Author Archives: April Sciacchitano

Google, Apple target the TV – what does this mean for marketers?

by April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
According to new Nielsen research, television viewing time is down, while Internet use increases. This news is supporting something we’ve all suspected – DVR users are skipping ads or using ad time to bounce their attention to the Internet.
                                                                                          
In addition to Nielsen viewers watching less TV, some are dropping it altogether. These “cord [...]

5 (Achievable) Health Resolutions for 2012

by April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
Every year, people make health and wellness resolutions for the coming year. Unfortunately, they often have a tough time sticking to them. Sixty percent of gym memberships are out of use by mid-February, and it appears we aren’t making progress outside the gym either – 66 percent of Americans are overweight or [...]

Is PR the New Face of Journalism?

by April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
Newspapers have been through a cruel cycle. Newsrooms get cut, reporters do more with less and readers and advertisers focus on digital – repeat. The documentary Page One: Inside the New York Times does a great job telling us how 2009’s economic downturn shook the industry.
What it doesn’t cover is that new [...]

In Social Media’s Shadow: Tried and true tactics ready for revival

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)

For every trend, there’s a counter trend.  With digital media challenging the industry with a steep learning curve the past few years, we’re now settling in.  We have tweeps and fans, we’re measuring success, and we have an idea of what’s next.  We’re even starting to think in campaigns instead of platforms!
Good.
Now [...]

How to Get Social Media on the 2012 Budget

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)

Social media is a way to reach customers, and it’s free.  Or so we’ve heard…
Social media managers know that’s not true.  As evidenced by the need for campaign integration, the costs of technology and your own hire, social media requires an investment.  Sure, the job didn’t exist five years ago, but social [...]

Smart Crowds Are Taking on Health – Will Hospitals Join?

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
From chronic illness to weight loss, Americans are seeking mentors and training buddies when it comes to health and prevention.  You know the traditional advisors by all those letters after their name.  Then there are the new players in health and wellness who don’t have medical degrees: the social networks and bloggers. 
Hospitals [...]

Three Steps to Innovative Social Media: Step 3, Do What’s Fun. To You.

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin recommends doing what you loved when you were a child to find happiness. She also recommends looking at what you do in your free time to redefine your work.
Here’s how I evaluated myself.  In my extra time, I’m planning vacations that I may not go on in [...]

Three Steps to Innovative Social Media: Step 2, Advance an Idea

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
If you have sticky notes with ideas on them all over your desk, but can’t get to your next step, it’s time to do something different. Reclaim your social media inspiration by changing your setting and honing on in the best idea you’ve got.
Mark Zuckerberg’s strategy for acting on an idea was [...]

Three Steps to Innovative Social Media: Step 1, Get Unstuck

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
The day-to-day of maintaining a social media account can take its toll on the manager - connecting with a fan isn’t as fun as it used to be, the idea of using Facebook in your free time no longer appeals, and tweet after tweet after tweet only add to your social media malaise. If [...]

Do Your Social Media Properties Need a Spring Cleaning?

By April Sciacchitano (@aprilcs)
If spring has you inspired to clean out your closets and reorganize your pantry, consider sprucing up your social media properties as well.  Your social media properties may need freshening up or a Hoarders-style overhaul. Either way, an annual refresh can keep you relevant.
Your homes on Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia and Foursquare require maintenance, [...]