Facebook where all the action is and some brands are really seeing some action...

Poptarts have an easy job when going online. They know their target is essentially Gen Y and Z. Anyone above that still eating Poptarts will still eat Poptarts regardless of marketing. (until the partner stops them) Their site features funny videos featuring Poptarts, offers downloads and features and the by now stock standard flavour competition. There was a call to action for fan videos to be uploaded featuring their New Year’s Resolutions. This hasn’t seemed to happen yet but there were some random videos by Popfans. PopTarts have missed a trick by not disabling user comments on user generated content. Haven’t they been on the internet before?


RedBull offers everything you would imagine that RedBull would. They offer links to interesting external sites with the Soap Box Racing game catching my eye in particular. Design your own car then invite your Facebook friends to join you and race. You can even stick your own face behind the helmet and splash your own image of choice across the racer. There’s country and world rankings which is what makes it interesting enough to keep playing.I know it’s not technically Facebook but it was the Facebook page that got me there, and that’s probably the key. How many people actually browse brand websites? RedBull also had a scavenger hunt for hidden lots of Redbull. Clever, I’m still waiting for the scavenger hunt that makes social marketing mainstream news. Who can offer the big enough prize/stir up enough interest/make it interesting enough to really grab the press and public’s attention?

Vitaminwater have offerd the flavour competition too. But hey if it aint broke...vitaminwater “who has dreaded today? it's never easy to get back to school or work after a long break... let's get through this thing together. here's to a happy and healthy 2010” That’s the spirit from vitaminwater. But they don’t stop there. vitaminwater “allowed November to go by without telling you just how thankful we are of you- we won't let it happen again. we're big fans of yours too!” And the reaction from fans is appreciative and in the same spirit. Who’d have thunk it, social networkers just want to be loved?

Ok it makes me cringe but then I’m the sort of person who likes real current friends and using FB to keep tabs on old ones that I’ll see again. I recently deleted 60% of my ‘friends’. Will it catch on? I doubt it, the narcissism being spawned by social networking is being extended through new behaviours such as adding people you don’t even know to be your ‘friends’. All rules for social behaviour are being rewritten and even though it’s to the detriment of real life, it’s to the advantage of marketers as relationships without the proverbial 80% of body language are booming which makes it so much easier for brands. Case in point is my 21 year old roommate who has forsaken real life to communicate online with his friend from abroad while playing games 18 hours a day. Is he typical? I’m not sure but 80% of his topics of conversation are about what he saw on the net...Call me old fashioned but I much prefer conversations about real life..