This week, the SPI team is introducing a new weekly feature to its blog where stations will be able to share their opinions and discuss popular topics in public media. Joining the discussion is simple - just share your thoughts in the comments section of each week's discussion post. This week's topic is mobile technology.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION >>
Friday, February 25, 2011
Social Media Check-Up Webinar Archive
In case you missed the PBSi Social Media Check up on Thursday, February 24, an archive of the event is available here:
· Social Media Check-up Part I
· Social Media Check-up Part II
The webinar, presented by Nic Eley, Melanie Phung, and Jonathan Coffman from PBS Interactive, was designed to compliment the LIVE demo of Cover It Live, which can be accessed on Producers Exchange under Social Media Products. The team also provided an update on all PBS social media products with metrics, standout examples, and roadmaps for what’s to come.
· Social Media Check-up Part I
· Social Media Check-up Part II
The webinar, presented by Nic Eley, Melanie Phung, and Jonathan Coffman from PBS Interactive, was designed to compliment the LIVE demo of Cover It Live, which can be accessed on Producers Exchange under Social Media Products. The team also provided an update on all PBS social media products with metrics, standout examples, and roadmaps for what’s to come.
Be a Winner: #FAILfaire Needs Failures
PBSi is producing a #FAILfaire session at this year’s PBS Annual Meeting in Orlando, May 16-19. We are looking for some brave speakers from local stations to share failures and lessons learned. In an effort to create an open and honest dialogue, the session will not be Tweeted so please consider participating in this unique event. Please contact Jayme Swain, jsswain@pbs.org, if you are interested in participating or learning more.
Merlin Update: The Journey Continues
The SPI team is proud to announce that Merlin's first batch of new pupils has successfully completed its on-boarding cycle and is now actively promoting local content on PBS.org. Over the past few weeks, these 18 PBS stations have been diligently studying the intricacies of Merlin's web magic. Now, their content is being promoted to audiences in exciting new ways.
Starting next week, a new batch of stations will be entering the Merlin classroom – If your station is interested in being included in a future Merlin on-boarding cycle, don’t hesitate to send us an email.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Starting next week, a new batch of stations will be entering the Merlin classroom – If your station is interested in being included in a future Merlin on-boarding cycle, don’t hesitate to send us an email.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Friday, February 18, 2011
Geo-Filtering Station Content from PBS's Facebook Page
Written by Kevin Dando, Director, GA Digital Marketing & Communications, PBS
Do you know that Facebook allows “brand pages” (like PBS’s page) to geo-filter its posts? Using this functionality, for example, the PBS Facebook page can post an item about an event or news story that can ONLY be seen by people in Denver or Sacramento or Florida (or whatever city or state we’d want to target).
Recently, the PBS Facebook page has been using this capability more frequently to promote local events like ITVS’s Community Cinema Program. What does this mean for you?
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Do you know that Facebook allows “brand pages” (like PBS’s page) to geo-filter its posts? Using this functionality, for example, the PBS Facebook page can post an item about an event or news story that can ONLY be seen by people in Denver or Sacramento or Florida (or whatever city or state we’d want to target).
Recently, the PBS Facebook page has been using this capability more frequently to promote local events like ITVS’s Community Cinema Program. What does this mean for you?
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Your Station's January Localization Stats Available in SRC
Interested in how many visitors to pbs.org have selected your station as the one they prefer?
Did you know that pbs.org visitors that have selected a preferred station tend to spend more time on the site, and view more pages than the average visitor?
To see how pbs.org visitors with affinity to your station measure up, check out the January edition of the monthly Localized Traffic Report, available in Station Remote Control: http://to.pbs.org/a5Bc5F
Did you know that pbs.org visitors that have selected a preferred station tend to spend more time on the site, and view more pages than the average visitor?
To see how pbs.org visitors with affinity to your station measure up, check out the January edition of the monthly Localized Traffic Report, available in Station Remote Control: http://to.pbs.org/a5Bc5F
FYI Corner: Facebook's New Pages
Written by Daryl Johnston, Station Products & Innovation Intern
You may have noticed that Facebook has once again begun rolling out several updates to its popular social networking service. In particular, the recent changes affect Facebook Pages used by many PBS member stations. But have no fear, the SPI FYI Corner is here to help you navigate through Facebook’s new design!
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
You may have noticed that Facebook has once again begun rolling out several updates to its popular social networking service. In particular, the recent changes affect Facebook Pages used by many PBS member stations. But have no fear, the SPI FYI Corner is here to help you navigate through Facebook’s new design!
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Best Practices Update: Station Site Examples
The PBS Best Practices wiki has been updated with a new page!
One of the first steps to understanding good web design is finding and exploring actual web sites that were built with strong design principles. The PBS Interactive design team has prepared reviews of three station sites from across the system that include well-designed site elements. These examples should help give real-world context to the best practices and suggestions outlined in other parts of the PBS Best Practices wiki. As you read the reviews listed on this page, try exploring these station sites in search of inspiration for your own redesign. While keeping PBS’s web best practices in mind, try making a list of features and design elements that you would like to include on your station's site.
Link: http://projects.pbs.org/confluence/display/bestpractices/3.1+Station+Site+Examples
One of the first steps to understanding good web design is finding and exploring actual web sites that were built with strong design principles. The PBS Interactive design team has prepared reviews of three station sites from across the system that include well-designed site elements. These examples should help give real-world context to the best practices and suggestions outlined in other parts of the PBS Best Practices wiki. As you read the reviews listed on this page, try exploring these station sites in search of inspiration for your own redesign. While keeping PBS’s web best practices in mind, try making a list of features and design elements that you would like to include on your station's site.
Link: http://projects.pbs.org/confluence/display/bestpractices/3.1+Station+Site+Examples
The SPI Blog Goes Mobile
Do you constantly crave the latest news and updates about innovation in public media, no matter where are?
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Friday, February 11, 2011
PBSNews.org DataStories: Opportunity to Create a Custom Project for your Station
Information is flying at us from all directions -- how do we help our users sort through it?
One of the story forms PBSNews.org will be using (launching in weeks) is what we call DataStories; taking hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions of numbers, or massive unwieldy public documents, and making it possible for our average Web user to use that information to better understand some aspect of our world.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
One of the story forms PBSNews.org will be using (launching in weeks) is what we call DataStories; taking hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions of numbers, or massive unwieldy public documents, and making it possible for our average Web user to use that information to better understand some aspect of our world.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
FYI Corner: Valentine's Day Special - The Communications Break-Up
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and according to a study by Yahoo! Personals, this marks the end to National Break-Up Season, a period that starts around the December holidays and is marked by an increase in couple break-ups. So before this unofficial holiday season ends, FYI Corner is looking at reasons why online users break-up with brands.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Project Merlin - Who Wants In?
Have you heard? Stations are seeing increases in traffic to their sites by promoting their content on pbs.org through Project Merlin.We are starting the second and third on-boarding cycles for setting stations up with access to Project Merlin. If you missed the call around the holidays, we've re-opened the survey for stations to sign up:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/merlin-rollout
More information on Merlin is available in the Merlin Resource Center in Station Remote Control. Contact us at pbsi_stationservices@pbs.org if you have any questions.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/merlin-rollout
More information on Merlin is available in the Merlin Resource Center in Station Remote Control. Contact us at pbsi_stationservices@pbs.org if you have any questions.
NCME Webinar: Dropout Awareness and Youth Engagement Initiative Public Media Community Hub Application
Wednesday, February 16, 1:00 p.m. -2:00p.m. ET
NCME will host an informational webinar about CPB's Dropout Awareness and Youth Engagement Initiative Public Media Community Hub Application RFP. Twelve, $200,000 (approx.) grants will be awarded to public media stations that develop and implement effective plants to positively impact the dropout crisis in partnership with local education, community, civic, corporate and other relevant organizations.
Representatives from CPB will discuss the grant opportunity, review the application process and answer any questions.
To register for the webinar visit: http://mediaengage.org/renewUpgrade/webinars/cpb.cfm
NCME will host an informational webinar about CPB's Dropout Awareness and Youth Engagement Initiative Public Media Community Hub Application RFP. Twelve, $200,000 (approx.) grants will be awarded to public media stations that develop and implement effective plants to positively impact the dropout crisis in partnership with local education, community, civic, corporate and other relevant organizations.
Representatives from CPB will discuss the grant opportunity, review the application process and answer any questions.
To register for the webinar visit: http://mediaengage.org/renewUpgrade/webinars/cpb.cfm
2010 PBS KIDS GO! Web Development Grant Winners Announced
The 2010 PBS KIDS GO! Web Development Grants have been awarded. Seven stations are now working to create incredible, locally-relevant, replicable online experiences for kids. This year's projects span mobile and web platforms with an eye toward getting kids and their families out into the community. An additional seven stations are being mentored by the aforementioned grantees with a goal of creating a community engagement plan and prototyping the interactive component of that plan.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
UPDATED: Mobile Strategy Deck for Stations Version 2 - Now Available for Download
The Mobile Strategy Deck for Stations has been updated with new statistics, mobile trends and product roadmap information and is available in Station Remote Control. Highlights of the update include:
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
- Detailed US Smartphone adoption by age
- Habits of mobile web users while watching television
- Mobile video usage statistics
- A shift in Smartphone platform rankings
- A new PBS mobile products roadmap
- New information on the hybrid Mobile Web Apps
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Thursday, February 10, 2011
NCME Webinar: Learning with The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!™
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET
NCME and KQED will host a webinar to introduce PBS station outreach, education, and community engagement staff to opportunities for educational community engagement using this series and website resources. Join in to learn about resources for building science explorers in your community.
To register for this webinar visit http://mediaengage.org/renewUpgrade/webinars/02-16-11.cfm .
NCME and KQED will host a webinar to introduce PBS station outreach, education, and community engagement staff to opportunities for educational community engagement using this series and website resources. Join in to learn about resources for building science explorers in your community.
To register for this webinar visit http://mediaengage.org/renewUpgrade/webinars/02-16-11.cfm .
Friday, February 4, 2011
iMA Conference, Partnering with SXSW Interactive
In case you haven’t heard, iMA is partnering with SXSW Interactive this year, March 10-15, 2011. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about and connect with the most innovative initiatives in pub media AND attend the world’s premier conference on emerging trends. Both events in one travel budget. Every session is focused on giving you ways to make a difference immediately! Here is a glimpse of what you’ll see at iMA:
For answers to all your iMa questions, contact Jeannie Ericson (jericson@integratedmedia.org), 404.822.6123.
- Jason Seiken (PBS) and Kinsey Wilson (NPR) explaining their Local / National Strategies and ways for you to take advantage of them.
- How to create a mobile strategy that makes sense and examples of the best mobile apps.
- How to ensure success on-line by incorporating web analytics into your business planning.
For answers to all your iMa questions, contact Jeannie Ericson (jericson@integratedmedia.org), 404.822.6123.
PBS Social Media Stats for January 2011
Perhaps you received a message from PBS’s Director, GA Digital Marketing & Communications, Kevin Dando announcing that PBS is doing the largest hyper-targeted Facebook ad campaign PBS has ever done or you’ve noticed that the PBS Facebook Fan Page has surpassed 500,000 fans – either way this is great news for stations as you can leverage PBS for your own promotions.
Next week we’ll have more details on how you can set up your own social media dashboards and tracking. In the meantime, we’d like to share some of our January stats regarding PBS’s major social media outposts, with comparison to December’s numbers.
PBS KIDS Facebook Fans: 28,875 (up 10% over previous month)
PBS KIDS Facebook Monthly Impressions: 1,326,763 (up 33% over previous month)
PBS KIDS Twitter Followers: 6,003 (up 13% over previous month)
PBS Facebook Fans: 481,049 (up 2% over previous month)
PBS Facebook Monthly Impressions: 98,786,112 (up 18% over previous month)
PBS Twitter Followers: 637,955 (up 2% over previous month)
PBS YouTube Videos Viewed: 4,462,846 (up 12% over previous month -- all time monthly high)
Sources:
Twitter follower data source: www.twittercounter.com
YouTube view source: TubeMogul
Facebook data source: Facebook Insights (fans calculated as of the first of the month)
The entire FY 2011 social media stats dashboard is at http://to.pbs.org/socialstatsfy2011
Next week we’ll have more details on how you can set up your own social media dashboards and tracking. In the meantime, we’d like to share some of our January stats regarding PBS’s major social media outposts, with comparison to December’s numbers.
PBS KIDS Facebook Fans: 28,875 (up 10% over previous month)
PBS KIDS Facebook Monthly Impressions: 1,326,763 (up 33% over previous month)
PBS KIDS Twitter Followers: 6,003 (up 13% over previous month)
PBS Facebook Fans: 481,049 (up 2% over previous month)
PBS Facebook Monthly Impressions: 98,786,112 (up 18% over previous month)
PBS Twitter Followers: 637,955 (up 2% over previous month)
PBS YouTube Videos Viewed: 4,462,846 (up 12% over previous month -- all time monthly high)
Sources:
Twitter follower data source: www.twittercounter.com
YouTube view source: TubeMogul
Facebook data source: Facebook Insights (fans calculated as of the first of the month)
The entire FY 2011 social media stats dashboard is at http://to.pbs.org/socialstatsfy2011
Improve your SEO: Five Easy Steps for Better On-Page Optimization
Improving your search engine optimization (SEO) doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Although investing in SEO audits, rethinking site structure and information architectures, developing a stronger SEO-focused content strategy, and other ‘big picture’ projects can create significant benefits in the effectiveness of your site’s organic web traffic, it never hurts to start with the basics. By simply understanding what search keywords your station should be targeting and applying our five easy steps for better on-page optimization, your station can start improving its SEO today. When consistently applied, the steps outlined in this guide can immediately impact your pages' search relevancy, which will help you improve search engine rankings across the board. Additionally, the cumulative effect of better rankings, higher click-through rate to your site, and stronger engagement by visitors who land on your pages drives better performance all around.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
Make Your Local News Coverage National: Health Care Law
This is your chance to ensure your own community’s news coverage is included in a national spotlight. PBSNews.org needs your links to online articles, interviews, investigations, videos, and data collections related to the health care law.
This is a great opportunity to drive traffic to news and information on your web presence. If your station has covered health care law on your site, please send your links or any questions you might have to Matt Vree, PBSNews.org Senior Producer (mdvree@pbs.org).
This is a great opportunity to drive traffic to news and information on your web presence. If your station has covered health care law on your site, please send your links or any questions you might have to Matt Vree, PBSNews.org Senior Producer (mdvree@pbs.org).
Baby Zimmerman, Coming Soon
The time is near to add the newest member to the SPI team as baby Zimmerman is due to arrive in the next couple of weeks. I will be out on maternity leave beginning the week of February 21st through the end of May and while I will miss the daily interaction with working adults, my responsibilities will be covered by the SPI team, which I feel so lucky to be a part of and I thank them in advance for their help while I’m out.
As many of you know, I am the PBS Interactive lead on all things TV Schedules for station sites, including the relationship between PBS and Rovi, our online data provider for TV Schedules information. I have left this core product in good hands, so fear not. If issues, questions or concerns arise, please send them to pbsi_stationservices@pbs.org and you will be assisted.
For initial assistance and general TV Schedule questions, please visit the TV Schedules Resource Center in Station Remote Control here: http://www.pbs.org/remote.control/toolsindex/services/TV%20Schedules%20Resource%20Center/index.html
While the road that lies ahead will no doubt be filled with sleepless nights, I’m excited to finally “join the club” of parenthood and welcome any tips, suggestions, or wonderful stories from your experiences as I head down this exciting, but unfamiliar road of being a new mommy.
Take care and be safe during this crazy winter weather!
Meaghan
As many of you know, I am the PBS Interactive lead on all things TV Schedules for station sites, including the relationship between PBS and Rovi, our online data provider for TV Schedules information. I have left this core product in good hands, so fear not. If issues, questions or concerns arise, please send them to pbsi_stationservices@pbs.org and you will be assisted.
For initial assistance and general TV Schedule questions, please visit the TV Schedules Resource Center in Station Remote Control here: http://www.pbs.org/remote.control/toolsindex/services/TV%20Schedules%20Resource%20Center/index.html
While the road that lies ahead will no doubt be filled with sleepless nights, I’m excited to finally “join the club” of parenthood and welcome any tips, suggestions, or wonderful stories from your experiences as I head down this exciting, but unfamiliar road of being a new mommy.
Take care and be safe during this crazy winter weather!
Meaghan
FYI Corner: Facebook Insights, Socially Aware Metrics
By now, many people swear by Google Analytics to decipher all of their internet metrics, but using Google to get the right analytics for social sites can be difficult. Enter Facebook Insights: a free tool for Facebook Page owners and Platform developers that provides real-time metrics and can help stations always post the best content.
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
READ THE WHOLE STORY TO LEARN MORE >>
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