Social Media Backlash of iSnack 2.0: Publicity stunt or genuine stupidity?

Yesterday I wrote about how more retailers are using Social Media Marketing and the effects of Social Media. Today, more evidence of the effects of social media!

When the famous Australian spread Vegemite launched a new spread, made from Vegemite and cheese, they ran a competition to name the spread. From 48,000 suggestions the company then decided on “iSnack 2.0″. Publicity stunt or genuine stupidity?

Kraft cans iSnack 2.0
I’ll leave you to contemplate but what followed was a campaign of outrage through social media channels including thousands of complaints on Twitter and pages on Facebook like Boycott iSnack2.0. After just 4 days and a clear thumbs down by the greater community, the company have come to their senses and are canning the name.
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Social Media Marketing on the Rise

eMarketer published a report called Hopes and Fears of Social Media Marketing yesterday covering how US Web retailers plan to use social media and community building tools in the coming year. The report suggests that web retailers surveyed are accelerating their use of, and commitment to, social media.

96% of online retailers surveyed currently employ or plan to employ Facebook Fan Pages within the next 12 months, and 84% plan to use Twitter for publishing.

Online Retailers: 99% Plan to Have Facebook Fan Pages

The report provides strong evidence that retailers are understanding the importance of Social Media and avoiding Social Media is becoming less of an option. According to an August ’09 study, the top Social Media networks being embraced include:

  • Facebook (74 percent)
  • YouTube (65 percent)
  • Twitter (63 percent)
  • LinkedIn (60 percent)

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Slade Sherman at Tech 23

Come along to Tech 23, in Sydney in Australia on 27 October 09.

Tech23 | companies

Tech23 is an event bringing together innovative companies with experienced industry leaders, investors and entrepreneurs. I will be presenting in the ‘Consumer Web’ panel along with Andrew Coppin, Brett Murrihy and Simon van Wyk to panelists including Alison Deans, Nick McNaughton and Ric Richardson.

The event will also include my first public demonstration of Myzerr.com at ‘Innovation Island’.

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