29 Jul Topics That Are Igniting: 7/29/11
Hollywood Courts Social Media
Silicon Valley has become the latest playground for entrepreneurial celebrities. Justin Timberlake grabbed a few headlines when he bought a large percentage of MySpace in an attempt to revive the ailing network; however, he isn’t the only one. Lady Gaga invested in Backplane, a social network that launches at the end of August, and earned a seat on the board of executives. Also, Ashton Kutcher has made several savvy investments, most recently in Airbnb, a website that matches travelers looking for a cheap room with homeowners looking to rent out.
New Social Network for Businesses
The social media company Bizzingo recently launched Bizz.net, a social network that is just for businesses. Profiles allow companies to describe what they do, what they sell, and their specific business needs. All companies are indexed to highly searchable results to make sure users find quality business leads. The new site has lofty goals hoping to become the most accurate and powerful search engine for businesses in the world.
Average Investors Use Social Media to Predict the Stock Market
A study at the University of Indiana and the University of Manchester found that social media had a more than 80% chance of predicting the stock market. This data has spurred a slew of new startups such as Wall Street Birds. It’s a free service that allows users to type in company names and receive stock charts based on social media analysis. It’s currently in preview status until the end of August.
A Sharpie Campaign, Aimed at Teenagers, Urges Self-Expression
Building up for the release of several new products and redesigned packaging, Sharpie, the iconic permanent marker manufacturer has kicked off a multi-million dollar marketing campaign encouraging teens to express themselves. Through the use of QR codes, nearly $1 million in online ads, and an online Sharpie-art sharing platform, Sharpie’s goal is to draw in teens by allowing them to upload their original Sharpie artwork. On August 27th, Sharpie will be marking up the YouTube homepage by creating an interactive mosaic with artwork from fans around the globe.
