El Gaffney

Facebook as a (Traditional) Advertising Platform

Caught this on Facebook’s News Feed today. Have to say that this type of advertising works pretty seamlessly into the site’s design. So much better than banners, skyscrapers, even videos and other dynamic online advertising. Plus it’s nice to know that companies are not just creating groups but linking to content that the audience will find entertaining and possibly useful. Showtime could have easily had sent me to their Group page and asked me to be a friend – and maybe I would have because I was feeling in an open, friendly mood or wanted to have 10 groups rather than 9 to round it out or some other equally unworthy reason.

Not just that, I like that they’re linking to 4 different places, which I’m assuming they’ll optimize based on metrics. (Made me think of Google’s ability to test different “faces”/starting screen images for the same video to see which were most effective in getting clicks, which I think is a great offering.)

So although I don’t subscribe to Showtime, I couldn’t help but click on those pretty little boxes to learn more. And I’m glad I did because Addicted to Weeds took me to this video (below) featuring my favorite dude, Jay, from 40 Year Old Virgin…who I guess is also on this show, which I’m one step closer to watching. Now that I think of it, Showtime probably knows that one show alone will not get most people to subscribe to the channel, so offering a link to Californication, Dexter, or Brotherhood is not just nice diversity or hedging their bet, but a crucial decision to make us tip. (Of course, the don’t expect one video strip to move me from no awareness of the shows to subscription, but recently hearing that Michael C. Hall is tearing up the screen on Dexter from a friend may have done the trick. Plus, Double D on Cali. 3 shows – that’s more than my 2 on HBO. Sold!)

Showtime have done well – Facebook seems like a pretty smart forum to highlight its show and its cleverly-named, Homegrown Humor Video Contest.

Tags: facebook, showtime, weeds

Why I Love Facebook #3

Yes same person once again. And just to be clear, you read from the bottom up. The packing happened first, but clearly not long before the wedding. :) Is Facebook the next Vegas? It’s certainly cheaper. Someone get on that virtual chapel app. (Don’t forget Elvis.)

Tags: facebook, weddings

Why I Love Facebook #2

Coincidence? I think not.

Just like the last image, these profile/status change come into my news feed back-to-back and from the same person. Not the same person as last time, but the same person being excited about the future and now in a relationship.

Tags: facebook, relationships

Why I Love Facebook #1

This will undoubtedly be a series – probably warrants a new blog since I’m assumed and surprised daily, but I won’t get ahead of myself.

Tags: facebook

"College!" Observations

1. Facebook vs. Evite? Evite meet Friendster. Friendster, Evite. After receiving an invite to my sis’ graduation bbq through facebook, I realized the end may be near for friend evite.
2. Virginia Tech and Unity. I was surprised not to hear anything about this in the speeches or a moment of silence. How quickly we forget? Or a testament to the strength of the campus and us?
3. Parents don’t want to be the old parents. Seriously, they are obsessed with when the other students’ were conceived (parents’ ages) and if they have other older children.
4. Drinking game innovation. Whether you call it beer pong or beirut in its original form, the game has changed. Not with catching rules or rebutals, but speed. Civil War is essentially speed beirut, as teams compete to shoot and hit all their opponents cups as soon as they balls come to their side.
5. Stop calling us the Entitlement generation. And if you continue, at least give us props for giving back. Peep this do goodery stat from BC – 650 of less than 3000 grads forewent beach spring breaks for community service!

Half-baked thoughts, but wanted to share.

Tags: college, drinking, evite, facebook, games, genY