Social Media has taken over, get used to it.

You've been hearing about this trend called social media. This new trend is probably the top priority for marketers, whether you like it or not. Let's face it, we wake up in the morning and check our Facebook news feed, update our Twitter, and occasionally smile from reading textsfromlastnight. Every time we log online, a marketer has an opportunity to get their message out. Companies are obviously beginning to realize that their brand needs to have a presence online, but the challenge is, you need to be good at it. Hell, you need to at least be decent. The goal of social media marketing is not awareness; it's engagement.

This is your chance to be involved with your audience. You're no longer intangible to your customers, you are now speaking to them on a personal level. @comcastcares is the perfect example of a company doing social media right. Have you ever been so upset about a broken product that you update your Facebook status with curse words and anger? And wish you could get a solution? How about getting the solution when you least expect it? That sounds pretty nice. Try tweeting about your disappointment with comcast cable and @comcastcares will take care of you within minutes. They personally try to resolve the issue, whether it be by email, DM, or a phone call. So you're telling me that I can reach comcast and get an answer immediately...without having to wait for an automated voice to ask me about a survey? Yes, that is what I am telling you. Comcast not only make their customers happy, but they MAINTAIN them; build a relationship. Say hello to brand loyalty.

And then you have the social media inept. News flash: Just because you created a Facebook fan page and a Twitter account DOES NOT mean you are embracing social media marketing. Engagement is key. Virgin America has a Facebook page and I still can't figure out why. There is no customer interaction, no custom tabs, and unanswered questions. When your customer writes a complaint on your page about lost baggage and no help, that would be the time to write back. At least give an apology. So not only have you lost a customer, but now every fan of your page can see that someone had a horrible experience and you didn't even have the decency to address their complaint. Congrats Virgin America, you're on your way to losing even more customers.

Marketing is ever-changing. Advertising is about selling to a mass audience. Social Media is expanding that beyond anything we could've imagined. We're given the opportunity to take customer service to a whole new level. We are still selling to a mass audience, but now we can connect with a smaller audience, too. That, my friends, is the power of social media.

-Arielle

Can I interest you in a game of Chess?

Dear Audi,

You got served. Outdoor billboards are one of the most popular forms of non-traditional advertising to date, which makes it hard for a campaign to really grab your attention. Drivers may see an ad while on a long road trip or on their way to work, but how many people actually absorb the ad's message? Yeah, this could be a problem.

But then there are beautifully brilliant ads like this. Audi placed a billboard that reads "Your move, BMW. The entirely new Audi AA." Audi--may I ask why it is that you've mentioned your biggest competitor? Not only have you just shifted the focus from your product to another, but you've also provoked BMW to respond back. 

I take it BMW wasn't too thrilled to see this ad. But, no worries. It only took one word to put Audi back in it's place; "Checkmate." It's simple, concise, and incredibly awesome. The black background signifies boldness and the white car is sleek and shiny.  Audi - 0, BMW -1.

The only thing that could possibly make this better is if I could see the look on the advertising team's faces. 

-Arielle

Go BIG or go home

"Go big or go home." This is a phrase that has been permanently instilled upon me since I entered college. Each and every one of us is talented and intelligent. We were each admitted to FSU and we all made the cut for this competitive major. So when the time comes to apply for internship programs and jobs, what sets us apart from all the rest? If we're all taking the same courses and learning the same material, that means we have to depend on more than what we learn in the classroom to stand out. We are natural competitors. We have the ability to be creative, yet strategic at the same time. We need to take advantage of our resources and be self-motivated. 

Go after what you want, settling is not allowed. If you want to go to a large city, then make it happen. There is nothing stopping you except for yourself. Make connections and embrace the beauty of networking. Your classmates are your future co-workers and the people who may ultimately help you get a job. They will be your foot in the door and your inspiration. If one of us can make it to the big agencies, why can't we all? 

Agencies look for talent, but they also look for characteristics and personality traits. Would you hire an employee if they didn't work well in a team-based environment? More than likely, no. It's important for advertisers to work together in order to form a campaign. Everyone contributes a piece to the puzzle and each person relies on one another to create a cohesive campaign. When you write your resumes and cover letters, show your personality. Hiring directors take 20 seconds to find out who you are, so make an impression. Do not let anything stop you from what you desire. Obviously the economy has taken a toll on all of us, but that's why we need to work hard now and play later. Take a risk. Be a go-getter. Show industry professionals why YOU are valuable to THEM. 

-Arielle