Mediaboss Marketing

Here's a look at potential safeguards that companies may put in place in light of recent cases of alleged abuse and rape in youth-centric online communities.

Social networks catering to adolescents have a serious trust issue -- and justifiably so.

Location-based flirting app Skout and teen social-networking game Habbo were hit by reports that adults allegedly used their services to sexually prey on underage users, causing both sites to temporarily restrict access this week.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the potential risks that arise when a minor logs on to any social network, an issue that has gotten even more scrutiny with Facebook looking to possibly open its doors to users under 13. More importantly, it reinforces the notion that no network is truly safe, no matter the technology safeguards that are put in place.

"You can never know completely that the person at the other end of the conversation is a kid," she said.

Nevertheless, Skout and Habbo have quickly shifted into damage-control mode with attempts to reassure users and the media that it will improve the protection that it offers to its users. Both companies have said they are trying to upgrade their security measures, moderators, and technology.

Paul LaFontaine, CEO of Habbo parent company Sulake, did not respond to questions, but did post on the company blog, indicating that the company is working to "ensure that best-in-class moderation and detection systems are in place to create a safer and improved experience for our many responsible users."

Skout, likewise, has said it would look into upgrading its safeguards and take additional steps to protect its users.

Age limits One protective measure is age limits, which Skout has said it would look into for its community. But the measure has long been debated within the industry, particularly because it's usually ineffective.

"It's a huge problem. In most case, it really doesn't work," said Chris Babel, CEO of TRUSTe, a company that helps online companies address privacy concerns.

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Can social networks protect your kids?

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado Strawberry Days, meet the 21st century.

Colorado's oldest civic celebration, dating back to 1898, is now incorporating modern-day influences such as social networking and American Idol to celebrate Glenwood Springs' biggest event this weekend.

Our Strawberry Days social networking site is a great way for us to reach a wide network of people, said Dylan Lewis, pubic relations director for the event. Social media marketing is all about word of mouth, and this form of media helps us develop relationships.

Lewis worked with the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce to create the new strawberrydaysfestival.com social networking site that invites members to join, comment, add content and view photo slide shows. The site is dedicated to all that is Strawberry Days in Glenwood Springs.

We've had about 100 members join. I've seen people comment, I remember going to Strawberry Days back in 1979.' But at the same time we're showing Strawberry Days to a whole new group of people, he said.

Facebook users can also follow event postings and updates on the Strawberry Days Festival page, which has already surpassed 1,000 likes in less than four months since its creation.

People just have a natural, genuine interest in Strawberry Days, from all over the state, especially on Facebook, Lewis said.

The Strawberry Days social networking sites help event organizers post such information as the Miss Strawberry Days candidates and information about the Glenwood Idol auditions that took place Monday, as part of events leading up to the festive weekend.

Glenwood Idol contest

Glenwood Idol is a local take on Fox's uber-popular reality TV singing competition, American Idol.

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Strawberry Days social networking brings talent to more than one stage

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bv92fn/social_networking) has announced the addition of the "Social Networking & Social Media: 2012 to 2016" report to their offering.

Social media is a once-in-a-generation, global phenomenon that is changing the world, unquestionably for the better. Whether it is Caracas or Boston, Auckland or Budapest, anywhere where there is an internet connection, in fact, social media is deeply and irrevocably embedded in the online world.

In spite of having first emerged just ten years ago, by the end of 2012 1.9 billion people around the globe will be actively using social media services, which represents over 85 percent of the entire online population. By 2016, these figures will have increased to 2.5 billion and nearly 90 percent respectively.

While social media unquestionably delivers huge value to users right around the globe, the business aspects of this new industry display some strange characteristics, such as:

- In spite of its global reach, utility and pervasive nature, the actual value of the social media market is rather modest, at just USD 10.4 billion in 2012 and USD 19.4 billion in 2016. By way of comparison, the size of the worldwide online advertising market in 2012 will be USD 114 billion while the worldwide Pay-TV market will be worth USD 275 billion;

- When a like-for-like comparison is made with traditional media forms, like newspapers, television, books and radio, fundamental reasons mean that the social media industry is only able to harvest a small percentage of the value delivered to users: newspaper industry ARPUs are more than 12x larger than social media;

- The market value of creating the content that was added to Facebook in 2011 was USD 6.4 billion, compared with company revenues of USD 3.71 billion. Facebook effectively outsourced these costs to users, but has no plan to remunerate those users for their efforts, other than providing a free service;

- We project that Facebook's share of the worldwide social media market in 2012 will be in excess of 50 percent. With a total market size of just USD 19.4 billion in 2016, the social media market is not large enough to sustain the growth of Facebook for more than a few more years. and so the company must enter major, new markets.

This report explains these and many other aspects of the social media market in detail against a background of detailed company profiles (21 leading social media companies are profiles) and worldwide analysis (24 leading countries are profiled).

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Research and Markets: Social Networking & Social Media: 2012 to 2016

Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield)

LANSING (WWJ) - The Speaker of the Houses office is defending the decision to reprimanded a state lawmaker whosaid vagina during adiscussion on the House floor.

Rep. Lisa Brown, a Democrat, was told by House Republican leaders she could not participate in debate Thursday because she used the word vagina during a discussion about abortion legislation the day before.

Her words on the House floor Wednesday were: And, finally, Mr. Speaker Im flattered that youre all so interested in my vagina, but no means no.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick spoke with Ari Adler, press secretary for House Speaker James Bolger.

Was the use of the v-word the problem for Ms. Brown? Skubick asked.

It was the context in which it was used and the way it was used, that was the problem, said Adler.

Adler said the situation will be resolved when the chamber resumes after asummer break.

In an interview Thursday with Skubick, Brown defended her comments.

I used an anatomically correct word. I said vagina. Is there something wrong with that? Can I not say elbow? I dont see what the difference is, she said.

Excerpt from:
Office Defends Censorship: ‘Context’ Was Problem With Rep’s Use Of ‘V-Word’

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nearly two years since mall owner Capri Urban Investors announced its intentions to completely overhaul Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the $35 million upgrade is complete. The comprehensive makeover, which includes the addition of new state-of-the-art movie theaters, several restaurants and retailers, a new outdoor plaza and cosmetic improvements, has transformed BHCP into a top-tier shopping center in the heart of the Crenshaw community.

We made a commitment to raise the bar at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza two years ago, to ensure we are providing the amenities, services and quality experiences consumers have come to expect at best-in-class facilities across the country, said Ken Lombard, partner and president of Capri Urban Investors, LLC, the owner of the mall. We now have a gleaming new center and a line-up of quality retailers that this community deserves, and we look forward to announcing even more new restaurants and stores in the months ahead.

Since the renovation began, several new retailers have opened their doors at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza including Staples, which now occupies a brand new building adjacent to the mall. BHCP is also now home to the all-new Rave Cinemas 15, a modern multiplex featuring stadium seating, all-digital projection and seven RealD 3-D equipped auditoriums. It is the first Rave theater in California with Rave Extreme: the Big Screen Experience, which includes giant wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor screens, enhanced sound systems and digital projects. The theater has been wildly successful since opening in July 2011, often grossing among the top 100 theaters in the nation for family films.

The internationally acclaimed Debbie Allen Dance Academy, which moved from Culver City into a brand new building at the corner of Marlton and Santa Rosalia Avenues in 2009, continues to draw hundreds of young artists from across Southern California to Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza each day.

The mall now boasts several new dining options as well. In January 2012, well-known restaurateur Brad Johnson and Chef Govind Armstrong introduced restaurant Post & Beam to the local community. Featuring open-hearth cooking, seasonal ingredients, and herbs and vegetables from the restaurants own garden, Post & Beam is a unique sit-down restaurant in the neighborhood. The Los Angeles Times praised the new restaurant, calling Post and Beam a promising newcomer to the LA dining scene, serving real food, California in spirit with a sassy Southern accent.

Other new dining options at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza include Sbarro, Saffron Indian Cuisine, and Southern Girl Desserts, operated by co-owners Catarah Hampshire and Shoneji Robinson, who were recently featured on Season 6 of the Food Networks Cupcake Wars. In 2011, the first Buffalo Wild Wings in the City of Los Angeles opened its doors at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

We saw this as a great opportunity to grow with the community and be part of the transformation at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, said Hampshire. We appreciated that the mall ownership believed in our company and the vision we have. BHCP really goes above and beyond to support its tenants and we recognize that we will have a great support team to assist in our success.

The comprehensive upgrades have sparked investment from the malls anchors as well. Macys completed a multi-million dollar upgrade that included physical improvements to the store and the addition of new departments, fixtures and merchandise. Walmart is also undertaking significant renovations to enhance the shopping experience, adding features customers have long-requested including groceries, crafts and fabrics, and an expanded apparel selection.

Between the new Rave Cinemas 15 and the upgraded mall is a new 30,000-square-foot promenade that also serves as the featured new entry point for the retail center. The promenade features lush landscaping including dozens of mature trees, Bougainvillea and Japanese Boxwood plants, new lighting, as well as built-in seating areas. Project architects Omniplan and RAW International designed the new theatre and promenade to create a signature gathering area and entry point for the entire property.

Originally posted here:
$35 Million Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Makeover Complete