SEMPO Tells Feds: Hands Off Google

The search trade association SEMPO sent a letter to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz asking for regulators to restrain their urge to regulate Google. In the letter SEMPO argues “Free-market innovation in the Search industry is a key element in ensuring that the Internet continues to serve humanity’s needs as our reservoir of vital information and empowerment. No one will be well served if this innovation dries up or is stifled by regulation.”

The letter presents a range of arguments, some of which have previously also been made on this site, about the dangers of regulating the SERP. It’s an impassioned plea for a “hands off” or “free market” approach.

To see the letter and more on this issue, visit SearchEngineLand

Everything You Need to Know About Google + Pages for Business

Since Google announced Google Plus is open to branded, business and place pages earlier this week, the internet (and Google Plus) has been hot with non stop action and talk about Google Plus. Is this what Google Plus needed to give them a boost? Just a few days ago, most of the talk about Google's new social network was comparing it to a ghost town. 

Here are a list of articles we have compiled to keep you on top of all the Google Plus business page information, tips, ideas and best practices:

Google Plus Your Business - The official page for businesses using Google+ to connect with their customers.

Google Webmaster Tools Google Plus Help Page

How to Get A Google Plus for Business Badge for Your Website
Gplus.to - Vanity URL and Shortner for G+ URLS

Ten Things You Need to Know About Google Plus - Slideshare presentation from one of SFIMA's founding board members Jay Berkowitz


Google Plus Now Open to Businesses (and how being on Google Plus affects search ranking) - SEO.cc Blog

A Look At Google+ Direct Connect For Google+ Pages - SearchEngineLand

Google Plus Branded Pages vs. Facebook Fan Pages - Mashable

How to Give your Page An Edge on Google+ - Blogher

What You Won't Like about Google+ Pages - MediaPost

Google+ Brand Pages Are the “Wild West”– for Now - Mashable

Google+ Launches Brand Pages, and Yes You Should Care - ClickZ

10 Tips and Tricks for Better Google+ Brand Pages - Mashable

Updated: Google+ Pages For Businesses: The AdWords Impact - SearchEngineLand

One Move That Would Guarantee Google+ Beats Facebook - ClickZ

Google Won’t Allow Contests And Promotions On Google+ Pages - TechCrunch

How People Use Smartphones While Watching TV

In preparation for our mobile commerce event this week, we are featuring this study from Nielsen, featured on Mashable, showing smartphone, tablet and other mobile activity that is NOT happening while people are mobile, but at home on the couch watching TV.

"So you watch TV without another screen to hand? You may soon be in the minority. TV viewing is increasingly becoming a multi-screen experience.

This is especially true for owners of tablets and smartphones in the U.S., 40% of whom use their devices while watching TV on a daily basis, according to data from Nielsen. In fact, only 12% of tablet owners and 13% of smartphone owners say they have never used those devices while watching TV.

What are we doing on those devices? More than half of smartphone or tablet owners are checking email during programs and commercial breaks, while around 45% are surfing the web for unrelated information. Some 42% are visiting social networking sites — a trend that is greater among women — and nearly a third are checking sports scores or looking up information related to the TV program they’re watching.

Fewer than 20% of them are looking up information related to ads they’ve seen on TV. Still, that’s a pretty significant amount."

Not registered yet for the SFIMA event in Miami on Thursday night 11/10/11? Register now online or at the door. If you can't make it, you can still participate (mobile) by sending your questions @SFIMA on Twitter or posting on SFIMA's Facbeook Page

SFIMA November Event: Smartphone & Mobile Marketing Plus #Tweetup

So half of the U.S. population has a smart phone. Now what? (co-hosted Tweetup with the South Florida Business Journal)

Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 pm at Jungle Island

Time: Networking: 6:30 - 7:15pm Presentation: 7:30 - 8:30pm - Place: Jungle Island (Treetop Ballroom) 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail Miami, FL 33132 Directions Register Here The South Florida Interactive Marketing Association (SFIMA) and the South Florida Business Journal will host their first-ever joint Tweetup on how to best leverage mobile in the marketing mix. Our real-time Twitter Wall at the event will serve up your questions live for our interactive panel discussion. Moderating the event will be Kelly Hogue of Millennial Media, Oscar Pedro Musibay, reporter at the South Florida Business Journal, who will also manage the Twitter Wall, and SFIMA's own Jeff Cohen on Twitter and Facebook. Panelists will discuss how consumers and businesses are moving rapidly into a new era of mobile. Due to increased usage and new technology, the mobile platform has truly become the “first screen” for marketers. Panelists: Anand Shah, COO, Threadless Sabrina Mehrok Galati, Media Director, Moxie Interactive Amy Mandelbaum, Interactive Marketing Manager, My Coke Rewards, The Coca-Cola Company Specifically, the following points will be addressed: How to leverage mobile applications, rich creative designs and custom mobile sites to enhance the user experience How mobile fits into the marketing mix How marketers are shifting from the desktop to mobile devices What the most effective mobile-marketing strategies and tactics are for reaching target audiences Join the conversation and post your questions to Twitter with hashtag #SFIMAtweetup. Questions can also be posted on facebook.com/SFIMA. If your question is read, you’ll automatically be entered into a raffle to win an iPad 2, courtesy of Millennial Media! Stay on top of all SFIMA events by liking us on Facebook (facebook.com/SFIMA) and following us on Twitter (@SFIMA).  Here are some pictures from our past events at Jungle Island's Tree Top Ballroom. The Jungle Island staff will once again be bringing some of the animals out to mingle with us during networking!

NNECruise Photos & Wrap Up

SFIMA just wrapped up another successful Nautical Networking Event. On Friday, October 21, 2011, SFIMA members, sponsors and guests boarded the Biscayne Lady yacht and sailed on the South Florida inter coastal waterway. Over 350 guests all decked out in white for our "White Hot on the Yacht" theme networked with industry peers and big brands while sipping cocktails and then had dinner on board in the yacht's dining room. The event was once again sold out and everyone had a great time. There was a pre-boarding press conference where SFIMA awarded a scholarship to Nova Southeastern University and an after party after the cruise was over. We have posted two albums of 200 pictures each from the even on the SFIMA Facebook Page, please check out the photos and feel free to tag yourself and friends and share the photos!