Heather Taylor

Heather is a writer and filmmaker who covers media and communications, tech, ecommerce and the arts and was listed by Brand Republic as one of the top 200 most influential bloggers in 2011. She is currently editorial director of Econsultancy in New York.

Prior to her move to Econsultancy, Heather was acting editor of About the BBC, the BBC corporate blog and website, and managed online corporate reputation for the BBC. Previous roles included social media manger for PayPal UK and social media/ PR manager for Groundswell award winner, giffgaff.

Heather speaks at events on social media, marketing, community and filmmaking - previous speaking engagements include talks at ComicCon, Reputation Online Live, Technology for Marketing and Advertising, PR Week, European Customer Experience World, Social Media in Business, Media Camp London, and Digital Surrey. She has also advised on social media strategy for a number of startups and charitable organizations.

MTV’s Facebook app helps US students tap $70b in aid

Today MTV, in partnership with Get Schooled and the College Board, launched "My College Dollars," a new Facebook app that matches US students with financial aid opportunities. Once you sign up, you are targeted with scholarships based on information collected by Facebook such as your age, gender and state.

For the next 6 weeks, students can also take part in the "My College Dollars Sweepstakes." If they connect to the app and save a scholarship deadline to their calendar, or, as it usually is with socially driven contests, share the app with a friend, they can enter to win. Prizes include tickets to the "2012 MTV Music Awards" or gift cards to cover school supplies. They suggest books and fees, though knowing college students, some of it will go on beer.

So why is this app so important?

by Heather Taylor 19 January 2012 19:14pm 1 comment

All eyes on Yahoo as co-founder Jerry Yang resigns

Yahoo's co-founder, Jerry Yang, has resigned from the company he cultivated for 17 years to pursue new opportunities. This announcement comes only two weeks after the appointment of Scott Thompson as Yahoo's new CEO.

In a statement to the board, Yang wrote, "My time at Yahoo, from its founding to the present, has encompassed some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life. However, the time has come for me to pursue other interests outside of Yahoo."

by Heather Taylor 18 January 2012 17:34pm 0 comments

Nike's interactive video campaign lacks personal touch

Wieden + Kennedy NY has launched Nike Jordan's newest shoe, the CP3.V, with a 180 degree interactive video.

The video puts you into the middle of a fast break, the most chaotic situation in basketball, and allows you control what goes on around you.

Quick Controls Chaos, created for the Nike Jordan brand, allows you to choose which angle you view the game by sliding your mouse across the screen. To capitalise on the chaos, you can click on any unusual action on the court to watch it played back in full.

by Heather Taylor 17 January 2012 18:08pm 2 comments

CBS Outdoor B2B site goes mobile in Canada

CBS Outdoor, one of the largest out-of-home media companies in North America, has launched a redesigned, mobile-friendly site in Canada to advertise how to advertise with them.

The new site includes an interactive web mapping program alongside its mobile capabilities to help companies find out more about local teams and what advertising opportunities are already in their area.

by Heather Taylor 16 January 2012 22:06pm 0 comments

Boticca one of first retailers to add Pinterest to social sharing tools

Fashion accessories marketplace, Boticca, is one of the first retailers to add Pinterest to its social sharing tools. It has added the "Pin It" button to its website in addition to Twitter, Facebook and Google + to allow its users to easily share their products online.

Judging by first appearance, Pinterest is mainly dominated by clothes, accessories, food and home wear. This seems a good fit for any visually product-led company, especially one which focuses on design like Boticca.

by Heather Taylor 16 January 2012 17:51pm 1 comment

Audi launches Foursquare campaign with US Ski Team

Audi has created a new Foursquare badge with the support of the US Ski Team, which it has sponsored since 2007.

Fans of the luxury car that follow Audi on Foursquare and check-in to ski resorts this winter will unlock the exclusive 'Audi Winter Ride' badge, which gives them 20% off all items in the Audi collection.

by Heather Taylor 13 January 2012 17:32pm 0 comments