New data from internet traffic analyst Experian Hitwise, released at the end of last month, reveals the most searched for brand on the face of the world wide web during 2011 was Facebook, the most popular social network. No surprises there then, as it was the same story 12 months earlier.
YouTube, which is in fact the world’s second most popular search engine, ranked at number two in the list, with the number one option for internet queries- Google- managing seventh in the league, which is rather impressive considering most of our web browsers now link directly to said site, so we don’t have to request it via a search. The planet’s top news website, Mail Online, is the only journalistic outlet aside from the BBC to appear (at #9), with retailers ebay (#3), Amazon (#4), Argos (#5), and Next (#10) all showing up too.
Perhaps the most staggering of all the numbers to come out of the report is that Facebook now represents 2% of all UK internet searches, which if nothing else begs the question ‘why do more people not use bookmarks or auto-complete?’ A copy of the full table is below, whilst the original press release that caught our eye can be found over here at hitwise.com
…One Direction becoming the first British band to hit the number one spot Stateside with a debut album, the subject of 77 articles, whereas Labour failed to delay the Health and Social Care Bill and featured in just 24…
…X Factor and N Dubz’s Tulisa coming out and admitting she appeared in a sex tape, with 44 articles reporting, whilst Glaxosmithkline will create 1,000 new jobs in Cumbria and Scotland with a £500million investment and just 20 headlines were written…
…and finally, The Voice, Britain’s latest talent show on the BBC, began its first series last weekend, and claimed 76 articles, far more than the 41 that reported on Kofi Annan’s peace mission to Syria- billed as the country’s ‘last chance’ to avoid a civil war of endurance.
As one of the main sponsors of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament HSBC need to make their presence known. What better way to do that than employ men to don fancy dress and chase balls around the gargantuan metropolis? None, we’d say.
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Call us old fuddy duddies, but we’re pretty sure that sexual assault is not a great way to advertise high alcohol content spirits. Needless to say Belvedere was quick to issue an apology after the following advert appeared on Facebook and Twitter.
Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Los Angeles
Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 29/3/2012)
#mufc #mcfc
#bgt #manchester
#thevoiceuk #favfootballchant
#lfc #f1
#thevoice #takemeout
The race for the Premier League title is heating up, namely between Manchesters City and United (#mufc #mcfc). Aside from that most of us caught episode one of The Voice last weekend, though most likely very few people actually enjoyed it.
Top London #tags (seven days to 29/3/2012)
#boyfriend #bgt
#thevoiceuk #f1
#mymurder #lfc
#cfc #mufc
#takemeout
Down in London village the rather dark talking point of #mymurder seems to be on many a pair of lips. Aside from that there’s that reality TV talent show BBC are trying to make us watch, and Britain’s Got Talent (#bgt).
Top Los Angeles #tags (seven days to 29/3/2012)
#middleschoolmemories #boyfriend
#hungergames #la
#dodgers #thingsthatilike
#madmen
In the movie capital of the world folk have been discussing the latest blockbuster hopeful The Hunger Games (no doubt with a few people asking if it’s just Battle Royal in English). Elsewhere Series Five of Madmen also has people talking.
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email hello@smokinggunpr.co.ukor tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!
Warmer weather is now a reality for most parts of the UK, meaning spring has finally sprung. We’ve got plenty to be upbeat about too, what with two national award wins, a new ecommerce client, and more Pandas loose on the streets.
Not that we’re bragging. But then picking up both the Freshest Small Team and Freshest Digital Media or Social Networking Campaign trophies at the recent Fresh Awards in Manchester is an achievement that makes us understandably a little proud, especially as the latter sees yet another accolade bestowed on our work with a certain liquorice treat.
On top of this it give us great pleasure to mention that the Smoking Gun team has also picked up a nomination for Best Social Media Agency at the up coming How-Do Awards. Needless to say we’ll let you know how things go in due course. Such nods of approval don’t come without hard work mind, and there’s been plenty of that over the last month too.
After a successful pitching process Loving Outdoors, an online outdoor clothing retailer, has joined our burgeoning client list. So we’ll be focusing on product placement within on and offline media, and ensuring things fit nicely with the company’s trading calendar. Suffice to say, our experience with the likes of Mountain Hardwear will come in more than useful here.
Elsewhere plenty of hours have been dedicated to our current roster of brands, including our favourite health food snack. To give away much more would ruin the surprise, but let’s just say that our panda suit has seen plenty of action over the last few weeks as the company found the eye of the tiger in a brand new video campaign, full details of which are soon to be revealed.
Of course we’ve been perfectly willing to meet new contacts and share our knowledge with interested outside parties too. From appearances at the inaugural Hedgehog Awards with the PRCA- run in conjunction with our friends at Don’t Panic- to Manchester’s ever useful Social Media Cafe, representatives from Smoking Gun have been on hand to help develop ideas with others, in the industry and beyond. A successful 31 days all round then, eyes in the office are now firmly focused on the lighter evenings ahead, and the new opportunities they will bring.
Another four weeks, another load of internet treasure well worth shouting about. From ethical videos boasting nearly 100,000,000 hits to US politicians rapping, the best selection of coffee break content is right here for you to enjoy, so without further ado we present the finest of our finds.
This video, designed to raise awareness of child soldiers, has attracted over 85,400,000 YouTube hits. Whether this is partly because of the director subsequently being found naked in the street, mid-potential nervous breakdown, is unclear.
The iPad 3 has arrived, with the usual launch day queues stretching the world over. Refreshingly Steve Wozniak, Apple’s co-founder, also chose to get in line, much to the delight of many an internet viewer. Now there’s a man of the people.
US Presidential candidate Mit Romney of the Republican party decided to explain exactly who he was with this spoof of Eminem’s breakthrough single, making scores stand up, take note, and concede that America’s politically conservative populous actually has a little rhythm.
Infographic of the month
Not so long ago we posted this handy visual aid, which looks to show how Facebook and Twitter, amongst other sites, are as addictive as alcohol and cigarettes. Hats off to Biz Media for putting it together then, as it still has us talking.
…Britain’s Got Talent, which is set for a return to our screens and as such made 71 headlines, whereas the Government’s NewBuy scheme to help first timers get on the property ladder only bagged 55…
…Russell Brand, who landed himself in legal strife after throwing a photographer’s mobile phone through a window, with 43 articles reporting on the news, in contrast the Kony 2012 video about child soldiers only featured in 42 (despite 83million YouTube hits)…
…and finally, David Beckham eating a burrito whilst out for lunch with his family, the crux of 32 stories, whereas Bo Xilai, a leading Chinese government official, was sacked by the Communist party after attempting to prevent a police inquiry into his family and only appeared in 38.
Coca Cola has been responsible for some of the most timeless adverts of all time. This latest for the calorie free Zero product may not be quite as memorable as ‘Holidays are coming’, but still, we like the idea.
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If you’ve got Google, use it. Released in time for St Patrick’s Day, Nike’s new Dunk Low sneaker is called the Black and Tan. Unfortunately that’s also the nickname given to a notoriously brutal British paramilitary unit of the 1920s, invoking bad memories.
Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Sheffield
Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 23/3/2012)
#prayformuamba #mufc
#mcfc #muamba
#manchester #budget2012
#bwfc #cfc
#together #f1
The cause of Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest, which left him dead for 78 minutes after he was struck down during a Bolton Wanderers game, remains unknown as he recovers in hospital, so naturally plenty of people are talking about it. In more upbeat news the 2012 Budget is out…
Top London #tags (seven days to 23/3/2012)
#prayformuamba #f1
#budget2012 #cfc
#eastenders #muamba
#lfc #budget
#theapprentice
In London, home of our coalition Government, that Budget is high on the agenda, what with the controversial ‘Granny Tax’ and reduced 50p rate. Less dividing lines can be seen regarding Muamba’s collapse mind, with everyone showing solidarity for the sportsman.
Top Austin #tags (seven days to 23/3/2012)
#swfc #prayformuamba
#sufc #budet2012
#sheffield #twitterblades
#theapprentice #f1
#ssn
Both teams in Sheffield- Wednesday and United- are still riding high down in League One, and on the local Twitter sphere (#twitterblades, #swfc, #sufc). Aside from this there’s also that small matter of BBC’s smash TV series The Apprentice, which is back again.
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email hello@smokinggunpr.co.ukor tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!
Last week Encyclopedia Britannica (the oldest English language encyclopedia) announced that the current print edition would be the last published. Today’s infographic looks at the differences between the oldest encyclopedia and the relatively young upstart – Wikipedia.
A hat tip to Statista for creating the infographic.
…Rihanna’s semi-naked pictures of her own hair, which led to 67 articles, whereas Ken Clark’s reaction to concerns that extending secret courts could impede open justice only made it into 8…
…Katy Perry’s new boyfriend, the subject of 36 stories, whilst Steve Hilton, the Prime Minister’s ‘resident guru’ leaves for America on sabbatical and only appeared in 30…
…and finally, X Factor judge Tulisa gets a tan and a new man, making 26 headlines, more than the 18 that reported on the Indian elections and the country’s ruling party suffering setbacks therein.
We love the Skittles advert with the guy who can’t touch anything for fear of transforming it into a pile of the sugary sweets, so it was no surprise when we saw the brand’s latest commercial from the States and loved that too. Ridiculous, but amusing.
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In what’s being labelled one of the most shocking pre-emptive strikes in some time, oil giant Shell has filed to take legal action against several pro-green groups, including the National Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, and Greenpeace, in an attempt to secure Arctic drilling rights. Whatever your perspective that’s not a good look.
Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Austin, Texas
Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 15/3/2012)
#mufc #mcfc
#thingsidowhenimdrunk #manchester
#steakandblowjobday #ireallyhatewhen
#lfc #thingsnottodoafterabreakup
#takemeout
City and United are still at the top of the Premier League, and so it’s understandable both appear at the summit of our list. Other than that useful advice on the best course of action not to take post break up, and that dating show Take Me Out also rank high.
Top London #tags (seven days to 15/3/2012)
#cfc #lfc
#arsenal #ireallyhatewhen
#thingsnottodoafterabreakup #afc
#ghettotranslations
Those confused by street slang in the nation’s capital will be relieved to find people are finally offering some #translations so others can understand such terminology. Meanwhile, Arsenal FC, Chelsea and Liverpool represent the sports fans.
Top Austin #tags (seven days to 15/3/2012)
#sxswi #austin
#sxsw2012 #atx
#3styleatx #spinstubbs
#swsw #jayzsyncshow
#tomyunbornchild
One of the world’s best inter-disciplinary multi-media festivals comes to a close this weekend, with music, film, and interactive creatives all in Austin for South By South West (SXSW). Apparently the #jayzsyncshow was something rather special.
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email hello@smokinggunpr.co.ukor tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!
…Angelina Jolie and her right leg appearing at the Oscars, with 58 stories reporting on the sight, whilst Jacqui Hames, an ex-Metropolitan police officer, was apparently phone hacked, intimidated, and placed under surveillance by the News of the World and appeared in just 25…
…Rihanna, her hair salvaging operation and Jonathan Ross flirtation securing the singer 35 headlines, in contrast Government plans to potentially privatise the police only made it into 17…
…and finally, Brad Pitt’s Oscar appearance, with 52 articles focused on his part at said event, far more than the 25 that reported on retired UK businessman Christopher Tappin being extradited to the US.
There are daring advertising campaigns and then there are really daring advertising campaigns. Then there’s this effort by the EMDA Israeli Alzheimer Association. At the country’s largest multiplex cinema attendees expecting to get what they paid for were initially shown the wrong movie in an attempt to re-create the confusion those suffering from the illness experience. Powerful stuff.
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Would it be inappropriate for a dating company specialising in matching young women with older, wealthier men to offer a 2-for-1 membership, encouraging more girls into the ’sugar baby’ lifestyle, to celebrate Women’s Month and female empowerment? Well, yes, it most definitely would. #PRfail indeed.
Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Bristol
Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 8/3/2012)
#mcfc #manchester
#cfc #sometimesyouhaveto
#10beautifulpeopleifollow #thingsthatpissmeoff
#takemeout
A decidedly quiet week in Cottonopolis sees the ever popular TV show #Takemeout and usual suspects Manchester City (#mcfc) dominate conversation, with Chelsea (#cfc) also making an appearance. What a lack of United (#mufc) means is anyone’s guess…
Top London #tags (seven days to 8/3/2012)
#arsenal #cfc
#afc #10beautifulpeopleifollow
#top100femalelies #sometimesyouhaveto
#lfc
As per things in the capital follow a similar pattern to our own hometown, so all quiet on the southern front then. If anything is worthy of note it would surely be Chelsea (#cfc) and the change of management, along with London’s seeming distrust of women (#femalelies).
#arsenal nearly make it into all three lists (#afc), whilst various lists of beautiful people followed on Twitter does. Elsewhere and #replacingmeangirlsquoteswithbacon is quite possibly the longest of these daisy chain messages we’ve ever seen.
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email hello@smokinggunpr.co.ukor tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!
According to new research from Content & Motion and Toluna Quick, revealed today, some 50% of people are overwhelmed by brand messages on networks like Twitter and Facebook. OK- tell us something we didn’t already know.
We’ve been preaching from the book of preparation since Smoking Gun PR launched, and will continue to do so for as long as headlines like this still make it onto The Drum’s front page. Because knee-jerk status updates, illogical postings, too much or too little content will always lead to social media failure.
Within the context of this recent statistic it’s obviously a case of too many stupid online actions. People want to interact, not just be bombarded with messages, meaning brands should not necessarily see communicating with potential customers as simply a new advertising practice.
Another figure that features in the same report shows that, from 3,000 international Facebook users, 80% only ‘Liked’ content posted by brands, with just 20% ‘pro-actively’ getting involved on a company page. With facts like that it would be surprising for anyone to find a reason to continue with the network maelstrom modus. In short; organisations need to work on actual engagement, rather than passive approval, and the way to do this is not to increase the amount of outbound, generic messages. Confused? Click on the following link to view a slideshow and all will be revealed.
If you regularly read our PR blog, or the online postings of any other public relations agency, you’ll be well aware of the possibilities opened up by social media. However, using such online networks for literary experimentation is hardly ever referenced.
Which is a shame, as there have been some truly inspired efforts to make our status updates ring with the language of true wordsmiths. The I Am poem is one such idea, though in this case those whose words form part of the prose are (largely) oblivious to their role in the creative process.
Pär Thörn is the programmer responsible for creating a poem based on the use of the words ‘I am’ in tweets from around the world. A code scours 140 character posts for the specific phrase, and then lists sentences containing it, in real time, onto a web page- thus forming a verse that’s at once abstract, but rather representative of society’s own thoughts. See what you think for yourself by following this link to The Poet’s I Am website, after you’ve had a look at the stansas we were treated to below.
