McDonald's is hash-tagging?

ATLANTA, Ga.- McDonald's mixes up their advertising strategy by using a commercial to promote a current Pro Bowl tie-in as well as promote their own social media.

In a recent article by Todd Wasserman it is announced that the latest ad campaign by the McDonald's food company includes hashtags encouraging people to join the conversation on Twitter. McDonald's is currently giving away tickets to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii by dropping one ticket a day into 20 piece boxes of McNuggets as well as one ticket on Twitter and random prizes for those tweeting with the hashtag #mcdprobowl.

After McDonald's last failed attempt at using Twitter, when promoting that people use hashtag #McDStories, I am glad to see Mickey D's getting back on the social media horse and trying again. Hopefully this attempt will be more successful as there is something in it for tweeters and it won't be another hashtag used to bash McDonald's or their bowl game.

Twitter Doesn't Help Itself This Year

KENNESAW, Ga.- In a recent article by Neha Prakash discusses the major disappointment in Twitter this year. Last year Twitter and other social media sites including Facebook and LinkedIn generated 35% of Black Friday online sales. This year that number dropped significantly to .34%, with Twitter accounting for 0%.

As an avid Twitter user this not only surprises me but pleases me as well because it shows that Twitter users are choosing to ignore the business world's attempt at infiltrating our last pure social media site. Facebook has already become overrun with advertisements and business page's, the last thing I want to see is for the same to happen to Twitter.

It is shocking though that Facebook's countless ads and "Like" this to get a deal and endless promo codes did not generate more business for online companies. Maybe people are waiting for Cyber Monday instead?

In the coming years, as both the economy and social media sites change, I am interested to see how businesses are effected on not only Black Friday but every other shopping day as well.

Even Twitter Can Get Hacked

KENNESAW, Ga.- Twitter is prompting users to reset passwords and confirm personal information in order to protect people from a recent hacking scandal.

In Lance Ulanoff's recent article  on Twitter's hacking scandal, he discusses the positive side of the social media site's trouble in describing the precautionary measures that Twitter is taking to protect its' users. If the site thinks there is any chance that an account may have been compromised it is prompting users to reset their password and confirm personal information. 

While to some users this may seem inconvenient or over-the-top, to me it seems like a social media site is finally showing the world that they do care about their users' safety and security. I like knowing that a site is willing to admit when something goes awry and is taking action in order to make sure it cannot continue to happen. 

Some have seen this "password change" as a phishing attempt by the company, but whether Twitter is being overly protective or not, it still seems like something users should not take lightly. It is impressive by anyone's standards that Twitter would not only take the time to address the dilemma but to go so far as to take corrective action to stop these hackers in their tracks.

Instagram and Twitter Together in Harmony

KENNESAW, Ga.- Twitter and Instagram have now teamed up to crossover names for users who have different usernames on the two interfaces.

In a recent article by Lauren Indvik it is discussed that Twitter and Instagram are trying to make life easier for users by attaching their different usernames within the two social media outlets. This should simplify use of the two sites by making it easier to tag Instagram friends in tweets and vice versa.

The update that Instagram released on Thursday, October 18, 2012 will automatically translate your Instagram handle when mentioned to your Twitter name when the tweet is sent. The only thing users need to after downloading the update is link their Twitter account to their Instagram account.

As a Twitter and Instagram user myself, I thoroughly believe this update will help us all. It is beyond frusterating to attempt to mention a Twitter follower on Instagram only to find out that the link in your tweet leads to nothing because the mentioned name is only that persons Instagram handle.

As social media constantly evolves, its nice to know that the creators are after more than just making money and gaining users, but pleasing their current and loyal users as well.

KENNESAW, Ga.- It could be that Facebook users may get some money in a settlement thanks to a lawsuit regarding "Sponsored Stories" advertisements.

A New Settlement

In a recent article by Alex Fitzpatrick, the new Facebook settlement versus the old and opposed one are discussed. Fitzpatrick tells of Saturday October 6, 2012 when Facebook offered a new $20 million settlement for the affected users of Sponsored Stories. This settlement would leave each user with up to ten dollars in apologies for what the users considered to be a breach of privacy.

Sponsored Stories is seen by just about everyone on Facebook and features the icon sized profile pictures and names of users who have "liked" a page or business. Companies see this as free endorsement for their page by the all of the affected users, while the users see it as an intrusion. 

Prior Arrangements

In a previous deal Facebook proposed in August, the company had agreed to set aside $10 million in donations for internet privacy groups. This deal was struck down by a judge because it did not offer funds to the upset users.

The question is, does ten dollars suffice in covering up already exposed information about Facebook users? While Facebook can and should go back and delete all evidence of Sponsored Stories from Newsfeeds and Homepages alike, it does not overcompensate for the fact that it has already been seen.

Fitzpatrick's Take

Author Alex Fitzpatrick does a wonderful job of remaining unbiased in his article, 
Facebook Proposes Fresh $20 Million Privacy Settlement. To me however it seems that Facebook is trying to pull a fast one on its users. We all know how much money Facebook receives from advertising, and if they are going to use our information to do so, shouldn't we at least get a cut? If I could sell my own info to companies for money, which I can, I would want much more than ten dollars, and Facebook users should too.

What's Next

I am interested to see how a judge deals with the current offer on the table by Facebook. While $20 million seems like a great deal of money as one lump sum, divided amongst the over 125 million affected users, it really is not.

Marketing Infiltrating Twitter

KENNESAW, Ga.- Journalist Stephanie Buck wrote an article teaching small business owners how to use Twitter for marketing and free advertising, but will Twitter users tolerate this after advertisements have taken over Facebook?

In her recent article, Stephanie Buck addresses the art of using hashtags (denoted by the # symbol) to stream more users to read your tweets or view your Twitter profile. Small businesses are attempting to infiltrate the social media site that is already so commonly used by larger companies such as Nike, and their ever popular hashtag of #JustDoIt. Buck suggests that businesses attach a hashtag to their tweets such as #smallbiz or even the company or brand name to tweets in order to increase chances of being found by users in Twitter searches. While this may be helpful to small business owners it could, in the long run, be detrimental to the social networking site.

Buck goes on in her article to suggest that for starters, small business owners should search hashtags in order to learn about what other small companies are doing to advertise on Twitter. She teaches owners to keep hashtags simple and direct and not include an excessive number of them in tweets just to appeal to the masses. Her third tip is for companies to create their own hashtag as if they are a large company on Twitter and try to get it trending. Lastly, Buck suggests that you attempt to get businesses with many followers to mention you on follow Friday in order to gain more followers who may not have found you by your hashtags alone.

While Facebook is still alive and well in the world of social media, what often appeals to users about Twitter over Facebook, is the lack of advertisements and businesses forcing their information on users. Yet now, not only do companies tweet, (which in many cases can be entertaining to some users) but journalists like Buck are teaching social media inept small businesses how to jump on the bandwagon and use it to their advantage. Facebook has undoubtedly lost the attention of the college aged crowd for these reasons and its only a matter of time before the next new site takes the spotlight off Twitter if it continues down its current path.

I did not appreciate this article because I think that Buck is only making it easier for companies to infiltrate the world of Twitter. Facebook lost its appeal when it became available to the masses. Every small business now has a Facebook page that  it uses for marketing and free advertising. If Twitter becomes just as easily accessible as Facebook, then young people will look elsewhere for a social media site to appeal to them. The great thing about Twitter currently is that many people outside of the college aged generation do not know how to use it, and therefore do not. With people like Buck teaching businesses how to use the site, eventually everyone will be on it and young people will move on to the next best thing in social media.

Team Captains Get Involved

KENNESAW, Ga.- College students gathered together in the fight against cancer for the first Relay for Life event for Kennesaw State University Friday on the campus green of the school.

Maegan Sturkie

Communications Student

Students from different clubs and organizations set up tents and campsites all around KSU’s Campus Green Friday to participate in the first Kennesaw Relay for Life. Students formed teams to walk for the twelve hourlong event and to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This was the first time Kennesaw State has had its own Relay for Life event. The closest Relay event before now was for all of Cobb County, rather than exclusive to students here on campus. The event had almost 500 participants on 32 different teams and raised almost $30,000.

Relay Comes to Kennesaw

Each year, Relay for Life hosts events all over the country to raise money, raise awareness, and honor those affected by cancer. The event includes a walk that continues for the twelve hour duration of the event, a Luminaria, to honor those affected by cancer, and a survivor walk. During the Luminaria, participants of the event purchase a luminary candle on which they write the name of their loved  one affected by cancer. 

This nationwide event coming to Kennesaw's campus is surely a sign of the school's rapid growth. "Allowing Kennesaw State to hold our own Relay for Life is not only great PR for the school but it supports a great cause, with this it shows the community that KSU wants to be involved and wants to fight the battle with everyone effected by cancer," said Olivia Rhodes, KSU student. Rhodes participated in the Cobb Relay events throughout high school and was one of many students excited to see an event happen just for KSU.

Team Captain America

Members of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority join in the fight against cancer with team Captain America at the 2012 Kennesaw Relay for Life.

Team Captains Get Involved

This year, groups of Greek organizations on campus came together and formed teams to participate in the event. One team captain was eager to share in her Relay for Life experience. “I have done Relay for Life every year for over 5 years. I have always done it with Cobb County at Jim Miller Park, but to actually have it on campus with a younger crowd I can relate to meant the world to me,” said Megan Herndon, captain of team Captain America. “Cancer is something that has affected almost everyone's life in some sort of way. For me being the team captain, and going out there with fellow students and faculty members that care about the same cause as I do meant so much. From the beginning of the opening ceremonies at seven pm with the survivor and caregiver walk I felt a personal connection with every Relayer there even if I did not know them. Laura Stewart, who is a part of the KSU Relay Committee that helped to set this whole thing up truly inspired me to Relay so much harder than I have before, because she is a survivor and has relapsed again and yet was still able to go out there and fight back against cancer brings hope to so many people who are fighting their battle right now, or who stand by loved ones that are fighting their battle. She is truly an amazing woman and dedicated KSU student that many should know. Relay for life to me is a way to honor all the loved ones in my family that I have lost, and have been lucky enough to spend more time with. It really brought tears to my eyes to be able to walk around the track on the KSU Campus Green with my DPHEI sorority sisters, other Greek life organizations and many other clubs on campus such as Ladies of Distinction, Invisible Children, and so many more. I met so many new people on campus and saw so many people from my classes that I never knew had suffered from losses of family to cancer, which brought on a more personal connection to my fellow students and me. From the Luminaria Ceremony at 10pm where we lit our candles and took a remembrance walk for our loved ones, to aerobics to stay awake at 5 o clock in the morning, it was a great turn out and I could not be more proud to go to school with these people.”

Students Speak Up

With the topic of the evening being something as serious as Cancer and those affected by it. Students not only enjoyed themselves, but left feeling touched by those who survived.  

“I thought it was an extremely moving experience! It was great to see so many KSU students come together to support those fighting cancer and those who have been affected by cancer. The silent lap was so emotional and heart felt. The candles lit up the night and KSU was not only seen, but felt by everyone in our community. It really was a very moving expierence and I am honored to say I was a part in it," said Amanda Ballouk, member of team Captain America.

Get Involved!

For more information on how to get involved with your local Relay for Life or to donate, please visit their website.

Get Involved!

For more information on how to get involved with your local Relay for Life or to donate, please visit their website.

Students Speak Up

With the topic of the evening being something as serious as Cancer and those affected by it. Students not only enjoyed themselves, but left feeling touched by those who survived.  

“I thought it was an extremely moving experience! It was great to see so many KSU students come together to support those fighting cancer and those who have been affected by cancer. The silent lap was so emotional and heart felt. The candles lit up the night and KSU was not only seen, but felt by everyone in our community. It really was a very moving expierence and I am honored to say I was a part in it," said Amanda Ballouk, member of team Captain America.

Team Captains Get Involved

This year, groups of Greek organizations on campus came together and formed teams to participate in the event. One team captain was eager to share in her Relay for Life experience. “I have done Relay for Life every year for over 5 years. I have always done it with Cobb County at Jim Miller Park, but to actually have it on campus with a younger crowd I can relate to meant the world to me,” said Megan Herndon, captain of team Captain America. “Cancer is something that has affected almost everyone's life in some sort of way. For me being the team captain, and going out there with fellow students and faculty members that care about the same cause as I do meant so much. From the beginning of the opening ceremonies at seven pm with the survivor and caregiver walk I felt a personal connection with every Relayer there even if I did not know them. Laura Stewart, who is a part of the KSU Relay Committee that helped to set this whole thing up truly inspired me to Relay so much harder than I have before, because she is a survivor and has relapsed again and yet was still able to go out there and fight back against cancer brings hope to so many people who are fighting their battle right now, or who stand by loved ones that are fighting their battle. She is truly an amazing woman and dedicated KSU student that many should know. Relay for life to me is a way to honor all the loved ones in my family that I have lost, and have been lucky enough to spend more time with. It really brought tears to my eyes to be able to walk around the track on the KSU Campus Green with my DPHEI sorority sisters, other Greek life organizations and many other clubs on campus such as Ladies of Distinction, Invisible Children, and so many more. I met so many new people on campus and saw so many people from my classes that I never knew had suffered from losses of family to cancer, which brought on a more personal connection to my fellow students and me. From the Luminaria Ceremony at 10pm where we lit our candles and took a remembrance walk for our loved ones, to aerobics to stay awake at 5 o clock in the morning, it was a great turn out and I could not be more proud to go to school with these people.”

Team Captain America

Members of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority join in the fight against cancer with team Captain America at the 2012 Kennesaw Relay for Life.

Relay Comes to Kennesaw

Each year, Relay for Life hosts events all over the country to raise money, raise awareness, and honor those affected by cancer. The event includes a walk that continues for the twelve hour duration of the event, a Luminaria, to honor those affected by cancer, and a survivor walk. During the Luminaria, participants of the event purchase a luminary candle on which they write the name of their loved  one affected by cancer. 

This nationwide event coming to Kennesaw's campus is surely a sign of the school's rapid growth. "Allowing Kennesaw State to hold our own Relay for Life is not only great PR for the school but it supports a great cause, with this it shows the community that KSU wants to be involved and wants to fight the battle with everyone effected by cancer," said Olivia Rhodes, KSU student. Rhodes participated in the Cobb Relay events throughout high school and was one of many students excited to see an event happen just for KSU. 

Students during the Luminaria at Kennesaw's Relay for Life.

Kennesaw's First Relay for Life

KENNESAW, Ga.- College students gathered together in the fight against cancer for the first Relay for Life event for Kennesaw State University Friday on the campus green of the school.

Maegan Sturkie

Communications Student

Students from different clubs and organizations set up tents and campsites all around KSU’s Campus Green Friday to participate in the first Kennesaw Relay for Life. Students formed teams to walk for the twelve hourlong event and to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This was the first time Kennesaw State has had its own Relay for Life event. The closest Relay event before now was for all of Cobb County, rather than exclusive to students here on campus. The event had almost 500 participants on 32 different teams and raised almost $30,000.