventure when Google becomes their roommate.

I’m looking forward to more, because as Google continues to roll out new services, Google Roommate may not be far behind. Hat tip agian to my colleauge and Internet bloodhound (in the nicest way) JayVee for pointing this out to me.

Filed under: Digital Communications, Digital Tools, Frivolity, technology | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Friday Frivolity – Transparency, Trust, and You

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Luke Armour

Dilbert.com

On the web, transparency and trust matter. Reputation management is increasingly important since, every day, the control of the message slips further out of the corporate grasp. Think about what messages you and your company are broadcasting. Then think about what you and your company are actually doing. Then think about what people actually say about you. Do any of them match up?

The netizens of the Interwebs have a funny way of sniffing out the truth of the matter and reporting it, which can seriously damage your reputation and ultimately consumer trust. Not that you work for or run Dilbert’s company. Nor would you do those sorts of things, right? Right?!

But more importantly, do you even know what people online are saying about you? Perception becomes reality – right or wrong. And while the control of your brand is fundamentally out of your hands, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be monitoring and engaging with people who do have that control. That’s why it’s called reputation management, not control.

Now, go have a good weekend, but keep the Google Alerts coming.

Filed under: Frivolity, Transparency | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Friday Frivolity – Real Life Twitter

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Luke Armour

As Twitter popularity grows, so does the resulting questioned looks we get as we try to explain it.

And no wonder, imagine Twitter in real life…
[feed readers click through for video]

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Real Life Twitter – CollegeHumor video“, posted with vodpod

This is what happens when you actually say the things you would normally just tweet, out loud and in public.

Very reminiscent of my Friday Frivolity – Facebook in Real Life post from last year.

I harp on this a lot, but you’ve always got to see how your audience is going to see a new tool, a new tactic or a new strategy. So remember this when talking to clients – put on your newbie glasses and try as hard as you can to see what they’re seeing. Whether it’s a new digital approach to an old problem or an exciting new step in unchartered territory; always view it from the audience’s perspective first. Then explain it. Then execute with the client’s blessing.

Because if you don’t explain in properly, your just showing people pictures of your cat.*

*not meant to slight cat people, cat bloggers or cats who blog. Please don’t email hate mail to me, it’s a reference to the video. Watch it again. I love cats, actually. I’m a cat guy myself. If I had a cat, I’ll bet he would blog. I had cats before blogs or at least before most cats blogged. It’s the keyboard she didn’t like. Now, if they come up with some meow-recognition software that actually WORKS, then we’re talking…

Filed under: Communication 101, Digital Marketing, Digital Tools, Education, Frivolity, Social Media, Twitter | 1 Comment »

Friday Frivolity – Twouble with Twitters

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Luke Armour

I, as a humble observer of the digital landscape, merely comment on the buzz therein. So, yes, I appear to be on a Twitter kick, but with good reason, it’s getting popular – and ultimately ridiculed because of it. People and businesses are using it, but still many people outside the fruit-drink chugging circle will look at you like an alien if you try to explain or show them Twitter out of context. As evidenced by the following hilarious video.

While they’re a any number of fantastic communication, entertainment and business reasons to use Twitter – please be very aware of the perception many will have of it. And while I hope the Fail Whale doesn’t try to eat you because of it, certainly your boss or client will if you aren’t prepared with a solid explanation of how this helps the driving goal of the organization.

I’ve been a fan of SuperNews since I posted about the Social Networking Wars some time ago. For more head to http://current.com/supernews or catch the Season Premiere, airing tonight, Friday March 20, 10 PM ET.

Filed under: Digital Communications, Digital Marketing, Digital Tools, Frivolity, Twitter | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – Twitter Frenzy

Posted on March 6, 2009 by Luke Armour

I tweet. You tweet. Who doesn’t tweet?

Well, a lot of people, that’s who. While cool tools like Twitter are great instruments (hat tip, Shannon Paul) with a lot of fantastic uses, it’s good to remember that, despite the fact that your Tweetdeck is giving you a constant window into the Twitterverse – and all your friends are on it – and you can’t imagine knowing anyone worth knowing is not on Twitter – because Dave Matthews is on it and Starbucks is and Riann Wilson and The New York Times and The Home Depot and, well, guess what?

Still not everyone is using it. Case in point: One of the baddest, smartest comic news guys around, Jon Stewart, says: “I have no idea how it works or what it is.” Watch on. [feed readers click through]

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “The Daily Show – Twitter Frenzy “, posted with vodpod

Communicators need to know the latest flashy widgets as well as the old standbyes. Both are in constant change. So know your audience, know your channels of communicating and know your message. Sounds like old, familiar advice.

Update: I forgot to include this hilarious and thought-provoking post by fellow Ohioan Kevin Dugan related to this topic. From One Thing Syndrome to Everything Syndrome, he’s got your two syndromes covered. Check it out.

Hat tip to BL Ochman for reminding me what a great sharable video this is. Also, you should follow me on Twitter.

Filed under: Communication 101, Customer Service, Digital Communications, Frivolity, Marketing, Online PR, technology, Twitter | 2 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – Star Wars and the Curse of Knowledge

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Luke Armour

As communicators, we are sometimes so close to a story, product or social media tool that we have a hard time explaining it to someone “on the outside.” But we should always be keeping our target audience in mind as we write, present, and network. What do these people know right now? What am I hoping they’ll know when I’m done talking? How do I bridge the two?

In Made to Stick, the authors Dan and Chip Heath refer to the Curse of Knowledge in their story about Tappers and Learners (read exerpt). I think of this every time I explain or present anything anymore. Sometimes knowing too much becomes a hindrance – your job is to not get trapped by the Curse of Knowledge.

But sometimes it’s just funny, as seen in this hilarious video: 
Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn’t seen it) by Joe Nicolosi

My friend Amanda had never seen a whole Star Wars film. When I asked her if she wanted to watch the original trilogy she said that she would, but that she already knew what happens. So I took out my voice recorder and asked her to start from the top. I then created some very basic animation in Final Cut to go along with her narration.

Filed under: Frivolity, Public Relations | 2 Comments »

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