Comments on: Shycast: Social Network for People & Brands http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/ Startup and Technology News Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:14:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: RazorSharp iPods & Raw Gadgets » Blog Archive » ScratchYourself: Viral Sweepstakes That Brands Could Love http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1386666 RazorSharp iPods & Raw Gadgets » Blog Archive » ScratchYourself: Viral Sweepstakes That Brands Could Love Mon, 21 May 2007 06:51:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1386666 [...] Shycast and Bix (acquired by Yahoo) are also experimenting with brand based contests, albeit through video (and Shycast is also a social network). [...] [...] Shycast and Bix (acquired by Yahoo) are also experimenting with brand based contests, albeit through video (and Shycast is also a social network). [...]

]]> By: ScratchYourself: Viral Sweepstakes That Brands Could Love http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1353211 ScratchYourself: Viral Sweepstakes That Brands Could Love Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:31:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1353211 [...] Shycast and Bix (acquired by Yahoo) are also experimenting with brand based contests, albeit through video (and Shycast is also a social network). [...] [...] Shycast and Bix (acquired by Yahoo) are also experimenting with brand based contests, albeit through video (and Shycast is also a social network). [...]

]]> By: BillyBoy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1018926 BillyBoy Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:54:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-1018926 Since Shycast is an unknown, the only way this has a chance of working is if Ikea promotes the hell out of it. Otherwise, the 1% Rule will relegate it to obscurity: http://customerevangelists.typepad.com/blog/2006/05/charting_wiki_p.html Since Shycast is an unknown, the only way this has a chance of working is if Ikea promotes the hell out of it.

Otherwise, the 1% Rule will relegate it to obscurity:

http://customerevangelists.typ.....iki_p.html

]]> By: bridgette http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-956398 bridgette Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:56:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-956398 hey guys! i am IKEAobsessed , and drive 4 hours each way when i do my yearly IKEA stock-up. anyway, super pumped about IKEA finally coming to Ohio next year, and could sure use these gift cards for the grand opening. check out my video submission, hope i get your vote!! http://www.shycast.com/contest/contestant/51/view/ hey guys! i am IKEAobsessed , and drive 4 hours each way when i do my yearly IKEA stock-up. anyway, super pumped about IKEA finally coming to Ohio next year, and could sure use these gift cards for the grand opening. check out my video submission, hope i get your vote!!
http://www.shycast.com/contest/contestant/51/view/

]]> By: Thinkomat - Die Ideenentwicklungsmaschine http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-926911 Thinkomat - Die Ideenentwicklungsmaschine Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:23:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-926911 <strong>del.icio.us 07-01-21...</strong> Here are some of my del.icio.us business ideas which were caught in my folder during the last day´s. Looking forward to see how they will develop. http://www.geni.com/ Everyone is related. Geni is the fast, easy and funy way to create your familytree ... del.icio.us 07-01-21…

Here are some of my del.icio.us business ideas which were caught in my folder during the last day´s. Looking forward to see how they will develop.
http://www.geni.com/
Everyone is related. Geni is the fast, easy and funy way to create your familytree …

]]> By: Allison http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-785456 Allison Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:19:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-785456 the idea sounds great, but not original! a similar model was designed by zooppa.com the idea sounds great, but not original! a similar model was designed by zooppa.com

]]> By: Citizen Media Watch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-779299 Citizen Media Watch Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:43:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-779299 <strong>Brand-focused contests: not journalism, but still a form of citizen media...</strong> Social media and marketing are merging more and more. The latest example is soon-to-launch Shycast, a brand-focused site featuring sponsored contests where people are asked to send in video clips to win cash prices. Then they get to vote and comment on... Brand-focused contests: not journalism, but still a form of citizen media…

Social media and marketing are merging more and more. The latest example is soon-to-launch Shycast, a brand-focused site featuring sponsored contests where people are asked to send in video clips to win cash prices. Then they get to vote and comment on…

]]> By: Scott http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-747104 Scott Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:02:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-747104 If the creaters of the website are reading this, do not get outside capital. There is no need. If the creaters of the website are reading this, do not get outside capital. There is no need.

]]> By: Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-743763 Jason Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:28:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-743763 I had the exact same idea for a company (i imagined it a bit more refined than what i saw in their screenshot but it has the gist) about year and half ago but decided to abandon the idea because of some critical downfalls with the idea. I did notice that some of you spotted some of them too and i hope these boyz will work them out as they will most definitely pop up. From first impression i dont think they see all the consequences just yet which is good and bad. I had the exact same idea for a company (i imagined it a bit more refined than what i saw in their screenshot but it has the gist) about year and half ago but decided to abandon the idea because of some critical downfalls with the idea. I did notice that some of you spotted some of them too and i hope these boyz will work them out as they will most definitely pop up. From first impression i dont think they see all the consequences just yet which is good and bad.

]]> By: Sally the Scrapbooker http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-743034 Sally the Scrapbooker Fri, 19 Jan 2007 07:20:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-743034 This looks to be a good site for prize fanatics like me. This looks to be a good site for prize fanatics like me.

]]> By: TechDamon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-742693 TechDamon Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:36:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-742693 Free, fun content for advertisers and people love that shit! Used with a sly PR campaign, you can see it hitting the right chord with the masses and gaining mass notariety. It's worth $5K to me to make my bed in a hilarious way. I mean, really...what else do I have to do anyway? Free, fun content for advertisers and people love that shit! Used with a sly PR campaign, you can see it hitting the right chord with the masses and gaining mass notariety. It’s worth $5K to me to make my bed in a hilarious way. I mean, really…what else do I have to do anyway?

]]> By: TNT http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-741644 TNT Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:38:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-741644 Interesting. There are deffinately some brands that this seemed well suited for - musical intrament manufactures - you know, guitar shredding contests, drum solo contests.... and I think food brands - video contests of recipes etc... a little Iron Chef action... I think it's a cool idea. Interesting. There are deffinately some brands that this seemed well suited for - musical intrament manufactures - you know, guitar shredding contests, drum solo contests…. and I think food brands - video contests of recipes etc… a little Iron Chef action…

I think it’s a cool idea.

]]> By: Jim L http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-741233 Jim L Thu, 18 Jan 2007 23:45:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-741233 The idea is great for brands that want to engage there customers in an engaging manner. It seems like there were be the ability not only to generate eyeballs, but encourage people to interact with a brand. The idea is great for brands that want to engage there customers in an engaging manner. It seems like there were be the ability not only to generate eyeballs, but encourage people to interact with a brand.

]]> By: Susan L http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740641 Susan L Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:35:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740641 You're thinking way too narrowly if you think this won't work. As a PR person, you want the public see themselves in the promotion you do, so they see themselves (or someone they aspire to be) in your products and services. Shycast does this. For clients, you want to create, package, deploy and track in one place. Tracking efficacay on YouTube is painful. I'd want to offer my clients a one stop shop for this kind of thing. And if you think that getting user is difficult, you're right, it might be, but contest sites are AMAZINGLY popular. Look at iWon. Free poker, casino, etc. sites attract tons of people with the lure of free money and a chance to win. I think Shycast has a great shot and it's something that I'd certainly look into for client that wants to get brand, PR and entertainment value out of its marketing. You’re thinking way too narrowly if you think this won’t work. As a PR person, you want the public see themselves in the promotion you do, so they see themselves (or someone they aspire to be) in your products and services. Shycast does this. For clients, you want to create, package, deploy and track in one place. Tracking efficacay on YouTube is painful. I’d want to offer my clients a one stop shop for this kind of thing. And if you think that getting user is difficult, you’re right, it might be, but contest sites are AMAZINGLY popular. Look at iWon. Free poker, casino, etc. sites attract tons of people with the lure of free money and a chance to win. I think Shycast has a great shot and it’s something that I’d certainly look into for client that wants to get brand, PR and entertainment value out of its marketing.

]]> By: LittleOne http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740578 LittleOne Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:15:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740578 I think what the folks at Shycast are not counting on is that: 1. People are stupid. The best "viral" stuff tends to involve things like farts, poop-jokes, making of established social conventions, religion, goverment, etc. All the things most corps won't want associated with their brand. 9 times out of ten, the more irreverant the more viral a thing will be. 2. People love soapboxes. One of the major car makers tried a "make your own video" contest a year or so ago. Sure they got a few fluff pieces, but the most popular videos were the ones that documented how many trees the automaker was destorying, and how many jobs were outsourced etc... 3. Brand Managers are from outer space. Seriously, people who manage brands have these bizarre fantasties of how people think of their products. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people managing products like toliet paper say stuff like "we're not about wiping shit out of your ass, we're about building relationships..." I think what the folks at Shycast are not counting on is that:

1. People are stupid. The best “viral” stuff tends to involve things like farts, poop-jokes, making of established social conventions, religion, goverment, etc. All the things most corps won’t want associated with their brand. 9 times out of ten, the more irreverant the more viral a thing will be.

2. People love soapboxes. One of the major car makers tried a “make your own video” contest a year or so ago. Sure they got a few fluff pieces, but the most popular videos were the ones that documented how many trees the automaker was destorying, and how many jobs were outsourced etc…

3. Brand Managers are from outer space. Seriously, people who manage brands have these bizarre fantasties of how people think of their products. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people managing products like toliet paper say stuff like “we’re not about wiping shit out of your ass, we’re about building relationships…”

]]> By: Lee http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740141 Lee Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:18:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740141 My question is about hosting expense. If Shycast is hosting videos and they get thousands of videos rolling across multiple contests, it's going to be expensive to support the bandwidth - maybe too expensive. One question is: can the brand sponsors pay enough to support the bandwidth and make the business profitable? It may be tough. My question is about hosting expense. If Shycast is hosting videos and they get thousands of videos rolling across multiple contests, it’s going to be expensive to support the bandwidth - maybe too expensive. One question is: can the brand sponsors pay enough to support the bandwidth and make the business profitable? It may be tough.

]]> By: Kara Cameron http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740126 Kara Cameron Thu, 18 Jan 2007 19:11:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-740126 I think this is a great way to get users involved while providing a more powerful and tangible brand impact. I think this is a great way to get users involved while providing a more powerful and tangible brand impact.

]]> By: Jacques Roizen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739902 Jacques Roizen Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:03:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739902 I too believe that online contest sites will see a fantastic growth this year. Shycast seems like a very good play to me. The reason why large corporations are in fact interested in running a contest on a 3rd-party website is not because they can't do it themselves, but because they don’t want the headache of having to manage it from beginning to end. This is the typical type of operations that focus marketing executives want to outsource with a rigorous list of specifications, but without having to allocate the resources required to reinventing a wheel that Shycast has developed far further than any Fortune 500 like Ikea would ever want to. I too believe that online contest sites will see a fantastic growth this year. Shycast seems like a very good play to me. The reason why large corporations are in fact interested in running a contest on a 3rd-party website is not because they can’t do it themselves, but because they don’t want the headache of having to manage it from beginning to end. This is the typical type of operations that focus marketing executives want to outsource with a rigorous list of specifications, but without having to allocate the resources required to reinventing a wheel that Shycast has developed far further than any Fortune 500 like Ikea would ever want to.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739661 Andrew Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:49:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739661 In a world where user-created content generates measurable buzz, this looks like a smart play. Brands need interaction--that leads to name recognition. The differentiator here (from YouTube, for instance) is the combination of focus (contests) and end-user creativity. Brands will realize value from this as soon as they can measure the level of interaction between site visitors and branded content. In a world where user-created content generates measurable buzz, this looks like a smart play. Brands need interaction–that leads to name recognition. The differentiator here (from YouTube, for instance) is the combination of focus (contests) and end-user creativity.

Brands will realize value from this as soon as they can measure the level of interaction between site visitors and branded content.

]]> By: Rajeev Vashisht http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739637 Rajeev Vashisht Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:41:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739637 User created content is getting formidable and intimidating to professionals by every passing day. Even mainstream is learning , Envying and emulating them. http://blogs.ibibo.com/TechnicalJournal User created content is getting formidable and intimidating to professionals by every passing day. Even mainstream is learning , Envying and emulating them.

http://blogs.ibibo.com/TechnicalJournal

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739513 Peter Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:00:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739513 I think this is brilliant - the logical next step in bridging the gap between advertising and entertainment. It will give the u-tubers a chance to profit from their hobby and get some great recognition. I think this is brilliant - the logical next step in bridging the gap between advertising and entertainment. It will give the u-tubers a chance to profit from their hobby and get some great recognition.

]]> By: Dr. Ye http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739314 Dr. Ye Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:52:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739314 There are a few mature branding techniques out there that are relevant to your site. Not sure if you have considered them. poll.yeswici.com and www.yeswici.com. There are a few mature branding techniques out there that are relevant to your site. Not sure if you have considered them.
poll.yeswici.com and http://www.yeswici.com.

]]> By: Kelli Mac http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739294 Kelli Mac Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:47:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739294 Comments from someone in Broadcast Sales Management... this could have a real local appeal to smaller advertisers as well - especially if the site was categorized by towns similar to a craig's list - this way the smaller local advertiser can reachout to their market area for contesting. With companies like Google looking to play a part locally, a company who figures out how to do it effectively and profitably might pull in more than you tube did. I happen to know that Ikea has cut back their national broadcast media buy for Q1... Could it be that they are looking into testing these "viral" opportunities? Hmmm....I think the answer is yes... Just don't host any water drinking contests. Comments from someone in Broadcast Sales Management… this could have a real local appeal to smaller advertisers as well - especially if the site was categorized by towns similar to a craig’s list - this way the smaller local advertiser can reachout to their market area for contesting. With companies like Google looking to play a part locally, a company who figures out how to do it effectively and profitably might pull in more than you tube did.

I happen to know that Ikea has cut back their national broadcast media buy for Q1… Could it be that they are looking into testing these “viral” opportunities? Hmmm….I think the answer is yes… Just don’t host any water drinking contests.

]]> By: LMP http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739177 LMP Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:05:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739177 Interesting idea that should work on several levels. Larger entities will go from promotion to promotion so it should come as no surprise that they will outsource this. It is faster, easier, and no big commitment. Getting people involved with your brand on a third party site - like reading articles in the newspaper planted by PR people work (unfortunately) and will likely work here too. All they need is some off the wall content and "they will come". Interesting idea that should work on several levels. Larger entities will go from promotion to promotion so it should come as no surprise that they will outsource this. It is faster, easier, and no big commitment. Getting people involved with your brand on a third party site - like reading articles in the newspaper planted by PR people work (unfortunately) and will likely work here too. All they need is some off the wall content and “they will come”.

]]> By: Drew Peloso http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739170 Drew Peloso Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:02:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/17/shycast-social-network-for-people-brands/#comment-739170 Ps – ginchy, I'm still chuckling about Brandy brandily branded her brands. Brandtastic. I totally hear ya. Ps – ginchy, I’m still chuckling about Brandy brandily branded her brands. Brandtastic. I totally hear ya.

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