social media

Week 12 #socialstudent
There are no major changes at the top this week, but we welcome four new names to our top 20 list. We need to talk
In our rush to embrace social media, aren’t we all in danger of becoming anti-social? What’s wrong with picking up the phone asks Lauren Symons. Week 11 #socialstudent
After the volatility of the early weeks, our #socialstudent ranking has now settled down. There has been no change in the top four places and no new names or departures this week. Week 10 #socialstudent
This week Hanif Leylabi consolidates his lead and we welcome Jasmine Bell into the top twenty. From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg
John Naughton’s enlightening new book on the internet is reviewed by Richard Bailey. Week 9 #socialstudent
This week, Hanif Leylabi retains his place at the top and we welcome Emma Catchpole to the top twenty. Week 8 #socialstudent
For our first table of 2012, Hanif Leylabi retains his place at the top. There are five new names in the top twenty this week – and ten universities are now represented. Jukebox choir bring festive cheer to Christmas shoppers
White Christmas’ received the most requests as shoppers in Leeds chose their favourite Yuletide songs to be performed by the Bagel Nash Christmas Choir on the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Stop watching reality shows
The more I thought about it, writes Charlotte Giver, the more I found it ironic that in an industry where we know everything there is to know about brand, image and reputation management, the reputation of its workforce is false. End of year #socialstudent ranking
For our final table of 2011, Hanif Leylabi regains his place at the top. We also welcome new entrants Chelsey Hobson and Chloe Berry straight into the top ten. #socialstudent week six
This week, the first four places are unchanged, but Emily Payne has continued her steady progress and has broken into the top five and challenged the male monopoly on top places. Here come the boys: #socialstudent week five
This week, we have a new leader (Yasin Akgun), we have five different universities in the top five – but no women. I’m a person, get celebrities out of here
Using celebrities as spokespeople for products is hardly a new concept. We know that an ad is an ad, but when is a tweet a commercial, asks Alex King. What shall we do with the drunken Facebooker?
A law firm and a PR consultancy have teamed up to offer employers a session on managing the risk of staff being on social media. QR codes: An interview with co-founder of ScanMe
Our social media editor, David Clare, interviews John Harrison, co-founder of ScanMe.com, to find out how to best use QR codes in PR campaigns. Socialstudent list: week four
This week, Hanif Leylabi has increased his lead and Chelsea Galpin is the highest new entrant into the top 10. Predictions made for 2012
PR consultancy 33 Digital has published its third annual trends paper, Ten Driving Forces in Digital Marketing. Is social media effective for B2B brands?
Young PR professional Alex Neale takes a look at the use of social media for B2B brands. Socialstudent list: week three
In this week’s #socialstudent top 20, Hanif Leylabi has consolidated his lead and Sarah Moffatt is the highest new entrant. Blog and roll
Tumblr is the fashionable place to blog right now; Daniela Pietrosanu explains why. New #socialstudent leader
Last week, we introduced our #socialstudent ranking. This week, we’ve updated the numbers, included some new entrants and have expanded the list to a top 20. Beyond bunga-bunga: letter from Italia
As Italy veers between farce and tragedy, political debate has moved from the piazza to a Twitter hashtag, reports Miriam Pelusi. Can Brands Really Be Our Friends?
Every like you make on Facebook brings more news onto your Facebook wall. Emma Gannon asks whether brands really can be our friends. Introducing our #socialstudent leaders
Today, Behind the Spin has released a list of the top ten #socialstudents according to their presence on social media. Editor Richard Bailey introduces this new ranking. Getting people to join Google+
Marketing and Public Relations graduate, Anna Kraappa, takes a look at Google+ and why it is so difficult to get friends to move to the platform. How to pitch to bloggers – best practice, tips and case studies
Digital PR expert and Bright One founder, Ben Matthews, gives his tips and tricks on how to best pitch bloggers. PR – a two speed industry
Daryl Willcox is in the business of press releases. Having seen digital PR come to life, he discusses the two speeds at which PRs approach this new practice. Twitter’s increasing popularity with celebrities and sports stars
Jessica Johnson takes a look at how Twitter is having an impact on sports personalities and celebrities for this month’s social media feature. A degree in Journalism is not enough
A good degree in Sports Journalism wasn’t enough. Steven Woodgate has found the right combination in an MA in PR and work experience at a non-league football club. Is social media making us anti-social?
Social media executive Claire Dunford questions whether or not social media is actually making us less social. Why social media matters and what you should be doing about it
Social media editor David Clare introduces this month’s feature on social media and PR. Ten tips for Freshers
Experienced PR student Jennifer Kitch offers a survival guide to fresher’s week. Two Birds One Stone offer brands the youthful touch
Leeds based communications agencies, Magpie Comms and Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger, have launched a new youth offering which will provide public relations and graphic design support for brands targeting the youth market. The team, which is made up of recent graduates and current Leeds Met students hopes that the new venture will create job opportunities for their peers once the new academic year begins. What, where, when?
Your choice of university is a big decision financially, emotionally and professionally. Jazz Chappell describes how she made her choice and how Twitter helped her get at the truth behind the promises. Patience, passion and persistence
For any student approaching the end of university, finding a job is a daunting prospect. New PR graduate Ellie Stokes recounts her struggles and successes. How to write a business blog for your client
Managing Director of Write My Site, Emily Hill, offers her tips on writing for a corporate blog. Ideas win prizes and placements
One trend among ambitious students is participation in crowdsourcing programmes, allowing busy but tenacious Millennials a chance to contribute to companies looking to connect with the digital generation. Brian Keenan describes Ketchum’s Mindfire open innovation community. Kiss, and don’t tell
Super-injunctions are at the heart of the tussle between privacy and free speech. Alicia Chadwick argues that these are a bad case of one law for the rich… The Facebook Effect
The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick 384 pages, Virgin Books, 2010 Facebook is a tool used by millions and probably soon, billions. While there are many users, not many people know the true story of the social giant, how and why it came to be, or how Facebook became the one social network to rule [...] The future of social media for PR
Leeds Met student,Laura Horgan, gives her thoughts on the future of social media for public relations with plenty of insight from leading PR professionals. Advantages and disadvantages of Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality is becoming big business as the technology behind it becomes readily available to consumers. Francesca Larkin discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of AR for public relations. We think about the wedding every ten seconds
According to search specialists Greenlight, the Royal Wedding gets a social media mention every ten seconds. Student PR network is three today
Robert French writes: A little over three years ago, I had the idea of starting PROpenMic. I started working on Sunday and the site launched on Monday, April 1, 2008.  (Yes, we truly did launch on April Fool’s Day.) Actually, the idea was to start a social network for PR students.  A worldwide (or even [...] Top 10 charity campaigns of 2010
Want to know the top 10 charity campaigns of 2010? Let Petra Opelova show you her top choices. Alone Together
Michael White’s review on Turkle’s book analysing human behaviour in relation to how technology and social media is affecting our offline socialisation. Small steps towards big global society
Public relations students and tutors are using their skills and networks to promote good causes. Here’s a round-up of some current campaigns we’re aware of at Behind the Spin: Japan fundraising PR student Jasmine Bell has started a #makechangeforjapan campaign on Twitter and has already raised almost half of her target of £1000 on JustGiving [...] Charity 2.0 and diffusion of information
Social media has huge potential for not-for-profits – but can cause problems too. Melanie Rawlings discusses how charities can realise its potential. How to become popular on Twitter
Twitter is awash with PR wannabes. Rich Leigh of 10 Yetis gives ten tips on what not to do if you’re seeking Twitter popularity. #Yorkshiresuperhero gets the Leeds Corn Exchange trending
A competition launched by the Leeds Corn Exchange to raise awareness of their half-term children’s activities has become a trending topic in Leeds on social media platform Twitter. The #Yorkshiresuperhero competition invites people to suggest what the perfect Yorkshire Superhero would be called and what superpower they would possess. The Net Delusion: How Not to Liberate the World
Toby Margetts reviews Morozov’s critical view on social media, discussing whether it becomes an enabler for freedom or for dictatorship Fashion: the business of image
Fashion makes headlines; it’s also big business. Jessica North discusses how to break into this competitive area. Social media: work hard and play hard
Every student understands the fun part of social media. Micha Kirkbride takes a look at its commercial implications. Deadline for social media awards nominations
Deadline for entries to this year’s EuroBlog social media awards is Sunday January 30. Digital PR agency hiring programme executive
Digital PR firm 33 Digital is looking for new talent to join the team as programme executive. Blogging is the new black
Fashion glossies remain popular, but amateur fashion bloggers have gained an important niche says Stephanie Ayre. Tomorrow’s media world
Richard Bailey recommends Dan Gillmor’s self-published book which calls on us all to become mediactivists. Pepsi refreshes its approach to marketing
Public relations campaigns are there to raise awareness, and ultimately generate sales. But this can be done by simply giving away your money, as David Clare explains in a case study on Pepsi. Brands to come under siege in 2011
A new trends papers predicts that ’2011 will be remembered as the year that exposes brand reputations for their social media frailties’. Taking a look at Ping by Apple
Stephen Johnson gives us his opinion on iTunes’ recent addition to the social arena; Ping. Revealed: what we do in hotel beds
According to research findings issued today,72% of adults spend their time in bed before falling asleep checking status updates on Facebook. Beware of gifted geeks
Lucille Pickering reviews the film about the birth of Facebook, The Social Network. CRAPPs shortlists announced
The shortlists for the Communicative Relations Awards from PR Professionals (The CRAPPs) have been announced today, with finalists in categories ranging from ‘the most likely to tell you to sling your hook’ to the ‘least twattish Twitterer – the must-follow journo’. Blogger or WordPress: which is best for student blogs?
When it came to starting my PR blog I was torn between using Blogger or WordPress, reports Rosey Stones. Both seemed equally popular and both seemed to offer everything I needed. However, there are differences between the two that may sway your decision. Digital team offers music PR placement
A social media consultancy for the music industry is offering a long-term internship suitable for a Leeds-based PR student. AOL UK launches SafeSocial to protect young people online
AOL UK today launches SafeSocial (www.SafeSocial.co.uk) the first bespoke social media monitoring tool for the UK market, providing parents with an overview of their children’s movements and interactions across prominent social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Post Halloween PR scaries from 10Yetis
If you’re reading this, chances are, you’re a PR student – perhaps you’ve had some experience in the industry. You may even be a recent graduate or thinking about a career in public relations. If you’ve ever applied for a PR role, or intend to in the future, this one’s for you. Marketing Leeds brings together business leaders in digital debate
More than 200 business leaders are expected to attend an exclusive event to hear about the future of digital technology and how this will affect business in a question and answer-style event this month. A student at #smcc10
PR student Oana Jinga reports from the Social Media in a Corporate Context 2010 (#smcc10) conference. From Joe Bloggs to Über Blogger: The Blogger Evolution
Shelley George takes a look at the most unlikely of bloggers… and why PRs should take notice of them. Social media, PR and the next big thing
Managing Director of 33 Digital, Drew Benvie, explains the origins of working in social media before the phrase even existed. A brief history of diffusion of innovation in social media
Recent graduate Thomas Harrison-Lord discusses how social media depends upon the innovators and early adapters to gain popularity. A new location network just checked in to town… Places
Section editor for PR and social media David Clare takes a look at Facebook’s entry into the world of location based networking with Facebook Places. Twitter virgin mounts Facebook fightback
Help, I’m a twitter virgin and have only just started blogging, yet dissertation and graduation are looming large. Ines Alcobia seeks like-minded friends on Facebook. The importance of measurability in social media for PR
Janey Spratt discusses the notion that with social media comes the ongoing job of maintenance, monitoring and measurement. Video News Agency launched to meet media’s demand for quality video and other digital content
Video News Agency (VNA) is a new online service for journalists, broadcasters and web editors which provides free-to-use, downloadable video and other digital news content for the media. Getting your name out there and why it’s important
PR students are constantly being reminded of the importance of reputation, so why not put some of your effort into applying the techniques studied into your own lives? It is a concept Carli Smith likes to call: Brand Me. Leeds Met PR Student hopes stationery creation can send him to Rio
A Leeds Metropolitan University student could be enjoying the holiday of a lifetime in 2011, a trip for two to the Rio Carnival in Brazil, after entering a competition launched by Asda Stationery. Mark Mitchell, a final year Public Relations and Marketing student, is currently in first place with six votes after entering his creation “Steg the Stationerysauraus” in to The Asda Rio Carnival Competition. Leeds Met Faculty of Business and Law embraces social media
Leeds Metropolitan University has taken the social media plunge in an attempt to communicate with students more effectively. With the growth in popularity of social media among students it seemed a natural step that the faculty had to take. Asda Stationery launches social media campaign
Asda stationery has launched a Facebook competition that will see two students enjoy a dream holiday to the Rio Carnival in March 2011. Asda is encouraging students to create works of art using their ‘Back to Uni’ stationery range and the student receives the most ‘likes’ by the close of the competition will win the once in a lifetime holiday. Top tips for PR students
Students across the country will be returning to university in a couple of weeks and although planning Freshers week activities will probably be highest on their agenda, many PR students will soon be focusing on managing their personal reputation. Behind the Spin has teamed up with Edelman Digital consultant Ben Cotton, author of award winning blog Social Web Thing, who has provided some top tips for succeeding in PR. Me and my web shadow
“What happens when someone puts your name into Google or Facebook? If you don’t know, you should maybe find out.” This is how Antony Mayfield, author of Me and My Web Shadow, invites the reader to consider the importance of being in charge of our online lives. Yazmin Meza Lopez reviews the book. Social car share saves students money
What happens when you mix students’ love of Facebook with their love of travel – and a desire to save money? According to the founders of a new website, it’s GoCarShare.com. UK tech brands embrace social media, but aren’t being social
A benchmark study released today by Wildfire reveals that while 90% of technology companies have a presence on two or more social networks, a significant majority are just not being social and are failing to use these channels to engage in a two-way dialogue with customers and followers. Social web and the evolution of PR
Adam Coulter explains why social media has required public relations to evolve and what the end result of this evolution will mean for the profession. Flying high in a new age
For her dissertation, Katy Jameson explored how the interactivity of social media communication between customers and airline companies can effectively contribute to building brand equity. Grayling gains Intelligence
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has appointed Grayling to provide international media relations and digital engagement across Europe and North America. Why learn social media at university
Surely there’s nothing to teach a student about social media? Stephen Johnson thought not until he took a pioneering course at university. Win “This is Social Media” by Guy Clapperton courtesy of 10 Yetis
10 Yetis have partnered with Behind The Spin to give away 5 copies of Amazon bestseller, ‘This Is Social Media’. Twitter comes offline for #hullmeetup
Local users of social media phenomenon, Twitter will meet in Hull, East Yorkshire this week to conect with their followers in person and encourage face-to-face networking. Leeds Graduates and Students ask people to Join the Schmoovement
Two recent graduates from Leeds University are launching a new yoghurt lassi drink called Schmoo. Not only are both the managing directors recent graduates, but the Public Relations team behind the consumer launch are five PR students from Leeds Metropolitan University. Macnamara on media and the future of PR
Jim Macnamara’s new book provides an important media sociology perspective on PR and social media, finds Richard Bailey. But it’s written for scholars, not for the general reader. Only 22% of top PR pros are actively using Twitter
While researching a Twitter list of top PR practitioners, David Clare and Emily Cagle found that few were active participants in the medium of the moment. Why, they wonder, is this the case? In at the deep end
CIPR student representative Michael White had to learn quickly once his PR event grew beyond the confines of the university. New council and university communications partnership
Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University have teamed up to help public relations students get on the job training, assist with their studies and boost their employment chances once they’ve graduated. “We love Tweeting during meetings” say Leeds Met Students’ Union
The Leeds Met Students’ Union Executives are showing Leeds City councillors who appear to be stuck in the dark ages just how useful a few Tweets during a meeting can be. Nowhere web
Do online communities necessarily have less value and meaning than those in the real world, asks Laura Smith. Confessions of a Facebook addict
The growth in digital PR opportunities has encouraged Clare Thomas to re-evaluate her ambition to work in fashion. Besides, it’s a good place to be for a Facebook addict. It’s written on the tablets
Apple’s forthcoming iPad will be a game changer for publishers and for PR argues David Clare. Online campaigning lessons from the US
We know how important social media was in Barack Obama’s campaign. But what lesons have been learnt for UK party politics asks Jag Singh. Elections need X Factor (and text factor)
More young people vote in The X Factor than in General Elections. Surely it’s time to learn lessons from this, says Lucy Hird.