skype: changing the world one video conference at a time

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• Skype TV changing businesses
• How Skype changed the world

In article one, we learn that the first video conference call took place in 2006. Now, 5 years later, Skype is common lingo. "Skype me" is heard often and telephone calls are becoming obsolete. (Okay, not really.) The potential is there, however. The first article introduces Skype-enabled TV. Working with Samsung and Panasonic, Skype developed a TV that allows users to make video conference calls using the Skype software. 

This creates a free opportunity for easier conference calls. Whether it be business/entrepreneurial needs (as the article discusses) or personal use. Imagine never making a phone call again and always seeing the person you were talking to. Is this, perhaps, where our world is headed?

Article two talks about how Skype has already changed the world. Skype is the embodiment of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). So, the way Skype works is by sending little digital packets of your voice to others just like email. Skype is a huge innovation and has provided many new opportunities for conversation and business. 

viral videos

And that's how you use viral videos for great PR. Everyone knows the Old Spice brand, and now they know the Old Spice guy. Plus, who isn't a sucker for a marriage proposal. Old Spice guy engages with his audience. That's what I call successful PR.

• Viral Videos for PR
• How to make a Video go Viral

If you can get your video to go viral, you've got it made. Everyone loves youtube, and if everyone is quoting your video- they know your brand. The secret is making your video worth sharing. 

Top three tips from article 1:

1. Humor
2. Early Hook
3. Originality

Article 2 discusses outreach. To get your video out there, you have to get the ball rolling. Share it. Make it available to be shared. Use blogs and forums to get the video viewed by your target audience.

Overall, I don't think you can just "make a viral video". You can give it your best and hope for results, but in the end, it's pretty hard to know what will take off and what won't. 

location based social media

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• 5 things you need to know about LBS
• What are LBS?

I think the easiest thing to recognize with location based services (LBS) is the huge marketing opportunity. "For the same reason radio is a great advertising channel for retailers, LBS advertising is also valuable: because it can reach the consumer near the point of sale."(Via article 1)

However, I am really glad that the first article points out the battery life issue. My biggest personal issue with location based anything is that my GPS kills my phone battery. As the article points out, Foursquare has done well in setting up their "check-in" feature so that you don't have to run the battery-sucking GPS all the time. 

The second article addresses safety concerns. The author suggests three options for staying safe on LBS.

1.  If you're worried about your safety, don't check in. Maybe LBS aren't for you.
2. Share with trusted friends only. 
3. Only check in as you're leaving a location.