A 20-something's Perspective

There are some great studies and surveys out this week on social media users. Also, look below to find out about the new Harry Potter LEGO video game and more.

• RT @SocialMedia411 Poll - Business People Say Twitter More Important Than LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/hpHtl
• RT @mashable YouTube Brands: 5 Outstanding Leaders in YouTube Marketing - http://bit.ly/KhIA9
• RT @SaraMeaney Harvard study says men have 15% more followers on Twitter than women. http://tinyurl.com/lyjs9u - NE1 else think this is sad?
• I don't play many video games, but I'm kind of excited for this one. http://tinyurl.com/pgpjda
• Study shows some men experience pregnancy symptoms like weight gain. http://tinyurl.com/paw78q
• Trend: More and more high school graduates are looking to Canada for college. http://tinyurl.com/qd3jmp
• RT @danschawbel REPORT: Social networking up 83% for U.S. http://bit.ly/1a3Ieq
• Yay New Hampshire! http://tinyurl.com/q49jvj
• RT @boelterlincoln Do you want to build an audience or community? Great post via @chrisbrogan. http://tinyurl.com/oe2j5c
• RT @laermer (I love amusement): @skydiver Amusement: Top 100 movie lines in 200 seconds. http://tinyurl.com/cbfs87 (!)
• RT @BradleyWill 5 Reasons People May Follow You on Twitter http://bit.ly/2fH7c
• Are you buying tactics or strategies? http://tinyurl.com/pkczhx Thanks for the great post @tdefren!
• RT @boelterlincoln Reading: Your Network is Your Only Insurance Policy http://tinyurl.com/o67emr
• RT @danschawbel REPORT: 53% of females participate in social media at least once a week http://tinyurl.com/ogu7pm

For real time updates follow me on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/ladyhero

This article on AgencySpy got me thinking today. With the invention of mobile phones with video cameras, YouTube and recording and editing software it has become increasingly easy for the average person to document their experiences with their favorite brands. We've seen this recently with the Dutch Heineken walk in freezer ad. (To view the original ad click here.) I'm still waiting to hear if this is for real.



And now we have this lovely ad for Trader Joe's or arguably the Palm Treo.



Not all consumer material is positive of course. The below Comcast video is enough to make any PR person cringe.



Even though some user-generated content is a cause for crisis communications I urge PR and advertising professionals to not take positive user-generated videos for granted. When a brand has consumers championing their product or service they should think of ways to leverage the attention. Maybe they would make good spokespeople? Heck, maybe they'd even do well in an ad? Perhaps you could use them to write a blog post on the company web site or become a regular contributor. There are lots of different ways to involve and embrace your brand ambassadors. Don't let them slip through your fingers!