Organised by ERCmedia and hosted by Homestyle Solutions, WinedUp is a wine-tasting event put on twice a year for a community of wine enthusiasts who engage in the social media platforms in Adelaide, SA, Australia.
David Sprigg of Homestyle Solutions is the state distributor for Riedel glassware, so you can be assured that all the wines presented at our event will be at their best. Homestyle Solutions also stocks a range of exclusive indoor/outdoor furniture and homewares.
At past events, we have showcased local wineries, as well as fresh produce outlets and cocktail bars, who engage on social media platforms, predominantly Twitter. Participants have included:
If you are keen to be involved in the next WinedUp, as a sponsor or participant, contact Rubina Carlson.
If you missed the last WinedUp, don’t worry there will be another in November 2011, details yet to be finalised. In the meantime, take a look at the Storify below which combines Twitter status updates from the event with photos published a few days later on Flickr.
In an Australian first, innovative local freelance videogame concept artist, matte-painter and children’s book illustrator Simon Scales has organised a series of International Concept Art Workshops for up-and-coming digital conceptual artists.
Concept Design Workshop Australia 2011 will educate and inspire both the professional and aspiring conceptual artist, and features some of the industry’s most prominent concept artists, including:
Kevin Chen – the international industry leader, a true inspiration. Kevin is the lead and freelance concept artist for a number of entertainment companies, including Blizzard and Disney Feature Animation. His past projects include top-selling video games Medal of Honor and Call of Duty as well as the recently released Zack Snyder film, Sucker Punch as well as monster mash-up Alien vs Predator. Also the founder and director of Concept Design Academy located in Pasadena, California, Kevin has been instructing classes and professional workshops for various schools and studios during the past 12 years.
Carlo Arrelano – a leading international concept designer, has worked on Hollywood movies such as Spiderman, Planet Of The Apes and Van Helsing. Carlo has also played a key role in concept development of ground breaking video games such as God of War: Chains of Olympus, Resistance: Fall Of Man, World of Warcraft and is now currently lead concept designer at Insomniac Games in Los Angeles, California.
“This is a first for Australia, there has not been a workshop this intense or hands-on for the video gaming/animation industry before.” declares organiser, Simon Scales.
This exclusive event is a two week intensive workshop, with participants from all over the nation flying to Adelaide to attend. There are still a few places available, but these are filling up quickly.
“Depending on the response this year, we are hoping to make this an annual event, alternating the host city each year.”
Storify is a new publishing platform that allows you to collect any public social media post(s), and work them into a story. In essence, you can create your own social media scrapbook.
Sure, you could use any blogging platform to create similar looking stories, but Storify enables you to “search multiple social networks from one place, and then drag individual elements into your story.” I found this to be a real time-saver, as it really is a matter of search, drag and drop, as opposed to the laborious task of uploading, then embedding images and videos.
Keep these 3 handy tips in mind when using Storify:
If using Storify to search for images, posts, etc on Facebook, if you or your friends have set their accounts to “private”, these images, posts, etc will not be found.
Wait until all potential social media posts have been shared over all platforms (e.g. Twitter, Flickr, YouTube) before creating your story, as it’s easier to create your story when you have the ‘big picture’ in front of you.
Be courteous, and ask permission of those who own or feature in the images or video you intend to scrapbook on Storify.
These stories are viewable by anyone and can be embedded into blogs, as featured below.
On a personal note, I think this would be a great way to collate and curate all social media activities that relate to a specific event, like for instance, the next TEDxAdelaide… when would you use it?
HOT OFF THE PRESS! Burson Marstellar released this report just a few hours ago, presenting unique insight into ways that the Fortune Global 100 companies have been using social media.
25% increase in the number of companies using all four social media platforms studied (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs)
Twitter is the emerging as the predominant social media platform used by corporations.
Increase in the number of social media accounts per corporation (e.g. regional offices creating and using accounts)
Asian markets seem to be embracing social media at a much higher rate than US and other markets.
76% more companies are using “@” mentions and direct mentions on Twitter, suggesting a willingness to engage with their existing or potential customers. Also a steady rise in the use of RTs.
Companies are following more users, customers, etc than before.
40% of corporate Twitter accounts incorporate forms of customer service.
Dramatic increase of Facebook pages per company (watch those Asian markets)
YouTube experienced a surge of content from Asian companies
Blogs seem to be left out – Fortune Global 100 companies have not embraced this form of social media comparatively to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
What are your thoughts? I’d be keen to see some discussion on the Asian markets if anyone has any insight…
The CBloggers Project gave 20 young community radio broadcasters from around Australia the opportunity to take on the challenge of becoming an online media maker. The 20 rose to the challenge admirably, some embracing online platforms, like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, in the context of media production for the first time. Lesser known phlogging platform iPadio was an instant hit.
Social media gives community broadcasters the opportunity to take their messages beyond their signal radii, especially in the case of rural stations. It’s such a great opportunity to connect with those who share their values, appreciate their programming and showcase their talents to the world.
Fantastic cocktail bar Cushdy is launching its new summer menu Friday, 5th November 2010.
Cushdy‘s Shaun Pattinson and his cocktail-making troupe will be presenting a Masterclass at the launch. These guys and gals are the True Originals of Adelaide, SA.
If you’re keen to score an invite to this exclusive event, we only ask that you post some #tweets4cocktails.
The Promotion
If you’d like to score an invite, all you need to do is:
You can enter as many times as you like! In fact, we will reward frequent #tweets4cocktails tweeps with more than one invite. Promotion closes on Wednesday 27th October 2010 at 5pm CDST.
Should you attend, you are also strongly encouraged to tweet on the night of the launch.
Over the past 6-12 months we have seen a strong #Adelaide community form on Twitter (see @Prakky’sblog). Week in, week out, #Adelaide is the most popular hashtag in Australia and often in the Top Ten Trending Topics in the nation, according to Twirus.
Many Twitter users contribute to it: promoting events around town, reminiscing on genuine experiences here or even ask questions to their #Adelaide peers like @_SDU_ has:
Based on what I’ve observed in this #Adelaide space, usually a number of fellow #Adelaide Twitter users answer the posed question, in this case suggesting places to “lunch”. In essence, we are seeing the development of a word of mouth referral network, based on people’s real life experience. Increasingly, we are seeing some of these venues (or “answers”, if you like) engage potential customers by participating in this conversation.
#Tweatout #Adelaide!
Taking a similar approach that has brought together this community, #Tweatout aims to encourage Twitter users dining out around #Adelaide to tweet about their experiences. @EatoutAdelaide is spearheading this campaign by actively (almost aggressively) encouraging Twitter and Foursquare users to use the #Tweatout hashtag. At this early stage, @EatoutAdelaide is directly engaging other Twitter users. It is also retweeting the best of these tweets and photos that it finds, adding the #Tweatout hashtag if absent.
This is not a community that will be formed overnight, it will take time… you could do your part to help!
It doesn’t matter if you’re an accredited food critic, a foodie wannabe or an average Joe, When you are out and about, tweet about your dining experiences: the good and the bad, the terrific and the terrible, the cheap and the expensive.
This single tweet from @NathanFillion, star of cult sci-fi series Firefly, resulted in a complete overload of the @arcimotowebsite. This tweet is also the seed of the Arcimoto Angels campaign, where Fillion’s genuine support has played a key part in its success.
Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds of Firefly Vessel, Serenity
The Pulse, an electric vehicle for two, is still in the prototype stages of development, but does not appear to be far off commercial production. Arcimoto is hosting test drive events in the Northwest of the US, and expects to retail the Pulse for about $17,500 [US].
An Example Of @NathanFillion's Transparent Tweeting
Fillion’s honest enthusiasm to help Arcimoto has appealed to his fans the world over. His commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and securing American jobs is clear. His transparent planning and brainstorming of this Arcimoto Angels campaign firmly establishes his belief in Arcimoto, and the Pulse as genuine.
A Snapshot Of The Arcimoto Angels Campaign
The Arcimoto Angels campaign is a fundraiser for Arcimoto (dubbed ‘fundvertising‘), which heavily references science fiction/fantasy myths. People who show their financial support are rewarded with Bronze, Silver, Gold, Mithril, Unobtanium or Wonderflonium wings. Mix in the strong leadership from the iconic Captain of Serenity (aka Fillion) and a pledge to match the first $5000 donated, and voilà!
Many devoted Firefly/Fillion/sci-fi fans respond in droves to this call to action, crashing the Arcimoto website once again. They commit more than their cash: spreading word of the cause through re-tweeting @NathanFillion’s@arcimoto posts. Some dedicated fans, like @MacGrip, have created their own graphics, inspired by Arcimoto Angels and iconic Firefly ship, Serenity.
Engaging an active niche-interest group is clearly a strong way to spread word of your product or cause, especially if you are genuinely supported by a key influencer.
It’s an interesting approach Bacardi has taken with this social media campaign: True Originals. It has been in operation for the past year or so, using only social media heavyweights Facebook and YouTube. It is slowly building a following of spirits enthusiasts.
#1: The Samurai
Traces of the existing Bacardi brand barely exist in this campaign, with the exception of:
Long shots of the green glass Bacardi bottle
Close-ups of the neck of the Bacardi bottle
The shape and colour of the chip at the end of each video
True Originals is a clear example of how social media, specifically Facebook and YouTube, can be used to target specific audiences. In this case, Bacardi seem to be targeting the bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs (read: influencers) from around the world.
#2 The Hummingbird
These high-quality videos seem to be more about branding rum as THE spirit appreciated the world over, and consequently, subtly re-positions Bacardi as a classy spirit. The clever part here is that while creating this alternate identity for Bacardi, the current overall perception of Bacardi as mass-market rum has remained intact. It is also interesting to note that there is no reference to this campaign on Bacardi’s official website.
#3 The Apothecary
Only four videos have been released on the True Originals YouTube channel so far: The Samurai, The Hummingbird, The Apothecary and The Outsider. The Samurai is still the most popular video, drawing the most views as of Thursday, 9th September 2010.
True Originals Video
No. Views
Uploaded…
The Samurai
34,598
11 months ago
The Hummingbird
22,835
7 months ago
The Apothecary
19,358
3 months ago
The Outsider
33,381
1 month ago
The True Originals Facebook page has 1,873 “Likes” (accurate Thu 09/09/10). Although this number is small for such a lengthy campaign, the level of engagement appears very high. Majority of the posts on the wall are from bartenders or cocktail connoisseurs, either commenting on the videos or asking questions for the “True Originals”.
#4 The Outsider
There are very few posts from the page itself, which usually serve to:
promote the new videos upon release
provoke discussion about certain aspects of each video (e.g. bartender flair seen in The Outsider)
announce milestones for Bacardi (e.g. 110th birthday of the Bacardi Cuba Librée)
and ultimately, build a community of “True Originals”
It will be interesting to see how this campaign plays out… do you think it will (or at least has the potential) to reach the dizzying heights of Old Spice? Or would that perhaps defeat its true purpose: only reaching the influencers?
I worked as Associate Editor for online Adelaide-based magazine Kryztoff in early 2010. I’ve just written up a case study of sorts, seems more like reflection now… it’s my first one, so I welcome your feedback!
Kryztoff is an online Adelaide-based magazine, established in November 2009. It is aimed at young Adelaideans, aged between 18-35. Each edition covers four main areas, Music, Fashion, ADL5000 (arts/culture) and Film, and features a dozen aspiring writers and photographers.
During the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival, Kryztoff previewed about 100 shows, reviewed about 70 and photographed a number of events throughout the Festival.
Direction
The main aims in the early days of this web start-up were to increase awareness (and ultimately, readers) for Kryztoff, and drive more web traffic to the online publication.
The Way Forward
I employed a number of tactics to achieve these aims including:
Kryztoff grew its Facebook fan base from 1273 to 2606 (80 fans per week on average)
Over 5400 videos were viewed on the Kryztoff YouTube channel
Kryztoff demographic revealed a slight female skew (60:40), aged 18-40 and most living in Adelaide
Over 100 posts on the WordPress blog generated over 2 000 unique hits
The domain experienced a significant increase in traffic to the site (over 30%)
Majority of these clicks were traced back to the Kryztoff Facebook page
And Then…
These results indicate that I engaged the target demographic successfully, through this multi-platform approach. Unfortunately, Kryztoff had to scale back its operation in May 2010. Had Kryztoff continued engaging its existing and potential readers in this consistent manner, I strongly believe Kryztoff would have experienced strong growth during the winter months of 2010.
