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

• Hugo Chavez Dies: Venezuela’s leader loses battle with cancer. Country mourns and worries about its future.
• Sequester: Senate failed to pass either Democratic or Republican replacement bills aimed to avert automatic spending cuts. Government will attempt to arrive at a new timeline compromise on Friday. Star Wars fans and good portion of the rest of the country looking forward to some Jedi mind-meld action.
• SXSW Interactive: It’s ON. The festival kicks off this Friday and LPP is ready to bring you exclusive content including daily recaps, real-time updates, interviews with digital pros and more. Be sure to subscribe to this blog and to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Top Conversations

• #LPPSXSW: The LPP Digital Media team has taken over all social media channels. Tune into our hashtag for real-time updates from SXSW Interactive!

Technology

• Google and National Security: The company released some of the national security letters it receives from the FBI requesting user data for national security purposes.
• Cell Phone Unlocking: The White House and the Federal Communications Commission said consumers should be free to unlock their phones once carrier contractual agreements are satisfied. Sparks debate on copyright and whether the software in our phones makes them not our property.
• Flash Wars: EMC finally does something with their XtremIO acquisitions and announced new Flash array, following NetApp and HDS (client).
• Not So Fast, Apple: Judge reduces patent case reward by about 50 percent, from $1 billion to $450 million. More trials still to follow.

Public Relations

• Yahoo’s “In-Office” Policy: The tech giant activated its PR department when it sparked an industry wide debate around HR policies, company culture and leadership.
• Groupon Fires CEO: In his outgoing letter, Andrew Mason cracks joke, commends the company for its hard work, shares bits of wisdom as well as regrets.

Social Media

• Facebook: To announce a Timeline redesign at their press event on March 7. Here’s how it could impact your brand page. Worth noting the company also recently acquired an ad platform to help advertisers better understand their targets. These ongoings are possibly the reason why Facebook Analytics have been completely off as of late.
• Twitter: Updates to mobile apps and mobile site include enhancements to search, web browsing, and autocomplete.
• Google+: New profiles feature larger cover photos and revamped “local reviews” and “about” tabs.
• LinkedIn: You know that Endorsement feature no one really, truly gets? Well, LinkedIn just hit 1 billion Endorsements and now they have a treasure-trove of data.
• YouTube: Rumors are the platform will launch a music subscription service and that’s smart because no one even knows what Google Play is.