Ever the fashionable geeks, we rushed out the door to see what Facebook Deals was all about. And oh yes, pick up our free jeans from the Gap.

Unfortunately, as our short video clip shows, we were just seconds too late.

Gap’s Facebook move was a smart one and proves once again that Gap is a leader in the social media space. In August, Gap partnered with Chicago-based Groupon to give customers a deal for $25 off a purchase of $50. It was the first nationwide Groupon deal, ultimately bringing in $11 million in revenue, according to Tech Crunch.

And, as we wrote about in October and again this week, Gap turned to its fans and followers to fix its logo’s botched redesign.

For small and medium-sized businesses, Facebook Deals could be huge. The key word, though, is “could.” Because while Facebook has more than 200,000,000 mobile users, for now only iPhone and Android users can access Facebook Deals.

Should Facebook Deals roll out to all smart phones, it will be a game-changer for businesses who want to get people in their stores and, most importantly, to tell their own friends to meet them there.

-Tracy Samantha Schmidt

The post #FreeJeansFail: Testing Facebook Deals appeared first on 435 Digital.

What does this mean exactly? For businesses, it means growing a network of loyal users who will talk honestly and passionately about your brand on sites like Facebook and Twitter and in the blogosphere. Done right, your business will be able to count on your network to give you feedback, ideas and ultimately act as unofficial brand ambassadors.

You’ve likely heard about different brands that have had to pull products from shelves or redesign their redesigned logos due to negative consumer reaction. In October, we wrote about the viral uproar around Gap’s new logo .

Within 24 hours of introducing the new logo, Gap loyalists across Twitter, Facebook and the blogosphere were enranged with the redesigned logo. Gap could have ignored them, but wisely Gap did just the opposite. Gap asked their fans and followers for new design ideas to replace the old and new logos. In fact, Gap began referring to it as their “crowd-sourcing logo project.”

This shows that when you listen to your network, you create relationships with them. These relationships turn into engagement opportunities, which in turn can develop into opportunities that generate profit.

Another example of counting on your network is the launch of the new 2012 Ford Focus through a program called Focus Rally: America.

Here, Ford takes social media relationships and engagement to the next level. Starting in February, five digitally-savvy teams will compete in a 5-week cross-country road rally. Along the way, they will face a series of different challenges and will need to rely on their social media networks to help them win.

The entire race will be captured by a team of Emmy-winning producers and will air on Hulu.com, the online video network.The ultimate prize is $100,000 and ten brand-spankin’ new Ford Focuses for the winning team and the people from their network who helped them.

Much like successful reality television series’ such as American Idol and The Real World, Focus Rally: America is holding live casting sessions all across the nation giving the show an unscripted touch. As Ford creates buzz for the Rally and uses it as a mega-engager, they will be growing an engaged network of fans and followers.

Down the line, that network will come in handy for Ford when it needs to count on its own network.

-HANA YI

The post 435 Social Media A-Z: C is for Count On Your Network appeared first on 435 Digital.

In an attempt to be more “contemporary” and “modern” the all-American retailer spit out a new logo that ended up becoming a complete mockery of the brand. The new logo with Helvetica style lettering and a small, off-centered blue box has sparked quite the uproar and viral effect.

The effect is actually pretty humorous. In less than 24 hours, a parody Twitter account was created tweeting things like, “If you people think I’m part of some sort of sanctioned, planned ‘social media strategy’ I have some PREMIUM 1969 jeans to sell you.” In addition to this, a “Crap Logo Yourself” website also popped up giving you the option to type in any three- to 10-character word and get a “crap logo” which is essentially whatever you type in replacing the word “Gap” in the new logo format.

In response to all of the hate buzz, Gap has clearly decided to change their direction with the logo in an attempt to stop the negativity. Through their social media platforms, they are addressing the issue by asking fans and followers for design ideas to replace the new and old logos.

A company spokesperson said in the next few days, Gap will be sharing the results from the details gathered on “Gap’s crowd-sourcing logo project.”

Good thing Gap is reacting fast to all the user-generated commentary by asking their critics what they want to see.

It’s important to note here that the general public (Gap shoppers or not) was very aggressive in voicing their opinion of the brand image change. Given the response, it’s a smart move on Gap’s part to open it up to those who want to share their vision.

By opening the doors of communication, this national retailer was able to engage their customers and fill the communications “Gap.”—HANA YI

The post Viral Uproar: The New Gap Logo is a No Go appeared first on 435 Digital.