2008 Predictions - AgencyNext, Inc. - Social Media Consultants - Proven PR Services for the New Media Era

Archive for the '2008 Predictions' Category

Social Media: The New Tool of Protest Movements?

February 6th, 2008 by Sterling Hager

Here is a very fine piece by Bernhard Warner, a freelance journalist and media consultant, appearing in the UK's TimesOnline. Entitled, "Social protesters stand up to Microsoft," it's actually about online social media protests in general, with Mircosoft being used as a recent example in the context of a broader point Mr. Warner is making. That point, I believe, in his own words, is this:

With the likes of Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and MySpace, activists have never had such powerful tools to mobilise the masses to protest. In an instant, online users can join a revolt today in Caracas, yesterday in Myanmar and tomorrow, perhaps, in Redmond… The customers are speaking. Shareholders should listen.

Mr. Warner's piece is rich in details of other recent online protests. It all leads me to believe that in the near future there will be more online protests; they will happen faster; they will involve many more people than you might expect to get at an actual march; and, that social media will likely drive a new age of more universal activism by people who have been otherwise powerless or voiceless or invisible heretofore. Makes for some interesting speculation, doesn't it?

Want To Be a ‘Most Admired’ Company?

January 23rd, 2008 by Sterling Hager

Here's a news release out of New York today, over PRNewswire, about a survey of Chief Communications Officers at some of the most admired and some of the not-so-much admired companies in the Fortune 500. Turns out, CCOs who worry most about reputation management are more often in the Most Admired Company category. And, guess what? The survey forecasts that among this top group, social media will be a focus in 2008.

‘Super Advocates.’ Where are yours?

January 15th, 2008 by Sterling Hager

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, I fear. But at the risk of repeating myself, repeating myself, repeating myself… here's yet another story about brand management in 2008 and the 'make or break' role of social media strategy planning and management. Here's the lede:

Highly influential, outspoken, with a loyal following and the power to make or break brands at will – meet the Web 2.0 ‘super advocate’.

Want more new customers? Want to know more about your current and potential customers? If so, then I would suggest you scan the item. It's a quick read… in fact, would be even quicker had anyone proofed it first.