Social Media Roundup: January 26, 2016

Customer Advertising Preferences: 9 of 10 Actually Want Ads!

It's not news that consumers' preferences are changing with the technology they use - at home, at work, or on the go - leaving marketers confused about where to launch campaigns and how to allocate their media spend. In examining research on the advertising preferences of U.S. adults conducted by MarketingSherpa, social media expert Heidi Cohen highlights the following in her blog:

• 72 percent prefer email
• 48 percent prefer postal mail
• 34 percent prefer TV ads
• 31 percent prefer magazine and newspaper ads
• 11 percent prefer mobile apps
• 7 percent prefer online video ads.

One surprise she notes is that 9 out of 10 (92 percent) consumers actually want advertising. "While consumers don't agree on the best forms of advertising, most consumers are interested in advertising at some level. Less than 10 percent of respondents wanted NO advertising." Her advice to marketers: "Consumers find some types of advertising valuable. That said, they don't like to be interrupted with irrelevant ads."

Marriott Tests Videos To Attract Next-Generation Travelers

In an ongoing campaign to bring in Millennials and other digital generation travelers, Marriott International is experimenting with digital content. The brand's 12-minute video, "Business Unusual," debuted on Jan. 11 at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, a Marriott property. It was produced by the Marriott Content Studio (created in Sept. 2014), in conjunction with content developer Substance Over Hype. According to the Chicago Business Journal, Marriott has produced two other short films, "French Kiss" and "Two Bellmen," as well as two original YouTube series: "Hot Shoppe" and "Do Not Disturb."

Facebook Updates "Real Name" Policy

Facebook has always required users to use their real names on the service, which has been unpopular with transgender people and others such as women in danger from stalking and domestic violence - or even people who just want to left alone from unwanted attention. For the past year, Facebook has allowed users seven days to update or verify their names if they're believed to be using a "fake" name. Before that, some users with "fake" names found their accounts deactivated without notice. (One famous case in the U.K.: Jemma Rogers, who joined Facebook as Jemmaroid von LaaLaa, and had to legally change her name to sign in.) "The policy itself isn't changing, according to a statement from Facebook on Tuesday, but the social network will now allow users to explain a special circumstance when verifying their name. That will flag the profile for Facebook's review teams so they can provide 'personalized support,'" according to Rebecca Ruiz, a writer at Mashable.

Selfies from the Sky: Twitter Patents a "Social Media Drone"

Twitter has received a patent for a photo-taking drone whose movements and camera can be controlled by users who will be able to post photographs and live stream video captured by the drones' cameras on their accounts. Not much else is known about the company's plans. A spokesman for Twitter told CNBC: "Two words: Drone selfies," reports Sam Shead, a technology reporter for Business Insider. Are you ready to get on board with aerial photos of customers at your locations?

Daniel Lieberman is the founder of Daniel Lieberman Digital ("I speak Geek - You don't need to"). Based in Shelburne Falls, Mass., he helps companies, organizations, and individuals learn to use the Internet to communicate, market, and brand themselves using the most up-to-date tools and techniques. Contact him at 413-489-1818 or daniel@daniellieberman.org.