Airlines make traveling easier with mobile boarding pass

Sometimes I really love technology. I mean really LOVE it.

Last week I was flying home to Sacramento, California to visit my family over Mother’s Day weekend. My flight was departing Orlando at the crack of dawn. I am not one who does early mornings well, and additionally, I am detrimentally late for everything.

The airline industry had me in mind when they rolled out their mobile boarding pass. No long lines at the check-in counter. Nothing to print up at home. I was even able to sleep in a few extra minutes because I had checked into my flight the night before on my phone, and all I had to do was go straight to the security check-in line. There the officer scanned the barcode displayed on the screen of my phone, looked at my photo identification, and I was on my way.

Typically between security check-in and my gate, I somehow misplace by boarding pass and have to go through every pocket of my purse and carry on to find where I put it before boarding the plane. Not anymore. It was all on my phone, which I always seem to know where it is…this technology is truly Lisa-proof!

And not just Lisa-proof—according to a CNN article, TSA actually likes mobile boarding passes better because of improved security. Apparently the paperless boarding pass will help prevent fraudulent paper boarding passes that could be created and printed from home.

…And of course for travelers, this technology makes traveling much more easy and convenient. Afterall, we don’t always have access to a printer, but most always have access to our phones.

Continental, Delta, Alaska and American Airlines all offer this technology.  There is one catch—not all airports are yet equipped for this technology, so you should check your airlines website first before your trip.

The Twilight Saga leads the way in social media

Last week I flew home to Sacramento to spend Mother’s Day with my Mom. 3,000 miles is a long airplane ride, so I used this time to myself to catch up on some reading. With the release of the third installment in the Twilight saga, Eclipse, opening June 30, I was compelled to read the book in advance– so I am better prepared to scream with the teenage girls when “Jacob” enters the scene with his shirt off.

Obviously Twilight is all the rage, and upon some discovery, the brand has taken over almost every aspect of social and new media to continue to build buzz—as if it needed any more!

Today I officially joined the other 5.7 million fans on Facebook to see how social media is really done. I joined the hype by entering to win “Bella’s” engagement ring from the movie; getting a sneak peak of the band Muse’s  ”Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever)” on the Eclipse soundtrack website; and of course viewed the latest Eclipse trailer.

And for the sole purpose of my education (really), I downloaded the Twilight Tracker App to my iphone. This official app for the Twilight Saga movies shares news, photos, and film clips. And strangely, users can choose a Twilight character avatar and talk to other fans via the public message board. Another interesting app is the Vampire Guide to Forks, where Twilight fans can browse Twilight points of interest in this town made famous by the novels and movies. (The Forks Chamber of Commerce is even in on this, and has a special page dedicated to Twilight on its website!)

And just yesterday, on a social media venue that I thought had fizzled out, tracks from the upcoming Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack were revealed one by one on MySpace Music, every half hour through out the day, for seven hours.

I am certain that this Twilight rage is going to be the center of many case studies written on Emerging Media in the future. These efforts just keeps evolving more and more with each film. And continue to lure in innocent bystander like myself into its spell. At least this time I can say it is for education’s sake!

Hallmark Channel taps into social media for Mother’s Day

Forget to put your Mother’s Day card in the mail? No problem.  The Hallmark Channel is giving Facebook users the opportunity to create special 60-second multimedia testimonials about their Moms that are then posted on the “Meet My Mom” tab on its Facebook page. This is a chance to not only tell your Mom just how great she is, but tell the entire social media world!

And the best part…It’s Free!

The Mother’s Day promotion was kicked off on April 19 as a way for families who are far apart to connect with one another.  Since then more than 500 people have uploaded photos, video and audio to pay tribute to their Moms.

The good people at Hallmark even partnered with the USO to reach out to actual overseas soldiers to use this platform as a way to wish their Mom’s a Happy Mother’s Day, on a day that they probably miss each other the most.

See some of their videos here:

This was a really smart promotion by the Hallmark Channel–I love when social media brings about warm fuzzies, and isn’t just blatant commercialism to promote a brand. Although, this effort certainly makes sense for the brand as well.

Reports say that the site has received more than 5,000 new fans since the start of this promotion. Even more remarkable, the Hallmark channel is up to 67,000 fans. Just six months ago they only had 250. This upswing can be attributed to Hallmark Channel’s utilization of its new marketing company Buzztone, who was hired to increase its outreach and social media platforms.

The effort is tied to the May 8 premiere of “Meet My Mom” on the Hallmark Channel, an original movie focusing on an overseas soldier who builds a relationship with the mother of a boy with whom he has become a pen pal.

The movie looks just corny enough that I think I am going to love it!

Soldiers show Lady Gaga how its really done

Thank you YouTube. Thank you Lady Gaga. And Thank you soldiers in Afghanistan. My day is now complete.

Every now and then we come across a video worth sharing, and today is one of those days.

A group of U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan used some of their rare free time to put together a reenactment of Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s famous “Telephone” video. Choreographed dance moves, homemade costumes and a couple military jokers make for what may be the video of the year.

Closing in on 3 million views in just one week, this video that was intended to delight the soldiers’ friends and family back home has gone viral.

When he posted the video, 24-year-old soldier Aaron Melcher included the following note:

”This is a couple guys located in Afghanistan, that re-made the music video by Lady Gaga….Telephone. Prepare yourself for a fantastical journey. Right now this is the temporary version, we have more scenes to cut, and edit, however with guys always on mission it is harder to film than you think.”

Temporary version? I can’t wait for the final cut!  And gentlemen, where did you get the props in the desert? Particularly the pink “Drama Queen” sash?

The original Lady Gaga video has garnered 28 million views since early March. It would be interesting to study how viral videos such as this one effect music downloads by the artist. I must admit that I have a WHOLE LOT more appreciation for this Lady Gaga song than I ever had before!  Similarly, I wonder what the “Best Wedding Entrance Dance Ever” video did for Chris Brown?

Pixar goes viral with Lots-o’-Huggin Bear

The folks at Pixar are building buzz for its latest film Toy Story 3, which is due to be released this June. In true Pixar fashion, they have outdone themselves again—and I’m just referring to their marketing.

This third movie in the Toy Story series is set around the premise that the toys are dumped at a day care center when their “owner” Andy grows up and goes off to college. New territory certainly means the arrival of new characters, and Pixar is using viral video to introduce us!

Lots-O’ is one of the new pivotal characters in the story. He is said to be a fictional toy that supposedly originated in the 1980’s—and one of the oldest toys in the movie.  As so many of the Toy Story characters are based on real toys—Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, Toy Soldiers, Slinky Dog—Pixar has very creatively released this faux Lots-O-Huggin Bear commercial, circa 1983, on the web.

From the clothing, hairstyles, lunch boxes, and film quality, this certainly feels like it is an authentic commercial. In fact, it is nostalgic enough that I feel like I must have owned a Lots-O- Huggin’ bear as a kid!

The most interesting part of the campaign is that the YouTube channel hosting the video, MrCrazycommericials, has uploaded several authentic 1980’s commercials, and Lots’-o-Huggin Bear is just a piece of the fun. Real commercials include Get In Shape Girl by Hasbro (one of my favorites from my youth), Strawberry Shortcake dolls, and Speak and Spell. An interesting, and brilliant tactic to reach out to the children of the eighties that will be bringing today’s youth to see the film—or in my instance, I’m excited to see the film all on my own.

The official Toy Story 3 page has a section that introduces us to all the new characters. Lotso is desribed as:

a jumbo, extra-soft teddy bear with a pink and white plush body and a velvety purple nose. This lovable bear stands fuzzy heads and shoulders above other teddy bears because he smells like sweet strawberries! With a smile that will light up your child’s face and a belly just asking to be hugged, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear is sure to become a bedtime necessity. Stain-resistant. Spot clean plush surface with a damp cloth.

Yep, pretty sure I would have owned him in 1983…and I look forward to seeing what sorts of merchandise rolls out with the new film! …and hoping for some additional marketing tactics as brilliant as this one!

2010 is the year of Betty White

In 2008, we learned the power of social media during the Presidential election. And, in 2010, we’re learning how Facebook can reignite Betty White’s television career.

It all started when 29-year-old David Matthews created a Facebook page called “Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!”. The page was started to encourage Saturday Night Live producers to consider 88-year old Betty White to host the show, as she has never done so during the course of her long entertainment career.

500,000 fans later, and a letter to SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels, and Betty is now scheduled to host Saturday Night Live on Mother’s Day weekend! In an USA Today article, Lorne Michaels states that he’s always wanted Betty White to host. In fact she’s turned the offer down three times in the past.

This time was different—and I have to imagine its because she couldn’t let down half a million fans cheering her on from the internet.

Betty’s Facebook fans couldn’t be more delighted. They are lighting up the Facebook page’s “Wall” with comments counting down to Betty’s episode of SNL–“We Love You, Betty;” “You go, Betty;” “One Week Away!” …Who knew that Betty White was becoming such a pop culture phenomenon? I suppose we should have seen it coming with her recent Snicker’s Bar commercial that first aired during this year’s Super Bowl, which has now had an astronomical 1.6 million views on YouTube alone.

In the SNL promo video for next weekend’s show, Betty White proclaims “Thanks to the internet, I’m hosting Saturday Night Live.” An interesting case study indeed, for the power of social media. Now lets see what it can do for World Peace!

I can assure you that I’ll be watching along with the other 500,000 Facebook fans. I’ve never heard of a Facebook revolution quite like this one–impressive to say the least!

State Farm helps take new OK Go video viral

I was doing some research this morning to try to figure out how exactly videos and commercials go viral, and came across an interesting story about band, Ok Go—the group responsible for the 2006 viral hit, “Here we go again” where the band members have a choreographed dance routine aboard a row of treadmills.

But this latest story is about the bands latest release, “This Too Shall Pass”. The band’s label EMI put a restriction on embedding the video for this single so that it could only be viewed through specific sites such as YouTube to maximize the revenue brought in by banner ads. It is said that EMI pulled the plug on a “sharable” video because it only gets paid when you watch the video on the designated video-sharing site, not when you view it on your friend’s blog.

The band argues in a New York Times op ed piece that “Viral content doesn’t spread just from primary sources like YouTube or Flickr. Blogs, Web sites and video aggregators serve as cultural curators, daily collecting the items that will interest their audiences the most. By ignoring the power of these tastemakers, our record company is cutting off its nose to spite its face.”

So what does OK Go do to get their video heard? They created an entirely new video for their new song, this time sponsored by insurance company State Farm. Seems like an unlikely couple, but the State Farm placement is subtle, tasteful, and most important of all, creative. At the very beginning of the video, a band member tips off a row of dominoes, with a State Farm logo-ed toy truck. The truck sets off the video’s 3-minute long “Rube Goldberg machine”. And at the end of the video State Farm receives a thank you message stating that the video was made possible by State Farm.

The video was released on March 1 and was streamed 6 million times within the first six days. You can of course find this new video on YouTube (along with the original), but thanks to State Farm, you can see it all over the web, including my blog, New Media by Lisa!

On April 1, OK GO parted ways with record label EMI to start its own company and label called Paracadute. The band shouldn’t have any more troubles doing things their own way anymore!  I find it refreshing that the band doesn’t care how much money it makes by placing its video on the internet, but just want to build their fan base–which will of course pay them back in other ways like concert tickets and record sales.  Well done, guys!

Ford makes Pandora app safe for drivers

I love Pandora radio. Have you ever tried it out? I utilize this internet radio service through an iPhone app. I am able to tell the app the type of music that I’d like to listen to, and it creates a custom radio station for me. For example, I love Jewel. So Pandora creates a station for me that plays Jewel as well as artists like Jewel–Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caliat, Alanis Morisette, etc. And I am then able to tell the app when I like a song or don’t like a song that it is playing, to further customize my radio station. I have a Jewel station, U2 station, and a contemporary Christian artist station that I listen to regularly. Pandora gives me the kind of music I like, without all the music I don’t! Brilliant!

I currently use Pandora in my car, playing the app through my car speakers via a connector cord. I typically don’t change the station when I am driving because it requires me to look down at my phone while driving—not safe.

But Ford recently announced that the new SYNC AppLink software will allow hands-free voice control of popular smartphone apps in its vehicles, starting with the rebirth of the Ford Fiesta. The first rollout of the software will enable Android and Blackberry phones to run Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak. Other app makers will likely add their apps to the mix as well. iPhones won’t be able to utilize this technology right away, but will get rights next year.

Below, this Ford rep will walk you through how you will be able to use SYNC AppLink in your car. Smart and safe. I wonder what this will mean for XM and Sirius radios paid subscriptions? Or will we soon be paying a premium for Pandora? It seems too good to be true! …But I’ll take it!

Farmville Mishaps

Farmville. Seems everyone is playing Farmville. Can’t get enough of Farmville…

Well, not me personally, but, reports say that Farmville has more than 400 million users and 80 million active users–people who use the app at least once a day per month! And even more impressive, nearly 30 million playing every day!  That’s more people tending their virtual farms than members of Twitter! Farmville is currently the fastest growing social game in history.

Interestingly enough, the past month has brought troubling Farmville reports. No, not virtual cock fighting…

The story says that last week a twelve year old boy from the UK racked up $1,400 worth of debt playing the game.  Farmville allows members to manage a virtual farm by planting, growing and harvesting crops, trees and livestock. New users are given virtual coins to set up their farm, and the revenue from matured crops can be used to maintain it. Sounds safe enough!

…But those who are desperate to progress more quickly can buy extra virtual coins using real cash. The desperate 12 year old borrowed his mother’s credit card to aid him in his Farmville quest. This booming business have aided the game developer, Zynga, in its estimated valuation of $5 million.

Zynga did not respond positively to the Mother’s request for a refund.

And last month, the first publicized incident of someone getting fired due to excessive Farmville playing on the company clock was noted when a politician in Bulgaria was removed from a city council committee. This incident is just one of a much larger problem at hand—last year a study found that 8 percent of companies had dismissed employees as a result of their actions on social media sites.

Now the politician may be looking for work on a real farm.

Just for fun, enjoy this parody video I found on Farmville.

Like the gentlemen on the video, I don’t quite understand the Farmville craze. But then again, maybe I just don’t have the time to care? …especially at when I’m at work, Mr. Politician!

To tweet or not to tweet?

This week I was required to study Twitter in my new media course. I’m intrigued, but to be honest, I just don’t get it.

I started my studies by “following” all my favorite brands, and a few of my favorite people. I’ve learned that Jewel decided on the cover art for her upcoming album, Gap shared its latest line of vacation wear with me, and Coke let me know that French consumers drink an average of 88 Coke products per year. …and all in 140 words or less. And most of the time, these Tweets led me to another web page.

I already subscribe to most of my favorite brands’ email alerts, so I’m not sure how Twitter is any better, besides not filling up my inbox with emails I delete half the time. I must admit, I do like the power to respond to Twitter feeds…like being able to respond “WooHoo” to Pixar’s tweet announcing that its just 70 days until Toy Story 3 comes out…but beyond that, I’m just not sure yet.

As a result of following several of my favorite brands, I now have some strange followers.  I started following Weight Watchers, and now Weightfan, MyAcaiProducts, Adelaide and AIMPhysicalTherapy are all stalking me with their weightloss solutions. Big Twitter turnoff! I get enough spam as it is.

I’m not calling it quits after just one weekend, though. I’m going to give this a fair shot. I’ll keep Tweeting and Following, so that I can get to the root of all this nonsense. Perhaps if I begin to follow Justin Bieber with his other 1,881,886 fans I just might see the light?