Putting Global Costs in Graphic Perspective

posted by Anna Fleet on July 30th, 2010

Have you ever wondered how the world’s costs would stand on a graphic scale?

Well do I have a Friday treat in store for you!

I came across this short YouTube video this morning and, I don’t have to tell you, it really puts global cost in perspective. This one-minute video showcase, and in some cases contrasts, impacting global costs—including the Iraq War, Google’s market value, how much is spent on video games and illegal drugs annually, how much it would cost to save the Amazon Rainforest, eradicate AIDS and national debt in the UK, and even lists revenues of corporate giants like Bill Gates, Tesco and OPEC even comparing OPEC’s revenue in 2009 compared their miniscule climate change fund. And all of this is done on a stunning graphic level set to music.

So check out ‘Information is Beautiful’ and yes I know it’s promoting a book (by the same name) from David McCandless, but I think its bigger impact is the beautiful visualization of such a profound message. It really does put things into perspective before a long weekend. Enjoy!

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Old Spice Man is a Viral Marketing Genius

posted by Anna Fleet on July 14th, 2010

As if he wasn’t already good looking enough, skilled enough, or romantic enough…now he’s a genius at viral marketing too!

It’s official, the Old Spice Man is sending out personalized messages to Tweeters with a lot of followers—and I’m not talking a short retweet; I’m talking a full-length, personalized video that talks directly to them!

Well not exactly to you, but to well-known folks with a lot of followers—like Digg founder Kevin Rose, Olympic skater Apolo Ohno, actresses Alyssa Milano and Justine Bateman, and super-techy site Gizmodo. The familiar, well muscled spokesperson is addressing even less famous folks on Twitter by name (i.e., the personalize message to Gabe) via more than 100 personalized YouTube videos.

Check out Old Spice Man’s YouTube message to Kevin Rose, after Rose posted a Tweet that he was sick. Its hilarious and social media doesn’t get more personalized than this.

Do you know why he’s doing this? Because these folks have a ton of followers, which equates to tons of social networking power. They will retweet the videos and spread them virally amongst their huge social media networks.

It’s viral marketing at its best—strong, sexy, smart, and maybe even on a horse!

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Still Think Social Media is a Fad?

posted by Anna Fleet on July 9th, 2010

I’m still on a high thanks to yesterday’s social media lunch and learn at Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre where Melissa Schenk, from MS2 Productions, shared this encouraging YouTube video on the Social Media Revolution with the group. And believe me, if there were any doubters in the crowd, they were certainly turned into converts after laying their eyes on strong statistics in this video.

Since it’s Friday (and because I like to show-and-share) I’ll leave you to watch the video and ponder the question it poses: Is social media a fad? Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?

Take the weekend to think about the following statements (they were the most powerful statements in my mind):

  • Social media has taken over porn as the #1 activity on the Web – Wowza!
  • It took the following mediums how many years to reach 50 million users?
  • Radio = 38 years
  • TV = 13 years
  • Internet = 4 years
  • IPod = 3 years
  • Facebook = had 100 million users in less than 9 months
  • And lastly, if Facebook were a country it would be the fourth largest in the world!

Now do you still think social media can’t help your business?

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