In this interview we catch up with Kelly Drew, General Manager of Haystac, to talk PR and social media.

Kelly shares five tips for managing PR crises now that social media is such a core component of our lives.

For more information contact: k.drew@haystac.com.au

Thanks to: Kelly Drew, Haystac

You can always rely on Diesel to deliver unconventional statements and this goes for its marketing as well as its fashion.

To launch its flagship Fifth Avenue store, themed live dinner parties were held in its storefront window for 5 nights. Guest participants included famous New York DJs, sportsmen, models and other personalities.

The store itself exudes creativity and invites consumers to live the brand experience, with DJ booths on multi-levels, store-wide Wi-Fi, e-commerce portals and wireless cash stations.

Recognising that staying in is the new going out, Diesel is clearly mirroring a current social trend, in a highly creative way. But it also proves it’s the kind of brand that has more to offer behind its closed doors.

Thanks to: Diesel, coolhunter.com

Proving that actions really do speak louder than words, Vodafone decided against explaining its latest technology, opting instead to let people see it for themselves.

Teaming with PR firm, Waskman, both companies wanted to promote the benefits of a mobile office. So Waskman had its agency staff moved to a glass container installed on a 3 storey high construction in one of the busiest places in Madrid’s city centre. A PR dream in the making…

The aim of the 3 week campaign was to show that Vodafone Office allows you to do everything you would normally do in an office, all from your mobile phone.

The wider campaign incorporated a blog which detailed the staff members and their technical requirements, all demonstrating how Vodafone technology meets their needs.

We think Vodafone got it right this time, bravely putting its money where its mouth is – this in itself can be a big challenge for many brands. This is a great example of combining creativity with new technologies.

Thanks to: Vodafone

Heard the hype about Fanta’s launch in Canada? In a refreshing way, it has nothing to do with Twitter, Facebook or any other new media.

Like the Vodafone campaign, it’s about creating an engaging brand experience. Could this be a sign that, as we see a shift in consumer values towards what really matters, authentic experiences in advertising are the new black?

Richard Chapman, Director of Impact says, ‘Brand experiences can still be one of the most effective ways to provide a tangible consumer experience. This example from Fanta demonstrates how a brand’s essence can be brought to life while evoking a sense of innocence and playfulness among a broad consumer target.’

By splashing painted puddles on the floors of shopping malls, the playful part of the execution came with the nostalgic childhood sounds of ‘boing boing, children laughing and animal noises’, as people jumped over the play puddles.

The campaign isn’t intrusive, but inviting. It’s incredibly simple, yet effective in its aim of catching shoppers off-guard in a fun and light-hearted way.

Thanks to: Taxi, Fanta, Richard Chapman and Media Post

By answering the question ‘what are you doing?’ and broadcasting it via Twitter, brands can virtually let everyone know what they are doing, literally, moment by moment. The simplest way to understand how it works is to watch the video link.If we consider brands as living entities, then surely there is an opportunity for a Brand to Tweet with its customers? At Southwest Airlines, the social media team includes a chief Twitter officer who tracks Twitter comments (plus other social networking sites). So if someone posts a complaint in cyberspace, the company can respond in a personal way. For example when twitterer “Pastortrav”, complained about Southwest’s check-in process, he received a quick, public response from an airline employee saying, “So sorry to hear it! What don’t you like about the check-in process? Did your flight get off okay?” Through Twitter, Southwest is listening and acting to generate a positive outcome for a customer.

As of March 2008 there were 1 million+ global users, growing from 50,000 in April 2007 - suggesting interest is growing. But at this stage when it comes to active users the numbers remain relatively low – 200,000 per week. What’s most interesting, are the 4 million connections between Twitter users (Twitterers following other Twitterers) indicating the strength the technology offers in enabling people to listen and respond to one another.

Conversations about your brand could be taking place right now in places like these.

Check it out twitter.com

Thanks to: Twitter & Common Craft