The Jacksons Planning A Benefit Concert For Japan

Because it's what Michael would've wanted.

Following the semi-success of the Michael Jackson tribute this weekend in Wales, the Jackson faily has announced that they are holding a benefit concert in Japan to help the children affected by the Japanese earthquake from ealier this year.

The matriarch of the family, Katherine, made the announcement yesterday in London, saying:

"If Michael was alive, he would definitely have done something to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan. Michael loved children, he would have felt for those children who lost parents or homes."

Michael's surviving brothers will take to the stage to perform for the benefit as The Jacksons and each of the guys expressed their thrill in giving back to the struggling young ones of Japan.

Jackie Jackson said: "This concert can help children. I'm glad I can put smile on their faces again."

Marlon Jackson added: "Music can bring us together. Children can't live without guidance. We want to point out kids to right direction. I'm pleased music can help other people."

Tickets go on sale for the Michael Jackson Tribute Live on October 12th and the show will take place in Tokyo on December 13 and 14. Merchandising profits will be donated to ASHINAGA, a charity which helps children who lost their homes or families in the March earthquake.

A nice gesture in the name of MJ.

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: brother, charity, children, concert, family, japan, kids, london, michael jackson, music, perform, tribute

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Will Social Media Benefit My Business?

Typically, when it comes to social media, a particular question is brought up time and time again: "Will it really benefit my business?" Because all businesses are very different, it's hard to come up with a "one-size-fits-all" type of answer. However, if you asked me, I'd probably say "absolutely!"

To help you figure it out, let's go over what social media is.

Social media (SM) is web-based technology used to interact with others. Basically, it is a way to share information through the internet via a group with commonly shared interests. Most of the time, it begins with a person creating content like a video, article, blog or audio then relaying it to a SM network like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or LinkedIn. Once this information is released, then others share it as well with additional comments, content or sharing it themselves.

Right now, different types can fall into 1 of these 5 categories:

Wikis: User-created content that also allows users to add, edit or comment as well as vote on quality. (Wikipedia)

Networks: Profile creation sites where people can join groups, add friends, comment, share and network. (Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn)

News: Sites that are informational-based where users may comment, like or dislike and share information. (Digg, Reedit, and Newsvine)

Media Sharing: Sites that are based on the uploading of different media such as photos, videos or music and in turn, others can view and share. (Flickr, YouTube, and Vimeo)

Social Bookmarking: These sites are for those who want to bookmark content they really enjoy. Other's can view their bookmarks according to topic. (Stumbleupon and Del.icio.us)

Should my business be a part of this?

All businesses main goal is to gain new customers or clients. If you are planning on having a web-based business or interact in the internet world, SM is a valuable tool to drive these customers or clients to your site. However, for social media to really work, you have to first concentrate on your content. Your website has to present valuable information, services or products in order to gain customers at all. If you've developed a great site that is user-friendly with valuable information, then it's time to get people there.

What Can Social Media do?

Boost your Brand: SM is basically a free way to promote your brand, company image, services and products. The downfall is that it takes time, and if you aren't willing to stick with it, then you shouldn't waste your time starting it.

Defining your Audience: creating accounts on different SM sites (and keeping up with it) can help you gain an audience, either that you didn't think about before, or one that you've always wanted. It is also a great place to get help with feedback, testing new products, and promotions.

Boost Search Ranking: When you publish content on your SM sites, it automatically increases your visibility in search engines which in turn, leads to more customers. Also, with the sharing of content, others share it too. Some great advice is to always remember what you're saying reflects on your business or products, so use your wording wisely!

There's a catch, right? How much does Social Media cost?

Social media costs time. It doesn't cost money, even though some sites do offer premium accounts for more visibility and advertising, but for basic accounts there are no out-of-pocket costs. The main factor is having enough time to keep up with it daily or every other day. If you don't have time to do it, hiring a virtual assistant to do it for you is always an option, and a great way to start your social media campaign.

Just remember, focus on creating an intriguing and interactive website and then jump into social media! It will most definitely help you spread the word! If you think you don't have time, set up a daily schedule to help manage your time or hire a social media virtual assistant!

Dawn Pigoni
Social Media Virtual Assistant
http://BeSocialWorldwide.com
http://Twitter.com/dawntrenee
The Social Media Marketing world is important to online businesses and I bring value to other companies by offering social media marketing assistance to those small companies that don't have the time, knowledge or manpower to keep up with social media marketing.

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Hispanic Media Training: How It Can Benefit You

How can media training help you create a successful Hispanic market campaign? There are plenty of examples of Hispanic market campaigns with a broad range of results. Many of you have heard of the infamous airline that invited travelers to fly 'naked'. In the same way, the slogan for pork as "the other white meat" which was successful in the general market was meaningless to U.S. Hispanics.

To promote their new business class leather seats, an airline invited passengers to fly "en cuero." It was not until they had launched the campaign that airline executives realized "en cuero" means naked in colloquial Spanish. Better to prepare than to do damage control after the fact.

When providing Hispanic market sensitive media training, trainers should explain to the spokesperson, regardless of his or her cultural background, the importance and role media play, how the training can benefit them personally and professionally. If necessary discuss media specifics such as types of media and media stories. America's diverse population makes it almost mandatory for interviewees to consider the impact of their message, the way they convey it and the audience. During media training it is important to match the messenger, the medium and the target audience using a culturally sensitive message.

Public relations practitioners should explain to their clients what is expected of them; and what they should expect during the interview process. A spokesperson should be aware of culturally sensitive issues regardless of the media outlet and language.

Another way to make the spokesperson aware of what to expect is to examine media types including online, broadcast, and print media. Describing interview formats (e.g. news, entertainment, and talk-show) and their characteristics expands the expert's understanding and equips him or her to respond appropriately to the situation.

How is Hispanic media training different? Sometimes the differences are subtle and other times they are easy to spot. How can Hispanic media training support your efforts to create a successful Hispanic market campaign? Understanding the unique aspects of language and culture of this desirable market, can help your Hispanic market spokesperson be more effective and your campaign be more successful.

Beyond Language

Hispanic media issues are about much more than language. Some Latino programs and publications are in English or bilingual. Even though some of the programs may be in English, successful interactions with Hispanic media require an understanding of and sensitivity to the Latino audience they reach.

Understanding the media outlet is a first step. Knowing how to deal with and approach the producers and reporters is another. Even if you are successful so far, the message and the messenger have to fit the audience and the medium. That was the case with the pork example earlier. Before launching a translation of the English language campaign, the pork association representatives learned that Latinos were concerned about health related issues; they had no objections to dark meat.

Savvy public relations professionals and interviewees do their homework before addressing the public. There are often cultural, political, socio-demographic, historical, and linguistic issues worth considering. In the same way, Hispanic media training must take into account cultural and linguistic nuances to be effective.

What does that mean in practical terms? Different experts, media outlets and target audience combinations require different approaches. There are eight main possible scenarios; including the Cultural Sensitivity Model.

Under the Hispanic media training Cultural Sensitivity Model a non-Latino expert must be aware of cultural issues to ensure a successful interview, from a Hispanic market perspective, during a general market media opportunity. A non-Hispanic expert addressing a general audience with a general message can end up on the wrong side of an issue without meaning to, if he or she is insensitive to Latino hot buttons. Such was the case of a columnist who offended Latino readers who read her magazine. Several Latino leaders called for a boycott of the publication, causing it to lose credibility and Hispanic readers.

Each interview requires an understanding of the particular characteristics of the audience. As the diversification of America continues, it becomes increasingly difficult to create one message to reach everyone effectively. Among U.S. Latinos, this diversification is also a factor. The challenge is that because the market is made up of a number of small groups rather than one single Latino group, there is no one approach or cookie cutter formula. When in doubt, consult a Latino market expert, preferably one specializing in Hispanic media training.

No single media training, regardless of the language, can address all potential situations and solve all possible problems. It can communicate some of the critical concerns and challenges to the spokesperson improving their effectiveness and making them sensitive to Hispanic market issues. This can facilitate the success of your Hispanic market campaign.

Elena del Valle is a 20-year marketing and communications veteran. Part of this article was derived from Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations (Poyeen Publishing $49.95). Additional information is available at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/?page_id=25

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