Posted by Karen on March 31, 2010 – 11:55 am
I read this morning that Facebook plans to abandon its “become a fan” button and to replace it with the option to click “Like.” I’m becoming a fan of this idea. Friends have sent me countless invitations to become fans of their favorite cupcake shops, political candidates and TV shows. I wondered why I should be a fan–a loyal brand follower–if I had never experienced the taste of that red velvet cupcake, read a political candidates’ stance on the issues or watched and fell head over heels over Glee? Branding is an emotional connection to people who have experienced and been moved by your product or service.
If I were more of the following kind, I might become a fan just to make a friend happy but it doesn’t mean I’d actually be a fan. The new “Like” button offers an opportunity for us to create more brand authenticity and for brands measuring their profiles online to really know who “likes” them instead of counting hundreds of potentially meaningless fans.
Posted by Karen on March 20, 2010 – 11:52 am
A few months in, I am already experiencing what I believe is the best parts of owning my own company: hand-selecting clients with whom I share the same values and personality fit. I’m working Murillo Malnati Group, a very talented green builder whose developing one of the only two new mutifamily construction projects in the District, Woodley- Wardman condominums. http://woodley-wardman.com/ The units are gorgeous, located near Metro and green–just the kind of place I would want if I were buying this year. I’m handling media relations and website strategy.
I’ve also just developed a comprehensive marketing communications plan for Zula International. The company is focusing on ending the nation’s math and science crisis (STEM for us wonks) through a television show on NBC/QUBO, an online game and classroom curriculum products for students in pre-k through grade three. If you have a young child in your life, turn them onto The Zula Patrol. http://www.zula.com/ They are fun-loving space aliens on a mission to teach children about science. One of my colleagues on the project has witnessed her five-yeard-old reciting the periodic tables since he started watching the show. Too cute.
Speaking of pre-k, a few years ago I had the honor of working on the Pre K for All DC campaign which led to the passage of legislation to fund high quality pre-k for all three- and four-year-olds in the District. Now I just helped develop a report for the DC Early Childhood Higher Education Collaborative which is charged with ensuring that the District’s teachers and assistant teachers can meet the degree requirements that the legislation imposed.
