Social media and the Super Bowl

February 13, 2012 in News, Social Media by Jonathan Machemehl

It is the most anticipated event in football where friends and family get together to watch the biggest game of the year, the Super Bowl.  Super Bowl XLV set a new record for the most viewers, breaking the record held for 27 years by the television show M.A.S.H.

The television event is most commonly known for industries to introduce new commercials, which will run for months to come.  However, this year many companies looked toward social media as another way to interact with the audience providing hashtag and online options.

Coca-Cola launched an application that had polar bears, which interacted with viewers via Twitter and Facebook.  The two bears each supported a different team showing reaction for each play that was made during the Super Bowl.  The polar bears would also react to the commercials including falling asleep during rival Pepsi’s commercial.

Other companies such as Budweiser, Audi, and H&M showed hashtags during their commercial in hopes of getting viewers to talk about the commercial on Twitter. The commercial advertising David Beckham’s new line of clothing for H&M was one of the most talked about commercials of the night.

While some companies succeeded in embracing social media others like Toyota took their measures too far.  Toyota made the decision to spam Twitter accounts with phrases that mentioned “Camry Effect a Friend Giveaway.”  Toyota’s efforts were unwelcome by many and were vocalized by a blog on The Next Web.

Proof of the large impact social media had on this year’s event was with the statistics.  Twitter reported 13.7 million tweets about the Super Bowl this year.

#SB46 showed viewers are embracing social media and ready for companies to continue to use the platform for them to take their thoughts beyond the party.

The code of a Mustang leader

February 6, 2012 in Leadership by Jonathan Machemehl

“Be a Leader.” “This student showed great leadership in all of his/her actions while working on this program.” We hear phrases like these at almost every conference and award ceremony you attend but they never give the specific characteristics that make a good leader.

A leader is the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country according to the New Oxford American Dictionary.  Does this definition really define what a leader is?  Better yet, does this definition define what a great leader is or does to be considered one?  During the All University Crain Leadership Conference, Dr. Lori White, vice president of student affairs atSouthern Methodist University, presented us with a code, which a leader should follow.  Looking at this code, I see it as a checklist to determine whether you fit the classification of a leader.

They are as follows:

  • Make a commitment to be the best student leader you can be.
  • Understand the value of diverse viewpoints and perspectives.
  • Stand up for what you know is right. (even when others are not willing to do so)
  • Treat everyone fairly and respectfully.
  • Avoid making negative comments about other individuals or groups. (that includes in person and on social media sites)
  • Never compromise ethical principles.
  • Get out of your comfort zone.
  • Serve as a model for all individuals through your words and actions.

If you did not notice the list is an anagram for the word mustang but that is irrelevant.  This is a code that a true leader follows.  We all wobble and have our faults but should always strive to live up to this code throughout our lives.