What’s Twitter? This was the burning question on everyone’s mind a year or two ago. While we’re now all very well aware of Twitter and its capabilities, new social media terms are constantly emerging. On Friday, I attended BlogPotomac, a D.C.-area conference focused on social media marketing practices. BlogPotomac has long brought together Web 2.0 experts to discuss new digital strategies and emerging social media platforms. This year’s conference featured social media strategists from around the country who shed light on several new terms in the digital landscape, and at the rate this space changes, it won’t be long before they’re commonplace.
Hashtag Flood: A hashtag flood occurs when Twitter users send a deluge of tweets using a particular hashtag. This often occurs during breaking news/crisis situations. (more…)
For many in the medical industry, November 12 can’t come soon enough. It’s the date that kicks-off a two day FDA hearing on the promotion of FDA-regulated medical products on the Internet and through social media tools. In order to make the best of this opportunity, which many in the medical community feel is overdue, it is imperative for pharma, medical device, PR, advertising, digital and search engine optimization companies to conduct their due diligence in understanding exactly what’s at stake.
By scheduling a Part 15 hearing (a Part 15 hearing is an effort to gather information from key opinion leaders), the FDA has entrusted its stakeholders to offer their insights into the increasingly complex digital landscape. Medical companies, and the marketing and communications agencies that support them, will have the opportunity to directly influence how the FDA ultimately decides to regulate platforms like Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere. (more…)
In an effort to regulate blogger endorsements, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced new guidelines yesterday which require bloggers to disclose freebies or payments they receive from companies and/or advertisers in exchange for writing reviews of their products or services. These new rules, which go into effect on December 1, are the first update to the FTC Act since 1980 and carry a fine of up to $11,000.
While traditional news outlets are typically required to return items they review to the original source, bloggers have long been compensated for reviewing a product or service whether it’s in the form of a free book or a free vacation – all in exchange for their write up, and inherent promotion.
While the FTC did not specifically mandate how these relationships should be disclosed, Rich Cleland, assistant director of the FTC’s advertising practices division, said disclosure should be “clear and conspicuous” regardless of what format it takes.
As the FTC stated, “The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization. And a paid endorsement – like any other advertisement – is deceptive if it makes false or misleading claims. ” (more…)
A quick search on Apple’s App Store produces hundreds of health related applications (apps) – ranging from health news portals to fitness and diet tips. But health, science and pharma companies should take note that two recently launched apps – Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform and Outbreaks Near Me – represent the healthcare industry’s introductory foray into true mobilization via this tool.
Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform
Howard Dean has long been recognized for his ability to build grassroots networks and mobilize voters online. In keeping with his efforts to encourage interactive citizen engagement, last month Dean released his solution to the healthcare conundrum – as an iPhone app.
For $4.99, Apple customers can download Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform – an app which includes Dean’s synonymously-titled book, a citizen action toolkit and a video of Dean detailing his plan.
In the midst of the increasingly crowded healthcare debate, with this iPhone app, Dean is providing a tool which breaks through the clutter and encourages direct social action. As app users read Dean’s plan, they can simultaneously interject themselves into the conversation by using the toolkit. Readers are able to:
