Randi Zuckerberg's Blog, page 54

GoldieBlox: The One Super Bowl Ad That Didn’t Offend Anyone

We were thrilled to see the GoldieBlox’s ad during the Super Bowl this year. The toy advertised is a building kit designed for young girls, created to disrupt the notion that all toys marketed to females must be pink. GoldieBlox won Intuit’s Small Business, Big Game challenge to get the prime time ad.

The ad shows a group of girls using their “pink, pink, pink” toys to build a rocket ship. They sing along to a cover of “Cum Feel The Noize” by Slade. Not only is it awesome to see a small tech start-up getting some big-screen airtime, but we’re in full support of anything that helps expose more girls and women to careers in science or engineering. It was a big win for the Seahawks, yes, but for GoldieBlox as well.

Posted on 2/3/2014

Written by Liz Wassmann

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Looking For A New Job? Try Tweaking The One You Already Have

Quality work, quality of life, or quality of compensation? According to Sally Hogshead’s Radical Truth #13 (from this book), you may only get to pick one or maybe two. So what do you choose to seek in your career choice?

What’s most important is that you find the work environment that you find fulfilling. Some careers (like advertising) can be extremely demanding and competitive. In my job, I am persistently zig-zagging from one deadline to the next and zeroing in on the next big idea that I can pitch.

I consider myself lucky to have found work that is rewarding, but that doesn’t follow me home after 5 p.m. each weekday. Seeking employment at an in-house agency within a family-owned company were conscious choices I made in my career path. And doing so has made work-life balance not only achievable, but part of the culture that we continue to foster within the company.

If you’re feeling work-life balance to be a bit elusive, here are a few tips to you started as you try to find your center of gravity.

1. Vacate the premises.

Hopefully your job offers paid time off. If you’ve earned it, don’t forget to use it. Go away, even if it’s not far, and break up your routine. Make some memories with your family. See a corner of the world you’ve always wanted to visit. Taking time off is vital to recharge your batteries and maintain your zest for life, including all the things you love about your job.

2. Set boundaries.

Make it clear when people can get in touch with you. If you respond to text messages, emails and phone calls at 11 p.m. then people will assume you’re at their beck-and-call. Most of the time, it can wait. It’s great to talk about your communication practices, if you can, to help set expectations with your boss, coworkers and subordinates. Even if you don’t vocalize these boundaries, by sticking to them it will become understood with time.

3. Define your life.

It may sound like a silly exercise, but try writing down a paragraph that explains who you are, what you do and what’s important to you. Then sit back and evaluate what you jotted down. Check to make sure you are finding some self-identity in things outside of work. In fact, when I interview to hire new team members I always ask, “What do you do in your free time?” The answer is often telling.

4. Call it quits.

If you’re truly unhappy in your job, don’t stick around. You’ll be better off for it. Besides, your unhappiness probably isn’t doing your boss or the business any favors. Take the leap – resign and find a place that shares your values.

The bottom line is that you have a choice. Decide what you want your life to look like and go after it. Your work life and your personal life don’t have to be at odds with one another. Success is found when you thrive in both.

Posted on 2/3/2014

Written by Meredith Mathews

Meredith Mathews is Creative Director at Half Price Books, America’s largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain. Fourth generation SMU alum, she graduated from the Temerlin Advertising Institute. She is a copywriter, designer and strategist. Meredith’s favorite things in life are spending time with family, autumn breezes, snow-capped mountains, stringed instruments, hats, and baking. You can follow her on Twitter at @msquare21.

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7 Valentine’s Day Tweaks Even A Cynic Will Adore

If you’ve been to a grocery store anytime since Christmas, then you know Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Whether you’re a cynic who thinks Valentine’s Day is an excuse for corporations to make money, or you’re the kind of person who doesn’t make such a big deal out of things, we can all agree that any opportunity to celebrate love is a good one.

But it’s 2014, and you better believe chocolate, flowers, and jewelry aren’t going to cut it anymore, particularly for the techie folks we love. These days you have to make sure the gifts you give allow your partner to get the most engagement on Facebook and Twitter. Because you haven’t really received a gift unless the world knows about, right?

Here are my suggestions for how to make your special day of love and romance a little more special:

1)   Put your phone away for five minutes.

I know this is a lot to ask of anyone these days, but imagine the delight in your lover’s face when you make eye contact for the first time in your relationship. It will almost make spending hundreds of dollars on a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner seem worth it!

2)   Create a sex tape using Google Glass apps

If you and your partner connect by feeding each others’ narcissism, the consider making a homemade, all-angles sex tape using just Google Glass and this hot new app. Plus if either of you ever gets famous, you’ll have your first scandal all ready to go.

3)  Install “Find My Friends” on your lover’s iPhone

Nothing says “I love you” like secretly tracking your beau’s every move. Use this stalking app to “randomly” run into your s/o, such as during boys or girls night, work events, and therapy sessions.

4) Sign up your single friend for Tinder

The mobile app Tinder is the greatest way to meet potential mates while making the smallest amount of effort, which is one of the top trends of 2014 so far. And don’t forget, single people like nothing more than suggestions and advice from their smug couple friends about how they should really try to get out there more.

5) Propose, film it, share it on YouTube

Demand that the world acknowledge your love is different from everyone else’s! Prove that marriage is about making a spectacle, not a commitment! If you aren’t forcing your special brand of love down everyone’s throats, then it’s not really love, is it? It’s almost as if calling every proposal the “best” makes them lose their value!

6) Create a fantasy wedding Pinterest Board

Ever since that guy made his girlfriend’s wedding dreams come true by looking at her Pinterest account, women everywhere have decided to try out this subtle hinting tactic that men have never understood at any point in history.  Start by Pinning all your wedding fantasies on the off chance your boyfriend knows what Pinterest is, then prepare yourself for disappointment when he proposes like a normal person.

 7) Buy a PlayStation 4

Dear My Boyfriend,

Since you’re so supportive and read all my articles, then you should know: I would really like a PlayStation 4 for Valentine’s Day. Or for no reason, I’m not picky.

Love, Ali

 Posted on 2/2/2014

Written by Ali Wunderman

According to her mother, “Silicon” Ali is a modern Renaissance woman, with interests ranging from cartography to terrarium architecture. She works as a Marketing Communications Manager at Autodesk, and in her spare time you can find her traveling the world, giving tours of San Francisco, or cuddling with puppies.

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Save Money on Flights by Deleting Cookies and History

We all know that feeling. You find a cheap flight online, only to return later that day to see that the price has jumped up. Worried that the price might increase again, you decide to book it.

Did you know that you might be able to bring airline prices back down, simply by deleting your cookies and browsing history before and during your search? Many websites store your browsing information, so airlines know what tickets you’re interested in purchasing when you return to the site. By clearing your browser’s cookies and cache, you can make yourself appear as a first-time visitor to the site.

For instructions on how to delete your cookies based on the type of browser, click here. Alternatively, you can browse for flights in Incognito/Private mode. Here’s how.

While this method doesn’t work every single time for all travel websites, it’s well worth a shot.

Has clearing cookies and browser history successfully lowered prices for you? Tell us in the comments below.

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9 Awe-Inspiring Apps To Download Today

Randi was on the TODAY show yesterday for her Appy Friday segment sharing apps to download right away. Some of the best include an app that gives minute-by-minute weather updates, and one that lets you take and view a 360 degree photo.

Jelly

Jelly crowd-sources advice from your friends using photos, and it¹s been getting a lot of write-up recently, since the creators also happen to be the founders of Twitter.

Take a photo of something or just ask a question: The people from your social networks who are most qualified to respond will receive a text message, asking them to answer.

RoomerTravel.com

This newly-launched travel website is designed to connect people who would be stuck paying for an empty hotel room with travelers looking for deals.

Sellers can submit their unused reservations, and RoomerTravel will post their hotel rooms. Buyers can browse and buy rooms, and the site will confirm the reservations and pay the sellers. Some deals offer up to 65 percent off. This is great for last minute travel changes and emergency cancellations.

Peek Tours & Activities

Peek is a brand new app from the one-stop shop for travelers and locals to easily find and book amazing activities.

It features thousands of handpicked activities, curated by travel experts and taste makers in 17 U.S. cities, as well as London and Paris.

The app allows users to discover hidden gems in their own cities, or make the most of their visits to other cities.

Skymotion

This is a “nowcast” (instead of a forecast) weather app that tells you what to expect, down to the very minute.

Skymotion reads your exact location to tell you when precipitation will start, its intensity, and when it will end. Perfect for deciding when to run out to grab lunch or when to leave the office!

Bubbli

This photo app is really blow-away cool, especially if you want to capture the scenic outdoors. It delivers what they call a spherical photo: a 360-degree view of the scene in all directions.

You can navigate the sphere by moving your phone or iPad as if you were peering through a moving window. Anyone you share your photos with will feel like they’re right there with you.

Trove

Trove is a time-saving news reader app that helps you filter out noise and follow the topics of most interest to you. It saves time and keeps you in the know. You can curate content that matches your interests.

 

Hunter’s Alley

If you love the feel of vintage, this app is for you; it offers vintage, antique and contemporary pre-owned items. Irreverent and fun, it’s ideal for people on a budget. Their home decor items are unique, fun and trendy.

Puppy  Bowl

If you would rather look at cute puppies than watch football, this site by Animal Planet is for you.

Puppy Bowl X will kick off at the same time as the Super Bowl. You’ll have plenty of entertainment, between the games of tag, snacks, and adorable nap time. A referee will be supervising, I mean calling the action, at all times.

Souper Bowl of Caring

A nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing young people to fight hunger and poverty in their communities, Souper People is where they can register to participate and collect a dollar or one food item for people in need. All of the donation will go to a local hunger-relief charity of their choice.

Posted on 2/1/2014

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10 Tips To Achieve (And Maintain) An Organized Home

February is National Time Management Month and yet it’s the shortest month of the year. So what will you do to make the most of your time? One way to manage your time is through organization.

There’s lots to be said for getting organized – you can buy containers and bins, clean out your closets, sell or donate a pile of used stuff, and read advice-filled books on the subject – but where the real battle begins is in maintaining that level of organization in your day-to-day existence. Once you’ve found a home for everything, and have everything in its place, then what? One week’s worth of mail, one pile of laundry, a scrapbook project, a few dinners and sippie cups later, and you’ve lost your mojo.

So here are my 10 Tips for maintaining an organized life…

1. Take 15.

Whether it’s right when you get home from work, or after the kids have gone down for bed, find the time that works for you to reclaim order in your home. Take exactly 15 minutes (use an egg timer if it helps) to do a sweep of each room checking for problems. Pick up all the clutter, straighten pillows, put the magazines on your coffee table in a neat stack, return rogue cups and such to the kitchen, take out the trash, toss dirty clothes in the hamper, and deal with any noticeable sources of mess. If you get lost and find yourself polishing your silverware, you’ve strayed from your mission. Don’t focus on one spot for long. Move through each room, giving attention to areas that need it while doing broad strokes of housekeeping elsewhere. With time, you’ll get a rhythm for it, and enjoy the refreshed appearance after a 15 minute sweep.

2. Don’t buy it.

There’s a host of organizational do-dads and thing-a-ma-bobs out there, most of which can be useful in the right situation to help organize your stuff. But put on the breaks when it comes to bringing home another gadget. It’s tempting, but see if the organizational slip ups you’re experiencing can be resolved with a change in behavior first. All the organizational gear in the world won’t organize itself. It’s up to you. First, think. Evaluate the trouble spot. What’s causing the clutter and chaos? Second, act. Without adding anything else to the equation, what can you do to resolve it? What can you take away? Third, shop. Once it’s under control, then buy that whatchamacallit to keep your stuff in order (if indeed you still need it).

3. Schedule a purge.

Have a plan of action to clean your filing cabinet. Go through your nicely-filed papers and file folders. Schedule a time to purge your documents as needed – monthly, quarterly, annually, etc. Mark your calendar to remind you. For instance, it’s recommended that you keep your records from your tax returns for seven years. Each year, remove the file that is more than seven years old. While you’re at it, discard receipts, bills and pay stubs that you no longer need on file. Find more guides on how long to keep financial documents at Bankrate.

4. Pick a day.

Designate one day out of the week to clean up your home and office. Stick to it as best as life’s roller coaster will allow. And like they say, “What you have to do expands to fill the time you have to do it in,” so limit yourself on time, and get as much completed as you can. You’d be surprised how much you can do when you power through it in one (short) event. However, if tackling chores all in one day is too much for you, develop a routine that breaks it up.

5. Share your methods.

It’s important for all members of the household participate in the organization and housekeeping. Not only should you not try to bear the burden alone, you should aim to include others so that everyone can contribute and benefit. Whether it’s with your spouse, kids, roommate, or office mate, share your methods of keeping order to your shared space. Find ways that each person can chip in. Teach your kids to put their toys away when they’re finished playing. Teach your husband to do the same. Communicate. Speak aloud and write down your guidelines for keeping peace and order, or let others know what you’re doing. Collaborate and utilize everyone’s unique set of personal strengths to benefit the entire household.

6. Out with it!

What goes in, must come out. Some people forget this and only realize how much stuff they’ve accumulated when they box it up to move. Take a lesson from people who live in small spaces and appreciate each inch. For each new thing you bring into your space, take something out. Erika Lenkert suggests telling your kids “it’s time to make room for the new toys that will be coming in” before Christmas. Whether it’s new clothes, a new coffee mug, new books, or a new handbag… Select a similar item to pass along to a friend, sell it secondhand, or donate it to a shelter or other worthy cause. Granted, there’s no harm in collecting things you cherish, but create boundaries for your collection. After 500 bobbleheads, draw the line.

7. Like goes with like.

As a rule, remember to keep like items together. When you have a dozen magazines, filing them in a magazine rack or placing them neatly in a stack together minimizes the clutter to your space – both physically and visually. In addition to objects, take your chores and tasks in the same dose. Avoid piecing up your projects too much. Doing so will only make you feel busier, less productive and less organized. Pay your bills or make phone calls all in one sitting, file things away, and be done with it. Grouping similar tasks together in one block of time brings order to your to-do list, not to mention the chunk-method helps you feel mondo-productive.

8. Write it down.

Jotting things down will save time and frustration later. Various factors like stress, age, and lack of sleep effect your brain’s ability to file, store and access short-term memory information. So help yourself out. Write down important notes, phone numbers, and appointments in one central location – a date book, journal, calendar, planner or a digital version of these. Making notes on scraps of paper, mail, or the palm of your hand is less than efficient.

9. Hide!

Keeping things put away and out of sight is the best way to feel organized,  especially for those who are visually-focused, right-brained personalities. Doors, drawers, cubbies, baskets, cabinets, and bins are your friends – use them to keep things hidden from view and put away. Sometimes, just by having your desk free of clutter and your work stashed away in a drawer, you’ll feel more organized than you really are. Feeling that way sure helps because when in a healthier state of mind, you’ll be able to work more productively.

10. Re-evaluate.

You can be certain that life will change. And with it, your tools for organizing might need some adjustments along the way. When you realize you’re heading into new territory, re-evaluate your home and work spaces. Find what works at keeping order to the chaos, and what’s not. Make room for new additions, and plan on your routine changing. Like Brandie Kajino said, “Lean into the turn” when life throws you a curve. “Babies are born, people get married, kids go off to school, people pass on and leave their stuff and grief for those that loved them, new jobs… and the list goes on.”

Are you feeling inspired to start your Spring cleaning early? Happy organizing!

Posted on 1/31/2014

Written by Meredith Mathews

Meredith Mathews is Creative Director at Half Price Books, America’s largest family- owned new and used bookstore chain. Fourth generation SMU alum, she graduated from the Temerlin Advertising Institute. She is a copywriter, designer and strategist. Meredith’s favorite things in life are spending time with family, autumn breezes, snow-capped mountains, stringed instruments, hats, and baking. You can follow her on Twitter at @msquare21.

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Some People Will Try Anything For A Little Peace. Me Included.

The word “release” in the headline should have tipped me off. As in 13 Ways to Release 2013. But how could the article, written by a perky blonde life coach, be anything but deeply enlightening? Release 2013. Let it go, mindfully, intentionally, with gratitude. And if all that doesn’t work, special pricing for one-on-one coaching.

I couldn’t help but click. As one does during the first week of January, I had been eating right, replacing evil incandescent bulbs with LED, and organizing closets as if the fate of Earth depended upon my ability to locate a single set of matching sheets on command. I was ready, desperate even, to get rid of the old and usher in the new. Be gone old nasty. Bring on the glistening fresh 2014.

I was curious, too. How does one shed last year? Isn’t it already… gone? But I felt confident the wise one knew some secret magic for saying a permanent farewell to 2013. And of course, by magic, I mean concrete advice that could be accomplished without using my credit card or a hiring a domestic staff.

I had to know.

At first skim, the oracle’s advice looked promising. Much of it consisted of making lists of different types, and then accepting, celebrating, or burning said lists. (Ritualistic dancing optional.) Lists I can do. Lists are my oxygen. Lists are humanity’s greatest technological feat. And burning stuff is fun. So far, winning.

From there, however, our fearless leader’s tips became increasing less illuminating. There was some vague advice to “feel grateful,” followed by a suggestion that we might quite literally wash away the past year with a salt bath. No offense to the wise one, but I prefer a salty martini.

I read further with the beginnings of a eye roll forming on my I’m-cynical-because-I’m-alive face, when our resident font of wisdom blasted my optimism into a pile lifeless fairy dust. The pinnacle of her system, after I had presumably made my lists and lit them on fire while feeling grateful in a salty tub, was to “smudge” my home.

Call me an over-achiever, but at this point—with one husband, two teenagers, a dog, the occasional uninvited pest, and my a seasonal aversion to cleaning products—my home is already quite adequately smudged. The last thing I need is more mud on the floor and makeup on the countertops. Not to mention whatever substance keeps causing my dog to drag her ass across the carpet.

But this wasn’t what our guru was talking about. Sadly, she was also not referring to any kind of eyeliner, which is unfortunate because, never mind release, a trip to Sephora is always cause for celebration. And not just because I could have made a list. There’s not much in this world that can’t be improved with plumping lip gloss, black eyeliner, and a steady hand.

The smudging our authority suggested was the ancient practice of bundling sage or other herbs, lighting them afire, and using the resulting smoke to purify the area (or aura) of any negative energy, bad feelings, yucky thoughts, or wayward spirits. For centuries, respected religions and native peoples around the world have practiced some form of smudging, which is pretty amazing when you consider that they DIDN’T EVEN HAVE THE INTERNET to teach them how to do it. And smudging is just one way to release the year gone by. How primitive cultures ever figured out the other 12 without the aid of wifi and broadband is inconceivable.

Unlike practitioners of olde–whom I imagine gathered their herbs mindfully, in a sacred place, perhaps on a day ordained by one god or another—the modern medicine woman has to remove her negative energy in between work, school, mani-pedis, and catching up on Downton Abbey. Lucky for her, a 2-pack of smudge sticks goes for less than seven dollars on Amazon. (Who said that Prime account wouldn’t pay for itself?) Or, if she’s more committed to the lifestyle, she can pick up her sticks from the Shaman’s Market, a highly reputable online retailer that reminds customers, “smudges put out a lot of soothingsmoke.”

Soothing, said no evil spirit ever.

Pre-internet, in a faraway land called the west coast, I witnessed plenty of smudging, mostly practiced by people next to me at outdoor concerts. Oh, the sage I’ve inhaled and the floaty-dancing I’ve observed. In hindsight, perhaps I was the evil spirit these liberated souls were attempting to purge. We’ll never know for sure. All I’m certain of is that, unfortunately, the poultry seasoning high does nothing for me. So, enticing as the idea of lighting yet another thing on fire in service of clearing out the old sounded, smudging probably wasn’t for me. I’m not native peoples. And I’m not a girl in a flowing skirt and a halter-top. By the looks of it, neither was our coach.

So, why?

Why had she embraced smudging? Was it simply another bullet point to round out the article? No one could blame her for that. But why not, “Light a candle from Bath and Body Works”? That might have been more on-brand.

I’m no coach in the game of life, but I say release all you want, make the lists, clean out the cupboards, drink the kale juice, but leave the smudging to professionals. Most of us have no business burning herbs for bad-mojo-removal sake. That goes double for accountants, engineers, people who would ever precede the written “smudged” with a hashtag, and anyone with an asymmetrical bob.

Sorry, coach, I’m sitting this one out.

Posted on 1/30/2014

Written by Lela Davidson

Lela is an award-winning humorist and freelance journalist who loves media and marketing. By day she manages content marketing Acumen Brands, building the popular Country Outfitter and Maple & West brands. Lela entertains and inspires audiences in print, web, video, and television. She writes and speaks about motherhood, marriage, marketing, and the challenges of being over-40 in a Botox world, and is the author of the humor collections Blacklisted from the PTA and Who Peed on My Yoga Mat?

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Wearable Book Literally Makes You Feel Emotions

Researchers at MIT developed a “wearable” book that lets you experience the emotions of the characters as you read. Readers wear a special vest equipped with sensors, temperature pads, ambient lighting, and a sound and vibration system that adjusts to fit the mood of each passage. For example, the vest compresses against your stomach and back during scary scenes and vibrates and heats up during action-packed passages. 

See how it works:

If you could choose any book to “wear,” what would you choose? Tell us in the comments below.

You can learn more about the Sensory Fiction project here. 

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What You Really Gain From Those Work Friendships

Commuting. All-hands meetings. Status meetings. Team meetings. Concept meetings. Presentation meetings. (Yep, all kinds of meetings.) Each of these were a part of my everyday world for 12 years. And for 12 years, I dreamed of the day when I would become a freelance writer. Of the day that I could escape the corporate world and become my own boss.

That dream came true almost three years ago. At that point, I officially became a work-from-home freelance writer. Oh, the freedom! Of course running your own businesses comes with its own challenges, but there hasn’t been a day that I’ve looked back.

Until last week.

I was sitting in my office (which happens to be my neighborhood Starbucks), when three people sat down next to me. It quickly became apparent that the three were co-workers when the (rather loud, and lively) conversation turned to business.

First up, office politics. Sure don’t miss that.

Next up, presentation strategy. Well, I don’t totally miss that. But I always did love how one person’s idea got even bigger when someone else chimed in…

And finally, life beyond the office. They laughed as they told stories about their kids, looked forward to vacation plans, and teased each other about various things.

That. That’s what I really miss. The camaraderie. The shared experiences. The idea that the people you work with aren’t just bodies at a desk nearby, but are people you respect, admire, learn from, and laugh with. Some of my best friends through the years also happened to be my colleagues. So, yes, I miss coffee break chats (along with the free latte bars, of course) and cafeteria conversations (pretty much anything can be made better with curly fries).

While I’ll be the first to celebrate and promote having the opportunity to work remotely or from home, I’ll also be honest that it can get lonely. Which is why I’m so very grateful for social media. People can laugh and say that time on Facebook is wasted. Or that sharing a photo on Instagram is just begging for attention.

But to me, they — along with other social media sites — are a lifeline. They connect me to minds that make mine think in new ways. They help me build my own community where people share experiences and ideas. They challenge me to see different points of view and try new things. And sometimes? Well, they’re simply good for a cheap laugh. And if you ask me, that’s something everybody can use to get through the day. Even those of us who are lucky enough to wear sweats to work.

Posted on 1/29/2014

Written by Amy Heinz

Amy Heinz is a San Francisco Bay Area mom of three and the writer behind Using Our Words — a parenting blog filled with lessons she’s learned (usually the hard way), laughs she’s enjoyed (mostly at her own expense), and tears she’s shed (this mama’s got heart). You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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The Real Action This Superbowl Sunday Will Be On Social Media

In years past, Super Bowl viewers were on the bench, watching the action from sports bars and recliners. Conversation was limited to the living room parties or maybe the water cooler at work the following day. The reality is the way we participate in Super Bowl Sunday has changed. Ten years ago, Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction became a media firestorm in the days following.

Imagine if that same event took place in the age of Twitter, and the buzz and social traction it would have created. In 2004, pre-Twitter Super Bowl viewers were silent observers. Today’s viewers are active participants in the cultural event that is Super Bowl Sunday.

Last year’s game hashtag, #SB47, was tweeted more than 24 million times. Hashtags referencing the game’s untimely blackout reached more than 3 million. Advertisers took advantage of the blackout and its discussion on social media. Oreo had perhaps the most memorable tweet, and received significant media attention for their timely and relevant response. Sadly, I don’t have a crystal ball to predict this year’s social trigger, but it is very likely that weather will have a major impact on the game. The Weather Channel is already predicting at or near freezing temperatures at kickoff, possibly making it the coldest Super Bowl to date.

Sure people care about the game… but can we talk about the commercials? According to eMarketer, a quarter of the Super Bowl audience sites the commercials as their primary motivation for tuning in. As a result, these ads garner significant social buzz for their brands. Multiple sources report the average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad will run advertisers around $4 million this year. While that is a pretty penny, social media has created a new currency and value for that expenditure; brands can measure the impact of an ad by the social buzz it creates. Many will create special hashtags and monitor consumer engagement in terms of frequency and longevity. Spoiler Alert: If you want a sneak peek at this year’s offerings check out the AdAge’s Super Bowl Ad Chart.

H&M will again feature a super Bowl ad with David Beckham, highlighting the brand’s men’s underwear line. However, it’s not a matter of simply watching the ad, the brand is pushing consumers to choose the commercial’s ending by voting in a social media initiative. H&M is engaging Super Bowl viewers in a new way by giving them a voice through social media. Voters are then prompted to share their vote and encourage further participation.

H&M isn’t stopping there. Viewers watching the game on certain Samsung SmartTVs will have the ability to shop and purchase the underwear through the commercial! Thank goodness you can’t do that with shoes and purses! Yet. It’s only matter of time before more retailers are leveraging SmartTV technology to make shopping from your TV a reality. But the question remains as to how will consumers respond to this new capability, given they already have the ability to shop from multiple screens. But still. I dread the day Zappos or Amazon puts these commercials into rotation or adds the functionality to programming. Imagine lusting for the stilettos of a Real Housewife and then ordering them right from her feet! My credit card bill hurts just thinking about it.

There are tons of apps available to help you stay on top of the game.

Super Bowl Survival Tips and Fun Facts:

• Stuck in an airport or at work? Fox will live stream the game on iPads in the Fox Sports Go app and on desktops at FoxSportsGo.com.

• Volkswagen’s “The Force” commercial from 2011 is the most socially shared Super Bowl ad of all time with 5.2 million shares.

• Unruly Media reports the average time of a Super Bowl commercial has increased 112% from 2010 to 2013.

• Hosting a party? Apps like Tailgating Recipes and Foodie Recipes offer suggestion for game –day snacks and appetizers.

• Speaking of food, Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest days of the year for pizza orders. Domino’s expects to deliver 11 million pizza slices this year. Most major pizza chains have apps, so you may want to go that route to order instead of sitting on hold at halftime.

Regardless of your interest in the Broncos, Seahawks or football in general, Super Bowl Sunday now offers something for everyone. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, entertainment maven, foodie or party planner, social media and technology offer you infinite ways to get in the game this year. And be sure to keep your eye out for any tweet-worthy wardrobe slip-ups, power failures, awesome ads or maybe even something about the game.

Posted on 1/27/2014

Written by Rachel Lewis

Rachel Lewis is a senior strategist for a full service, global digital performance agency. For more than seven years, she has helped some of the world’s largest luxury brands and retailers achieve their digital goals. Prior to her marketing career, Rachel worked as a television news producer for ABC and NBC affiliates in Texas. She is a proud alumna of Baylor University, and received her graduate degree in Communication Studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Her interests include pink, Robert Griffin III, macaroons, traveling and 80’s pop. Perhaps more impressively, she can cure hiccups without fail. Follow her on Twitter @rachellynell.

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