Can a mattress be social? Tempur-Pedic becomes buddies with Facebook and Twitter
This is one of the first commercials I have seen in a while that directly linked Social Media with a product. Mattress Company Tempur-Pedic (the squishy mattress with the handprint) has a new “ask me” television campaign to drive potential consumers to Facebook and Twitter sites to get a first hand look at what “actual Temper-Pedic owners” are saying about the mattresses. Tying in social media directly with an ad has been done before yes, but this one caught my attention as it so closely ties in social media directly with the product’s TV ads.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I just had to check out what people are saying. Currently Temper-pedic has 3,396 fans on Facebook. Tempur-Pedic’s Twitter presence is fan based only, I could not find a page dedicated to the company through a keyword search. One of the first Google hits on Tempur-Pedic and Twitter came up with a comment by consumer Gretchen Rubin, who claimed that the company’s pillows had a horrible smell. I guess that proves the posts are real, but if I was the CEO of Tempur-Pedic, it’s probably not the first impression I would want of the company.
Back to Facebook , the replies I read were positive, save one from Nicole Brown on Christmas Eve. Ms Brown is a current customer and made a comment that she is looking for sheets that better fit her mattress. Tempur-pedic was on its game, and sent a reply with a recommendation for something that may help her in less than 24 hours. The Tempur-Pedic reply was on Christmas Day no less! That’s exceptional customer service!
Based on replies on what customer’s are saying, I wouldn’t mind giving Tempur-Pedic a try. However, like fine jewelry and luxury automobiles, you get what you pay for. On December 22nd, fan Betsi Lynch called her Tempur-Pedic the “best $7,918 she’s ever spent.” Now that’s some pricey sleep!
Costs aside, there are lots of consumers that desperately need a comfortable mattress due to back problems or other physical limitations, and I’ll bet this sort of product that would be perfect for them. Kudos to Tempur-Pedic for taking a brave step into social media to keep the dialong between clients and potential clients going.
You can check out the Tempur-Pedic ad here:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?comments&v=1204137496205
Watch out iPhone. Google is coming. And SNL knows it.
The buzz is about regarding a branded Google phone to be released early next year.
Yes, Google has in the past worked with T-Mobile with a phone manufactured by Taiwanese based HTC company.
But this is different.
Google is building their own branded phone that they’ll sell directly and through retailers. Although the company had hoped the phone would have been available by the holidays, the release date is now planned for early 2010. The phone will be produced by a major phone manufacturer (rumored to be HTC or LG) but will only have Google branding.
Current plans are for an unlocked phone, in which a person can join whichever cell phone company offers the best rate or the highest quality services (the software that prevents it from working with competitor SIM cards is not anticipated to be installed
Rumors are that Google is planning a big advertising push around the device. The launch of a Google Phone would give the product the kind of brand recognition enjoyed primarily by rival Apple with its iPhone, which has experienced some bad pr for product failures through the AT&T network, as seen in this past weekend’s Saturday Night Live clip:
Google’s growth is reaching the maturity stage, and this push into the hardware market is a major shift in the company’s core competencies. As one of the most powerful international brands, further transition into the hardware market is anticipated with rumors of a Google laptop in the works for 2010.
However, Google will also have to be very cautions about releasing hardware and maintaining quality standards. A failing product may its brand name, and next year we may see a roast of Google on SNL.
Career: Landing a Job Using Social Media
As we approach the holidays, it is hard not to think of countless professionals without employment. All too often, hard working individuals find themselves unemployed as a result of the economy and not as a result of a bad review or poor performance. In 2008, there were an estimated 1.2 million job losses. Fast forward one year later, and unemployment is now at 3.5 million, leading to an unemployment rate hovering at 10%. Even though many analysts are telling us that the recession is technically over, there are also predictions that employers are not anticipating a surge in hiring. Rather, many companies are determining how to “do more with less.”
Job Losses, Recent Recessions, compiled by Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Not a very optimistic prospect for the currently unemployed. Add on top of that an estimated 1.5 million college graduates, making the search for a job really slim.
With these sobering statistics, what is a job seeker to do?
The 1-2 punch of the economy and the revolution of the Internet has made a traditional employment search a thing of the past. Yes, candidates can and still should participate in employment fairs, and by all means send a thank you note for interview opportunities. And I cannot stress how important building a strong network is both in person. However, social media’s 2-way approach allows the possibility of many-to-many interactive communication in which a job seeker can be a proactive receiver and sender of information.
As much as companies spend countless resource hours on a social media presence, this approach can also help job seekers. Regardless of career, virtually everyone has a specialty of some sort that they can communicate to the world. You can become an information producer instead of just a recipient. One of the best ways to do that on the web is to launch a blog that centers around your expertise and passions. Best of all, it’s free! Check out WordPress.com, Blogger.com or Live Journal for a few ideas.
Definitely research companies that are of interest to you. Find out what they are doing online. I’m a big fan of LinkedIn by nature of its more professional tone and appearance. If you haven’t already created a LinkedIn profile, do one immediately. Importing your contacts from your email system (Microsoft Outlook, Google Gmail, etc.), is a way to research contacts (1st, 2nd & 3rd degrees) for information on their contacts for potential outreach for job searching. Follow companies of interest on Twitter to get updates and push your information out to them.
The biggest key is to this is integration of web 2.0 with the traditional approach you’ve already been using, in order to be consistent and be yourself. Recruiters do not want surprises. Be true to yourself whether you interact with them in person, on paper or online.
Social Networking: A new take on family dinner
Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Most of us are fortunate to have been given the gift of a pre-determined social network with our families. In today’s mobile society, families tend to be scattered across the country and beyond. In these instances, a close relationship is challenging by early methods of phone call, letter or even email.
Sitting at the dinner table and listening to conversation gave a great perspective on how generations from teens to adults become more engaged with each other through social media. Tools such as Facebook and Twitter can bring individuals together by further creating an emotional bond between family members. How else would Aunt Francis know about niece Sarah’s adventures, experiences and stories at college, 4 hours away?
The beauty of social networking is that it can also bring the same closeness to consumers to brands as it has to family members. Effective branding helps create an emotional clarity about the product, service or company. Companies such as Ford, Coca-Cola and Southwest Airlines have built active social networking sites which allow a channel of direct communication to thousands daily. By doing so, these organizations have successfully accomplished three very critical items: brand familiarity, customer engagement and ultimately, brand loyalty.
Social networking tools allows marketers to develop innovative ways to make target consumers feel like they belong, making the possibility to form a tightly-knit community that bonds a group around an issue or product.
With an effective campaign, we can use social media to create a large Thanksgiving dinner table with outreach to thousands. The pumpkin pie is optional.
