The Talking Points Podcast

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 and lies on the web, and more fallout from the ugly Justine Sacco saga. Plus, Buick goes to the dogs, in the Talking Points spotlight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 in large organizations, and Snapchat allows media outlets to make a new play in mobile with their new "Discover" feature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 marketing, and the biggest PR win of 2014. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 criticized for taking consumers behind the scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview edition - Jay Baer, president, Convince & Convert, discusses why content is important to PR pros and marketers, the "farming principle" when it comes to the success of your content efforts and what he is excited about when working with his clients today. And, Hannah Godfrey, North American Food and Beverage Lead for Brandwatch, talks about the importance of social listening and content creation, what to consider in your content planning process, and the role of sentiment analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LinkedIn has opened up its publishing platform to all U.S. users. So, is it for everyone? We also look at a unique way to promote tourism in Minnesota. Plus, the relationship between PR pros and reporters, the definition of a "corporate" blog and Derek Jeter jumps into the content business with some of the biggest names in sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ello is everywhere, so Arik and Kevin consider the immediate reaction and what its launch means to the social space. Also, should someone tasked to lead social business within a company also have a strong online presence? Millennials seem to be the focus of every marketer and campaign. Plus, a PR plan for messaging the earnings gap between a company's CEO and employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview edition - Scott Monty, the executive vice president of strategy at SHIFT Communications, discusses moving from Ford to the agency side, his view of real-time marketing, how to mobilize employees for advocacy and more. Plus, he even offers some advice for parents related to social media and kids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interview edition - Chris Boudreaux and Susan Emerick, co-authors of "The Most Powerful Brand on Earth," talk about the state of employee advocacy programs in companies, what they offer employees, businesses and what you should think about if you're looking to get a program started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawyers are crucial to the success of a company or brand's social media program - so how can communicators and marketers make sure the Law department doesn't slow things down? Arik and Kevin have some ideas. Also this week, a study points out the inefficiency of the average marketer's workday. Plus, finding the right perspective on social media engagement and the push to become a true social business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Barbie's Showcase page on LinkedIn evidence of a successful brand digital marketing campaign? Arik and Kevin also discuss the lure of real-time marketing, PR's potential use in lead generation, early adoption by brands of new platforms and tools (Instagram's Hyperlapse app) and Arik reveals why he left the corporate world behind and set out to build a solo PR career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fortune 500 is increasing its use of social media - except in the area of blogging. What else does a new study say? We talk about it with the Umass Dartmouth researcher behind the interesting data. Also, what is "click flu"? Does your business have it? Plus, measuring engaged time on your content and websites, Twitter changes up its timeline, and Kevin shares some of the challenges he's facing in corporate blogging. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices