Social Soup #6: Tamil Pop Sensations and Inappropriate Nakedness

Welcome to your first serving of 2012, in a week when everyone’s making predictions for the coming year (including our own MD, Steve Richards, over at eConsultancy).

In a lively start to this year, Rupert Murdoch has joined Twitter, LaRedoute accidentally featured a naked guy in their kids’ clothes ad, and here’s the best of the rest: 

First US President welcomed on Instagram

If you want a President’s eye view of the 2012 US election campaign, look no further than President @barackobama, who signed up for an Instagram account on 4 Jan 2012. The hashtag #obama2012 will be used to gather pictures from supporters during the campaigns, adding to the existing coverage. Hipster bandwagon-jumping, or a fresh and visual look at the upcoming election? Tell us what you think below. 

Get your customers talking!

Amazon’s quest to serve ‘the world’s largest engaged online community‘ makes it a contender this week for the most striking use of community in retail. An impressive two-thirds of users return to the website to review, rate or purchase. For Amazon, it’s not necessary to make a sale every time a customer visits the website, when the power of the conversation ensures that those customers will keep coming back for more.

 

Source: the e-tailing group, PowerReviews

Unexpected hit of the year: Why This Kolaveri Di

Coming soon to a karaoke near you, this catchy Indian Tamil song went viral with more than 30 million YouTube views, making it the most popular song of 2011. With more than 100 versions uploaded online (many with thousands of views in their own right) we estimate the overall YouTube views to be in the region of 40 million. CNN declared it the best song of 2011, and if the original doesn’t push your buttons, check out some of the regional language variations, a children’s recording and even a chipmunk version. Get bonus points for knowing the title means ‘Why this murderous rage my girl’ and that the song was recorded in Sony Music studios for the upcoming Tamil movie 3.

This post is NOT sponsored by Google

What happens when Google goes against its own rules and policy? Essence Digital used paid blogging as a platform to promote Google Chrome downloads. Googlers who searched ‘this post is sponsored by Google’ could find multiple blogs from enthusiastic Chrome users, explaining how Chrome had helped them in their business ventures. The posts included a direct link to download the popular browser. Google denied all knowledge of the campaign and has reportedly penalised itself by downgrading Chrome in its own search index for the next 60 days, presumably while sitting on the naughty step and thinking about what it has done. Essence Digital has since publicly apologised. 

Facebook in your pocket

Personal business cards haven’t have the widespread popularity in the UK that they do elsewhere, but plucky London printer Moo might be about to change all that. In a perfect pairing with Facebook, Moo allows customers to create personalised printed cards based on their Facebook timeline. Look for the rollover link in Contact Details on the About page of your timeline. If you’re quick, Moo is giving away the first 200,000 sets for free.

And finally...

Our too-late-for-a-stocking-filler gift of 2012 is this social shower curtain, complete with profile picture window. Great for anyone who enjoys Facebook and having other people in the bathroom while showering.

Annie Macfarlane, Community Manager, Yomego (www.yomego.com)
#YomegoSocial @YomegoSocial @anniefiddle