Video explaining power of online networking

Really liked this simple video that summarises the effectiveness of creating a relationship with consumers to create brand advocates rather than just selling them products.

Eric Whitacres's Virtual Choir

This is beautiful.

Eric Whitacre merges hundreds of tracks individually recorded and posted to YouTube. The result: 185 voices from 12 countries join a choir that spans the globe as "Lux Aurumque.

Amazing illustration of how this powerful online technology can connect us.

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Steve Jobs presentation - How to Live Before You Die

Really enjoyed this presentation from Steve Jobs. Think it should be essential viewing by all young people (and lots of us older folk too!) Fifteen minutes well spent.

We did it! Our Sky Dive for Sport Relief

So pleased that I was joined by five of the Promote team when we did a 12,000 foot Sky Dive on April 11. We've raised over £4,500 for Sport Relief in the process. Still not too late to donate here!

Here's the video:

You Tube Analytics

Interesting to see YouTube helping people to analyse who has been watching their videos:

P&G Say 'Thanks Moms' at 2010 Olympics

OK so it's slightly cheesy, but I did like this simple advert for P&G's 'Olympic Moms' campaign.

In addition the company has assisted with costs of travel and accomodation to ensure that the mothers of all Olympian's are able to attend the Games and watch their children compete.

Google Buzz launches

Regularly checking my gmail inbox to see if I have been invited to try Google Buzz!

Here's a short video that outlines the new social media offering from Google...

How to report the news

This is brilliant.

Charlie Brooker's show might be tucked away in a late-night slot on BBC Four, but now he is a massive internet hit.

A two-minute clip from Newswipe With Charlie Brooker has now gained over a million views on YouTube, just a week after it was first seen on television.

The clip, How To Report The News, is a superb parody of news reporting. Watch and learn.

Using Twitter Search

Commoncraft produce lots of superb, short instructional videos that use paper cut-outs. They have a lighthearted tone, but explain things seriously. They cover subjects "in Plain English" - everything from how to use computer software through to saving money and voting in elections.

The company was founded in 2003 as an online consultancy and started making videos in 2007 with their first video: RSS in Plain English. Since then, they've made educational videos to sell and custom videos for people like Google, Ford and LinkedIn.

I really liked this recent one which shows how to get the best from Twitter Search.

I want one! The new Apple i-pad is revealed

After nearly a decade of rumours, Apple today revealed its new i-pad which it's positioning as a third category between the smartphone and the laptop.

First impressions are that it's beautiful. Half an inch thick and weighing just 1.5 lbs with a 10 hour battery life.

Other great looking features include i-books (so pleased I didn't buy that Kindle), brilliant photo albums, films, i-tunes, a fab looking new calendar application and amazing application for emails with an integral virtual keyboard.

And with a starting price that's half what was anticipated at $499 there's little doubting that by next Christmas we will all have one!

Here's a superb video that summarises what we have coming...

A SkyDive for Sport Relief?

Every time I watch Comic Relief or Sport Relief on the BBC, and see the amazing difference the charity funds make across the world, I'd wish I'd done more to raise money than pay some cash on the evening.

And everytime I watch people jump out of plane as they enter the jungle for 'I'm a Celebrity', I say to my husband 'that's something I'd love to do... if only I was brave enough'.

So whilst I'm still not sure that I will actually be brave enough to do it, it's incredibly exciting that after much discussion the Promote the team seem to have decided that a group Sky Dive might be the best way for us to raise lots of money for Sport Relief in March.

So now we're planning and looking round the office for volunteers. What do they say...'face the fear and do it anyway?'

As featured on Slideshare...

I've always been a big fan of Slideshare - the website where you can upload and share Powerpoint presentations - so I was especially delighted today to find that one of my presentations was included in the 'featured documents' section on the home page!

The presentation - which was the content from the 'Step into Social Media' workshop I delivered yesterday - has already been viewed by over 400 people.

10 Tips for Driving in the Snow

Very grateful to my husband for all the advice he’s been giving me recently about driving safely in the snow. Here are my Top Ten Tips…

1. MIND YOUR SPEED

The real key is driving slowly. It’s easy to get a bit over confident and drive as you would in normal conditions.

2. BIGGER SPACES

Leave a much bigger space between you and the car in front. Stopping times can be around ten times longer in snow and ice.

3. USE YOUR GEARS

Pull away in second gear rather than first as this reduces the force going to the front tyres and means your wheels won’t spin. Generally drive in a higher gear than usual to prevent skidding, especially when driving down hills.

4. AVOID BREAKING

Wherever possible use your brakes as little as possible. Look ahead and let the car slow down naturally or use gear changes to slow you down rather than applying your brakes.

5. SLOW CORNERS

Take corners really slowly. It’s here that you’ll skid and slide.

6. OTHER DRIVERS

Stay alert to other cars. Bear in mind that other drivers may also be struggling in the snow so even if you are driving well they could be about to slide across the road. Expect the unexpected.

7. STEADY SPEED

Try to maintain a steady speed. Braking and accelerating can cause your car to skid and slide.

8. SLOW MOVEMENTS
If you do need to change speeds, accelerate very slowly. Don’t try to push the accelerator pedal hard. All pedal movement should be very gentle.

9. SKIDDING
If you do skid, try to keep you feet off the brakes and accelerator and steer into the director of the skid (avoiding other cars!) until you get the car back into control.

10. CLEAR YOUR CAR
Take the extra time before you set off to ensure your windscreen and windows are COMPLETELY clear of ice and snow. Police report many accidents are caused in these conditions because drivers just can’t see properly.

Picnik - for brilliant free photo editing online

Having spent rather a lot of evenings editing 20 years worth of my parents transparencies on Flickr I've become a massive fan of Picnik - the free photo editing software.

It's so simple and easy and the 'auto-correct' button is a brilliant way to dramatically improve any photo!