Shot heard ’round the auto world

tags: advertising, social_media_useful

General Motors will shift half its $3 billion annual advertising budget to digital and one-to-one channels during the next three years. That’s a huge jump from the $197 million it spent online last year. Other auto makers are likely to follow. Hyundai has said it plans to double its online spending. More ominous for traditional media is that a GM executive recently told Ad Age that told Ad Age that the company will try to persuade its regional dealer ad groups to shift their dollars to digital advertising and away from spot TV.

The Experts vs. the Amateurs: A Tug of War over the Future of Media – Knowledge@Wharton

tags: social_media_useful

What’s the difference between user-generated and professional content? It’s becoming harder and harder to tell as bloggers become more professional and some professional publishers put out amateurish bloggers. Experts agree that the business models that have long supported traditional media are decaying, but there is no consensus on what will replace them. In the meantimg, the user-generated content phenomenon is booming, putting more pressure than ever on readers to apply their own filters.

Companies Court Convenience-Food Blogs

tags: social_media_useful

Even though food bloggers don’t get huge traffic, food makers are discovering that their influence can help make or break a new product. Many are reacing out to bloggers as a standard part of their new product evaluation programs.