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Most Surprising Social Media Successes of 2011

The holidays are here once again, and that can only mean one thing: massive online advertising. With deals on shipping, social media promotions, and popular products and brands striving to outdo each other, it pays to spend the season online. But this last great push of 2011 can’t overshadow the months that have come before. The past year has been big for movements, personalities and brand names that we’ll never forget — and we’ve got some surprising social media campaigns to thank for it.

Jaw-Dropping Social Media Campaigns

Each new year is full of fresh opportunities, and everyone tries to cash in. A rare few succeed…and an even rarer few succeed so well that they become an online legend. Nevertheless, this year’s most surprising social media successes include a warlock, a movement, a direct Facebook challenge, a green frog and a holiday movie that wasn’t made in 3D. Look below to see Hudson Business Solutions list of the most surprising, yet successful, social media campaigns of 2011:

• ŸCharlie Sheen took his online reputation to the next level when he took to Twitter to publicly talk about his fallout with CBS in ways that no one could have predicted. Sheen’s tweets soon gained such massive media attention, he began making money for it — and in the end, had the last laugh while everyone laughed at him. Hudson Business Solutions has tools to help you create an effective Twitter profile of your own, but you’ll have to invent your own Sheenisms.
• ŸThe #Occupy movement took everyone by surprise. The movement itself began online, spilled out onto Wall Street and now it’s gone global, commanding attention from every major media outlet in the process. Apparently, the 99% are online — and they love social media. Twitter audiences love a catchy hashtag, and Hudson Business Solutions can show brands how to get in on the trending action.
• ŸGoogle didn’t take a break all year long. The search giant made a direct bid for Facebook’s traffic with its Google+ buttons and profile pages. Overnight, the +1 buttons appeared to allow users to share pages, remember the sites they like and enjoy a new social media experience. Google’s online reputation soared as it showed its willingness to jump on the social media bandwagon. Use Hudson Business Solutions to keep your brand competitive in the Google+ market, too.
• ŸNot every social media campaign is about effecting change, selling products, or thumbing a nose at Facebook — some help right wrongs. The UK riots instilled fear and worry into the world, but the subsequent #RiotCleanup campaign helped inspire warm fuzzies. The hashtag became number one in the UK overnight, and communities rallied to stand behind the message.
• ŸThe Muppets became the surprise movie stars of 2011, mostly because they’re hip enough to use social media. Adults would have been drawn to the new Muppets Movie for nostalgia’s sake, but a huge social media push put the flick’s online reputation right up there with much more “now” children’s characters. Kermit’s on Facebook, critics Statler and Waldorf offer their sarcastic remarks on Twitter, and you can even include the whole cast on your Google+ lists if you like. The big boost to the Muppets online reputation became a big boost at the box office, to Disney’s delight.

So whether you spent the year drinking tiger’s blood or singing about being green, you were probably highly entertained by social media. We know we were, and there’s much more to come in 2012. Use Hudson Business Solutions to start the new year with a strong online reputation, and maybe your brand will be at the top of next year’s list.

Tagged with: 2012, Facebook, Google+, Hudson Business Solutions, Online Branding, Online Image, Online Marketing, Online Reputation Management, Social Media, Social Media Successes of 2011, Twitter

Categorised as: Social Media