How Social Media Changed Music (Stop Blaming Napster, They Didn’t Bring Us Bieber)
02 Apr 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PR
What Works In Rich Media Mobile Advertising?
01 Apr 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRThe people over at celtra put together this informative INFOGRAPHIC outlining what ‘makes’ a mobile advertisement. They analyzed 60 different campaigns, and here are some of their findings:
- The expandable banner ad is the most popular format.
- iOS is still in the lead, but Android is closing in quickly.
- Video and direct response are the most popular, and widely used ad features.
- Consider context when creating your ad, as each vertical has an additional standout feature.
- Social media makes your ads MUCH more effective (obviously).
- Users love to share branded content — we’re skeptical about this one…
See all these insights and more in the INFOGRAPHIC below:
Embrace Disruption PR Easter Hours
28 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRHey all,
We’ll be closed for Good Friday, and returning to work at 9AM EST on Monday. We’re wishing all of you a safe and happy long weekend!
Weekly Disruptor: Corey Vidal of ApprenticeA Productions
28 Mar 2013/2 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PREach week at Embrace Disruption we introduce you to an influential person in the digital, blogger, arts, culture, film, or media world! EveryThursday, you can check back at EDPR to find out who we think is particularly amazing at ‘embracing disruption’ within their respective industries. This week, we’d like to introduce you to the founder of ApprenticeA Productions: avid YouTuber, Corey Vidal!
What’s your official job title, and where did you go to school?
What’s the most challenging?
How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life?
Do you support any initiatives or charities? Tell us about it, and please provide links!
Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.
How Diverse Is Your PR Language? Check Out the Most Overused Words
27 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRThe team over at Shift Communications conducted a study looking at 5,000 press releases distributed in 2012. Shift created this lovely word map that outlines just how many times PR pros overuse certain words. Check it out below!
What do you think of this list? What are the TOP and BEST words to use in a release? Are any of these words staples in your communications?
Pinterest Tips: A Baker’s Dozen
26 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRWe’ve searched the Web high and low for some of the best tips to help you make your Pinterest the best it can be and reach the maximum amount of people. Check out these awesome tips:
These tips come from Jessica Turner at PR Daily & The Mom Creative:
1. Use text on your photos, or create a title graphic
This is the single most important thing you can do to stimulate pins and repins. When people pin and repin on Pinterest, they are scanning through a lot of thumbnails. Having text on a photo makes it easier for users to identify what an image is and if they want to pin it.
2. Ask friends who are active on Pinterest to pin your content
If your content is relevant to a friend’s Pinterest boards, ask if they would be willing to pin your post. It is important to do this on the first day, when you are trying to gain momentum on Pinterest.
I have seen a direct correlation between asks and posts going viral. That early traction can make a big difference.
3. Push the post out via social media, multiple times over an appropriate period
While I am not an advocate of posting every single blog post to Twitter, Facebook, etc. multiple times, certain posts that I am really trying to push via Pinterest I will share numerous times.
For instance, I had a post that received more than 19,000 pins related to Father’s Day gift ideas. I tweeted about that post almost every day for the two weeks leading up to Father’s Day. Each day, I saw more pins to Pinterest, more traffic from Pinterest, and more sales from the affiliate links within the post. I was creative with my tweets, posted at different times of day and had other unrelated content in my Twitter stream, so it wasn’t like my followers were only hearing about that post.
4. Pin from your favorite sites If you see something you like on a website pin it! (I have the Pin It tool installed on my toolbar, which makes it really easy to pin from any site. It takes about 5 seconds to install.) Pinterest is only as good as the stuff that is pinned on it, so it needs people to pin new items to it. Plus, pins help drive traffic to your favorite sites.
5. Write meaningful descriptions (include key words, @+a name will tag someone) Pinterest requires you to write a description of some sort. Be sure your description tells what the pin is. It is also nice when you include the blog name or tag someone. You may have noticed that more and more bloggers are including text on their images to make the images “Pinterest friendly” and helpful for viewers on Pinterest.
Check out these tips from Ashley Zeckman:
6. There are SEO benefits: Pinterest is indexed by Google and should be part of your backlinking and social linking strategy.
7. Create community: Users can easily embed their social sites and contact information into the Pinterest profile description. This alerts users to all of the ways that they can connect with you.
8. Measure, refine, repeat: To determine what has been pinned from your boards you can visit: http://pinterest.com/source/yourURL.com or utilize tools like Repinly.com. Viewing your top pins will help guide your content strategy.
Amy Lynn Andrews offers these Pinterest Tips:
9. Write your own summary description. Don’t copy and paste the whole post, the whole recipe or all the instructions from the original post directly in your pin. Not only does it clutter the images with unnecessary text (see my pinterest pet peeves post), it’s not good Pinterest manners. Plus, posts are copyrighted so pasting them in their entirety is copyright infringement (more on copyright below).
10. Space out your pins instead of flooding the stream. If you’re pinning a lot of stuff at once, you can overwhelm your followers. For example, if you’re researching black shoes and spend an hour pinning a gazillion pairs of black shoes to your “Rockin’ Black Shoes” board, anyone who follows you will just see a sea of black shoes in their stream. (I’m guilty of flooding the stream.) Instead, spread it out a bit.
11. Follow individual boards to cut out the noise. One of the nice things about Pinterest is that you can follow individual boards. You don’t have to follow a person and therefore, all of their boards (although you can do that too). So, maybe you want to follow my “handy tips” board but you don’t want to follow my “easy peasy crafts” board. To subscribe to individual boards, simply click on the name of any Pinterest user and you’ll see all their boards. If you follow the person, you’ll follow all their boards. Otherwise, just pick and choose the boards you want.
12. Use Pinterest to connect with brands. You’d better believe companies are taking notice of Pinterest. Of course, we, the little people, have an advantage. That advantage? We’re small enough that we can dive in and get our hands dirty quick. Big companies, on the other hand are sometimes a little slower to the punch. What about approaching a large company you don’t see on there, let them know of the rage that Pinterest is and suggest ideas for the two of you to work together? Be respectful of course, but lead them by the hand and make suggestions from which you can both benefit.
And there is always something you shouldn’t do on Pinterest, Daniel P. Howley explains:
13. The wrong way to post material on Pinterest: The social network discourages its users, even marketers and businesses, from engaging in blatant self-promotion. So adding pins about your company alone won’t cut it. Georgieva, however, says businesses can use this restriction as an opportunity to get creative by pinning topics that showcase the lifestyle their brand represents. Try working pins about your business into these lifestyle boards as a reminder to followers that that board’s particular topic is exactly what your business is all about.
Film Monday: CGP Grey, A Unique Spin on Complex Explanations
25 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRThe world is full of complex situations and concepts that sometimes you wish someone would take the time to break them down for you and explain them in a way you’d understand. That’s exactly what CGP Grey has done on YouTube. His unique video style and witty commentary have helped him go viral with subjects such as The Difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England Explained & Death to Pennies
Check out one of his most popular videos, Coffee: The Greatest Addiction Ever, and see why we shouldn’t necessarily feel bad about needing all those glorious cups!
Weekly Disruptor: Lena Almeida of ListenToLena.com
21 Mar 2013/4 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRWe’re excited to launch a new series in which we introduce you to an influential person in the digital, blogger, arts, culture, film, or media world! Each Thursday, you can check back at EDPR to find out who we think is particularly amazing at ‘embracing disruption’ within their respective industries. First up, we’d like to introduce you to the talented and gorgeous lifestyle blogger, Lena Almeida. Take it away, Lena!
What’s your official job title, and where did you go to school?
My official job title is “Writer”, because that’s what I do – I spin stories. I have a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University.
Elevator pitch. Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter).
I’m constantly trying to perfect the art of “conversuasion”; that is, a gentle call to action in the midst of a great story, adventure or just one of life’s moments.
Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?
Isn’t it obvious? I thought the world needed another mommy blogger. Joking aside, I have always had a love for creative writing and business; blogging combines the two perfectly.
What is the best part of your day-to-day?
The best part of my day-to-day is knowing that I am in complete control of my day-to-day. Being your own boss is exactly as great as it sounds.
What’s the most challenging?
Trying to keep organized is a huge challenge for me, but then, it’s not strange to find Hot Wheels lined up on my office desk at any given moment.
If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see?
The 3 L’s: love, luck and laughter.
How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life?
With two young boys who share an “office” with me every day, my entire life is about disruption. Disruption for potty breaks, snack time, whining, hissy fits… and sometimes, my boys bother me too.
What is the most memorable moment in your career?
Every day is a memorable moment – if I don’t absolutely love what I have to say, I don’t hit “publish”.
Do you support any initiatives or charities?
As a #MiracleMom, I am a huge supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network. And Sick Kids will forever hold a special place in my heart; we donate monthly.
Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.
At 65 years old, I’ll be sitting with my husband in our condo in Del Boca Vista, Phase III.
Be sure to visit Lena’s blog at http://listentolena.com
Client News: Torstar Digital Employees To Build A New Business In Just 54 Hours During 2nd Annual Startup Weekend
20 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRTORONTO, ON – From Thursday April 11, 2013 to Saturday April 13, 2013, Torstar Digital employees will have a chance to pitch, create and launch a new business in just 54 hours during their 2nd Annual Startup Weekend. In partnership with Startup Weekend Toronto, this voluntary experience is a chance for employees company-wide to collaborate and contribute to diversifying and enhancing Torstar Digital’s growing portfolio of businesses.
Startup Weekend is a global organization with initiatives continuing to garner entrepreneur interest around the world. Last year, Torstar Digital partnered with Startup Weekend Toronto to be first at bringing this event into a Canadian corporate environment.
Chris Eben, founder of Startup Weekend Toronto, who will be mentoring during this year’s initiative comments, “In the past, Torstar Digital has been a great support to Startup Weekend Toronto. It’s been my pleasure to assist with bringing such a globally successful concept into a progressive organization such as Torstar Digital. I look forward to witnessing more of the innovation and creativity that was present at last year’s initiative.”
The event will kick-start with a keynote from Wattpad founder, Allen Lau and quickly progress into a ‘pitch’ session in which employees will be able to share their new business ideas with the weekend’s participants. The ideas will be voted upon, and participants will be divided up into teams to develop the top new business ideas.
Seema Lakhani, Torstar Digital’s Director of Strategy and New Ventures said, “Torstar Digital’s vision statement is to be Canada’s most entrepreneurial digital company. This event speaks to that vision. The goal of the event is to promote the entrepreneurial spirit amongst Torstar Digital employees, give employees an opportunity to build new business and meet new people across the organization. It’s also a great way for Torstar Digital to identify great new opportunities and businesses.”
At the end of the weekend, all teams will present their venture to a judging panel of prominent Canadian venture capitalists and leaders from the startup community including: Andy Yang (Extreme Startups), Bram Sugarman (OMERS Ventures), Candice Faktor and Matthew Leibowitz (Plazacorp Ventures). While the winning team will walk away with $5000, the real prize will be the opportunity to see their concept further developed and potentially turned into a real Torstar Digital portfolio business.
About Torstar Digital:
Leading the charge in Canadian digital innovation and investment, Torstar Digital was founded in 2005 to provide leadership in digital media for Torstar Corporation and is building a portfolio of leading digital businesses that serve both Canadian advertisers and audiences, developing cutting edge technologies, and creating a centre of excellence for digital talent. Torstar Digital’s current portfolio of leading digital businesses includes Workopolis.com, eyeReturn Marketing, Olive Media, WagJag.com, TravelAlerts.ca, Jaunt.ca, Tuango.ca, ShopCatch and web2mobile.
Website: http://www.torstardigital.com
Twitter: @TorstarDigital
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TorstarDigital
About Startup Weekend
Startup Weekend was founded by Andrew Hyde in July of 2007 in Boulder, Colorado. In June 2009, Marc Nager and Clint Nelsen purchased Startup Weekend from Andrew and restructured it as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit. Shortly after, Franck Nouyrigat joined as the third Director. Startup Weekend quickly became a nexus for early stage startup activity in communities across the globe. By the end of 2010, Startup Weekend had built a network of over 25,000 alumni, 150 volunteer organizers and 60 trained facilitators spread across more than 100 cities in 30 countries. In September of 2010, Startup Weekend received a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, allowing Startup Weekend to come closer to reaching its potential in attempting to understand the unpredictable science of successful entrepreneurship.
For interview requests or photos, please contact:
Cory Stewart
Embrace Disruption PR
647.638.1586
cory@embracedisruption.com
PR Then And Now: How Things Have Changed [INFOGRAPHIC]
19 Mar 2013/0 Comments/in Embrace Disruption Blog /by Embrace Disruption PRFrom reporters to bloggers, second day news to second hour news, press conferences to twitter chats: it’s evident that the PR scene has changed! Check out this INFOGRAPHIC to see elements of PR that are no longer the same: