New York Times Web Site to Charge for Content

Beginning in 2011, NYTimes.com will allow visitors only a certain number of articles for free each month before requiring them to pay a flat fee for unlimited access.

With print media struggling to stay afloat in the new world of online news consumption, all eyes will be on NYTimes.com, the most popular newspaper site in the country according to Nielsen Online, to see if it creates a successful business model or drives its customers to look for free content elsewhere.

What do you think?  Will you pay for articles on media Web sites?

Lawyers and Social Media – Do They Mix Well?

Social media is invading all kinds of businesses – from a fishmonger in Chicago who tweets about the daily catch to his restaurant clientele  to lawyers looking to make legalease more understandable.  However, do certain industries and professions mix well with social media, and the inherent transparency that comes with it?

This article raises some interesting questions when it comes to promotion, marketing, new business development and “friending” judges and possible opposing counsel among the legal industry.  c21i works with professional service firms, including law firms, to help them maximize the use of social media for business – and remain comfortably within their ethical standards. 

Tell us what you think.  Should lawyers be able to use Facebook, Twitter and more or does it seem ethically wrong?

Pepsi Forgoes Super Bowl Advertising

For the first time in almost 25 years, Pepsi will not advertise during the 2010 Super Bowl, focusing instead on its Pepsi Refresh Project – a digital campaign that will fund projects that “refresh” communities – from feeding the hungry to educational programs.

While some call this strategy risky, we commend Pepsi for recognizing the power of digital media and reallocating the millions of dollars it would have spent on ads to helping communities improve.  Not only is Pepsi connecting with its customers and making a positive difference, it can measure the campaign in a whole new way – from who submits entries and votes to how long they engage with the brand and more.  That’s insight that even the most expensive Super Bowl spot can’t provide.

What Does Your Brand Say About You?

c21’s Sharon Goldmacher and Reneé Spurlin recently hosted a Webinar on the keys to a strong brand and tips to evaluate if your brand is working for you.  With examples from some of the world’s leading brands, as well as some of our own clients, the 30-minute Webinar explores c21’s “6 C’s of Branding” — Clarify, Conduct, Collaborate, Create, Confirm and Communicate.

Check out the Webinar, and leave a comment to tell us your favorite brands and why you think they are so strong.

Note: The Webinar audio begins at 1:15 on your media player.

Say What? Facebook Promotion Guidelines

Have you heard the buzz around Facebook’s recently announced promotional restrictions?  c21 breaks it all down:

• The scoop:  Promotions (sweepstakes in which a winner is selected at random or contests in which a winner is determined through judging) must receive written approval by Facebook.
  The solution:  c21 has a Facebook account representative dedicated to reviewing and approving our clients’ promotions.  The approval process can take up to seven days.
• The scoop:  Promotions can be administered only through an application on the Facebook page.
  The solution:  c21 has an arsenal of application developers who can develop simple photo or video upload applications, or complex custom applications.  c21 also can counsel you on cost-effective ways to execute a viral campaign outside of Facebook (campaigns can still be promoted on Facebook to engage fans).

Other items to consider:

• Facebook promotions cannot be marketed to individuals under the age of 18.
• Entry to the promotion cannot require taking any action on Facebook (becoming a Facebook fan, updating a status, uploading a photo, etc.).

The full set of guidelines can be found by clicking here.  There will be modifications to the existing guidelines (including retracting the broad prohibition against contests and sweepstakes that promote dairy products), and we will provide updates as they become available.  Need more details now?  E-mail our c21i experts at info@c21pr.com.

The Power of Facebook

300 million users, 1.4 million Facebook business pages and 10 million new business page fans each day. Facebook is a powerhouse for businesses of all sizes. Check out this New York Times article about how businesses can create a presence on Facebook to connect with current and potential customers, vendors and others. (By the way, have you become a fan of c21’s Facebook page and taken part in our latest marketing discussions?)

Trick or Treat!

There’s still time to enter our Halloween costume and pumpkin carving contest!  Post a picture on our Facebook wall by November 6^th for your chance at two $25 gift certificates to Six Feet Under.