If you’re an online marketer and your Facebook application just isn’t generating much fan engagement, Vitrue’s powerful ‘Wall Apps’ tool just may be what you need. Wall Apps is a new feature that’s part of Vitrue’s existing SRM (Social Relationship Manager) software suite.
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While big businesses such as Target, Coca-Cola, and Dell are already using social media effectively, small business owners are just starting — often “because they should,” not necessarily because they have a plan for generating business leads. Other owners who do have a plan don’t necessarily know how to measure social media ROI. If you’re still learning, pick a social medium, say Twitter, and consider the tips below.
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Context Optional announced today that they have integrated several of their social network CRM tools into one package called the Social Marketing Suite. The Social Marketing Suite is a series of functions designed to allow brands to better engage with their customers through applications, fan pages and detailed analytics.  The company describes it as “a customizable software solution for brands and agencies to manage and build brand presence on Facebook.”
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A new report published last week shows that celebrity Twitter users can earn up to $10,000 per tweet.  It’s an astronomical number, but one that’s been confirmed by Steve Richards of Yomego, who wrote a new report on measuring Social Media ROI.   He has collected information about the revenue streams that come from social media, especially for traditional businesses.
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TurboTax, one of the most popular tax preparation software from Intuit Inc., has unveiled Friends Like You, a new software recommendation service that lets users access reviews from their friends or people with similar tax situations.
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NFL Canada and Nissan have partnered to bring you their latest social media campaign,  a contest where you “Play NFL Social Games and you could win a Nissan Pathfinder”.  By signing in using your Facebook account, and playing quiz, trivia, concentration and other social games, players are able to win chances to get a new car.  Considering the good quality of the games, the various social elements and the Facebook Connect, this campaign seems to be a good use of Social Gaming.
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Coca Cola is planning to run a social media campaign on Facebook during the Super Bowl, that would coincide with its advertisements in Cable TV, according to a web cast news conference by Coca Cola executives on Wednesday. This follows Pepsi who previously announced their intention to remove all SuperBowl ads and opt entirely for social media channels.
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While they may be the world’s most valuable soccer team, the Manchester United team has no idea how to take advantage of social media most effectively. In a statement posted to the team’s website last week, the communications department stated, “The club wishes to make it clear that no Manchester United players maintain personal profiles on social networking websites.” The company continued, “Any official news relating to Manchester United or its players will be communicated via ManUtd.com.” That’s why we’d like to award them for having the dumbest sports marketing strategy.
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Through many engagements, we hear many questions surrounding social networking: what it means; how it applies to business; and, more directly, how social networking can turn a profit for a business.

If you’re in interactive marketing today, it would be logical to assume that based on the tremendous growth in usage of Social Networking tools, you can ride the wave of interest to reach more people within a trusted network and get your message across within established groups.
Not so fast!
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Word-of-mouth marketing company BzzAgent is launching a new product today, seeking to create a better way for brands to engage consumers. Called BzzScapes, the new tool acts as a social media tool as well as an extension o the company’s client services.

So what is a BzzScape? It’s a web-based, social destination where people can create a page for any given brand, and add information about that brand as they see fit. A mix between a product review site and Facebook public profiles, BzzScapes aim to provide an open forum for consumers and brands. While anyone can create a brand page on BzzScapes, brands also have the ability to have one created, or to claim one that has been created for their brand. BzzAgent will offer a series of BzzScapes-specific tools for brands to use for things like market ressearch and managing their brand online.

Below is an interview with BzzAgent Founder and CEO Dave Balter, who speaks on the objectives for BzzScapes, as well as how it fits into the social media conversation.
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