What’s in a name? Apparently a lot. 
As more and more companies begin to realize that social media is a space they can no longer avoid, they are looking to hire agencies and internal positions to help navigate the vast space. However, these new positions (and agency needs) are causing an interesting game of semantics.
A recent 2 page AdWeek article on the subject of social media referred to the same type of position in the following ways:
- Social Media Consultant
- Social Media Expert
- Social Media Czar
- Social Media Team Member
- Social Media Marketer
- and my personal favorite Social Media Evangelist
Now coming from the SEO side of things, someone needs to get a WordTracker account pronto and a quick rundown in content optimization. Beyond that…..what is the real difference here and does it really matter? I would say none and no. If the position listing calls out a proper set of activities the company needs the position (or agency) to fill, finding the right person or group should be no problem. Naming it or them should be even less of one. But hey, if this name-game continues I may push for a title change to Social Media Goddess or Princess or Queen or….you get the idea 
Veoh is known for breaking new ground in the online space, but their new advertising program could revolutionize the way advertisers purchase advertisements online and how consumers are exposed to them. The program (being release out of beta today) will group viewers into buckets based upon their past searching, tagging, commenting, and viewing activities.
One could ask if a user watches videos online that fit into their true interests or if they primarily watch pieces that are considered viral (have you seen the water skiing chipmunk?!)? For YouTube this may be true, but Veoh offers the largest library of online TV resulting in more interest based viewership. Veoh is even claiming that during beta the program’s ads preformed twice as well as the non-targeted versions.
It will be very interesting to see how this technology develops and what it does to Veoh’s position in the industry.
The dealings of the Microsoft attempt(s) to purchase Yahoo! are considered old news. Yahoo! wanted more money, Microsoft said no, and Microsoft eventually pulled its offer (much to the dismay of Yahoo! shareholders everywhere). Seemed like a sailed ship……apparently not.
Microsoft and Yahoo! are now again in purchase discussions, but this time Microsoft is looking to just purchase Yahoo!’s Search business. These new dealings are creating a great deal of speculation that Microsoft will purchase Yahoo! Search and then….buy Facebook!
O’ what a twisted WEB they weave. What would these acquisitions mean for the web world? Would this actually give Google something to worry about? I would love to hear some thoughts (and some clever new merger names).
Andreas Roell was interviewed on FOX 6 News regarding the impact of viral marketing in this year’s presidential race. Two videos produced by the Black Eye Peas about John McCain and Barack Obama are discussed. Click here to watch the video.
by Andreas Roell, CEO Geary Interactive
Convergence is the norm
Media convergence is all around us. The internet is available on cellphones, televisions and in cars, which is turning the world into one digital playground. In this dynamic atmosphere, traditional media outlets are continuing to struggle to keep in stride with their interactive counterpoints, and as a result, Americans are seeing reporters posting blogs, streaming radio online, TV programs available for download and digital billboards. Analog media outlets are fighting to stay relevant and timely, which creates opportunities for interactive marketers to increase their reach. The union of all forms of media equates to endless chances to reach consumers at multiple places on several platforms.
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-article published by iMedia Connection on January 30, 2008
