How social media follows us... everywhere.

On Thursday, Mashable published an article titled "NASA Invites Twitter Followers to View Next Launch--In Person", which details NASA's newest attempt to engage the public in its travels to space. NASA is inviting 150 of its lucky Twitter followers to witness the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 541 rocket set off for Mars on November 25. These "tweetups" have been planned for the most notable times during the process-- especially the tweets during the launch of the shuttle. According to the article, this is a huge step for NASA and serves two very big purposes. The first purpose for tweeting in space is that it builds NASA's social reputation and attracts the public (since it's not every day you see an astronaut tweeting from Space). Secondly, the article states that Twitter will also help build a case for relevance as the agency shrinks, privatizes, and outsources more of its operations and faces continued budgetary pressure. In order to be selected as one of the fortunate 150 followers, one must submit an application. If selected, participants receive the opportunity to get a front-row seat for the launch while meeting and talking with NASA engineers and scientists.

Overall,I think NASA came up with a great idea involving social media. Space travel has always been a mysterious event for many people. Because it has always been featured on television or in the news, the public has never been given the chance to engage and actually feel like they're apart of the journey. What better way to do this than to introduce Twitter into the space mission? By allowing NASA's followers to keep abreast with important news and events taking place in Space, it will build the organization's rep while also demonstrating openness to its publics. NASA will surely benefit from this social media tactic.

UPS introduces a new and great idea

According to Mashable.com, UPS has recently launched a new service that will notify customers via text message, email, or phone call at some point the day before they receive a package. This service, titled "UPS My Choice" is apparently free unless a customer would like to pay $5.00 to reschedule the delivery or reroute the package to another address. The main objective for this new strategy is to cut back the costs of multiple delivery attempts that are caused by online shoppers. While this is clearly a marketing plan for UPS, I think it can turn into a great PR move as well. This new application can allow UPS to cater to its customers who are busy throughout the day and do not have time to be at home to wait around for a package. The service can better reach the needs of the people who work 9-5 and are forced to do most of their shopping online. Personally, I find it extremely frustrating to come home to a note on my door saying that the UPS service has "just missed me" and I will need to go pick up my package at the selected location or wait for the second time they come. To me, this new service will not only benefit UPS by cutting back the costs of missed deliveries but it will also help those customers who are busy throughout the day by notifying them through technology. Either way, I think it is a win- win!