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.