The Definition of Social Marketing

March 5, 2009 — themedianetwork

The advent of social media has been a welcome addition to the communications world because it allows us to interact with our audiences in a peer-to-peer way like never before.  However, it has brought new challenges to the lexicon of communicators.  So-called “social media experts” like to use the term “social marketing” when referring to the buzz marketing that is common practice using social media tools.  However, many of these people are not communications professionals and do not realize they are conflating the term “social marketing” with “social media marketing.”

Social marketing has been around for decades and refers to the practice of using commercial marketing techniques to effect behavioral change.  Examples include anti-smoking campaigns, safe sex education messages, and other public education efforts mostly (but not exclusively) in the health communications world.  It is important to make a distinction and spread awareness of the correct lexicon within media circles.  It should also be noted that social marketers are increasingly using social media marketing (including us) to promote the public education efforts of our clients.  So fear not, the two are not mutually exclusive practices.  In fact, there is much social marketers can gain from using social media marketing to connect with target audiences.

For a lengthy and annotated definition of social marketing, see here.

Posted in community outreach, health communications, health marketing, hispanic marketing, internet, marketing, media, multicultural marketing, public education campaign, public relations, social marketing, social media, social networking. Leave a Comment »

TMN Sponsors Government 2.0 Camp

February 12, 2009 — themedianetwork

TMN is proud to announce its sponsorship of Government 2.0 – an “unconference” of social media leaders in government at the Federal, State, and local levels.  The sold out event will be held the weekend of March 27th in the Washington, DC area.  For more information about the event, see here.  We look forward to seeing many of our current, as well as future, clients there!

gov-20-again

Posted in CDC, CMS, DOE, Department of Transportation, EPA, HHS, NHTSA, community outreach, health communications, health marketing, internet, marketing, media, public education campaign, social media. Leave a Comment »

NHTSA’s 2008 Holiday Media Planner

December 4, 2008 — tmndesign

The Media Network worked with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch the 2008 Holiday media planner.

NHTSA’s web page provides the following explanation:

This Holiday media planner provides communications tools and marketing materials to underscore the importance of not driving after drinking alcohol. It includes earned media materials and posters that seek to change the behaviors of Spanish-dominant Hispanics, a segment that has been slow to embrace the dangers of impaired driving. The materials can be customized depending on the needs of your programs.

The media planner includes both behavioral and enforcement messaging. Go to Holidays 2008 section of www.stopimpaireddriving.org to view the full planner.

nhtsa_holidays_2008-preview2

Posted in Department of Transportation, NHTSA, health communications, hispanic marketing, hispanic media, marketing, media, public education campaign, social marketing, traffic safety. Tags: , , , , . Leave a Comment »

TMN Enters the Social Media Era!

May 27, 2008 — themedianetwork

Welcome to the new TMN blog! We’ve been proudly unveiling social media initiatives within our company and this post marks our first foray into the blogosphere. Our blog will be written collaboratively by our staff on various topics that relate to our line of work, which is primarily social marketing and communications. Our service offerings range from Research & Evaluation to Clearinghouse Management to Strategic Communications Planning so expect our posts to cover a wide range of topics that fall under the broad realm of “communications.” We’ve pre-populated our blog with posts written by Felipe Benitez, one of our account executives – I hope you enjoy their informative nature. Please do not hesitate to contact us or comment on our posts. Thanks for reading!

Nhora Barrera Murphy, President & CEO

Posted in community outreach, cultural adaptation, health communications, health marketing, hispanic marketing, hispanic media, hispanic public relations, internet, marketing, media, multicultural marketing, public education campaign, public relations, social marketing, social media, translations. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

MultiVu Launches Interactivo (Hispanic) Multimedia News Release

April 15, 2008 — themedianetwork

My good friends at MultiVu annonced today a new service to reach the growing on-line Latino community. No doubt it will be a great tool to complement any U.S. Hispanic PR effort. Cheers Peter (McCulsky)!

¡Felicidades!

New York, April 15, 2008 /PRNewswire/ — MultiVu™, PR Newswire’s multimedia and broadcast PR company, in conjunction with its newly-formed Hispanic division, MultiVu Latino, today announced the launch of the Interactivo Multimedia News Release, the first-ever social media press release targeted to the U.S. Hispanic audience.

The Interactivo MNR (IMNR) is a Web 2.0 interactive multimedia platform that is unique among multimedia press release offerings because it features distribution and placement of video, audio, photos and text in Hispanic social network and news sites. From language translation to content development to web distribution, MultiVu Latino works with each client to create dynamic news announcements that are tailored to a Hispanic audience and delivered directly to news and online sources that are valued by the Hispanic community.

“The Interactivo MNR is the first communications platform designed specifically for companies and organizations looking to deliver high-quality, targeted multimedia content to the Hispanic market,” said Manny Ruiz, president, Multicultural Markets & Hispanic PR Wire for PR Newswire. “The IMNR’s strength comes from the unique combination of MultiVu’s industry-leading MNR production and delivery capabilities and the breadth of Hispanic PR Wire’s media distribution network, enabling organizations to take their messages to general web audiences as well as to influential media outlets and content providers that cater to the Hispanic community.”

All Interactivo MNRs are delivered over PR Newswire’s vast distribution network to thousands of media outlets, thousands more website and online databases, and nationally to Hispanic PR Wire’s network of more than 3,000 unique Hispanic news outlets. Additionally, IMNRs will receive placement on over 100 Hispanic media websites. Video content from Interactivo MNRs is further uploaded to more than a dozen Hispanic-related video sites including MiGente, MyGrito, starMedia, and Tu.TV, Hispavista, as well as mainstream video portals, including YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo!Video, Metacafe, and Blinkx.

Headlines and photos from IMNRs are also posted in Spanish for the first time ever on the 7,400 + square foot Reuters Digital Billboard in New York City’s Times Square. All Interactivo MNRs are also optimized for search engine visibility and enhanced for Web 2.0 distribution through embedded HTML links and social media tags, such as del.ic.ious, Digg and Technorati.

“The booming U.S. Hispanic Market is right now one of the most significant emerging markets globally and the best part of that for companies large and small is that this market is right in our backyard and ready for the taking. MultiVu Latino created the Interactivo MNR to provide companies with a simple, yet dynamic medium for communicating with the Hispanic community in a manner that is both compelling and understanding of the unique attributes that make the Hispanic culture so vibrant,” Ruiz said.

In addition to its flagship Interactivo MNR, MultiVu offers clients the ability to supplement any regular geographic distribution over Hispanic PR Wire with an Interactivo Basic. The Interactivo Basic includes press release and photo posting on more than 80 of HPRW’s 100 Hispanic online news partner sites such as LatinaStyle magazine, Catalina magazine, Diario Las Americas, Vida Nueva and El Latino de San Diego, among others; press kit posting in PDF, including fact sheets, biographies, newsletters, brochures, calendar of events, registration forms and more; a full screen, live preview of the Web site related to the press release providing easy navigation through a client’s Web site from within the HPRW press release page; text hyperlinks to relevant, search engine-friendly keywords such as company, product and service brand names; and a quote box, spotlighting a significant quote or sentence from a client’s story that best highlights what the story is about.

For more information on the Interactivo MNR or Interactivo Basic, please call the dedicated toll free “bilingual” number 866.580.5326 or send an email to MultivuLatino@multivu.com.

 

Posted in hispanic marketing, hispanic public relations, marketing. Tags: , , , . Leave a Comment »

Update: Cinco de mayo NHTSA planner (Friends don’t let friends drive drunk)

April 11, 2008 — themedianetwork

NHTSA just launched the General Market campaign for Cinco de Mayo, an interesting element is that the famous slogan “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” was adapted to the holiday as “Amigos don’t let amigos drive drunk”…nice touch!

See the full planner here.

Posted in health communications, hispanic marketing, marketing, public education campaign. Tags: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment »

Cinco de mayo NHTSA planner (Friends don’t let friends drive drunk)

April 8, 2008 — themedianetwork

Let me begin by saying that it is me in the poster below on a bad photo shoot day. The campaign was created by The Media Network, Inc. for the National Highway Traffic Safety Admistration (NHTSA) to promote among U.S. Latinos sober driving after Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

NHTSA’s web page provides the following explanation:

Cinco de Mayo has become a big night out for many, particularly young adults. But it is also a very dangerous night out because of alcohol or drug impaired drivers. Those celebrating this year should be sure and designate their sober driver in advance – before the festivities begin.

From 1999 to 2005, an average of 43 percent of all highway fatalities each year on May 5 and overnight into the early morning on May 6 were caused by impaired drivers with blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of 0.08 percent and above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“I am the designated driver”

This poster/print advertisement represents a very common way among Hispanics to make sure an individual is sober: “make the number 4 with your legs and don’t fall”. Placement of this creative would be most appropriate in restaurants, local bars, supermarkets, street fairs, parades, retail establishments that sell alcohol and publications targeting adults

Posted in health communications, hispanic marketing, marketing, public education campaign. Tags: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment »

Pitching to Hispanic Media

March 4, 2008 — themedianetwork

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A couple of days ago, I helped prepare Natalia, a colleague, for her Hispanic media pitching debut. After a brief chat, I drafted the following email:

 As we discussed, the following are some personal recommendations when pitching to Hispanic media outlets.

1.-Double-check the name and info of the journalist before sending a release. Do some research through Vocus (and Bacon’s) or by visiting the publication’s Web site, to make sure that you are sending the information to the right person and if possible read what he/she has published in the past. Look for topics, style, tone and interests, this will help you “sell” your story better.

2.-Send a personalized e-mail that briefly explains the press release and copy the text of the release in your message. Some journalists wouldn’t open a message from an unknown source if it contains attachments.

3.-Always include your contact number, Hispanic journalists always want to have a real and reachable person to answer questions.

4.-Use a catchy subject line that both grabs the journalist attention and provides him/her an idea of the content of the message. Avoid using simple or generic subject lines like: “Comunicado de Prensa” (Press Release) “Informacion importante de….” (Important information), you risk your message to be lost in the clutter, or confused as spam.

5.-Make a follow-up call.

-If you are fortunate enough to talk to the journalist, keep in mind that you will have between 30 to 60 seconds to catch his/her attention. Consider that a press release may not be a hot topic, so try to find angles for a possible story.-If you leave a Voice Message (VM) you will have to communicate everything in 30 seconds, let him or her know that you have sent an email with the information. For a VM, I would recommend using phrases like “This information would be of great interest to you readers” or “You can provide a valuable service to you readers”. Leave your phone an email at the end of the message (repeat it at least once)

-If you were able to talk to the journalist, send a follow-up mail thanking him/her for their time and letting them know that you can be available for questions or help while writing the story. This way you will have a contact you can rely on for future efforts.

6.-For some smaller publications, be prepared to talk for a long time. Some editors and journalist are real talkers, and will want to chat with you about topics that matter to Hispanics.

7.-Always smile while talking over the phone…and try to have fun!

Two hours later, Natalia had nailed down her first placement in Miniondas, a weekly newspaper in the Los Angeles DMA with a weekly circultation of 45,000 copies.

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Adapting messages: Correct usage of Spanish Language (Part II)

March 4, 2008 — themedianetwork

Second and final part of Gonzalo’s presentation…enjoy!

III. Adapt the Message

A.-Remember “who” is your target market.
Be careful of cultural differences and regional sensibilities.

i.e., Salsa music is not Mexican, Chileans and Argentineans do not eat rice and beans, Burritos are not Mexican, and pupusas are not the same as arepas.

B.-Remember your demographics:

i.e., Miami Cubans, Newyoricans, Chicanos, Mexicanos and others. First generation, second generation….

C.-Think different! Hispanics are a different public. Do not try to use literal translations from English.

Quiz: How do you translate Got milk or Got eggs?
A: A direct translation could be interpreted in a different way. You have to adapt as “Tome leche” (Drink milk) or “Compre huevos” (buy eggs).

D.-Same words have different meanings.

Guagua: in South America means baby (from quechua); in the Caribbean it means bus (spanglish from wagon). Corn in South America is known as choclo, while in Mexico and Central America is known as elote.

E.-Watch out for double meaning. Some words may be interpreted as “dirty” by some Hispanics.

i.e., Bolsa (hand bag) in Dominican Republic means testicles; chaqueta in most Latin America means jacket while in Mexico means to masturbate. Pelotas (balls) En pelotas (to be naked) Pelotas (stupid) (Chile) Pelota (group C.R.)

F.-Do not rely on Internet translation pages or software (Altavista… etc.)

Example: “The Media Network is a full-service public relations, advertising, and social marketing agency” was translated in Altavista as:

“La red de los medios es relaciones públicas de un lleno-servicio, publicidad, y la agencia social de la comercialización,”which back in English reads as:

“The net of media is public relations of a full service, publicity and the social agency of the commercialization”

G.-Do not rely on Microsoft Office spell check. Microsoft HQ are not located within the Spanish Royal Academy building.

H.-Use simple language. Avoid “SAT” or “GRE” vocabulary. Yes, we already know you are very smart.

IV.- Where can I get more information?

National Association of Hispanic Journalist Style Book (recommended): Can be bought from: http://www.nahj.org/nahjproducts/stylebookrequest.pdf

Spanish Language Royal Academy (the final authority): http://www.rae.es/

El Mundo Newspaper Dictionary: http://www.elmundo.es/diccionarios/index.html

El Pais Style Manual: http://estudiantes.elpais.es/libroestilo/dic_a.asp

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Adapting messages: Correct usage of Spanish Language (Part I)

March 3, 2008 — themedianetwork

Gonzalo Salvador (aka González), a PR colleague, just shared with me a presentation with great advice and insights that should be consider when adapting any English document or message into Spanish.

I. Assumptions to Avoid

A.-Not every person who speaks Spanish is an expert in the Spanish language.

B.-Not all Hispanics are equal. Usage of the Spanish language among U.S. Hispanics depend on different factors such as country of origin, generation, region of residence. Each group has its own vocabulary and its own colloquialisms.

If you are thinking about asking…

Q: What are the differences between Hispanics and Latinos and what is the right word to use?
A: This question could create a long discussion. Just as a reference in the East Coast is more widely used “Hispanics” while in the West Coast is “Latinos.”

Q: Is there a standard Spanish I can use?
A: No. But you can use neutral words and you can use the Real Academia Española (Spanish Royal Academy) dictionary as a reference. Remember to always use language appropriate to you target audience.

II. Common Grammatical Mistakes

A.-Try avoid the use of gerunds (-ando, -endo).
Example: Use “salta” (to jump) instead of “saltando” (jumping).

B.-Use active verbs when possible: Try to avoid the translation of the have + verb form into Spanish. Example: He has jumped (el ha saltado), might sound better as (el salta or el saltó)

C.-Avoid commonly misused words.

Quiz: Are the following translations correct?:

Protester: Protestante
A: Incorrect. It should be “manifestante.” Protestante means protestant (religious denomination)

Facilities: Facilidades
A: Incorrect. It should be “instalaciones.” Facilidades is related to easy.

Aplication: Aplicación
A: Incorrect. It sould be “solicitud.” Aplicación means “to apply towards…” such as to apply force.

Act: Ley
A: Correct. “Acta” in Spanish is a document.

D.-Always try to use alternatives to gender.
i.e. Avoid using she/he (ella, él)

E.-Check for the order of words in a sentence. (Nuevo Carro, Carro Nuevo)

F.-Avoid using too many articles (la, el). (leísmo)
Example: Women’s Health Center as Centro de la Salud de las Mujeres. It is better to use: Centro Médico para Mujeres.
By the way, the comas (,) are always located outside marks. (i.e. “”, not “,”)

To be continued…

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