Google Canada tweeted this week that there are 2 million business in Canada and 1 million of those businesses are not currently online. Many of the responses to those tweets resulted in how agencies like ours will be very busy – we all hope for that. But more importantly is providing businesses with an understanding of the power -on how to leverage the online tools that include social media, mobile, email, search, linking, video etc. – while not having to drop their current offline communications marketing practices -that these said business feel are successful. Total communications means using the offline marketing initiatives, print, pop, television, radio etc. as tools to leverage your online communications and vise versa. Bridging that gap because both worlds still matter. Read the rest of this entry »

In light of the Olympics taking place in Canada, I thought today’s post was definitely apropos! Virtual meet-ups and friendships are one of the great benefits of social media. Communities are being created in the online world and relationships are being extended into the real world. I know for myself—and many of my friends—that new friendships have begun on Facebook that have extended into the real world. Same goes for Twitter. Tweet-ups are popping up all over—where those on Twitter are getting together with their followers and fellow tweeters in real life. ING Direct Canada’s online bank has had a few “tweet-up” meet ups!
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Haiti had another aftershock, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, that resulted in no immediate damage. But this poor country is still in need of so much support. The Red Cross has raised more than $25 million with its text message campaign I wrote about on Jan. 13, 10. I just received a text from Rogers Wireless for those in Canada: you can text HELP to donate $5.00 and Rogers will pass through 100% of the proceeds. This is not the focus of today’s post, but we here at SHARE do want to SHARE our blog to support the people of HAITI. Thanks for all your help!

There was much talk at the end of 2008 of the Barak Obama Presidential Campaign and how he used social media to build a movement for change. It has been a marketing study for many. The power that was leveraged by sweeping a country one person at a time and using individuals as community organizers to build what became a global movement was cutting edge.
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Last night, one of my close friend’s 14 yr old daughters messaged me (via MSN) with links to the much hyped, “Kardashian Reality Show Wedding”. As far as I know, the show has yet to air here in Canada (but I stand to be corrected on this). As fast as it was promoted—via word of mouth—I found out where I could watch the show online right now. She provided me with a couple of options and  the link I picked was via Youtube.
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The advantage of using online video is huge! Canada leads in online video reach compared to other countries. In January 09 the total videos viewed per viewer in Canada was 147.1. Total time spent on video went from 8:00 minutes to 12:00 minutes in Jan 09 and went slightly down as of Feb. 09 to 11.00 minutes. Those are some big numbers—streaming video +60% in the year according to Comscore media stats. Behind Canada in leading video viewership were the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States.
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I would like to use today’s post to honor Senator Ted Kennedy for his magnificent contribution to the well being of all Americans. His dedication to the essence of human rights, civil rights, health care for all, encouraging others to volunteer and support those less fortunate and so much more – is a legacy and an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own contribution to making someone else’s life better.
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I came across this small article today in Canada’s National Post newspaper and thought it would be fun to post. I spend much of the time on this blog sharing all the great information I read everyday about our favorite topic—new media. So to change it up, I thought I would do something different.
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One of the most spectacular things about the web, mobile technology and social media is the global reach and impact that it has. Right now in Iran, with the recent election uproar, the most precious commodity the Iranian people currently have is information. We take for granted our freedom of speech—the freedom to engage and the freedom to connect. It is ironic that I’m still trying to help customers, current and potential, understand the importance of connecting (something which many still look upon with trepidation). Yet for millions of people around the world, the struggle and difficulty to find a way to be heard makes this most basic right nearly impossible.
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I have had an interesting discussion with one of my group members from Linkedin. Yesterday, I posted a blog article regarding IBM’s upcoming  social network—as a way to Share what I have to say with a professional audience and provide better exposure for our business bcad Group and our agency Share. For those that do not know Linkedin, it is a social networking community for professionals—where you can connect with business people and through those connections have access to their connections. It is a great way to create exposure for your business and your services. Gain new insights, network for knowledge and learn about other peoples experiences.
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This is definitely the time of year when we start focusing more on how we can contribute to the well being of others. For some, it’s providing clothes, food and toys at local drives; for others, it’s working at a shelter so that each and every person has a hot meal over the holiday season. The holidays are always a time to see those we care about and celebrate all that we are all grateful for. But my hope, and wish, for the coming year is that we all begin to set our sights on how we can take action in our communities and find ways of lifting everyone up all year long. How great would it be if everyone were committed to ensuring that the basic needs of food, shelter, jobs and education for all children were actually met so that we all can flourish?
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