Why It’s a Mistake For Brands to Ignore Tumblr

Posted by Jon Thomas, 15 May 2013

Pretend I’m someone who understands the basics of the Internet but has never used a social platform. Now let me ask you: What’s Facebook? What’s Twitter? What’s Instagram?

Most answers, at least from the readers of this blog, would be similar. But I’ve got another question. What’s Tumblr? I would bet that at this point the definitions start to differ. 

“It’s a blogging platform, like WordPress or Typepad.”

“It’s a social network where people share all sorts of content.”

“It’s a website for theme-based GIF repositories.”

For the record, Tumblr defines itself as a platform that “lets you effortlessly share anything” including “text, photos, quotes, links, music and videos.” But the six-year-old content platform is still commonly misunderstood by brands and agencies as it relates to social strategy. Even its self-definition fails to clearly define its focus, its user base or its potential as a place to engage with fans through organic and paid media.

Should your brand be on Tumblr? Let’s discuss.

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4 Lame Excuses for Not Creating Content

Posted by Jon Thomas, 29 Aug 2012

Content marketing is all the rage, and brands of all shapes and sizes are focusing more time, effort and budget dollars on creating entertaining, useful and relevant content that audiences will want to share. Some brands, however, still stand at the water’s edge, not so sure an always-on commitment to social media and content creation is right for them. 

Even the most successful marketing efforts have their detractors and doubters, who hold tight to the traditional methods: interruption and overexposure of their brands. They cling to the past and continue to invest in telemarketing, direct mail and pricey television spots and billboards. Even the London Olympics, which were praised as the most tech-savvy and social-media-supported games ever, were heavily supplemented (or, rather, dominated) by traditional advertising.

While those methods have their place, it’s about time we set the record straight and started to challenge those who insist that content marketing isn’t yet an established brand communication strategy.

Here are some of the reasons brands are abstaining from content and why they’re on the wrong side of history.

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Were the “Most Interactive Oscars” the Worst Oscars?

Posted by Karen Nagy, 28 Feb 2011
As expected, yesterday’s Academy Awards were about movies, celebrities, and red carpet style. But more than ever in its 83-year run, the annual ceremony put social media center stage. Behind-the-scenes websites, apps, and real-time commentary were designed to make these Oscars the most interactive yet. The big idea: Double your screens, double your fun. Great in theory, but with the apps and tools we used, we found our fun severely diminished.
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Television’s New Sidekick: The iPad

Posted by Karen Nagy, 15 Feb 2011
The iPad just may be TV’s latest and greatest sidekick. With new iPad apps for both ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Fox’s Bones that sync with the show in real-time to offer exclusive bonus material, television networks might have just uncovered the next best trend in making old media new again. The technology first version appeared back in September for My Generation, but when ABC cancelled the show in October after two episodes, the app also disappeared. But ABC's brought it back for the more-established Grey's, and Fox has recently followed suit with their own app for Bones.
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Congress Turns Down the Volume

Posted by Karen Nagy, 15 Dec 2010
Is your thumb sore and blistered from hitting the mute button? We have good news for you. After decades of complaints from TV viewers who are sick of obnoxious ads blaring in their living rooms, Congress has decided it's finally time to set “internationally accepted standards of television advertisement volumes.” So now the only button brutalizing your opposable digit will be the DVR fast forward!
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