Are Newspaper Headlines Borrowed from Social Media?

Remember how innovative headlines and captions of previous days' newsmakers would capture our interest? Well it seems off late to me, the headlines fail to make an impact for a morning newspaper read. For instance, this sports headline from the morning newspaper read:

Now of course, that's a clever and amusing play-on term Hailstorm-Gaylestorm. But it didn't interest me. Why? Simply because I was already bored with the constant flurry of #Gaylestorm tweets and posts since his blitzkrieg knock yesterday! Every newsfeed on my social channels proudly boasted of the hashtag as if each thought it was original. So that brings us to an important question - Are headlines borrowed from Social Media? Or even - Have newspapers lost the race to Social Media in creating headlines? It's not just headlines that are borrowed but also Twit pics, tweets, reference to online opinions and many more.

Incidentally, yesterday I came across this article on WSJ which lists Top 200 jobs in 2013. And believe it or not, newspaper reporter ranks right at the bottom!

Noticed, any social media borrowed headlines recently? Share in your comments below.

#JTHJ Vs #JTHJonSony

Last morning after I woke up from a princely Sunday morning sleep, I started flipping the newspaper and saw this full page ad of the 2012 Bollywood flick 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'. Bad memories of watching this sluggish film on the big screen came back and I actually wondered how many people would eagerly watch this film (after all the thrashing the film received from critics and audiences and, of course the IPL matches) Anyways, on the print ad the Twitter bird caught my eye and I noticed @SonyTV promoting the hash tag #JTHJonSony, inviting viewers to participate in the conversation.

Happy to see brands have actively started promoting hashtag off late in their TVCs, film promotions, serials etc. Of course, every Digital marketeer out there knows, people converse simultaneously on social media as they are watching a live event/telecast. The millions of IPL tweets and trending topics during LIVE concerts are proof enough.

But what I really wanted to confirm was, while viewers would talk about JTHJ online, would they really want to follow or tweet with a hash tag created by the brand? In my experience, this is a huge ask from the audience. So this morning I did a quick scan and analysis of JTHJ conversations on Twitter  and here's what I found. I used Tweetreach and searched for results on #JTHJonSony and #JTHJ.


RESULTS: #JTHJ created more conversations and reach (126k impressions) than #JTHJonSony (90k impressions). Also there was a classification on Tweets on these hash tags. #JTHJonSony had more SRK fans tweeting thereby, the conversations were generally positive. #JTHJ was tweeted mostly by social critics with a pack of humor and jokes. This user behavior has been noticed in the past too where several brands have tried to steer conversations with their hash tags but eventually got squatted by Twitterati.

However, this should not deter brands from promoting their has tags. If you provide users content, make sure to take a higher ground and provide them a platform to talk too. Positive or negative, users will talk about you whether on your space or an open environment.

If you remember any brand which created a hashtag but got hijacked with another hashtag on its term do share in your comments below.

Facebook Graph Search

An extremely casual and simple presentation on the most important product feature revealed by Facebook since its inception - Facebook Graph Search was revealed on 15th January 2013.

The product is introduced by Mark Zuckerberg with Tom Stocky and Lars Rasmussen showcasing various search strings. Mark clarifies right at the beginning, this is not a new web search engine, though there are mentions of their association with Bing towards the end. The search graph will surely enhance the connection visibility for personal use and thrive small businesses in particular on business front.

To me, the Facebook Graph Search looks pretty impressive and I look forward to trying it soon. Watch the video here, worth the entire 44 minutes of view.



Join the waiting list here - https://www.facebook.com/about/graphsearch to try Graph Search.

Facebook 1st Ad Campaign (New TVC)

Here’s a look at the 1st FB ad campaign to celebrate 1 billion users.

Interestingly, the comments and rating on Youtube have been disabled! No Like??!! Now isn’t Facebook acting like an intolerable brand that doesn’t want comments and discussions on its own channel. Well, you can control the talk on your page but not the digital universe, right? As expected there is already huge chatter on social media both praising and slamming the TVC.

What do you think about this TVC? Post your comments below.

How Socially Devoted is Your Industry

courtesy: socialbakers.com

A Good Evening With Friends Ruined

First, I am a regular at TGIF (Phoenix Mills, Mumbai) for its afternoon lunch as my workplace is based around and I enjoy their meals. But I have been always subject to extremely slow, boring and annoying service. First I used to think, maybe its because of large crowds (that of course is not a reason for a customer for appalling service). But I started to realise even on days with low capacity and handful of customers, the service remains the same.


I have made several complaints and brought to notice of the managers on various instances. The reaction is a polite smile and 'we promise you wont experience it again'.

However the night of June 17, 2012 was the mother of pathetic customer services I have EVER witnessed in my life. 
1. We were given a corner table and hence received no attention in spite of calling out loud and waving more than we'd do at a football match
2. Long Island pitcher is ordered and that comes with more Ice than my friends and I have ever seen at any restaurant! We are argued with the way this drink is served, condemning our knowledge of the drink.
3. Starters ordered and consumed. Plates are not cleared post starters for main course. This is done when told to. 
4. Main course arrives, yet the fresh plates dont come on the table. We wait gaping at our meal for the plates to arrive
5. I complain to a Trainee Manager about the service and thats ruining our evening. He assures he will take care for the rest of our evening and changes the attendee of our table.
6. A plate of garlic bread with cheese is then ordered to run down our remaining drinks. This doesn't arrive for over 40 minutes.
7. I call the Trainee Manager and blast at him and demand the names of all the people who have serviced me at the table including him.
8. The restaurant manager now comes over the table and is now the target of my patience. Over the past 2 years I have always received the most annoying services at TGIF and this build up was justified. After all, its not a cheap rundown place. We pay the huge bill amount for a complete experience.  A wonderful evening with friends was just ruined with all spirits blown away.
9. The restaurant manager apologised profusely and promised he will brief his team and make sure such instances dont happen.


Finally when I called for the check - THE MANAGER REFUSED TO CHARGE US AND SAID HE IS REALLY SORRY FOR RUINING THE EVENING AND DOESN'T FIT RIGHT TO BILL US AFTER ALL. Of course, we were happy with the reaction and I insisted to pay. After all we didnt fight to not pay, we drove a point to give us better service. Like I said I am always happy with the food. But you pay for an overall experience. The manager stood his stand and let us leave happily without paying.


Well you do the judging about the place. The gesture was nice on their part not to bill us, but i dont think a restaurant should reach a point so bad wherein they are obliged not to charge.

Social Sharing Boosts Email CTR Up To 115% [INFOGRAPHIC]

infographic: GetResponse