Cowboys Go Social: Rodeo Houston gives traditional media the boot

Last I checked, the Rodeo Houston fanpage had nearly 80,000 fans. This pretty much kicks the pants of other fan sites from in and around Houston. This fan base even beats the Houston Texans, who have a respectible 50k fans. The only major Houston fan pages that are above the Rodeo Houston's 80k (and growing) fan base is the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets.

The Houston Rodeo has been in exhistance for 78 years, but their fan page is a wee FIVE MONTHS OLD! Seriously. This means that the page has grown 16,000 fans per month. That's nearly 600 fans per DAY. This is an amazing feet for any organization.

What I find personally awesome about this, is that I actually met the PR/Marketing Director Johnnie Westerhaus in a web promotional class about five years ago. She was the lone ranger with one(ish) web designer just learning how to enter metadata so people could find the rodeo line up. A few weeks later, I met Leroy Shafer at a direct mail association conference. He gave the history of the CRM system for HLSR, and how its evolved throughout the year.

I was drinking the kool-aid from that moment on. I have to admit my boots have had more dust than dirt on them, I could never pull off one of those awesome rhinestone belts, and most people can't even detect a Texan accent. I'm doing this cowboy nation zero justice, but I've got to be HLSR's biggest fan. And a fan because of their business (and mine) of marketing. These guys really know what they are doing. They have gone from posting non-searchable PDFs on their webpages, to eighty thousand fans of their facebook, twitter, youtube, mobile contest, and an incredible innovative website in just a few years.

You may have never thought of turning to the cowboys for your how-to guide of social media and marketing technology... but its definetly time to take notice. 
*My companies fan page Atos Origin North America is 200 members strong after almost a year of promotion. Maybe we should be more closely related to the Houston Rodeo? :)

Wanted: AMA Mentor

Ok, so the marketer of the year isn't me (dangit). But I have good reason! I just now joined AMA Houston. What was I thinking? All this time, I've never been part of any organized group dedicated to my everyday work. This is my first one. 

I've been to PRSA group meetings, seminars, and have even been to some of the AMA stuff. I just never joined. I think I am secretly scared that I'll get too excited about it, become an over-eager participant and volunteer (or get volunteered) to death. I'm not one to join a committee without being devoted.

I feel like AMA is something I can devote some time to. I feel a little better when I see things like their blog, their postings, their database, award ceremonies, and such that give us marketeers somewhere to think. And I really like the idea of thinking locally and with focus. One of my goals for this group is to find me a marketing mentor. No, I dont want a job from you, (I have one--Go Atos!) I just want your lunchtime, your brain, your years of experience, what worked, what didn't? Everytime I think I've mastered something, I realized I'm only at the beginning. 

So, fellow AMA-ers. I hope to meet you and lunch with you soon. 

I want to drive the Marketing Experience!

Wow, where have I been?! Apparently, Girlfriend Getaway is the new term for "staycation"... and Chevrolet has got the market covered in that arena. http://www.girlfriendgetawayhouston.com/

I've heard the radio commercials that offered free massages for a test drive. Good for them I thought. But why haven't I heard of the Girlfriend Getaway?! Who knows, but I'm glad I did. The gig, find several metro based women to drive a Chevy branded car and blog, twitter, facebook, and vlog all about it on about it in front of the camera.

Now, I don't need a car for four weeks, but I sure could use a marketing high for a month! MAN! what a fabulous campaign. My hats off to Velocity Marketing for spinning this campaign. I really can't wait to see the ROI from this. The branding among women is phenomenal.

Looks like the first campaign was Mommy Madness in Houston. They had the Traverse to test drive. They were a bunch of soccer moms... pfft. I want a cool car. I'd like to take out some clients, video some of the "hoity-toity" women around our Houston Galleria office... Let's see what these chicks really think. The car looks fabulous. Would they even know what they were getting into? It would be cool to have a "hidden camera" type video blogging. I'd like to take a bunch of these IT geeks around. What do they think about the gizmos? I'd take my 16 year old daughter out with her friends... is it cool enough for them to be seen in? Will the valet guy leave the Malibu all shiney and up front at the Hobby Center? Will the Malibu go with my Cheetah dress when I go on date night with Toddy? Ah... maybe I should just do a secret campaign if I don't get picked. I'll do my own test drive! :) That would be awesome.

Anyway, its a great campaign. Get some known social media experts with legit backgrounds and steady stream of acceptable comments and reviews. Even if I don't get chosen (which you should totally pick me) I'll be watch the stream of comments from the campaign. But man! with all this campaigning... shouldn't you be easier to find? :(

With love, Future Marketing Engine --I mean Malibu Test Driver :)

Is my blog flat lining?

I have absolutely ZERO excuse for not blogging in the last month. I have been extremely busy with the Atos Origin Executive Forum for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. (Ok, MAYBE a little bike riding with our CEO in Stanley Park) But what was I thinking? Because of where I was and the fan-fare around it, I should have been blogging non-stop. But my twitter was low, my blog was dead, and the facebook fanpage had zero entries from myself. (Thank you Queen Victoria)

But this is my own blog, so I can virtually pick it up and put it down whenever I like. Or no? The way I see it, people read the news or the "blogs" when the blog comes to them. I'm not exactly sure I've got any avid readers following me day after day (little creepy maybe). My vision is that people see the news feeds on twitter, have their google alerts all set up, and they check my blog when it happens to cross paths with their favorite searches.

Can I get a witness? Anyone hear me out there?

THAT SAID: I wouldn't read a blog entry or give it any credit if it were only one every 6 months. I wouldn't "believe" that person, or wouldn't feel such company or brand was creditable. I am very web-design-update-biased.

So basically, I believe everyone is like me and shouldn't deviate from my blogging patterns.

Signed,
#FullofMyself

An Exclusive Tour on CIO.com

Wow. I believe I have officially MADE it in life! :) One of my photos have made Kristin Burnham's slide show on CIO.com.

Ok, so I took a photo of a map, that HAPPENS to be mixed in with a bunch of professional photos from a Vancouver Photographer. Just last month, photos were taken of the TOC in Vancouver.

Take your sneak peek here.

SUPPORT TEAM USA

This was originally sent to me by the PR group at the USOC. I'm all about pitching in. Correction: I'm all about YOU pitching in :) Where can you help?! 

With just days to go before our athletes take the world’s stage in Vancouver, your support of Team USA right now makes a difference.  Each Team USA athlete has been training hard and dreaming big, waiting to realize their long-held ambition of Olympic and Paralympic competition.  There are many ways to help them continue their success!

AT&T Soundtrack Program

Help AT&T support Team USA by downloading never-before-released songs from top recording artists such as Mariah Carey, 3 Doors Down and Rascal Flatts. Ring tones and answer tones are also available.  All proceeds from each download go directly to Team USA.  Text “USA” to 2257 or visit www.att.net/TeamUSA for more information.

TeamUSAShop.com

Support Team USA and dress like an Olympian! Visit TeamUSAShop.org to purchase the same gear the athletes will be wearing in Vancouver.  Start shopping now!  http://www.teamusashop.com/

MyTeamUSA Rewards

Starting February 12, fans will be able to support Team USA and earn up to 15% cash back at hundreds of online retailers by shopping through MyTeamUSA Rewards! Simply register at www.myteamusarewards.com and begin shopping at participating online retailers.  For each dollar a member earns through this online program, a matching dollar will be donated to the USOC.  Once you have earned at least $5 cash back, you can redeem earnings for a Visa prepaid card - or you can choose to donate all of the earnings to Team USA.

Pringles.com

Visit the Pringles Pop Art Can Creator at www.Pringles.com/popart. This fun, interactive application allows users to customize their own Pringles cans with new Team USA designs.  For every can creation submitted and approved between January 25 and April 25 2010, Pringles will make a 50 cent donation to the USOC.  For more information about Pringles and commemorative Team USA Pringles products, please visit www.Pringles.com.

Support a Sport

Athletes depend on National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sponsors like you to help them reach their dreams.  For the first time, fans and donors have the power to choose which NGB to support.  Help your sport(s) of choice by donating now! Click Here!

Honorary Team Captain

Show your passion and support for Team USA by becoming an Honorary Team Captain.  For $100, donors will receive a limited edition pin and four postcards sent directly from Vancouver.  Click here to learn more and donate now!

Olympic-themed NASCAR Diecast Car

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne will pilot a special Team USA paint scheme on the No. 9 Budweiser Ford at the Daytona 500 on February 14 and the Auto Club 500 on February 21.  Budweiser Team USA Olympic paint scheme diecast cars are available for purchase through BudShop.com, NASCAR.com, QVC.com, Motorsports Authentics dealers and at the tracks during upcoming races.  All proceeds from the sales will be donated to the USOC.

United Airlines: Donate Your Miles

United invites you to support select nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Olympic Team, through their Mileage Plus Charity Miles Program. With this program, Mileage Plus members can donate a minimum of 1,000 miles. We encourage you to make a difference by visiting United Airlines website and donating today.  Click Here!

Move over Rachel...there's a NEW Blogger in town!

Check out the awesome Victoria Lind's new blog. Stay up to date on Atos Origin news and the hilarity of the AO offices.

Simon Says Rachel is Awesome. Right?

Seriously. I pride myself on googling eveyone, everything I meet. (I've probably seen your kids photos on facebook before your grandma does). Maybe I shouldn't be proud of it, but sorry, that's just how I roll.

So I google, search, and tag everything to come to me automatically. Then of course, Simon Elliot had to go and mess up everything for me.

Apparently, the Atos Origin Scientific Community has gone off and created a Social Networking Track. I really thought I was on top of this! Sheesh. But honestly, I can't say how proud and excited I am of this crew that this is finally off and running.

Simon says, "Rachel has a practical marketeers knowledge of social networking that will prove invaluable in the build up to Q4 this year."

Why THANKS Simon! What an honor. I'll do my best in being as social as possible.. wait, is that what you want? :) I kid, I kid... Now, lets see who can find this blog entry now that I'm on the Scientific Radar! Thanks guys, I can't wait.

Rachel the Scientific Genius* can be found at: 
www.twitter.com/atosRachel
www.twitter.com/AtosOrigin_News
www.facebook.com/AtosOriginNorthAmerica
www.vancouver.atosoriginblog.com
*The confirmation of Rachel's Genius-ness has never been proven nor implied by Atos Origin.

Why are we fishy?

I have to admit. I love this Atos Origin logo. Its just cool. But you may be asking, why do we have the FISH? I've done a little digging and here is the history I found behind it...lets take a look inside :)
 
Atos Origin and The Powder Blue Surgeonfish       
Why the fish?
It is our logo. It was chosen when Atos was created. It has become not only a distinctive and recognizable logo but the symbol of our values which in turn differentiate us from our competitors.

Future and nature is already a fusion for me.

 "According to the zoologist, future and nature in no way exclude each other because evolution, the constant development of all living things, is a future-orientated process, but however hard we try it is only understandable by us humans in the past tense." - Dr. Ekkehard Wolff.

If we take a superficial glance at the Atos Origin logo, one could say: "Yes, that is a fish; it is even a very beautiful fish."

Our fish was first scientifically documented in 1832 by a certain Mr Benett, who gave it the lovely sounding name of Acanthurus leucosternon. In English it is simply known as "the surgeon." The genus name, Ancanthurus, tells us that there is a sting on its tail. A weapon of aggression of the highest efficiency, its appearance and effect lends to comparison with a medical scalpel, and has thus given the fish its academic title.

In short, the surgeonfish has come to represent some of the qualities and values of Atos Origin: it is agile, efficient, responsive, bright and convivial. It functions in symbiosis with its environment but it can be competitive and defend itself with a weapon of "highest efficiency".

From a technical point of view, the surgeon is a highly specialized aquatic vehicle, and thus undoubtedly suitable as the logo emblem of a technology firm.

Must be something in the Atos Sphere TM

What's this? Cloud services branding without using an actual cloud? Well done, I say. The newest sevice launched officially as Atos Sphere TM today. As with any good corporately governed marketing group, the guidelines for this baby have been laid out well in advance.

First of all, the name is "Atos Sphere" not to be confused with atosphere, or atomsphere. Our main message to the public is that Atos Sphere allows you to "Shape the Cloud Your Way". This implies that we have several options for our clients, and no there is no standard. Then, we come to the SPHERE. I really like this look. It gives us creative types a chance to use some creative imagery. The sphere represents the cloud becoming "clear". Get it?

So, hip hip horay for the team. I'm glad you didn't use an actual cloud. With so many Cloud offerings out there, its getting harder and harder to be creative!

Help Wanted: Branding Genius for Accenture

So, its no surprise that Accenture has decided to cage the Tiger. I was thinking about this just last week. Everyone was waiting for the sponsors to start dropping off. But to me, that's not the big deal.

I've got my heartstrings being pulled by every in-house marketeer, every branding police, every agency, and especially all the designers hauled in to help the company. Of course the business won't fail because their role model is a flop... but a brand isn't just a picture on your home page. It has to be developed, thought about, argued over, drawn, re-drawn, scrubbed, then done again.

For now, I see several winter sporting photos on their homepage. (I won't even mention the fact that it looks very similar to the Atos Origin branding around the Worldwide IT Sponsorship). The traditional green coloring has been changed to red. I expect (hope) that the troops are rallied and taking their vitamins! It's going to be a long haul for these guys. I feel for the team that has been up for the last week scrubbing the internet for every flash banner, all that airport advertising, those huge billboards, and even the pop-up booths for recruiting. Good luck guys... I can't wait to see the new you.

The gift that keeps on giving

I was shopping at Academy this weekend and noticed this Mission Skincare product at the checkout. Hunter Kemper was on the package, so of course I noticed.

Atos Origin sponsored Hunter Kemper for 4 years as our USOC Olympian. Our sponsorship ended after the Beijing Games. He is an awesome role model, so I was estatic to see our Atos Origin logo "tattoo" showing on his arm!

I suppose it could have easily been photoshopped off, and perhaps no one (but me) would see it anyway... still I am excited. So, here is a link to Hunter's product line. Good luck my man! http://www.missionskincare.com/index.html

Want to know more about Hunter? Here is a quick video wrap-up of a community outreach project he helped with in Cincinnati Ohio last year: http://www.youtube.com/atosoriginus

"Best" Videos? Says who...

This CloudAve blog link originally came to me from Twitter. I'm really into looking at videos these days, as we just bought our first video camera and are currently setting up the template guidelines for film and production.

CloudAve sites these videos as the "10 Best Enterprise 2.0 Videos and Presentations in the last month". First, where did they get these videos? How were the recommended? How were they rated? Are they based on content? Because they surely aren't based on time and effort put into production.

So I wonder... is it really necessary to go through all this trouble of production? Do people really listen to the video, kind of like a pod cast, and not really even look at it? It sure would be nice to know... especially if these videos can make a Top 10 list and be so amateur.

Of course, I like the Salesforce Chatter presentation, mostly because its FLASH, and not really a video. And I sure do like that voice over... nice.




Not only is this video awesome... Its like an EPISODE. While things like this are hilarious to me, are they good for business? Is this kind of production worth the effort? In my book. Absolutely.



That said... this is more the route I'd like to go. HILARIOUS in my book. It gained the most attention when it was actually "withdrawn" for being risque. In the world of viral video, that is GOLDEN.



and for good measure: www.youtube.com/atosoriginus

The New Rules of Marketing and PR

I just ordered my first marketing book in a long time... The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly. It was recommended by another blog I just read on how to convience the CEO into social media. (Paul Stewart, Atos Origin CEO for North America already onboard by the way: @atosCEOPaul --what! what!) 


I really think the PR rules HAVE to change. Whatever we learned in school is all out the window now. I would love to interview a journalist... do you guys read the wire anymore? Do you acutally use the services that wire companies sell? 


I need some help. Hopefully this book is step one!

I'm so proud *she wipes tear from her eye*

This morning everyone in Atos Origin involved in the PR for the Vancouver Olympic Games and London Olympic Games got their heads together! For the first  time, we will send a release with multi-media attachments, hyperlinked text, custom videos, twitter feeds, and hey, I'm even blogging about it!

The web-savvy type exposure is a bit of a norm for my North America group. In fact, before we even saw the html version of the release we made our own version with buttons, images, and custom layout. When our list of media gets a hold of the release, they will have everything they need without having to read a word. (now that's MY kind of email!)

I would have shown the Global group the version our top designer made, but hey, they were so excited about the linked text, I just couldn't do it. After the exciting social fairy dust settles, I'll quietly send them the amazing release we made... Then, of course it will break my little heart of they don't like it. I kid, I kid... No, really it would. Seriously.

...and yes, I realize I didn't put a link to my fabulous release. It's not release yet! Hold your horses. I'll add the link in a comment on Monday. Have a great weekend!

I see what you mean!

It's come to my attention that Powerpoint is an outdated form of communication. Really? Well, I agree...but only the way YOU use Powerpoint. Today, you can insert Flash files and even do slight animations that make an old ppt file look like a fancy work of art. We intend to do both in order to explain complex solutions that involve onshore, offshore, clients, b2c, b2b, front office, back office (shall I go on?)



Atos Origin UK has an amazing marketing group. They also have some of the coolest presentations in our portfolio! Thanks to their vendor "See What You Mean" Atos Origin UK has taken presentations to the next level. Check out the vendors website. Check our their website and find the clients tab. From there you can chose to see some samples of several projects they worked on for the UK group.



One of the coolest samples is for the London Games in 2012. Its completely interactive. Click on whatever you like to see a portion of the Games that we help deliver. This is a huge effort, and sometimes very confusing when trying to explain to customers. I really believe using multimedia will solve several issues.



Atos Origin has several solutions that sell "nothing". We're selling our technology, application skills, or our people. Its difficult to market without a widget. There's no pretty shiny picture of a solution, so you have to conceptualize it. Of course we can continue with flow charts, and maybe even some fancy visio with avatars... but hopefully, this trend of interactive multimedia will take hold and become the norm.

I just wanted to give a shout out to the UK...this stuff is AWESOME!

TLC in the TOC

This was my first visit in the Atos Origin TOC (Technology Operations Center - or Centre depending on where you're from ;) I've worked with Magnus Alvarsson a few times over the phone, but never in person. It was a pleasure.

Dorien Wamelink, Atos Origin Olympic Marketing, and Jennifer Semilla, a tiny Vancouverite had us fully prepared for our visit, and off to a fresh start with a Coke cup of coffee. (Everything in the VANOC buildings is branded..did you know Coke made coffee?!)

See the pics from today's tour at www.facebook.com/atosoriginnorthamerica
Each version of the TOC tops itself. Since the Athens Games in 2004, the Atos Origin TOC gets smarter and stronger. What amazed me the most is the thought processes behind the PEOPLE running the TOC and all the operations connected to it. Magnus says "Its easy to predict what the technology will do, we have to test the people reactions." In doing so, this equals years of hard work from a mixture of new members and old. All possible scenarios are exercised during strategically planned phases of testing.
There is so much to write about, I can't possibly put it all in one blog. I'll have to write pieces as I learn more. PS: Jennifer and Dorien: Can I PLEASE see what the uniforms look like?! :)

yummy in my tummy

I'm in Vancouver BC right now learning the city before Atos Origin calls it home in February. We are the Worldwide IT provider for the Vancouver Olympic Games 2010.

While this isn't DIRECTLY related to marketing, I wanted to share one of my favorite things so far... I've been tasked to scour the city, looking over the venues, meeting with the media groups, and all the other things that make my job soooo tough. (I kid, I kid...)

So I'm checking out the local Vancouver Tours, I came across Denman Street. On the west end, which I've learned is the more "Swanky" part of Vancouver...very nice...densely populated...eclectic. I love it. We sat at a Greek restaurant, choosing it for its open sidewalk seating. Service was NIL... so we moved on. We found a delight, and indeed local favorite.

Two giant Hefeweizens later, we're served lamb burgers, yam fries, salmon sandwiches with a giant heaping helping of local hospitality. This adorable little restaurant gets a big thumbs up from me. The owner "Doug" came to visit our table and wish us luck in touring the rest of the city. Thanks Doug... we loved it :) http://www.centralbistro.com/

1072 Denman Street – a downtown restaurant in the west end Vancouver BC

Corporate Intro to Web 2.0

Its an exciting time for the Atos Origin Marketing Department. During our quarterly employee meeting, our Web 2.0 efforts will be featured. We have several individuals who are "Social-Savvy" and have already entered the world of twitter, facebook, youtube, and the blogger-sphere. I'm glad Ryan Schebler was excited enough about these efforts to feature them in his Sales & Marketing Update.

We have a come a long way, but certainly have a long way to go. When I grow up, I want to be like the Compuware CIO. This video is awesome. I hope this really is their CIO. I love it. Thanks @imrichb for the link!

Social Media, and Corporate Email

Ok, so this blog post by Steve Mann is over a year old... but he has a point.

"I was told yesterday by SAP HR that I have to remove the link to my PERSONAL (this) blog from my SAP corporate email signature."

Do companies still think like this? Are companies still trying to keep lines between social media and corporate strategy? I like what a lot of people say in his comments. They say they like knowing who the people are behind the corporate wall. I think a lot of companies have grown in the past year. Has yours?

Has your company allowed expressed opinions and encouraged networking through social media networks? Is free networking encouraged, or is it moderated first?

I'd love to have more input on what you're company is doing today!

PS: I think SAP has come a long way from this, but I can't be certain. They have been recently ranked as one of the top "engaged" global brand y the www.engagementdb.com