TAKA DESIGNS

A while back I wrote about UCLA Happenings implementation of Facebook’s Social Widgets using the ‘Like’ button, and how it can lead to higher click-through rates, traffic referrals and more engagement for websites. To quickly recap, “The ‘Like’ button lets a user share your content with friends on Facebook. When the user clicks the ‘Like’ button on your website, a story appears in the user’s friends’ News Feed with a link back to your website.”

A recent article by CNN talks about the impact of the ‘Like’ button and the results are impressive:  “ABC News reported a 190 percent increase; Gawker’s traffic shot up by 200 percent; Sporting News said their site traffic was up by a shocking 500 percent; and NBA.com said that Facebook had become their second-largest referral source.”

Since implementing in April of 2010, UCLA Happenings has also seen a large referral of traffic from Facebook.  Facebook has become one of our top ten referral sites for traffic and continues to be an important factor in keeping users enagaged on the site.

A few weeks ago I barely knew who Roger Federer was.  And now it seems like he is everywhere. His viral video for Gillette caused a huge sensation online. He’s the brand ambassador for Lindt Chocolate and a commercial he shot for them is now airing nationwide.

And then he goes and does this amazing between-the-legs shot AGAIN at the US Open (he did one last year as well) and grabs our attention even more:

Roger Federer, you are on a roll. Just don’t do what Tiger Woods did…

Check out some interesting links from the past week:

• Photoshop Scripts: Hidden Magic – (Viget) Custom Photoshop scripts that can do things like remove the word “Copy” from all the layers you create or close without having to click on the save pop up window for every item.
• Buyer beware: Misleading HDMI cable labels suggest needless upgrades – (MSNBC) “Cable makers and dealers make money exploiting the ignorance of TV buyers.” Is this unethical marketing, or pure genius?
• Fast Food Advertising vs Reality – Love this comparison of fast food chains products that are advertised vs what they really look like when you buy them.
• United and Continental airlines designing brand as they prepare for wedding – (LA Times) – How the merger of United and Continental is affecting their brand and loyal customers.
• 15 Logos With Hidden Messages – (Web Design Ledger) Some famous logos with hidden messages you may not have even noticed.
• Nordstrom Links Online Inventory to Real World – (New York Times) A look at how Nordstrom is using the power of the web to push sales in its stores.

Around Los Angeles I’ve been noticing a new ad campaign by Kraft’s Macaroni and Cheese. They vary in messaging, but the look and branding are all the same. They always consist of a message with the tagline: You know you love it.

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Check out some interesting links from the past week:

• The Real-Time Web Is A Big Problem For The Web – Are our expectations quickly changing with real-time news?
• jQuery Image Scroller Plugin – Love this solution to tackle a design related problem with large image layouts!
• Google, Verizon and net neutrality: what does it mean? – A nice summary of what net neutrality is and what all the talk is about with Google and Verizon.