Hanson & Hunt

Let's burn down our social media programs and just start over. Right? Arik and Kevin consider two thoughtful posts that take on the true impact of social. Also, the latest demographics for the most popular platforms (and what it means for LinkedIn), we also spotlight an influencer event that proves you don't always need to invite the A-listers. Plus, the trends in PR that you may not be paying att...

Real-time marketing: what is it, really, and has it jumped the shark? Arik and Kevin share their thoughts. Also, an interesting campaign that has the tech industry talking, Facebook's video views are under scrutiny, and why the best corporate blogs name their authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest co-host Heather Rist - director, Social Media and Content at Deluxe Corp. - joins Arik and Kevin. They discuss the increasing use of emojis by brands and companies. Also, the true impact of a corporate blog, and why many companies are bringing marketing back inhouse. Plus, they spotlight a cool drone project from GE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brands and companies are so focused on creating content, are they missing a content curation opportunity? Arik and Kevin mull that over. Also, PR pros sitting in on interviews with their company's subject matter experts, corporate writing that needs some help, and the content that could make you look lame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview edition - Jason Keath, CEO of Social Fresh, joins Kevin to talk about a variety of social media topics, including podcasting, blogging, the social platforms and his Social Fresh Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcasting is easy, right? Arik and Kevin reflect on one year of producing shows, the lessons they've learned and the overall state of podcasting today. Also, how Coca-Cola made the most of a Mad Men finale connection, a surprising study about customer service on social media, a new way for Facebook to serve up more of the content you like to read, and a word of warning for brands flocking to Inst...

Everybody's talking about Mary Meeker's latest Internet Trends Report, so Arik and Kevin are too - they share a few highlights and the takeaways. Also, KFC's Colonel heads to Twitter, journalists still think PR pros lie for a living, what gives? Plus, native advertising comes to TV newscasts, and the importance of crisis planning in a real-time and mobile world. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Guest co-host Jamie Plesser - director, Interactive Marketing Strategy and Execution at Allianz Life - joins Arik and Kevin. The topics they discuss include Facebook's Instant Articles, the state of search marketing and why the social media manager might need to step up. Plus, Adobe takes the Talking Points spotlight with an innovative use of audio, and Arik talks about having to fire a client. Le...

It's graduation season, so Arik and Kevin offer up some advice for PR and journalism majors out there. Also, Tide tried tying into the NFL draft - did it work? Plus, Buzzfeed solves a big part of the social media sharing puzzle, why some journalists struggle in making the move to a content creator role on the brand or agency side, and the words in press releases that should just plain go away. Lea...

It's one thing to create good content, but how do you get more eyeballs on it online? You may need an "alpha audience." Arik and Kevin discuss that concept. Plus, Target had a big PR and social media win, despite some challenges around keeping products in stock. Also, blogging styles then and now, the continued presence of BS in online writing, and how PR pros should approach personal branding. Le...

Is social media now nothing more than advertising? Arik and Kevin discuss a provocative post. Also, consumer trust of the PR industry, the quality of corporate writing, and trends for 2015 in branded content. Plus, the new "Poltergeist" had a scary - personalized - promotional push online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report looked into the habits and attitudes toward news consumption in social media by millennials. Also in this episode, Arik and Kevin chat about Meerkat and the potential of social video streaming for companies and brands. Plus, are the best days for bloggers behind us, in terms of relationships with brands? And, three content formats some say will be big in 2015. Learn more about your ad...

Interview edition - Shel Holtz, of Holtz Communications + Technology, and the co-host of the long-running "For Immediate Release" podcast. Arik and Kevin talked with Holtz about podcasting, internal communications and the importance of the employee audience, the disconnect between digital/social skills and senior PR leaders, a new approach for employee advocacy, and the demise of Google+. Learn mo...

The real social media strength of Twitter isn't its potential to drive traffic to your company or brand's website or blog. Arik and Kevin discuss a reporter's recent post that expressed surprise at his Twitter stats related to the links he's shared. Also, an "Ad Contrarian" post that bashes brands stressing online engagement and conversation, the role news organizations play in spreading hoaxes an...

If your company or brand is ever fortunate to have a commercial in the Super Bowl, will you recommend the PR boost for an early release online? Arik and Kevin crunch the numbers on the ads that aired Sunday night. Also, social media "war rooms" are a common sight on the big game's big night - are they necessary? Plus, when a PR pro should consider firing a client, the reality of content strategy i...

Awareness isn't everything in PR, marketing and social media. Instead, there's a growing call for making stronger connections with consumers. Arik and Kevin talk about that. Also, PR and paid media, the modern journalist's view of their day-to-day work, and some of the disruptive forces that marketers and communicators need to pay attention to in the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Evil trolls on the Internet have the potential to make life miserable for business and brands. Arik and Kevin discuss how to handle the hate. Also, Allstate's "Mayhem Sale," the use of "social" in job titles and the potential burnout of social media pros, the importance of customer experience over content, and the future of "above the fold" layouts on the web. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Forget about predictions for 2015 - in PR, marketing and social media - instead, Arik and Kevin focus their year-end episode on actual trends to pay attention to: 1) The increase in branded apps, 2) Analytics for PR, 3) Visual design and photography, and 4) An "ignition strategy" for content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview edition - Chad Mitchell, senior director of digital communications at Walmart, talks about how his team is structured, their work and responsibilities, a Black Friday tactic on Twitter involving a store employee, the company's overall approach to Twitter and the mission of the Walmart blog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story about Black Friday and Cyber Monday wasn't just the deals and what was sold. They also were notable for a big increase in social chatter around them and how brands engaged with consumers. Also this week, Facebook's crackdown on promotional posts from companies and brands, the Girl Scouts are finally setup to sell cookies online, the differences between brand journalism and content market...

Interview edition - David Jungers and Erin Vande Steeg, senior social media strategists at Mall of America, talk about their roles, how they manage social media content creation and engagement, their emphasis on the customer experience and how they work with Mall of America's 520 tenants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Target found out what can happen when grown men tweet as if they are high school girls. Really. We talk about #AlexFromTarget. There's another great hashtag worth chatting about: #TechnologyandStuff. Chevy had some fun with that one. Also this week, Verizon jumps into brand journalism, IHOP tweets at "the kids" and a post that suggested the "old" tactics of PR are outdated. Learn more about your a...

Interview edition - Andy Sernovitz, CEO of SocialMedia.org, provides his perspective on social media use in big brands, along with three rules every social media leader should keep in mind. And, Natanya Anderson, director of social media and digital marketing for Whole Foods Market, explains her role and team - and how they prioritize listening and storytelling. Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Guest co-host Greg Swan - SVP of consumer and digital marketing, emerging media innovation and strategic partnerships at Weber Shandwick Minneapolis - helps run through several topics, including wearable tech and augmented reality, animated gifs, Ello, Snapchat ads and trends in advertising overall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it time to rethink social media marketing campaign tactics, especially after the campaign runs its course? Shoutlet's Greg Gerik shares his thoughts. Also, Target tried something unique with Instagram for Halloween. A new report looks at the social media activity of Fortune 500 CEOs. Plus, Edelman's comprehensive study of the relationship between consumers and brands, and McDonald's is criticiz...