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Some call it social media noise. I call it data heaven.
 
The information across digital -- content, experiences, campaigns -- have enabled marketers to access what the public is thinking, feeling and saying at any given moment. Social monitoring provides insight into data across multiple channels and platforms, providing an unstoppable understanding of how specific groups of people interact with particular topics.

Through crowd sourcing, brands use these insights to inform their business -- from both a marketing and business standpoint. Frito Lay recently ran a digital campaign to find their next chip flavors. There were nearly four million entries from consumers. Submissions were narrowed down by Iron Chef Michael Symon and desperate housewife Eva Longoria, and three new flavors were put on shelf (Sriracha, Cheesy Garlic Bread and Chicken & Waffles). Users were then able to submit their favorite flavor to see which would live on. Cheesy Garlic Bread was dubbed the final winner last week from a fan who submitted the contest idea. She’ll receive a hefty reward too – either one million dollars or 1% of that flavor’s net sales (the higher sum).
 
For Frito Lay, the campaign doesn't stop now. By listening to how consumers are discussing these flavors - on which channels, through what sentiment, and in context of which other topics -- Lays gains valuable insight of their target audience and how they can enhance marketing these flavors across channels. It can also inspire future product development. Any brand that has a digital footprint -- easily accessible through social -- has the opportunity to learn from their fans by monitoring, listening and applying.

In the social media world, a month can feel like lifetime, considering how quickly things can change. In the past month, announcements from social networks Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram have demonstrated the maturation of social media and the industry’s push to quantify its successes.

Pinterest Brand & Marketing Guidelines
Pinterest stepped up this month to offer brand and marketing guidelines for businesses, a sign that the pinning network is already coming of age. Branding guidelines include the style and use of the Pinterest logo and restrictions on using “pin” and “pinterest” in the names of services and apps.

But the main portion of the announcements that had the social media community buzzing this month were the marketing and promotion guidelines as they relate to contests:

The right way to hold Pinterest contests:
    •    Reward pinners for quality pinning over quantity
    •    Provide clear and simple instructions to enter
    •    Don’t spam the network
    •    Follow branding guidelines

On the other hand, do not:
    •    Suggest that Pinterest sponsors or endorses the contest
    •    Require people to pin from a selection (let them pin their own stuff, for example: Pins from your website)
    •    Require people to repin the contest rules
    •    (This is an interesting one) “Run a sweepstakes where each pin, repin, board, like or follow represents an entry.”
    •    Ask users to comment on pins (seen as spammy)
    •    Require a minimum number of pins

Source: http://business.pinterest.com/logos-and-marketing-guidelines/

Instagram Introduces “Photos of You”
Instagram recently announced a new feature called “Photos of You,” which gives users the ability to tag others in photos. This feature allows users to not just tag other people, but any account on Instagram, including brands. For the person tagged in the photo, it will now turn up in the new "Photos of You" section on their mobile profiles. Users will have the ability to filter photos and set privacy settings.