Why Are You on Twitter?

Why Are You on Twitter?

Yesterday, Damon Lindelof, a “Hollywood Type” with a substantial Twitter following, took the time to throw a few barbs at Fancy Feast for being on Twitter. He didn’t seem to understand why anyone would follow a cat food brand on Twitter or why the brand should even bother. His parting shot (for the night, anyway) was my personal favorite:

I find that last bit absurd. What makes someone a “professional” on Twitter? Moreover, how is a brand chatting with their consumers any different than what he does? Mr. Lindelof has nearly 170,000 followers. He occasionally engages with other verified celebrities and “common folk.” Nearly all of his tweets are favorited and/or retweeted by someone. Usually more than 50 someones. He’s very good at Twitter. If that makes him a “professional,” doesn’t that make him a professional at promoting his personal brand? How is that really any different than Fancy Feast?

I brought this up with my friend Jim, who is a lover of all things internet-y and absurd–especially when cats are involved, and I could hear him cackling over IM: “It is insane that fancy feast has more than 40 followers. Who work there.” Clearly, despite knowing what I do for a living, he agrees with the LOST producer. I asked Jim what made following a cat brand any different than following Pepsi. He was equally surprised at Pepsi’s numbers (over 630,000) and could not understand the appeal.

At that point I realized where the disconnect is: Everyone uses Twitter differently.

This is an obvious thing that we all “know,” but I take it for granted until something like this happens.  Mr. Lindelof uses Twitter as a podium to broadcast his witticisms. My friend uses it primarily to talk with his friends and to follow some of the witty folks who use Twitter to say witty things. Fancy Feast uses it to connect with their fans.  Even when I’m not using it for work, I use Twitter for a blend of the 3. I like feeling witty. I love talking to my “Internet Friends.” And while I’m far from being a brand that needs to connect to my fans, I follow several “verified” accounts for companies, movies and TV shows. I know people who only use it to learn about promotions, who have twitter accounts for pets.

After all, if someone can create an account for Angelina’s Right Leg and pull in over 45,000 followers, there is room in the mix for all of us.

A New Site + A New Outlook = A New Infuz

A New Site + A New Outlook = A New Infuz

Come mothers and fathers all over this land
And don’t criticize what you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughter are beyond your command
Your old role is rapidly aging
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand
For the times they are a changing

The line, it is drawn, the curse, it is cast
The slow one will later be fast
And the present now will soon be the past
The order is rapidly fading
The first one now will later be last
For the times, they are a changing

-Bob Dylan

Dylan said it best… and I bet you didn’t know he was talking about Infuz.

The winds of change are in the air today as we’re proud to announce the launch of a brand spankin’ new Infuz.com. This is no mere shiny new wallpaper mind you, we’ve changed our outlook, our approach and even our pants for this one. That’s right friends it’s a whole new Infuz.

We’ll have more updates in the coming days and weeks covering what we think, why we think it and who we are as people. For today take a walk around our new home and tell us what you think.

Now Hiring: Senior Copywriter

Now Hiring: Senior Copywriter

With several years of experience, your creative instincts have developed to the point where you know what works and what does not. You understand the critical importance of reviewing and editing your own work and have honed these skills further over the years. Your best ideas are not only creatively fresh, but strategically sound and on-brand. You’re confident (or gaining confidence) when speaking with clients and presenting copy and concepts to them, either in person or over the phone. Your colleagues trust you to act as a representative of the team and the work. Read More…

Confessions of a Siri Addict

I’ll admit it. When my desperately-needed new phone came with Siri, I didn’t see the point. It was fun to listen to her pronounce words “properly” that this city mangles to death. The parlor tricks were nice and discovering all those Easter Egg responses was fun. But on first blush, there didn’t seem to be anything particularly “essential” about her. To me, she was a lazy man’s solution. It’s not that hard to do things manually. Learn to type. Learn how to use the map. Her power was limited to a few Apple-specific apps, but I could see that in time, her influence would grow. Voice commanded software, while essential for some, was a perk for the rest that put Siri on my list of “Things Wrong With This World” and “How Technology Is Destroying Us.”

And then I found myself using her. To set a timer for my daughter to help her transition from one activity to the next. To tell my husband I was “On my way” quickly so I didn’t have to wait until I was out of the basement garage and half way there for him to receive the message. To get directions with a single verbal request instead of plucking away at the interface. Even to make to-do lists while i’m driving (don’t judge me until you try it).

And like any good addiction, i began to resent her hold on me without being able to let go of her. She fails me. Not all the time, just enough to frustrate me. Sometimes it’s connection issues, sometimes it’s translation issues, and sometimes she just can’t do what I’m asking because I haven’t asked in the right way. What’s most worrisome about this behavior is how much it upsets me. How can she very easily understand who I mean when I ask her to call my friend with a consonant-heavy last name that I’ve never been able to properly pronounce, but struggle to respond to a simple request like “where is the nearest Wendy’s?.” Two months ago, I didn’t see the point of her and suddenly having to manually set a timer seems archaic and why is she doing this to me?

Slowly but surely, Siri has wound her way into my life and I’m completely irrational about her shortcomings. Help?

Happy Holidays from Santa’s Little Helpers

Happy Holidays from Santa’s Little Helpers

As 2011 winds down, it’s time to unveil the Infuz Holiday Project and thank our clients, friends and family who supported us throughout the year. Back in October, we started brainstorming a variety of crazy ideas for our holiday card: applications, microsites, charitable projects and ridiculous stunts. We had some big plans on the table, but in the end we decided on something simple. A video.

Read More…

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