Feb 1

If you are looking to understand social media marketing, search engine optimization, blogging, digital public relations, Google, and more, you are in luck. Richard T. Cole, professor of public relations at Michigan State University and Derek Mehraban, owner of Ingenex Digital Marketing, have combined their expertise to bring you the resource guide to be successful in new media. Titled New Media Driver’s License: Using Social Media for More Productive Business and Marketing Communications, this book will better equip you to build your own personal brand, help to market your products, start a blog, write public relations news releases, master social media websites, and much more.

Why is new media so important? New media is the answer to the on-demand access to content at any time, any where, on any digital device. Educating yourself in the new media ways will give you the advantage on the evolving world of digital media. Keep up with companies who are also learning to adapt to these new forms of media in strive to create an edge for themselves. Employers will be looking for prospective employees with knowledge in new media. This resource guide is your tool to accomplishing just that.

Jan 24

The expanding digital industry, as Jonathan Gardner of Vibrant Media puts it, is “destined to affect what we discuss, buy and watch, who we friend, what we Like, and how we share — all year long.” Along with eMarketer’s projection of a 14.4% increase in U.S. online ad spending, there is no question digital will make an impact in the new year. The best practices with optimal results will be the ones that will carry into 2012, even for digital marketing agencies.

  1. Take initiative into obtaining keywords using search engine optimization. Look to the future for insight on the next hot key term. Word ownership will do the work for you, setting the path for your brand to gain ownership of its voice around the web. Focus on your consumer when constructing your marketing strategy. What do they want, hope for, aspire to?
  2. Focus on your the product’s value. Consumers are becoming more spending-conscious. Focus on what content your audience wants to watch and read. Deliver ads to people who actually want to see them.
  3. Content is crucial. The most successful display ads connect content with the context of the page. The best digital marketing in 2012 will have to be dynamic.
  4. The revolution in tracking consumer behavior continues. With all the content on the web, it is quality that will produce the results in the end.
  5. Can you believe 98% of 18- to 24-year-olds use social media? More reason to develop new ways to make your social media assets deliver as seen by Best Buy and “Twelpforce” and Axe with their social toolbar.
Aug 29

If you’re interested in the rapidly growing world of online marketing, this is the perfect class for you! With Michigan State University’s New Media Driver’s License, you will learn all about the different aspects of online marketing from the experts. Derek Mehraban, CEO of Ingenex Digital Marketing, shows his students the many facets of the digital world in a fun, easy to learn way.

One of the greatest things about this class is that you are learning brand new things, but a lot of it is just expanding your knowledge of media you already use. Not everyone blogs, but it’s a pretty simple thing to do and you will learn the little extras that turn your good blog into a great blog. Most of the students who take this class already have accounts on at least one social media platform. Learn how to use platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube to their full advantage.

Some things you may know little or nothing about are search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and Google and Yahoo! search rankings. When you successfully complete this class, you will have an understanding of these things and just how great of an impact they have on a business.

Another great thing about this class is that it is (mostly) online. From experience, I can say this is one of the most enjoyable and most useful classes I have ever taken. I loved the convenience of being able to do my work when it worked best for me.

Sign up now for the Fall 2011 New Media Driver’s License (ADV420) course!

 

THE NEW MEDIA DRIVERS LICENSE IS PROVIDED BY The Michigan State University Advertising, Public Relations & Retailing Deparment in Partnership with Derek Mehraban.

Jun 13

Katy Perry pulled out all the stops for her 2011 Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) Video. The video is jammed packed with 80s heartthrob’s, 90s teen pop sensations, Internet memes and Kenny G?

Brace faced frizzy haired Kathy Beth Terry, played by Katey Perry, wakes up to find herself next to a buff young male and a fuzzy memory of the night before. Perry used social media marketing to promote the music video’s main character Kathy Beth Terry, who’s Facebook fan page is packed with links of 80s and 90s teen heart throbs like Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT), viral videos created by Kathy Beth herself and video clips of the boy band Hanson.

Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

The music video features Kathy Beth Terry getting a makeover from the Friday queen herself Rebecca Black, Hanson playing in the backyard and a saxophone solo from Kenny G. Darren Criss (Blaine) and Kevin McHale (Artie) from “Glee” make an appearance along with other famous stars from the past and present.

Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) is a hilarious play on teen geek-to-chic movie’s. Who knew Rebecca Black was such a party animal. As a Katy Perry fan I give this music video is a must-see and I give it two thumbs up!

Entertainment & Stars: Katy Perry’s ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)’ Features Rebecca Black as Hostess (VIDEO)

Jun 10

In high school and early years of college my Facebook addiction appeared to distract me from what many others thought I “should” be focusing on. As I got older my Facebook addiction led to a fascination with Twitter and other forms of social media. Suddenly I was studying social media and digital public relations strategies in school. Within three years my degree in public relations went from cool to awesome. I was taking innovative journalism classes tailored to social media strategies and search engine optimization and all things digital. Was this too good to be true? Can I really make a career out of this?

Photo: DirJournal.com

It turns out you can. And there is quite the demand for digital agencies and social media strategist as the digital revolution continues to grow according to The Detroit News article, Aging Nation, Technology Give Rise to Five Hot Jobs. There is real value in social and digital and more and more people are recognizing that. The job market is fierce and there is good news for college students. According to The Detroit News Article. “By 2018 a million new jobs expected to be created.”  I don’t know if fate or luck or destiny brought me to my current internship in the digital marketing field, but the future is looking nice for me and for the digital agency.

The Detroit News: Aging Nation, Technology Give Rise to Five Hot Jobs

Feb 14

The ad industry is changing faster than ever. New positions are constantly emerging as consumers are increasingly staying connected through advancements in  technology. Old positions are fading out. The big traditional agencies are building their new digital departments in their buildings as I type this right now because it is less cost effective and cohesive to outsource digital experts. Some items on the new menu include: Digital applications, big interactive touch screen display ads that people can walk up to and manipulate with their hands, aggressive search engine marketing campaigns (paid per click/organic), social media presence and integration between digital/traditional campaigns digitally savvy people to produce.

For me this provides a valuable lesson that I will take with me where ever I go in life. Always be innovative no matter what your career is. The second you get comfortable with anything you fall into a routine, and develop a one sided way of thinking. Some people today classify and group others who posses traits into one category:  Dinosaurs. What happened to the dinosaur? While one of the most biggest & powerful creatures on Earth at one time they became extinct. What I am trying to say is that any professional, especially a professional in advertising has to change with the times.

Right now more prospects spend more time on the internet than on their TV. This is a fact and a new trend!!! I have no idea who reads news papers anymore… Maybe 60 year old grandpas? If my generation wants to ”read” (which most of us don’t like doing, some of us have forgot how) we pull out our smart phone or computer and Google or Youtube it. Personally I Youtube it now, it’s not like I am too lazy to read but if I can have someone who made a video showing me the news or showing me how to do something new I am all for it. I like to learn by experience, not through reading black and white text. Google brings up Youtube results anyway!! So all you young people take this lesson with you into adulthood and all you old people start learning new things!