Rookie mistake!

 
I'm pretty flabbergasted about the McDonald's Twitter fiasco that happened last week.  As this article points out, it's sooo easy for social media campaigns to be taken over/ co-opted by people who have an axe to grind with the sponsoring firms.  Consumers have power -- lots and lots of power (even if that power is just a loud voice, or lots of voices)!

Two other famous examples of firms having social media go the wrong way for them:
Chevy Tahoe (2006)

and Nestle (2010).

Something interesting that I noticed about the headlines for the McD's story is how many of them used the word "hijack" to describe the consumer response.  I don't think that handing the keys to someone and telling him/her to take a spin can be considered "hijacking," even if the driver decides to crash your car... on purpose.

Image sources: 
http://static7.businessinsider.com/image/4f21ede3ecad042e63000004/twitter-mouth-taped.jpg
http://matthewbywater.squarespace.com/storage/nestle-on-facebook.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1315806918821
http://www.carinsurancecomparisonsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/new-car-handing-over-keys-300x199.jpg

Hyperbole and a Half

Allie Brosh, one of my favorite bloggers -- who got her start while living in Montana! -- has an awesome post about marketing, so I'll share it for your weekend enjoyment.

Actually, she has quite a few posts related to marketing/advertising.  I think they're so good  :-)

Note: There are some bad words in these posts.  Reader beware...

More evidence

Here's a compelling piece from the WSJ (that's the Wall Street Journal in business-world parlance) that blogging is good for you, or at least good for your career.

Thinking about it, what I actually mean is that good blogging is likely to be good for your career.  Take note, and take heed ...

Image source: http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/eecearchive/books/fte/appli/Image59v2.gif

Y'all's blogs

Huge thanks to Joe Fauth for giving me a great laugh when I saw the above image on his blog!


Here are the links to all of the blog addresses I've received so far.  Hooray!  Now it's up to you to click around and follow those blogs that you think are compelling (funny, interesting, inspiring, etc.).

Note: If your blog isn't on this list, it means you haven't sent me a link to it yet, which means you're really late on this assignment.  Unfortunately, I'll have to start deducting points if you don't get on the ball and get your blog info to me by next Monday...

9:30 class:

http://abdeladimz.blogspot.com

http://alexandramk.blogspot.com

http://anacbblog.blogspot.com

http://brittney123456789.blogspot.com

http://butwhyothatswhy.blogspot.com

http://corbinsweblog.blogspot.com

http://crapcollegekidsbuy.blogspot.com

http://garrettvanhook.blogspot.com

http://gongorasparadise.blogspot.com

http://htmet.blogspot.com

http://jamilindgren.blogspot.com

http://jenniferbrien.blogspot.com

http://jessicafagerbakke.blogspot.com

http://levislounge.blogspot.com

http://pebbles-js.blogspot.com

http://rachelgranger135.blogspot.com

http://stevendrakemktg343.blogspot.com

https://plus.google.com/b/112542347573163506372/we

http://logancarter343.blogspot.com

http://www.kiwiphilosophy.blogspot.com

12:45 class:

http://amy-gaudielle.blogspot.com

http://amandareinke.blogspot.com

http://beaucartersweblog.blogspot.com

http://blogdecoolblogs.blogspot.com

http://cassandramichael.blogspot.com

http://cleanergreen.blogspot.com

http://cmgee.blogspot.com

http://consumerbehavior2012.blogspot.com

http://derektilzey.blogspot.com

http://elliotrueb343.blogspot.com

http://kaleyhinrichsblog.blogspot.com

http://linzhu3.blogspot.com

http://onproductsandpromotions.blogspot.com

http://peihanhao.blogspot.com

http://laurenmackayblog.blogspot.com

Image credit: http://cakeheadlovesevil.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/bloggangsign.jpg

Superblogpostingmania!

Just now, while writing my last post (on public transit, which now seems so.... flat) and listening to the radio, I just heard the two most interesting pieces of news that I've heard in ages.

(1)

A Harvard researcher has published academic research findings on what makes a hipster a hipster.  What seems especially relevant to me is that he referenced The Decemberists in his paper, and so did I in the 12:45 class last Wednesday! 

Clearly, this means that you're getting a Harvard-quality education right here at MSU.

(2)

New Zealand is pushing for sheep shearing to be included as an Olympic sport (summer, naturally).  I think MSU students (yay Extension!) would be at a distinct advantage for at least making the U.S. team, if it becomes a reality.

Clearly, this means that some people -- maybe you? -- are getting Olympic-quality athletic training right here at MSU.

Image credits:
http://s3-ak.buzzfed.com/static/imagebuzz/terminal01/2010/9/27/15/how-to-style-your-hipster-family-6050-1285615263-16.jpg
http://www.uwyo.edu/uwag/news/september2010/sheep_shearing.jpg

An interesting CB question

Here's a very thought-provoking article about what it would take for more people to choose public transportation over driving their cars.

I'd love to hear your thoughts (in the comments section of this blog) about what you think -- you can consider micro-scale answers (i.e., "What would persuade ME to ride the bus?") and/or macro-scale answers ("How can we design a system that appeals to 1000s of people?").

If you want, you can just chime in and let us know if you ever take public transit.  In Bozeman?  In NYC?  In London?  What are the differences that drive your (and other consumers') decisions?


Image credit: http://www.bozeman-magpie.com/article_images/embedded/images/STREAMbus.jpg

Your wikis are up! D2L is up!

I think I've taken care of all the technical "housekeeping" for this class.  See the sidebar to your left for details...

Now it's your turn -- make sure you set up your blogs by Monday!

Happy weekend  :-)

Image source: http://www.suzyqhomemaker.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/NW018.jpg

Washateria Futurama!

An Austrian firm called TouchSkin has moved us a little bit closer to our inevitable utopian future by introducing a "water drop" interface for washing machines.

From their website:  "Learn how a washing machine can become a piece of state-of-the-art interior design. Learn how this seamless, backlit control unit opens up a new world of direct interaction."

I predict that in a few years, we'll all have these in our living rooms and be using them to wash our, uh, clothes...

Photo source: http://www.touchskin.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Presentation-WashingMachine-2500x1700-FINAL.pdf

Pizza with President Cruzado

 Tuesday, January 17

Free pizza

President Waded Cruzado 

12:00 -1:00 pm 

Reid 415

GO CATS!

Everything you've heard about this class?

All true.

Welcome to consumer behavior, spring 2012. 

I'm really looking forward to getting to know you, and getting to work with you this semester!

Image source: http://blog.mrmeyer.com/wp-content/uploads/111228_1lo.jpg