Did u know Barack Obama won brand of the year in 2008? Yup… he did! I have a MyBO account www.mybarackobama.com not b/c I am a huge fan, but because he <and when I say he, I mean David Plouffe> has leveraged Social Media brilliantly.>  To further make my case, have a play with the interactive map detailing the successes and wins Barack has achieved in his first 100 days in office.

 Barack Obama\’s – Map of Change

This is really what Social Media is all about. Barack doesn’t have to sell himself, his office or his anything… he is creating a million fanatics to do his selling and preaching for him! Fugging brilliant!

So I recently posted a question on linkedin! www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboudjema asking several colleagues and professionals in the industry what they thought of my reterick about marketing today vs. five years ago and their take on it all. Interesting feedback. All responses were either in complete agreement or complete opposition.

I took the feedback from the opposing team and investigated. I am even more sure of my assessment as a result! Marketing today is not what it was yesterday. Marketing four years from now will be very different. How? Well, in one line – the company does not own it’s brand… the people do! I could list oodles of research, articles and more here pointing to what’s happening and what trends are taking hold. But I won’t – instead I shall point out one example.

cue music please:

Barack Obama! Hello? Most of you know I have a MyBO account (for marketing and research purposes). I received a Christmas card from Michelle, a plea from Barack to take his survey and several requests asking me to create  a group of likeminded MyBO supporters to proliferate the message… then report back to him on how we’re doing, what support we need, etc.

MyBO won brand of the year in 2008. MyBO has a global following and one that expands daily. Barack Obama has a linkedin account is perfectly harnessed. Have you ever witnessed a more effective social marketing campaign? Fast forward four years from now to 2012 – when it comes time for another presidential election… when people from every country are conversing on MyBO, submitting ideas, answering surveys, giving feedback by the minute… imagine the power of that information – but more so… the power if that information was considered, used and implemented where possible… or at least give the perception of being used? What sort of brand loyal following would he conjure?

I don’t think TV is going to go away.  I just think the evolution of marketing means that tv ads will need to evolve with the rest of us.

Why do you think twitter and digg are so popular – lots of reasons… but more importantly, what sort of power do these sites have? Tons! Mobilizing that many people with a common message and a challenge? Did you know that Hollywood took on Digg… did you know Hollywood lost?

Alright – to be continued!

Interesting! I blogged in November about how my heart fluttered for Barack. I was so stunned by the transformation in myself that I started asking myself: How can you be such a fan of Barack when you really know nothing about him? Is it what he represents? <A black man in office which does thrill me to my toes> or is it the hype… the music… the hollywood?

I am not going to remove my November post about Barack… but I am going to offer up a few links – for those of you who always want to hear about all three sides of your coin! http://www.newstatesman.com/north-america/2008/12/obama-pilger-iraq-continuity or simply google John Pilger AND barack obama

Out!

I have a MyBO (My Barack Obama) account.

I have been very aware of my thoughts about America since Mr. Obama was elected President. Specifically; before Obama – not a lover of America. As a matter of fact, I would be more likely to cringe and dive for the remote if I caught a glimpse of Fox (that would only happen by accident). Going to USA for holidays or even long week-ends? No thanks! Why? Couldn’t tell you. – just never had the desire.

Fast forward to November 4th.

I want to move to America. Ok, well maybe not move, but I have fallen deeply in love with the USA. I look at their geography and I see beauty, probably for the first time. I watch American talk shows and I find myself nodding in agreement, next long week end – we’re planning a trip to San Fran. Why? What has Obama done for outsider perception of the US? I am by far the only one experiencing these sentiments. I have been talking to a number of people about this… their answers are almost verbatim what I noted above.

It is going to be very interesting to watch how the next 4 years unfold under President Obama’s watch. It is going to be mesmerizing to see what impact his social media campaign will have on the planet. What will Barack do with his online following? Will they be utilized over the next 4yrs? Will they be responsible for creating a paradigm? Changing the way we see, use and engage with social media? I’m thinking this is going to be where the path we’ve been on, bends.