Professional Fundraisers are Hired to Promote Information and Events for Varsity Sports being Cut at UMD

At Maryland, eight varsity sports have been recommended to be cut, including: three men’s track teams (indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, cross-country); men’s and women’s swimming and diving; men’s tennis; women’s water polo; and aerobics and tumbling (also known as competitive cheer). Each team has to raise enough money to sustain its program for the next eight years and only has until June 30^th to complete this almost impossible task. Teams are assigned a professional fundraiser, who will help to plan events and promote the teams through a number of social networking services. Being on the women’s water polo team I am directed affected by the teams being cut and know what we are doing to try to save our program. We go through many technological services to inform the public about what is going on and encourage them to aid the program. We have a Facebook page, “Save UMD Water Polo", and a Twitter account, @MarylandH20polo. These web pages help to promote different events that we hold, such as: raffles, comedy shows, clinics, dinners, and games/tournaments.  Social networking is beneficial because it makes the public aware of current events and services. In this case, setting up Facebook and Twitter to save the water polo program allows students and the water polo community, to recognize that we need help. It makes the issues we are facing at UMD known to the world and it will hopefully motivate people to do something about it. 

The NBA and YouTube's Beneficial Relationship

The National Basketball Association is aggressively permitting and promoting the NBA channel on YouTube.  This channel consists of exciting highlights as well as rare behind the scenes footage of such events as practices and the All-Star game.  The partnership between the NBA and YouTube is unique and creates an easy way for fans to watch NBA footage.  Furthermore, this is a great move for the NBA as it is one of two sports leagues (NHL is the other) that have their own official channel on YouTube that is run by the league.  This is in contrast to other professional sports leagues that actively try to take down videos that feature their league.  Thus, the NBA channel allows the NBA to gain a foothold in a social networking website that is quickly becoming the place where many fans find their sports highlights.  This is a big advantage for the NBA and its partnership with YouTube could allow for further unique official content in the future.     

Subway's Twitter Feed is Helping Them Promote their New Deals

Subway sandwiches Twitter page is aggressively spreading the news of their new deals and sandwiches. They have over 380,000 followers who get updates about their prices and promotions. Subway effectively uses their Twitter to inform its followers about the 5$ Footlong of the month each month as well as their new breakfast options. They also are promoting their new Italian collection by making a picture of their new sandwich their Twitter background and re-tweeting people who post pictures of themselves eating a Subway sandwich. They also had a promotion on February 29th for free cookies and tweeted this out to all their followers, an effective way to spread the word. I believe Subway's use of social networking is working because they have clearly marketed their Twitter well to get so many followers and they Tweet almost daily about their new sandwiches and deals. In fact, I am now following Subway and look forward to hearing about these deals.

SnorgTees Using Facebook To Promote Their Products

Snorg Tees, a company that makes quirky T-Shirt designs has been known to employ Facebook for promoting their product. On Facebook they have over 70,000 likes, and also connect to Twitter, YouTube, and Blogger. They are not only using these media platforms as a way to share their designs, but also advertise on the site. The other day I saw about four different SnorgTees advertisements while on Facebook. Some were promoting the product and others asking me to press “Like”. The more “Likes” the more people know about the product. I believe that this technique is working because they are able to get immediate feedback about new designs and can also promote the product efficiently by offering discounts and incentives. The main website has even has a “like us on Facebook for discounts” advertisement. 

GoSwim Chomping at the Bit for Recognition Through Social Networking Websites

GoSwim uses social networking to help market and sell their product.  GoSwim is a swim school website and company that uses pro swimmers to design teaching videos for the general public to then buy and use to help technically perfect their strokes.  The company uses their own website, an emailing group, Facebook, and even twitter to help market their product to individuals in the sport.  I feel that their style of marketing and social networking works very well for this company in particular.  It by all means is a media based company that relies heavily on the concept of social networking.

Disney has productively used Facebook to increase the number of fans they have.

Social media has become a common tool for big companies and businesses. Disney is one of the most popular pages people have 'liked' on Facebook and is one of the largest companies which is still growing. They have close too 30, 000, 000 fans. Disney has taken social networking sites like Facebook and have increased the number of fans they have. Once you 'like' the Disney Facebook page you are eligible to see updates on the new upcoming films or videos. They have especially attracted people who have grown up with movies. I think this is a great way to optimize social networks, like Facebook, since people are using them anyways and it can attract more fans and customers to Disney.Using social media is also a great way to promote new products or in Disney's case upcoming films. This can also maintain a good image for Disney since people will be looking forward to the updates and make them want to see the new films. It makes sense that one of the largest companies has the largest Facebook pages.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/10/11/most-popular-companies-on-facebook/

Walmart effectively uses Facebook pages to create an online, personal connection.

Walmart's Facebook entices readers to "Like" the store

Almost every American has visited a Walmart, and now the company uses Facebook to become even more personalized for consumers.  Last year, Walmart began creating separate pages for each local branch so that Facebook users can choose their home store to receive updates on sales, coupons and special offers.  Not only have specific stores become easier to follow, Walmart has also created apps like the "Walmart Meal Solutions" app that allows users to talk with friends (and strangers) about recipes and nutrition.  I think that these new techniques are effectively bringing the Walmart company name into the household because it enables followers to save money and time.  In addition, friends and family can come together through Walmart to talk about food and entertaining.  These new advertising elements that Walmart adopted last year successfully bring out the social aspects that the company has to offer

http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2011/10/11/most-popular-companies-on-facebook/

http://adage.com/article/digital/facebook-marketing-walmart-mimics-groupon/146709/