Well, it’s finally here. Google is now integrating real-time results from Twitter, Facebook and Myspace into it’s search, giving users the most update information on any given subject. This is sure to give social media a real awareness boost amongst those yet to embrace them, especially Twitter.
Watch this short video about Google real-time search:
What does this mean for brands and marketers?
Although in constant use by the technorati and celebrities galore, Twitter has yet to fully enter the mainstream. As marketers we know the potential of Twitter to reach out and engage, but for most people, its still an unknown. At MTD, we look to create innovative ways of integrating Twitter into our campaigns. Our recent Christmas campaign for Jarlsberg allows anyone to post a message about their best bit of Christmas on the Jarlsberg Sweet and Nutty Season website via Twitter. This encourages a deeper interaction with the brand and keeps the website fresh and interesting.
Real-time search will also encourage brands to start using Twitter more as a channel in its own right to promote products and services. Twitter, of course, knows this. It’s soon to launch a set of paid for business services which should hopefully make it a more professional tool for marketers.
And none more so than a couple of German entrepreneurs who plan to publish papers specifically tailored to readers’ individual motivations and wishes, and then deliver them to their doors before 8am. Brilliant. (A bit like the Daily Express and their Princess Di coverage for their consumer ….sorry).
Customers can choose what topics they want to read about in the newspaper called niiu, – be it sport, politics, fashion, whatever – and receive news only on their chosen subjects.
Aimed predominantly at students, I can’t help to question whether Google has already filled this gap. And meaningful, relevant and valued messages directly to the consumer? It sounds oh so familiar.
If you haven’t read the succinct news report offered by The Guardian’s Media Monkey this week, following their alluring offer of an interview with the illusive Banksy, I suggest you read on….Even when interviewed, this great English graffiti artist maintains quasi-anonymity….
Banksy; painting a False Picture – The Guardian Guide offered readers an interview on Saturday with famously reclusive street artist Banksy, who shared his thoughts on Rolf Harris, Top Gear’s Stig and his ambition to paint a “giant comedy cock” on the walls of the Guide if he ever broke into its offices. If only. As the Guardian’s readers’ editor said today: “An interview purporting to be with Banksy in last Saturday’s Guide (One last thing … , 18 July, page 98, the Guide) was, it transpires, conducted with someone impersonating the graffiti artist. We apologise to Banksy for this error and for any offence and inconvenience caused.”
