Presenting: 10 of the Smartest Big Brands in Social Media
by Samir Balwani (Mashable) - February 6, 2009

Highlights:

Number 1. Blendtec Blends it on YouTube:

Blendtec leveraged YouTube’s subscriber base and tried something fun and original. The campaign was a success and continues to entertain and sell.

Why Big Brands Struggle With Social Media
by Tom Smith (Trendstream) - February 20, 2009

Highlights:

Social Media is often viewed as just another marketing channel: It is of course so much more; it is a completely different approach to interacting with consumers and customers. Of course, you can advertise in a social media environment, but the true return on investment comes from developing communities, creating content to be shared, and talking and listening directly with consumers.

16 Examples of Huge Brands Using Twitter for Business
by Ann Smarty (Search Engine Journal) - October 7, 2008

Highlights:

Read about Dell, Starbucks, JetBlue, and more.

 

How To Crash The Consumer Controlled Party and Not Get Thrown Out

by North Venture Partners LLC – 2007

 

Favorite excerpts:

 

“For years, consumers have wanted to unleash their creator and interact with brands on a whole new level, but there weren’t always adequate tools in place to enable a true, two-way exchange between brand and consumer.”

 

“While the four “Ps” of business (product, place, price, promotion) have remained relatively unchanged, the meteoric rise of the new creator consumer has surfaced another “P”: participation. What used to be a passive one-way conversation between brands and consumers, has now turned into a mandatory active relationship.”

 

“Remember, the more you listen to your consumer, the more you know what they want. The more you know what they want, the better you’ll be equipped to develop products, services, and promotional programs that keep them happy and motivated.”