Banyan Branch

Showing all posts tagged: “social media agency”

• Dogs of Banyan: Meet Spike!

  April 16, 2012 Banyan Life Posted by: Allison

  We love dogs here at Banyan Branch and encourage employees to bring theirs to work. Get to know our favorite four-legged assistants in the Dogs of Banyan blog series.

  There’s something about the sight of a wagging tail that just makes people feel good.

  Unless you suffer from a rare case of extreme puppy phobia like this guy (or allergies), there’s probably nothing that will lower your blood pressure faster than a cute pair of floppy ears. In fact, studies show that having dogs in the workplace makes employees feel more relaxed and happy, causes them to get up and walk around (more playtime with the dogs!), and even stay with the company longer.

  We love our pups here at Banyan Branch, and on any given day you’re certain to see at least one or two snoozing under employees’ desks. We want to share the puppy love with you and introduce our favorite dogs of Banyan. Kicking it off is a bulky little guy lovingly known as “The Tank,” Marketing Director Jess Estrada’s very own: Spike!

  

  Jess & Spike

  • Name: Spike
  • Owner: Jess Estrada, Director of Marketing, and Blogger, Fresh Jess
  • Age: 4
  • Breed: English Bulldog
  • Treat of choice: Chicken and sweet potato treats
  • Favorite place to sleep: Fresh piles of laundry on my parents’ bed. Sometimes my own bed or the couch.
  • How I spend my day at the office: I sleep at my mom’s feet until I get bored. I say hi to everyone in the office. When my mom leaves her desk I like to sneak off into other parts of the office. I know which door has no lock and I use my brute strength to push through that one.
  • My story: I was born and raised in Olympia, Wash. I had a bunch of medical issues come up and when my parents couldn’t take care of me anymore, Bulldog Haven NW took over from there. My mom is a volunteer and supporter of BHNW, and she saw a tweet from them about me. She clicked over to their Facebook page to see a picture of me and it was love at first sight. What can I say, I’m a looker!

  Jess wrote a post on her blog to raise money for my surgery, and when BHNW called to thank her, she said that she and dad wanted to adopt me. Now, I’m living the life in downtown Seattle. I get to come to work in mom’s cool office with her, and sometimes I go work out with my dad at his mixed martial arts gym. I get tons and tons of cuddle time and dog park dates. I can’t complain!
  Banyan Branch, blog, dog-friendly office, dogs, Dogs of Banyan, employee culture, Jess Estrada, pets, social media agency
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Cheezburger Team Shares Insights and (Surprise!) Cheeseburgers with Banyan Branch

  April 13, 2012 Banyan Life Posted by: Derek

  The talented team at Cheezburger visited our office today, bringing bags of information about their incredible business and even more important bags full of Dick’s Drive-In burgers, fries, and shakes.

  Funny memes are everywhere (we’re looking at you Hillary Clinton), and they are fantastic ways to measure the impact of your brand marketing. Take Dos Equis’ Most Interesting Man in the World, which is more popular than ever despite a campaign launch date of 2006. The time and money spent on advertising and branding can be amplified through clever user-generated memes, which is where Cheezburger comes in. They make it easy for brands to leverage memes to promote their products, and social media adds fuel to the fire by making it easy to share memes across networks.

  We’re excited to see where this relationship goes. Cheezburger and Banyan Branch go together like fries and milkshakes.

  

   

  

   

  

   

  

   

  Another special thanks to the Cheezburger team. You guys (and gals) rock!

   
  Banyan Branch, Cheezburger, employee culture, memes, social media, social media agency
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Banyan Branch Co-Founder Dave Hanley Talks Cause Marketing with Digiday

  April 5, 2012 Social Media News Posted by: Derek

  Dave Hanley, co-founder of Banyan Branch, recently spoke with Digiday about How Brands Should Use Cause Marketing.

  Exploring the differences between social good campaigns and cause marketing, Dave says brands can benefit “if the belief within the company is true and the cause they are supporting rings true.” But the effort needs to be genuine, he says, because skeptics will come forward if the connection between brand and cause seems thin or the support itself doesn’t go to the core of the company.

  After the Japanese tsunami, for example, some companies who had no direct connection said, ‘like us on Facebook and we’ll donate a dollar to the relief.’ Cause marketing, Dave says, works best when a brand or service has an actual connection to the subject matter, such as a company that has operations in a particular country or a beauty brand that’s connected to a Look Good, Feel Better campaign.

  Cause marketing isn’t new, but social media has made it easier than ever. “Companies are investing in social media channels and are in need of good content to talk about,” Dave says. “It’s not just me, me, me. Allocating those assets to charities helps them reach social responsibility goals and gives them great content to talk about with followers and supporters, so it mutually fills the needs for the non-profit and for-profit companies.”

  In March, Dave was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, which recognizes distinguished leaders under the age of 40 from from around the world. Dave steered Banyan’s role in the Global Water Awareness campaign, which provided the WEF with social media strategy and website development for its site, thirst4water.org. He is a Fulbright Scholar who studied in Bangladesh under Nobel Laureate Professor Mohammed Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank.

  Read Dave Hanley’s full interview with Digiday.
  Banyan Branch, Banyan Branch news, cause marketing, Dave Hanley, social media, social media agency
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Banyan Branch Hosts KIRO 7′s Connect with Jenni Hogan

  March 20, 2012 Banyan Life, Events Posted by: Jess

  We are so excited to host KIRO 7 TV for “Connect with Jenni Hogan” this Thursday night at the Banyan Branch offices! Check out the official press release below for details. Hope you’ll tune in!

  KIRO 7 OFFERS VIEWERS A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE OF PRIMETIME TV AND SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, SHOWING HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN PLAY AN INTEGRAL PART OF HOW NEWS IS DELIVERED

  Connect with Jenni Hogan to Include Integration of Livestream Broadcast

  That Progresses to Interactive Primetime TV Format

   

  Seattle, WA (March 19, 2012) - KIRO 7 Eyewitness News is announcing a new level of viewer engagement by introducing special programming during March Madness coverage that will mix traditional TV news with online livestream broadcasts and social media.  KIRO-TV anchor and social media enthusiast, Jenni Hogan, will host the show Connect with Jenni Hogan, discussing topics aimed at inspiring and educating viewers about the benefits of connecting online.

  Throughout the 22^nd of March, viewers will be able to log onto www.kirotv.com at 10:00 p.m. to capture raw moments and extensive interviews with guests as they prepare to go on live TV at 10:30 p.m. on KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

  “We decided to bring this opportunity to our viewers because we are excited about being on the forefront of new ways to interact with the community and provide them with accurate and impactful information and resources delivered to them in the best way possible,” said Todd Mokhtari, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Web Manager.  “Viewers now have the opportunity to engage with newscasts in real time, and can truly impact the direction the show goes by sharing what they’re most interested in, asking questions, or making comments.”

  KIRO 7’s Traffic Anchor, Jenni Hogan, was recently recognized as the ‘most followed local female TV anchor in the nation’ on Twitter, and currently has more than 120,000 Twitter and Facebook followers.  Hogan is passionate about sharing with viewers the opportunities and resources that social media can provide.  She will focus on topics aimed to inspire viewers to improve their lives and those around them through the power of connecting online.

  The show will begin online with a livestream conversation, and then move to primetime TV.  The audience will be encouraged to interact online throughout the primetime segment by following hash tag #KIROConnect on Twitter, helping to create what the next generation of combined television and social media will provide.  The show will also highlight:

  • Top Apps that can help save time and money;
  • Ways to use technology to improve your life;
  • Local celebrities and how they interact with their online communities; and
  • The faces behind the online voices of your favorite brands.

  Featured guests:

  Josie Bissett, starred on Melrose Place

  Ben Huh, CEO of Cheezburger

  Blake Cahill, President of Banyan Branch

  Porter Gale, Chief Evangelist of Kred

  James Sun CEO of Pirq and former contestant on The Apprentice

  Jean-Sun Hannah Ahn, Miss Seattle 2012.

  “This is a show that can’t be done without the viewers and I’m excited to have them join us,” said Jenni Hogan. “They will be as much of a host as I am, adding their comments and helping to shape the direction as we explore the best ways to connect with each other during live broadcasts, using tools such as our mobile devices and laptops.”

  Follow @BanyanBranch & @KIRO7Seattle, plus the hashtag #KIROconnect for tweets during the event!
  Banyan Branch, Events, seattle, social media, social media agency, social media engagement, television, twitter
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Banyan Branch Named One of Lead411′s ‘Hottest Seattle Companies’

  March 6, 2012 Banyan Life Posted by: Allison

  We’re thrilled to be a recipient of Lead411′s 2012 ‘Hottest Companies in Seattle‘ award.

  Chosen from a pool of over 1,130 local companies in the Software, Wireless, Internet, Hardware and Media industries, Banyan Branch is one of only 44 Seattle businesses to win. It’s exciting to be mentioned in the company of so many greats, and we want to congratulate all of our fellow award recipients.

  The Lead411 research team scoured hundreds of press releases and business articles on venture capital funding, company launches, new office openings, customer press releases, etc., and used their findings to cultivate a list of Seattle’s hottest, fastest growing companies. “We are very proud of the respected list of companies for the 2012 winners,” said Tom Blue, CEO of Lead411.

  The year is off to a great start for us, from the exciting campaigns our clients are doing to the great press coverage we’ve received in the last few months, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2012 brings!

  Check out the press release and find out who the other Lead411 2012 Hot Companies of Seattle are.
  Banyan Branch, Banyan Branch news, lead411, seattle, social media agency
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Top Social Media News of the Week – 3/2/12

  March 2, 2012 Social Media News Posted by: Derek

  Here’s your weekly roundup of major news points from the social sphere:

  • Google’s new privacy policy is now in effect. Did you clear your web history?
  • Twitter ads will start appearing on your smartphone soon.
  • Pinterest’s potential pitfall is explored along with the question of whether the photo-sharing site will be taken advantage of by marketers.
  • Here’s a look at some brands that are “winning” Pinterest—no surprise that it’s mostly style, travel and home décor.

  

  • AT&T eased its unlimited data throttling policy after consumers complained that it was too heavy-handed. Score another one for the people!
  • President Obama took the White House in 2008 largely because of the online support he translated into real votes. Grassroots social media are now extending the GOP race.
  • Foursquare dumped the Google Maps API in favor of OpenStreetMap, an open-source initiative that calls itself “the free wiki world map.”
  • We compiled a list of the new Facebook Timeline features for brands, which bring storytelling and images front and center.
  • Kodak announced it is selling its online photo business to Shutterfly for $23 million. Kodak, the photography pioneer, filed for bankruptcy in January.
  • Put down the phone and learn to be alone was the message delivered March 1 at a TED talk by Sherry Turkle, a professor of science and technology at MIT. Turkle recently penned a book called “Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other.”
  • LinkedIn unveiled its new “Follow Company” button, which allows users to keep tabs on their favorite companies and organizations.
  • The American Journalism Review scorched Twitter for asserting the micro-blogging site “beat” the news media in reporting Whitney Houston’s death.
  • Zynga revealed its long-awaited social gaming platform on Zynga.com, called “Project Z.” The move to its own site is supposed to ease the company’s codependence on Facebook, allowing for a gaming environment that’s free of status updates.
  • Facebook launches Offers, scraps check-in deals.
  • Where did Chinese citizens go when the country’s monolithic internet firewall was breached and they had momentary access to anything on the web? Straight to President Obama’s Google+ page.

  Have a great weekend!
  AT&T, censorship, Foursquare, gaming, Google, journalism, linkedin, mobile, obama, photography, pinterest, shutterfly, social media, social media agency, Tech, twitter, zynga
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Top Social Media News of the Week – 2/24/12

  February 24, 2012 Social Media News Posted by: Jess

  Here’s your weekly roundup of major news points from the social sphere:

  • Twitter surpassed 500 million users this week. How big is the social network this year? MediaBistro has a sweet infographic to explain Twitter in 2012.

  • Two ex-Google employees join Twitter‘s global revenue team.

  • Facebook could roll out a premium ad service early next week. Looking forward to it!

  • Google+ adds Circles to Google Voice.

  • Spotify adds new features including gapless playback and crossfade.

  • Check out the latest YouTube Creator Playbook update below:

  • President Obama rolls out the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.

  • [Can't] Pin It: Pinterest protects publishers from allowing their content to be pinned.

  • Google+ adds a very FourSquare-esque check-in leaderboard.

  • LinkedIn acquires Rapportive.

  • Facebook makes it easier to discover native apps in iOS.

  • The NBA All-Star Game gets social!

  • Check out Visible‘s series on social data integration. Great information.

  • We analyzed the Twitter buzz on a possible Seattle sports arena for NBA and NHL.

  • Watching the Oscars this weekend? Check out our infographic on the Facebook and Twitter buzz over at Forbes, MediaBistro and Reuters.

  • Looking to ramp up your social media strategy this year? Check out our list of suggestions for balancing your social media diet, and Soshable’s reading list.

  • Need to refresh your Twitter background? We’ve updated our handy guide to creating backgrounds for Twitter.com to reflect the new profile layout!

  • We took a look at LinkedIn for brands in our latest “What’s the Hype?” post. Get your company page up to speed with these latest features.

  Have a great weekend!
  analytics, Banyan Branch, Facebook, Foursquare, Google, linkedin, mobile, Music, pinterest, politics, social media, social media agency, social media engagement, social media strategy, Spotify, twitter, video, youtube
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Top Social Media News of the Week – 2/17/12

  February 17, 2012 Social Media News Posted by: Jess

  Here’s your weekly roundup of major news points from the social sphere:

  • Twitter beefs up security & makes HTTPS its default for Twitter.com.

  • Apple released OS x Mountain Lion this week.

  • Mark Zuckerberg joins Pinterest!

  • Twitter rolls out self-serve ads (to American Express users.)

  • Klout acquires Blockboard to take its influence meters mobile.

  • Could we finally see Facebook Timeline for brands?

  • Facebook launched verified accounts this week.

  • Google+ rolled out its “What’s Hot?” Volume Slider this week.

  • YouTube updates its Annotations and adds more social features.

  • LinkedIn blows past its revenue goals and analyst expectations.

  • World leaders Nikolas Sarkozy and Mayor Bloomberg join social media, with Sarkozy tweeting and NY Government embracing Facebook.

  • Take a look at some of the latest stats on Pinterest activity.

  • Microsoft launches msnNOW with integrated Facebook data.

  • We analyzed the Twitter buzz on Komen for the Cure and Planned Parenthood.

  • Looking to ramp up your social media strategy this year? Check out our list of suggestions for balancing your social media diet, and Soshable’s reading list.

  • Need to refresh your Twitter background? We’ve updated our handy guide to creating backgrounds for Twitter.com to reflect the new profile layout!

  • We took a look at LinkedIn for brands in our latest “What’s the Hype?” post. Get your company page up to speed with these latest features.

  Have a great weekend!
  Apple, Facebook, Google, Klout, linkedin, Microsoft, mobile, pinterest, social media, social media agency, Tech, twitter, video, youtube
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• Analyzing the Buzz: Snowpocalypse in Seattle

  January 30, 2012 Banyan Life, Observations Posted by: admin

  Written by Katy Balatero, research analyst, with infographics by Adam Cornille.

  Two weeks ago on January 18th, Seattle suffered a blizzard of epic proportions received 4-7 inches of snow, followed by a day of freezing rain that paralyzed the city.

  In Seattle we love our coffee strong, our beer bitter, our indie rock bands bearded — and we absolutely love to talk about snow on the rare occasion that it occurs. I took a look at over 10,000 tweets about snow in Seattle from January 11-January 22, 2011, to see what the buzz was all about.

  

  Not surprisingly for a hilly city that becomes treacherous with only a couple of inches of snow and ice, transportation was a major topic of conversation. Out of total tweets about driving a car, bussing, biking, or walking, driving a car was by far the most popular topic, boosted partly by Twitter users who were angry at an LA Times article that criticized “wimpy” Seattle drivers. A few intrepid Seattleites shared information about making DIY studded snow tires … for bikes!

  

  *Percentages are out of total tweets mentioning driving, bussing, biking, or walking

  People playing hookey from work or school took to the outdoors en masse; “snow day” was mentioned in 3% of total tweets. Here at Banyan Branch we worked from wherever we could find an Internet connection – social media continues despite acts of weather, of course – with occasional breaks to play in the snow. Below are graphs showing snow sports and other popular snow activities ranked by volume of tweets, with sledding and building snowmen/women getting the most attention.

  

  *Percentages are out of total tweets mentioning these sports.

  

  *Percentages are out of total tweets mentioning these activities.

  Seattle is a collection of neighborhoods, each with distinct characteristics. I was curious which ‘hoods were tweeted about the most during the snowy week.

  

  *Percentages are out of total tweets mentioning these neighborhoods.

  Popular sledding neighborhood Capitol Hill was mentioned in twice as many tweets as Queen Anne Hill – both are home to some of the steepest sections of street in Seattle. Creative sledders grabbed whatever they could find, from pieces of cardboard boxes to kayaks, sofas, and even wheelchairs.

  After a long day of braving the elements, what could be better than finding somewhere warm and cozy and drinking a tasty beverage? Below were the most popular beverages in Twitter discussion:

  

  *Percentages are out of total tweets mentioning these beverages.

  Perhaps not surprisingly, coffee was the drink of choice. As Twitter user @NickGravelyn put it:

  
  analytics, Banyan Branch, seattle, social media agency, twitter
  Comments Share this Tweet this

• IN-NW Social Media Conference 2012 – Feb 15

  January 24, 2012 Banyan Life, Events Posted by: Jess

  We’re delighted to be a partner in the Seattle Metro Chamber’s IN-NW 2012 conference! Seattle may be known as a hotbed for coffee, tech and retailers like Nordstrom and Costco, but the region is also home to a strong community moving the needle in social media.

  The Seattle Metro Chamber and 206Inc have created IN-NW 2012, a not-so-traditional conference, taking place on Wednesday, February 15th from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. at Showbox SoDo.

  

  IN-NW 2012 will take a look at exactly what’s happening in the world of social engagement today, and what will help influence what will be in the future. IN-NW 2012 will:

  INSPIRE creativity and thought leadership
  INFORM participants with best practices
  INSTIGATE action throughout everyone’s respective online communities

  People are talking, tweeting, posting, pinning and tumblr-ing about what’s happening right now – let’s look towards what will be next.

  For full details, current speaker lineup and registration, visit the Seattle Metro Chamber event page.

  Follow IN-NW on Facebook and Twitter.

  See you there!
  Facebook, Google, social media, social media agency, social media engagement, twitter
  Comments Share this Tweet this