DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s spectacular follow up to the Academy Award®-nominated original debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on Panda 2sday, December 13, 2011. Visit http://www.kungfucoupon.com/ to receive a $5 Online Coupon for Kung Fu Panda 2 from 12/13 – 12/25.

Twitter announced the launch of Brand Pages today, giving brands the opportunity to provide a richer user experience on the micro blogging platform. Part of a much larger redesign, this is the first time Twitter has provided tools specifically for brands. The new features give brands more control over the way they present themselves in social media, however, the impact these changes will have on consumer interaction with brands on Twitter are not certain.

Should you wish to discuss these or any other social media topics, please feel free to reach out to us via Twitter (@m80im).

Twitter Brand Page Features

Three changes are reflected in the Brand Page layout – each improving the way brands present themselves. The new features are currently free for brands to implement. These changes are Twitter’s first steps in designing a brand page experience, and are important moves to draw new advertisers and publishers into establishing and maintaining accounts.

The redesigned Disney-Pixar brand page and the page in its current form.

• Design elements. As shown in the Disney-Pixar example above, a brand-controlled banner will be presented under the page’s masthead, giving designers a larger canvas to work with. Beneath that, the visual organization has been flipped – placing Tweets at right, with the Twitter text entry field, various counts of followers, “followings,” lists, and photos.
• Arranging Filtering Tweets. Brands will now be able to “feature” a selected Tweet to remain at the top of their profile while having the option to filter out @replies and Retweets.
• Displaying Media In-line. The linked photos and videos brands include in their Tweets will now be automatically displayed on their page.

What this means for brands on Twitter

Overall, the redesign makes the platform more intuitive and friendlier to new users. Twitter has given brands the opportunity to put their best foot forward on their brand pages – working hard to convert visitors into followers through nicely designed, content rich experiences. By combining the banner, profile picture and background image, brand design teams now have the opportunity to make beautiful experiences. Filtering Tweets is a bit of a mixed blessing – while content creators will no doubt be happy to show off the photos and videos first, the real power in Twitter comes from the direct brand/consumer interactions fostered by the platform.

Macy's page under the new design, without the banner element

What this means for consumers on Twitter

These changes may have surprisingly little impact for many Twitter users. According to the 2011 Pew Internet and American Life Project, 54% of Twitter users access the service via mobile devices. Combine that with an audience primarily accessing Twitter using desktop applications like Tweetdeck, interfacing with brands through the “sliding panel” design feature on Twitter.com, viewing tweets through various api’s and embedded feeds on 3^rd party websites, and connecting to brands through their distributed “Follow” button… fewer users visit brands’ profiles (and now pages) than one might initially expect.

Users can follow Zach Galifianakis directly from his IMDB.com profile page or from within Tweetdeck.

The changes should drive more users to visit Brand Pages due to the newly enhanced user experience. Users may, however, just visit these brand pages without following brands, or be more likely to unfollow brands. By filtering the content available on the brand’s page, new followers might get a skewed understanding of what content the brand brings to its users as they follow, quickly yielding un-follows.

The bottom line

Much like tabs on Facebook or custom pages on Google+, Twitter has given brands a toolkit to better present themselves visually. Brands on twitter will no longer just push content to followers, but try to become a destination. This makes twitter more of a Facebook challenger than it was before. Where Twitter stands apart, though, is the high use of effective alternative means to access one’s feeds – yielding fewer visits to a brands’ official Twitter.com page and exposing fewer users to these changes.

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KUNG FU PANDA 2,  DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s spectacular follow up to the Academy Award®-nominated original debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on Panda 2sday, December 13, 2011.  Combining non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation, the “winning sequel” (USA Today) delighted viewers of all ages with its engaging story that is both “hilarious and full of heart” (WABC-TV).  The film earned more than $650 million at the global box office, making it one of the top five films of the year worldwide.  In addition to the smash hit film, the KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Packs feature the exclusive debut of the all-new Po adventure Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters plus two free memberships to the popular online game universe Kung Fu Panda World.  Packed with even more panda-rific bonus features, the KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Packs will be available with expected pricing as low as $25 on DVD and $30 on Blu-ray.  Consumers who purchase this DreamWorks Animation signature entertainment experience on Panda 2sday will get both an awesome and affordable holiday gift – over $75 in value.

In the action-filled companion story Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters, Po and the Furious Five uncover the legend of three of kung fu’s greatest heroes: Master Thundering Rhino, Master Storming Ox and Master Croc.  Kids can then follow in Po’s footsteps to become a kung fu master with Kung Fu Panda World, the virtual online game universe where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more.

Featuring an all-star cast of voice talent including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride and Jean-Claude Van Damme, KUNG FU PANDA 2 will also be available on a single-disc DVD and in the Kung Fu Panda Collection on either DVD or Blu-ray, which includes both movies, Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters, two free online game memberships to Kung Fu Panda World, and loads of additional fun.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack delivers a punch with smashing features including:
Disc 1:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”—See the debut of an episode of Nickelodeon’s brand new television series.
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast—Meet the new faces who have joined Po’s journey including
Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber and Michelle Yeoh and catch up with the returning cast.
•    Deleted Scenes—Check out three scenes with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary—Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden discuss the making of the film.
•    World of DreamWorks Animation—Enjoy promos and more.
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek—A first look at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular.
Disc 2:
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters— Po’s all-new adventure.
Additional bonus features:
•    Panda Stories—A look at the animals that inspired Kung Fu Panda and footage of Jack Black’s visit to the Atlanta Zoo to meet Po’s real-life namesake.
•    Kung Fu Shuffle—Master Shifu teaches the best way to find a hidden radish in an update of the classic shell game.
•    Ni Hao—Learn Chinese!  Choose from more than 50 Kung Fu Panda-inspired words and learn how to say and draw the symbol in Chinese.
•    DVD-ROM:
o    Legend of the Wu Sisters Game—This exciting game features the three feline villains from Secrets of the Masters.
o    Printables—Coloring pages, connect the dots, 3D fortune tellers, stand-up 3D characters, pencil toppers and mazes!

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack includes the following:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters
Blu-ray Exclusive bonus features:
•    Animation Inspiration—Follow Po and the Furious Five on their journey throughout China!  See footage of real locations that served as inspiration for the film and learn fun, kid-friendly facts about China.
•    The Animators’ Corner—Features interviews with creators, animators, cast and crew, along with storyboards, music and commentary.
•    Trivia Track—Pop up trivia, Po style.
Additional bonus features:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast
•    Deleted Scenes
•    Panda Stories
•    Kung Fu Shuffle
•    Ni Hao
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary
•    World of DreamWorks Animation
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek

Disc 2 (DVD):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Digital Copy

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Synopsis: Jack Black is back as Po in DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2, the fiercely funny, “winning sequel” (Scott Bowles, USA TODAY ) to the Academy Award® nominated original film.  In his biggest challenge since becoming the Dragon Warrior, Po must lead his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five, on a mission of epic proportions to defeat his most threatening rival yet. KUNG FU PANDA 2 packs a powerful punch that combines non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation in an all-new, awesome adventure!

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA: SECRETS OF THE MASTERS Synopsis:
In this all-new Kung Fu Panda adventure debuting exclusively on DVD and Blu-ray, Po and the Furious Five uncover the legend of three of kung fu’s greatest heroes: Master Thundering Rhino, Master Storming Ox and Master Croc.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA WORLD Synopsis: The online virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a Kung Fu black belt, chat with friends and more!

Image:

Audi, always proud to be a ‘first,’ is one of the first automakers to join Instagram, sharing exclusive images to an excitingly engaged community. The results? Over 2,500 followers in 5 weeks, a “Like” rate of 200 per image, and an average daily growth rate of 64 followers*. Not bad. And as a testimonial to the devoted Audi fan base, the community’s engagement is increasing on the daily. What’s that devoted Audi fan base? Keep posting beautiful photos of your favorite Audi models? K. No, you’re the best.

Starting an Instagram account for your brand? First, ask yourself this question: Does your brand have worthwhile and stimulating images to share? Be. Honest. If yes, get started with these tips.

Tip 1: Hashtagging! So Insta-important, the company had to impose a limit per photo. Hashtagging isn’t unique to Instagram, but utilizing this search/categorizing system will increase awareness of your brand’s Insta-activity. Develop a hashtag to include with each photo to a) build a cache of your brand’s photos and b) encourage followers to brand-tag their content and in doing so, you’ll have insights into the type of content your followers are sharing. Also, be adventurous with your hashtagging! Identify popular, relevant tags to include with your images so they’ll appear in a variety of feeds. You’ll revel in your increasing engagement. WARNING: Please be responsible. Relevant hashtagging is acceptable, desperate hashtagging is just sad.

Tip 2: Pay Attention! Which images are your followers responding to the most? What time of day/day of the week shows the most follower engagement? Third-party sites like Webstagram and Statigram offer usage and profile statistics. Use them in determining your Insta-moves.

Tip 3: Be Active! Engage with users and photos that sync with your brand messaging. We check #Audi daily to find new photos, connect with potential and existing followers and build awareness of Audi’s Instagram activity. Also, are people commenting on your photos? RESPOND.

#ThatsHowYouWin. Or in this case, #ThatsHowYouFallInLove.

Using Instagram? Follow @Audi for beautiful photos of handsome vehicles.

JaKenna Gilbert is a member of the Audi social media team and also loves Instagram. A lot.

*Statistics courtesy of Statigram.

Benji Chu is the founder of Run for Change, a bi-weekly running group and annual 5k road race for the homeless and lower income individuals in Vancouver’s downtown east side. Having run more than 30 marathons, he knows through personal experience that running can change a person’s life. Benji has made it his goal to change the lives of those he works with on a weekly basis through a commitment to running and exercise.

Called “a mind-blowing masterpiece” , writer/director J.J. Abrams’ breathtaking adventure SUPER 8 debuts in a Blu-ray™/DVD Combo Pack with Digital Copy November 22, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Visit http://www.super8coupon.com/ from 11/22 – 11/27 to receive a coupon for $5 off your DVD or Blu-ray purchase.

After three very exciting weeks during which our 10 finalists competed for your vote, we are now proud to announce our winner: Shwood, a handcrafted eyewear manufacturer from Portland, Ore., is America’s Favorite Small Business.

Shwood will be receiving $25,000 in Dell products preloaded with Windows® 7 Professional & Microsoft® Office Home and Business, plus a $50,000 prepaid card from MasterCard. And that’s just the beginning. Oct. 25 marks the premiere of our web reality series starring Shwood. Get to know their story and watch them face the challenges that every small business has to overcome in their pursuit of success.

Get on board the Dinosaur Train with Buddy, an adorable dinosaur, and his adoptive Pteranodon family as they embark on nine whimsical voyages in the DINOSAUR TRAIN:  T-REX TALES DVD available from PBS Home Video and Paramount Home Entertainment.  In these special adventures, Buddy travels to Rexville, home of the Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs, and learns that he too is a Tyrannosaurus!

Kids can learn fun and fascinating new facts about the dinosaurs while traveling through prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans.  “Dinosaur Train” embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills.  Perfectly timed to the holiday gift-giving season, the DINOSAUR TRAIN: T-REX TALES DVD includes a bonus holiday episode, interactive games, coloring pages, Dr. Scott’s Segments and a reference guide for parents.

Street Date: November 29th, 2011
Specifications:    Widescreen with Dolby Digital English Stereo and English SDH subtitles
Rating:    U.S. – Not Rated; Canada – G
Runtime:    Approximately 115 minutes
SRP:    $12.99 U.S.; $13.99 Canada

Shwood Handcraft Wooden Eyewear, a Portland, OR. based company that creates beautiful wooden sunglasses from sustainably harvested wood, was chosen as Dell’s favorite small business and now they have an online reality show. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look of what it takes to run an innovative business. Can the Shwood team overcome the challenges that every small business faces?

Recently, Dell–in partnership with Mastercard and Microsoft– invited small business owners to create and submit a video about their business for a chance to win $75,000 in cash and prizes, plus star in their very own online reality show. The jury selected 10 finalists, but America decided the winner: Shwood Handcrafted Wooden Eyewear.

Watch more episodes after the jump.

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