B-to-C Events

This month, we go back to Social Media 101 to examine some of the key factors to consider when deploying a fully integrated live event and social media program. This is a broad field, and we’re approaching it with the help of two tipsters: Jim Spinello, 
senior vp-marketing communications at Chicago-based event agency rEvolution, and Blake Cahill, president at Banyan Branch, a social media agency based in Seattle.

Scion, the division of Toyota best known for its custom vehicles and art cars, has revamped its auto show booth and will unveil the hyper-connected event space at the LA Auto Show next week.

High-tech and experiential trends came together last week in New York City at an interactive pop-up called CNET Gotham: A Live Holiday Guide. Held in the city’s trendy Nolita neighborhood, the five-day pop-up showcased favorite products of the tech media website’s editorial staff. Interactive displays from sponsors Energizer, LG, Canon, Dell and Adobe and were also part of the experience, as well as special programs and evening events.

National soup and sandwich café chain Panera Bread in September launched a college ambassador program for the 2011 Fall semester at eight colleges across the country including Boston University, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, Ohio State University, Purdue and University of Wisconsin. The brand hired four students at each school to act as brand ambassadors or “Breaducators,” as they’re known internally.

To drive awareness for its all-new computer generated animated TV series “Transformers Prime,” The Hub network partnered with Hasbro, Blockbuster, Dish Network, Paramount and Universal Studios Hollywood to design The Hub of Transformers: Great American Tour to coincide with the three-part season finale of the show on Oct. 1. It also promoted the “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” Blu-ray and DVD release on Sept. 30. 

The East and West Coast four-week, eight-city tour, which wrapped on Oct.