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Check Out The New Blog!

After 4 long years of having this blog on typepad we're moving over to a different platform at http://leberpr.com/blog/ ~ I think you'll notice immediately what a fresh look the new site has as well as many other features that will make cataloging and presenting relevant information about our company and clients much more organized.  

Social Media Impact Explained

This is a clever little YouTube infomercial argument for social media that is very compelling - I hesitate to agree with the producer's enthusiasm for Gen X driving the way the trend is evolving, and I think their concept is a bit reductive in terms of scope, but it does offer great food for thought - especially with the notion that brands need to drive their message directly to their customers.

Social Media Marketing ~ How To Infuriate Your Fans & Friends on Facebook pt. 1

About a year ago if I mentioned the concept of harnessing the power of Facebook and Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, ect as a realistic strategy for marketing a brand, I would generally get a very long "hmmmmmm ....." followed by a very pregnant pause from many of the people I talked to.   A massive question mark would float over their heads as, more often than not, they just couldn't grasp the concept. 

Magically within the past six months however all that's changed with virtually every person I've ever known jumping on (at least) the Facebook bandwagon.  Unfortunately, rather than adopting the evolving norms of social media into the platform, which BTW are based on (1) actual human contact (2) original and interesting ideas (3) reciprocation ~ most Facebook newbies have attached dusty old marketing ideas to their shiny "new media" programs.  

As a result Facebook in particular is being used in some very annoying ways.  I thought I'd start tracking the most insidious behaviors and note them down here (mostly as a venue for venting my angst about the situation)....if you want to annoy on Facebook, here are some ideas:

1)  Businesses who want to really tick off their Facebook fans should be sure to send incessant group emails announcing minor sales, bland product announcements, and other information that is of interest only to their internal sales staff.  As a blogger, I'm used to getting press releases from other PR firms emailed rapid fire via specific email accounts, as such I really have little patience for this type of information sent to my Facebook in-box ~ and I'll lay you odds that I'm not in the minority here.  Even the most casual Facebook user is most likely not interested in being spammed about your 5% off sale once a day - if they are they'll visit your page to see it.  Facebook by definition is a "FACEBOOK" ie: people attached to faces, and personalized messages should only be sent this way. 

2) Keep requesting your friends "fan", join a group, or attend an event 0ver and over and over - even though they've probably repeatedly chosen to ignore your previous attempts for a reason.   Once is more than enough.

3)  Repeatedly poke, send game requests, gift requests, and all manner of the embeddable widget nature to people you've never had any sort of correspondence with and to whom you're a complete stranger - they love that.

4) Post only the dullest and most narrowly defined product photos and information about your company on your Facebook page so that instead of a lively interactive forum with an array of accessible ideas and information, it resembles a yellow page ad.

5) Never correspond with your fans or friends when they post info of their own (you know - the stuff that comes through on your homepage news-feed from them) ~ we know you're the only one that matters!  And when they comment on your posts or go so far as to post items to your page or wall, be sure to ignore them.  People love being treated solely as "consumers" and not individuals - isn't that what "social" means?  Oh it doesn't??  It means engaging and talking??  Whoa ....

Oh....there will be more .... stay tuned.   Yes, the Medium is the Message, but only if you know how to use it.  Otherwise it's just another cyber-armload of junk-mail to toss in the trash unopened.

Food PR | An Upscale Soda For The Refined Palate

 
To date, the user experience with non-alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer is less than satisfying.  The flavors of these products usually aren't appealing enough to make consuming them worth the effort.  Now Vignette from Wine Country Soda has come onto the scene. 

I saw this at a local cafe here on the East Coast over the weekend and was immediately intrigued.  I love the thoughtful graphic design of the labels set on classic soda bottles.  Upon sipping, I was expecting the flavor to be a bit grape juicy, when in fact it has a pleasant wine flavor that makes the experience of drinking it seem special.  It's not sweet like a wine cooler either - and offers a nice carbonated effervescence that will make the product a hit at events and gatherings this summer and well into the holiday season.

Choose from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, or Rosé - about $28.50 for a 12 pack.

Events | Sean Combs White Party Move to Los Angeles

Find more photos like this on Bloomacious Cafe
Sean Combs and Ashton Kutcher teamed up to throw the annual White Party over the weekend - this year the event was in support of "Malaria No More".  It was also the first time the iconic party was hosted in Los Angeles - and the location, a private residence in the hills really was a lovely one. 

A lavish swimming pool was the perfect place for performers to create a sense of celebration by swinging over the water and dancing in giant plastic bubbles.

There was also no end of branding and promotional opportunities as companies like Ciroc, Georges Duboeuf, Lab Series Skincare, Starbucks, Lia Sophia, Sean John and more offered celebrity gifting areas.

In keeping with the theme white furniture and draping was used to create a sense of drama, while white food that included white cupcakes, white wine, even white candy was offered to guest.

Food PR | Appleton Estate's Drink Generator

 
I thought this online drink generator from Appleton Estate was pretty nifty when I saw it this morning.  I was cruising the site after Forbes emailed me with a recipe for a Royal Apertif which is a blend of Appleton's Rum, syrup, lemon juice, and champagne.  It looked good but I was hoping for a larger picture - and then I found the impressive drink generator - sort of a fun mood ring for partiers. 

 

Basically you click on the site, and then pull levers in answer to questions like: 1) How are you feeling right now?  2) What are your plans for the evening? 3) what smells and tastes attract you? 4) How would someone describe you? 5) How do you deal with a rainy day?  and so on ... my answer the first time was the Planter's Punch shown above, which does indeed look like something I would enjoy. 

The Appleton Estate Drink Generator is an interesting, unilaterally accessible version of the personalized cocktail creation service from Liquid Relations that I wrote about a couple weeks back.  It gets consumers involved with the brand in a way that informs them about choices and asks questions in a conversational manner.

This is a great concept for cocktails, but it could also successfully be applied to a range of consumer goods, such as customized fragrances, salad dressings, candles, room fragrances, floral arrangements, china patterns, art work, cake flavors, ect. ect...!  Great concept!

Technology Trendcaster | Become a Sociopath ~ It's the Latest Thing!

I recieved an invitation this morning to join the new social network StyleCaster (which sounds suspiciously like a column that I write called Trendcaster on Bloomacious.com) - naturally I immediately zoomed over to take a look and post my mug on my own page.  

While the site doesn't seem all that different from our own network Bloomacious Cafe it apparently is embedded with lots of watching and listening devices that when explained in the video below makes me yearn for a nice long nap. 

Terms like "associated neuro network"  and "associative dynamics" are a far cry from my favorite phrase "me likey!"  but they mean similar things.

If there's any doubt after listening to this explanation that networks are the new blogs (which are the new magazines) then take a sneak peek at Fashionair which is girding up to launch soon.

Broken down gently, networks allow companies to watch the patterns and flows of their members - whom they friend, what they comment on.  We've done the same thing for the past 6 months through our networks and it's not quite as scientific or reliable as the Sociocast guys would like you to believe. 

Networks do provide a venue in which individuals can enjoy a club-like camaraderie- they also can serve as a TV station, a community blog, a messaging system and a newsletter - and are the next step beyond Facebook and Twitter.

Fashion PR | Isabel Toledo at Barney's NY

Isabel Toledo made a splashy appearance yesterday along with Ruden Toledo at Barney's New York - a trunk show of gorgeous fall fashions, and an interview with the brilliant Simon Doonan were part of the event.  In keeping with typical Barney's creativity, Isabel's appearance was staged in a super fun and graphically interesting way.

Milkshop.com Hosts Winter Wonderland in Los Angeles

 
Snow in Los Angeles?  Mostly in the movies.  But with the help of Milkshop.comsome Los Angeles kids were able to take a mini trip to the North Pole over the weekend.  

Milkshop.com which is a very hip destination for kid and baby clothing, hosted a great Winter Wonderland to promote their collection of brands.

It was well attended by celebrities and their children including Hilary Swank, Dylan McDermott, and Mary Lynn Rajskub.
 
Families posed with Santa, munched on a candy bar, and took home lux gift bags.

Retailing - River's stunning 3-panel pullout

My friends John Simoudis and Joe Marini have made careers out of creating gorgeous rooms, events, and media.  Their beautiful store, River, in Essex, CT is a treasure trove of collectibles for the garden and home, merchandised to the hilt - an art that is vital to success in the retail industry.

Second to their ability to source and display unique items with a sense of authenticity and devotion, is their uncanny habit of turning out remarkable marketing media. 

While the onus of successful corporate identity these days is generally placed on web design and promotional video, good printed pieces are extremely important.   

I have part of a 3 fold promotional piece that John designed for the store recently shown above.  The photographs were taken on site by John - the floral designs were created by Joe for the store and for some of his signature events.  Printed on heavy, textured stock that reminds of watercolor paper, this piece was created with such care that visitors to River would certainly cherish it for years.  And that is a branding and PR triumph that relatively few are able to manage in retail these days.  Visit their website for more images.

photography and design: John Simoudis
floral design:  Joe Marini

David Yurman trunk show is drama on the Pacific

Set in a stunning private residence in Southern California the David Yurman trunk show was a sight to see.  See inside the event on our event page.

J Lo promotes Deseo for men at Macy's

Jennifer Lopez stopped by Macy's Herald Square (which is by the way the largest) to promote her new fragrance for men, called Deseo. 

The fragrance is described as having top notes of lemon, yuzu, red berries and cedar leaf; a heart of tobacco leaves, guaicwood and orris, and a dry down of sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, amber and vanilla.  Sounds very complex.

The ‘Deseo For Men’ collection comprises eaux de toilette in two sizes, 1.7 oz. for $45 and 3.4 oz. for $55; a 3.4-oz. aftershave balm, $40, and a 2.4-oz. deodorant, $16.

And while the fragrance was created for men, interestingly the audience in attendance was mainly women.