Tag: marketing
Google releases Zeitgeist 2012 video based on 1.2 trillion searches in 146 languages.
by admin on Dec.12, 2012, under General
Like every year Google release another ZEITGEIST video based on 1.2 trillion searches in 146 languages.
Based on trending search topics Google procuced a short video which gives an interesting (very compressed) overview of the year in under 3 minutes.
I personally love these. I’ve posted the 2011, 2012 (now) and expect many more years to come.
Instagram starts rolling out web profiles … and why that is important for your brand!
by admin on Nov.05, 2012, under General
Hurray! Instagram has also joined other networks in rolling out ‘profile pages’ linkable and viewable from the web!
The official announcement was posted today to the Instagram blog.
With around 100 million users Instagram is a serious player amongst the many social networks.
Instagram’s focus on taking, editing (using filters) and sharing pictures resulted in a steady userbase grow and has put (a lot of) cash in the pockets of the founders when Facebook acquired Instagram for 1 billion(!) dollar in april 2012.
The profiles of all users will automatically become available during this week. You will find your profile at the URL –> http://www.instagram.com/YOUR-USERNAME.
Also brands (and their fans) have found their way to Instagram and now they can be found and shared more easily through their profile page link (these are already live):
RED BULL –> http://instagram.com/redbull
BARACK OBAMA –> http://instagram.com/barackobama
At this moment a lot of pages are still not active and will show a message: “This profile will be available soon” but keep checking your profile link as it will go ‘live’ in a couple of days.
Why this matters for your brand:
- Communicate your Instagram content more easily, link to it using your profile URL –> for example you could use QR codes in offline campaigns.
- If your photos are well choosen your profile page really can become your brand page => through these photos you can tell the story of your brand. Red Bull has done this very well!
- Not only you can link to your page but this is also possible for your fans –> this is an awesome way for your fans to become even stronger brand ambassadors.
- If you are tagged by another user in a caption and your Instagram name is the samen as your twitter-username and that photo is shared on Twitter, that tag will be the link to your Twitter profile.
- By also making your visual content available via a webbased link reach will increase (your fans are no longer exclusivly bound to an app to view your Instragram content).
So keep checking your Instagram photo link and use this information to your advantage!
Let’s connect on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chrisfictoor
VIDEO – Pinterest (and why your brand should be there).
by admin on Sep.29, 2012, under General
Nowadays Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn are usually integrated into the marketing communication mix of brands. BUT a lot of clients still look strange at me when I suggest to add Pinterest to the mix.
The following video tells it all. Pinterest is cool (check out mine at: http://pinterest.com/chrisfictoor/)!
Need advice about how to implement Pinterest into your ‘marcom’ mix? Please contact me!
Funny (interactive) viral video “Old Spice Muscle Music”.
by admin on Aug.30, 2012, under General
Once in a while I come across a viral that I really want to share with my blog readers. This time “Old Spice Muscle Music”.
It made our crew at the Fictoor Wagelaar office laugh and we had some interesting ‘beat-creation’ contests using the interactive features which is ‘unlocked’ at the end of the viral.
HAVE FUN!
Old Spice Muscle Music from Terry Crews on Vimeo.
Christian Fictoor – http://www.christianfictoor.com
Pin ItCool Innovation – programmable video t-shirt – #TShirtOS
by admin on Aug.12, 2012, under General
Sometimes I feature new and/or cool innovations on my blog. I was really impressed by this new innovation: a programmable video t-shirt (calles T-SHIRT OS). It is a collaboration between Ballentine’s & Cutecircuit.
Together they bring (copy + paste):
“THE WORLD’S FIRST WEARABLE, SHARABLE, PROGRAMMABLE T-SHIRT. THE ORIGINAL CANVAS OF PERSONAL-EXPRESSION, INNOVATED BY BALLANTINE’S AND CUTECIRCUIT. HOW WILL YOU LEAVE AN IMPRESSION WITH TSHIRTOS?”
They’ve made a video that will explain the concept a little further. Enjoy!
More information on the T-SHIRT OS on: http://www.ballantines.com/en#campaigns/tshirtos
Updated (added PREZI) – #Marussia #F1 #SMReporterNL -> Why I should be the #BelgianGP @Marussia_F1 team social media reporter
by admin on Jul.23, 2012, under General
UPDATED -> ADDED A PREZI PRESENTATION WITH A LOT OF MOTIVATION, BACKGROUND AND … PICTURES AND OTHER CONTENT I MADE AS SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTER ALREADY (LARGE FILES SO MIGHT BE A LITTLE SLOW – IF YOU WANT A STAND-ALONE VERSION (MAC/PC) THEN CONTACT ME AND I’LL SEND YOU THE FILE!
Want to reshare? Then use this link.
#Marussia #F1 #SMReporterNL -> It looks like a dream might come true. The Marussia F1 team is looking for a Social Media Reporter for the Belgian (SPA) GP. So this post is my entry for the contest. I’ve already blocked my agenda for the SPA weekend … so … the only thing Marussia needs to do is check out my ‘reasons why I should be the Marussia F1 team social media reporter’ and include me in the team (for the Spa weekend and maybe more races 
).
Why I think I’m qualified?! I’ll sum it up for you:
- I’ve been active in multimedia communication since 1996 and know what works and doesn’t work
- I’ve been a fan of motorsports (and especially F1) since … well … as long as I can remember
- I have professional experience in the use of Social Media of over 5 years
- I own the needed equipment (DSLR, JVC prosumer camera with interview mic) and have experience with the ‘content side of things’ like: SEO optimized text (I’ve written for the Dutch movie magazine DVDWorld & Filmscene but also many texts for online use), photo, video (also camjo) and of course all (relevant) social channels (including G+ and Pinterest, but also for example SO.CL)
- I have also worked in the ‘events’ branche and know how that dynamic ‘works’
- Because I’ve already done (live) social media reporting during some events for example (and most relevant):
- Good Cause Rally (text, video, photo, social platforms) -> http://www.facebook.com/goodcauserally
A video of the Good Cause Rally 2012 I’ve made during the event (preperation day + event day) together with my business partner Esther Wagelaar (she is the interviewer in this case – Dutch Language):
Photo album Good Cause Rally 2012 (photographs by me) day 1 (build up) ->
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.245992665517302.53571.241806309269271&type=3 -> The ‘Ferrari Police’ car went very viral 
Photo album Good Cause Rally 2012 (photographs by me) day 2 (event day) ->
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.246400072143228.53679.241806309269271&type=3
- Luchthaven Twente / Twente Airport (social media strategy, live social media reporting during ‘Zomertoer2012′) – http://www.zomertoer2012.nl / http://www.facebook.com/luchthaventwente
Photo album of first day of the ‘Zomertoer 2012′ on Twente Airport (Photographed by me).
AND … I understand how to build a correct mix of channels (and create engagement):
For my quest to become the next #SMReporterNL I’ve created:
- Facebook page -> http://www.facebook.com/Marussia.F1.SMReporterNL
- Google+ page -> http://gplus.to/MarussiaF1teamSMREPORTER
I presume that, when I get picked, I will post via the Marussia Twitter, Youtube and Facebook account. If that is not the case then I’ll create the needed channels for that as well. I also would like to use FLICKR to bundle User-generated photos and a special #SMReporterNL Pinterest board.
Using the right mix of channels will create reach and multi-platform engagement. This is what the Marussia F1 team fans are looking for (and they are your brand-advocates)!
AND … I create reach and know how to listen to and engage with your fans:
- Reach: My followers on Twitter: 1850+, Facebook: 1350+, Google+: 2000+
- Influence: KLOUT score generally between 57-60
- Listen & engage: I know how to LISTEN to your fans. I use an array of tools that help me get insight into what people are talking about, finding the most influential people and engage
- Reach & engage: I am a blogger for http://www.socialmedia.nl – one of the largest blogs about social media in the Netherlands (I could post a report there if you’d like it)
- Reach & engage: I’ve already made some fan-based social concepts successful like the Dive Dive Hyve on Hyves (few years ago, then more then 10.000 now about 8.000 members): http://divedive.hyves.nl/
- Reach, listen & engage: I’m member of many F1-fan / motorsport groups online and following (and followed by) motorsport and F1 fans on my social accounts
- Reach, authority & engage: I am linked to some (mostly) Dutch people in the ‘race-business’ like Tim Coronel, Patrick Huisman (and via-via I can reach more people who might be able to reshare and create even more reach!)
- Because I know how to operate within certain ‘boundries’ such as politics and strategic choices
IF I get picked these are a couple of things I’d like to roll out during the weekend:
- The fans will determine the bigger part of my interview questions
- Will create photo albums with both pictures taken by me and user-generated content
- Would like to roll out a photo- and video contest for people that attend the Spa race, their content will be judged and put into the photo-album
- Contests: Quizzes like; guess what f1-car part this is (macro photo), prediction of lap times etc. etc.
If I’ve understood correctly I can bring one guest to the Race (if I’m picked of course); I am thinking of a couple of people who all bring their own expertise to the table (is it allowed that this person helps out)? For example I could bring Esther (also active during earlier Social Media Reporting gigs) or internationally operating photographer Ebo Fraterman. But whatever the choice will be he/she should add to the total package; bringing maximum impact and engagement during the #spa weekend with captivating content.
AND …
Because people describe me as being a pleasant and energetic guy. I am a team-player who loves to really engage project full throttle and always give it more then 200%. And last but not least: I live for the sound of race cars, the smell of the rubber and petrol and I know my way around social networking platforms.
SO … This is the part where I ask you, the Marussia F1 team, to make my dreams come true and grant me the GREAT opportunity to prove that I am the best choice for your team as Social Media Reporter during the Belgian GP! You’ll get a professional who looks to work together closely with the team to reach the best results possible. Help me help you engage your fans (and potential fans!) and help to make your team’s brand even more well known.
HOPE TO MEET YOU ALL DURING THE BELGIANGP AT THE SPA CIRCUIT!
Need more reasons? Let’s Skype, or Facebook chat, or Google+ hangout or communicate via whatever channel you prefer!
Christian Fictoor
(potential) F1 social media reporter
Update july 25th 19:40hrs -> Screenshot of tweetreach for my #SMReporterNL campaign. The last 50 retweets generated within 24 hours reached more then 215.000 Twitter accounts:
TO MY BLOG READERS – HELP ME BY RESHARING THIS ARTICLE (PLEASE USE HASHTAG: #SMReporterNL). YOU CAN ALSO RETWEET THE FOLLOWING POST :
#Marussia #F1 #SMReporterNL -> Why I should be #BelgianGP Marussia F1 team social media reporter christianfictoor.nl/?p=376 (to help pls RT)
— Christian Fictoor (@chrisfictoor) July 23, 2012
We’ve already reached more then 215.000 accounts let’s make that over 250K Check out the screenshot at the end of this post!
How to Defeat the Social Media Skeptics in Your Company (interview with Jeff Hayzlett) -> spoiler: it’s all about strategy
by admin on Mar.15, 2012, under General
I just watched this incredible interview with former KODAK CMO Jeff Hayzlett. I thought I heard myself talking. His approach is exactly how my company Fictoor Wagelaar crossmedia marketing communication approaches our clients projects.
If you have any Social Media skeptics in your company then make them watch this. Can your company afford Return On Ignoring ?!
Of course I’m here for you if your company needs help with social media strategy, or wants to do a quick scan, book a new media awareness workshop (how has the world and therefore your clients changed and how should your company react to this new reality?) or social media training.
Please contact me for more information!
The (very interesting) interview with Jeff Hayzlett:
What an interesting week it has been; Adformatie article Google+ & startup weekend Enschede
by admin on Feb.07, 2012, under General
I’ve had an extremely busy week and it was special enough to share it with you!
Two cool moments in one week!
First of all I was featured in a article (by Jeroen Mirck) about GOOGLE+ in one of the leading Magazines for Marketing in the Netherlands; ADFORMATIE. As one of the early adaptors and actually implementing G+ for our clients within their marketingcommunication mix my opion was asked about the platform. The article is in Dutch (PDF) but has selectable text so could be translated through something like Google Translate.
LINK TO THE ADFORMATIE ARTICLE : http://www.adformatie.nl/images/uploads/adformatie-liken-of-plussen.pdfIn the same week I have been involved in preparations for the first ever Startup Weekend to be held in Enschede (for info check http://enschede.startupweekend.org ).
The event would be held in THE LOUNGE event-room in the ‘Spinnerij Oosterveld’ where my company Fictoor Wagelaar crossmedia marketing communication is also based. Our company was also one of the proud sponsors of the event.
Saturday I coached a couple of the teams working on their concept and that was energizing and inspirational.
You can check out a photo impression here Picasa Photo album Startup Weekend Enschede (a video will be added later).
My favourite videos for december 2011
by admin on Dec.16, 2011, under General
More rich media on my blog!
I’ve decided to post a couple of videos per month I really like. Hope you enjoy them too!
CONTENT MARKETING MANIFESTO
ZEITGEIST 2011 – YEAR IN REVIEW
SHOPPING IS MENT TO BE EASY
RUBIX CUBE ROBOT (FAST!)
Have you seen or produced a great video? Please tip me (and I might post it in next months update).
Double dip coming?! Companies should re-evalaute their marketing, communication, sales and internal strategies!
by admin on Aug.09, 2011, under General
There we go again… The stock exchange is showing red numbers, which – in case you don’t know – means trouble.
Is there a second financial crisis coming? For as yet this is too early to tell, but the signs are not good…
Time for companies to act! Overspending marketing communication campaigns that bring unmeasurable or low ROI is not a good idea. Marketing communication departments need to break out of their traditional thought patterns and new ways of doing business have to be implemented.
So this (maybe) second crisis is reason for looking at the internal organisation and external marketing communication strategies.
The focus should shift from ‘quick cash thinking’ to sustaining a healthy and durable relation with clients, shifting focus to emerging markets and sales-methods that have grown, even during the crisis of 2008-2010. So what does this mean :
- Get into the dialog; relate with your clients via crosschannel communication (like social media), set up webcare (and don’t mess about!). See what they are talking about and connect with them on that level. By taking them seriously though two-way communication they can become your brand(s) advocates!
- Re-organise your marketing communication department; no tunnel vision allowed. Your marketing communication should be innovative and focused on measurable results in stead of following the paved roads of the past (no more time for vague blahblah they have to prove their worth by producing measurable results). Make sure your also take new channels like social media seriously, it’s now a commodity. DON’T think that a student can cover the lack of experience in your marcom department… (we’ve seen too many bad cases to say this out loud).
If you have no out-of-the box thinkers, a good crossmedia marketing strategist (with social media strategy skills) in your team … no worries! You can hire them externally (like our company Fictoor Wagelaar crossmedia marketing communication ). There are many ways to tell ‘wannabe specialists’ (and there are many of them out there calling themselves social media guru’s that don’t even know what a Klout score is …) from the real quality consultants that can help your organisation further. If you need tips to filter the experts from the “wannabee” specialists then please contact me! - Follow trends and act on them; the world around us – and therefore also the consumers / businesses – are changing faster then ever before. This means keeping up with these changes or ‘missing the ride’. Companies that fail to pick up on these trends (opportunities!) will get in serious trouble… You can monitor trends and your clients thoughts very accuratly using social media monitoring tools (amongst other methods).
- Constantly re-evaluate your organisation; are we reaching our clients via the sales-channels they prefer? Are we implementing the ‘golden circles’ model? Is our organisation still ‘lean’ enough? How do we monitor and react to customer satisfaction? Can we optimize workflows? Where do we stand in comparrison to our competitors Etc. Etc.
- Dare to be different and focus on doing business internationally; be REALLY different from your competitors. What does your organisatiom offer customers that makes your company ‘stand out of the crowd’? Are you sure that your Unique Selling Points are really that unique?! Also tunnel-vision usually is a big problem. Hire external specialist that challenge you!
Realize that the world is your playground! Take a serious look abroad. Often your new business lies there and (often) not in the region(s) you have been active in for a couple of years.
I could sum up more then 50 point more, but that would be too extensive for this weblog post. Most important conclusion for this post should be that it’s time to change … fast !
If you want to talk to me about how to change your company to be ready for what’s to come, feel free to contact me!
Christian Fictoor
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