social
Krispy Kreme 36 (!) for 24 offer
I recently spotted a pretty cool Krispy Kreme offer called Beat The Hotlight. It was a pretty good campaign to Tweet a certain phrase + hashtag just before the hotlight was lit up on the landing page. Pretty good, because it:
- Kept users coming back to check the site,
- Got the Krispy Kreme phrase and hashtag promoted,
- Got some lucky people some free doughnuts!
Now, I didn’t win the free doughnuts for a year – but I was sent a voucher – which I am posting here for you all to see:
Click the image to download a copy
I think that’s a fairly successful attempt at social engagement, and a nice starting point from which to build on. The offer itself looks tempting, right? Well yes…if you think you want 36 doughnuts. Who the hell eats 36 doughnuts?!? Apart from Homer Simpson?
Still, good work Krispy Kreme. 
Trafigura, The Guardian and social networks
The Guardian newpaper has recently had a gagging order stamped on it which prevents it reporting (in any detail) about parliamentary proceedings regarding how the company Trafigura has allegedly dumped toxic waste.
In doing so, however, the gagging order has kinda had an unwanted effect – in that it’s becoming more popular than regular news: social networks are picking up the news story and perpetuating it. Twitter is, at the time of writing, apparently going bonkers with about 200 TPM (Tweets Per Minute) containing the name Trafigura. eConsultancy points us toward this trendmap of Tweets.
Plus, given that the news has already been reported on by the BBC and The Guardian themselves, it only makes people more interested as to why they’re suddenly being denied any more information on the case. As every kid knows, as soon as you are told you can’t have something, you want it even more.*
If ever there was a case for social media becoming, as eConsultancy puts it, a toxic avenger, this is it. Interesting stuff, and one to keep an eye on.
*: To be fair, this effect isn’t the sole preserve of kids. Try telling my girlfriend that we can’t have a kitten.
::update:: Gag lifted! Well done Internets. 
::update::