Here are some of the social media stories that have caught my attention recently.
- Looks like Twitter has decided that selling ads will not be one of their revenue streams. Source: LA Times
- Facebook Still Valued At $15 Billion? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sits down with TechCrunch and reveals that the social networking giant is looking for more funding in the $15 billion valuation range, a price that was set when Microsoft purchased a 1.6% stake in the company for $240 million in the Fall of 2007. “We’re not actively going around trying to raise money from a lot of different people. It’s more just a follow on to that (previous round),” Zuckerberg said. Source: TechCrunch/Silicon Alley Insider
- Are branded applications doomed? Marketers are having a difficult time luring Facebook users to their branded applications. But some experts criticize failed applications as being not particularly useful or socially minded, or linked closely to one-off campaigns. Source: Adweek
- This is not using media specific, but I found it interesting that Wal-Mart reportedly will sell iPhones. Source: Bloomberg.
- Auto Industry Takes Bailout Message To The Web. The Wall Street Journal reports that the American automakers have launched a series of campaigns on sites like Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and various blogs to make their case for a bailout.
- Dell Social Media Interview with Richard Binhammer. Source: TopRank Blog
- Consumers Say Your Corporate Blog is Not Trusted. Only 16% say they are a trusted source of information. Source: Web Strategist
What are you reading?
great weekly wrap up briefs here. I find it very interesting that Twitter is not overloading the site with ads already like its counterparts and 3rd parties are jumping on the Twitter advertising bandwagon on their own. Let’s hope Twitter made the right decision.
Consumers not trusting corporate blogs is an interesting announcement.
When you look at corporate blogs there are a lot of people who appear to value them, commenting often and asking questions (then responding to answers).
4. Yes wal mart did start selling iphones. Their goes the value.