From What’s Now To What’s Next

LPP is keeping a finger on the pulse of top industry headlines and conversations buzzing around social media, so you don't have to. Below is this week's round-up to serve as information and inspiration for discussions around real-time trends.

Did we miss anything? What are your thoughts on what’s happening this week?

Top Stories

• SXSW Interactive: It’s a wrap. Highlights from sessions, events, conversations with digital pros and more coming to this very blog soon! Make sure you’re subscribed and connected with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
• Conclave Fever: Cardinals met today to select the next pope. While their methods may be old-fashioned, the public followed the event via 21st century social media tools.

Top Conversations

• #LPPSXSW: Scroll through to see tweets from SXSW Interactive.
• #MarchMadness: Kicks off next week. Get your office brackets ready.

Technology

• Google Now Everywhere: Rumors say the feature that brings you search results before you even request them may be coming to iOS.
• Bitcoin Hacks and Glitches: The digital currency has been making headlines with a recent bitcoin brokerage hack attack and technical issues that sent its value tumbling down by 23 percent. You are probably wondering, what on Earth is Bitcoin? This 2011 Wired article is the best of them all. 

Public Relations

• Weight Watchers Heavy Pay: Controversy and irony stir around celebrities and executives making millions while low-wage instructors skip lunch to lead meetings.
• Celebrity Tweets: F.C.C. released new guidelines for celebrities who want to promote/endorse products via Twitter.
• More Like ServerDownCity: After its servers went down, EA waited two-and-a-half days to communicate with players whose avatars were probably fired from their SimCity jobs. The company apologized and is giving players free games from its catalog.

Social Media

• YouTube: Will roll out new layout for brand channels including the ability to add a welcome video for non-subscribers, more personalization, and better organization.
• Facebook: In addition to changes in news feeds, the social network has announced it will roll out a new look for user Timelines.
• Pinterest: Rolls out new measurement tool for brands.
• Twitter: The company may be planning to launch a stand-alone music app.