Unless you were completely living under a rock this week – you probably noticed everyone swooning over the Old Spice Social Media/Youtube campaign. Which was, in a word, brilliant.

Old Spice took over the Youtube and Social Media airwaves as ‘the man’ Isiah Mustafa responded to comments from Twitter, Facebook, etc in real-time resulting in over 100 different personalized video responses. The result? Massive global awareness and millions of people viewing, commenting, and sharing around the web.

Other companies *must* take note of what Old Spice accomplished. They, in short, captured the essence of the three key factors of Social Media:

Timeliness

The effectiveness of this campaign starts and ends with the timeliness of their approach. Video responses were added in real time, which got people talking, asking their one questions, revisiting the Youtube account over and over hoping that the OldSpice guy would answer them…this campaign is a perfect example of being in the right place at the right time, listening to your audience and saying “Hey, we hear you”.

Engagement

The core of any marketing plan, especially one that takes place on the web, is engagement. Every business must ask, “Are we engaging our customers?” – It’s up to you to find out who you’re trying to target, and taking a proactive approach that gets people interacting not only with you and  your brand, but amongst each other.

Personalization.

Old Spice proved that even a big-name brand can make things personal. They showed, in an extremely entertaining way, that even the little guy, you and I, are an important part of their success. They relied on their customers to spread their message and in short, it worked like a charm. All it takes it showing that you give a damn – maybe creating brand evangelists is easier than you think.

Old Spice wins ‘cool thing’ of the week. Now go catch up on some of these great reads…

• 5 Awesome (Free) Tools for Every Webpreneur | MattChevy
• Life Without Pants: An Interview with Matt Cheuvront | Rowdy Kittens
• Future of Web Design Conference in NYC (mostly posting this because I wish I could go)
• Twitter Handles: My Name or Nickname? | FADS
• 12 Lessons Learned From Year One of Jobless Freedom | Far Beyond the Stars
• Full length trailer for “The Social Network” (looks frickin’ AWESOME!)

Share some of the wealth. What good things came your way this week?

As I often do around here at Life Without Pants, I’m taking the liberty to somewhat reinvent what Friday Quick Hits is all about . Rather than a simple recap of my favorite posts from around the web, it’s my goal to highlight one awesome, bad-ass, totally rad, tubular (yes, tubular) thing that I’ve found that week. Something that you would be silly not to check out yourself – and something that I’m almost positive you’ll love as much as I did. Without further ado…let the revamped Friday Quick Hits begin…

This Week’s Best of the Best: ‘Learn Something New Every Day‘

Learn Something Every Day is a self initiated daily project by UK based design studio Young. Young is a studio adept in brand identity development, illustration, print and interactive design.

I initially stumbled across Young and their ‘Learn Something New Every Day’ campaign when searching for an image for a blog post here on LWP and, as I often do, I stumbled across some gems worth bookmarking.

With ‘Learn Something New Everyday’ you’ll do just that…learn something new, be it totally ridiculous (usually the case), hilarious, informative, or a combination of all three, every single day.

For example did you know…

• North Korea isn’t on Google Maps
• Chickens can suffer from depression
• That the Bible didn’t say the forbidden fruit was an apple

Yeah, me neither. Check out Learn Something New Everyday for your daily dose of informational humor. Love what the guys at Young are doing.

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And in case you missed it, some great reads from around the web this week:

• Learn to Fall…Off Your High Horse | Brass Tack Thinking
• Want More Readers? Try Expanding Your Internet Universe | CopyBlogger
• Stagnation & Self-Righteousness | Danny Brown
• The N. 1 Way to Build a Successful Business | Escaping the 9 to 5
• The Most Important Trait of an Entrepreneur | Location 180
• Who Knew a Desk Could Mean So Much | Pursuing Our Passion

It’s been a while but I am finally (somewhat) caught up from my wedding and honeymoon, and happy to be bringing back ‘Friday Quick Hits’ into the mix. We live in a world in which we’re absolutely inundated with content and it’s damn near impossible to keep up with everything.

So, without further ado, it’s my pleasure to present to you a few of the best articles I read this week (including a ‘standout’ quote from each). If you don’t read anything else, do yourself a favor and go check these out…

The 10 Worst Things About Owning Your Own Business | Moolanomy

“…You will sacrifice your time, energy, money and maybe even your health, all so your concept becomes actuality. Don’t expect a lot of people to thank you for all the extra effort. As Forbes.com explains in 11 Myths of Owning a Business, “entrepreneurs need internal motivation and reassurance because it rarely comes from outside.” One way to know you’re doing a good job? Your revenue increases.”

Why is Generation Y Not on Twitter? | The Fight Against Destructive Spin

“…As a Gen Y’er myself, I have found Twitter useful both personally and professionally, but I’m in the minority. There are two main reasons I believe Gen Y’ers are not using Twitter: 1) They have not yet discovered how to leverage the platform to build their personal brand. 2) They’re not comfortable engaging beyond their existing social network.”

Laugh At Yourself, But Take it Easy | Brass Tack Thinking

“…I’m the last proponent in the world of taking work (or ourselves) too seriously all the time. And I’m way in favor of having a healthy sense of humor, because it’s saved my soul on so many occasions. But there’s definitely a point where I find myself uncomfortable around those that are constantly making themselves the butt of every joke, and I’ve learned my own lessons about tearing myself down. So while humor at our own expense is critical, I think it (like anything else) needs to be practiced in moderation.”

Not Right Now | Danny Brown

“…But look at it another way. When you first started your business, was there a chance things could go wrong? Did it involve a lot of work, and long hours, to make it happen? Were there things you couldn’t control, no matter how much you planned ahead? Of course there were, yet you’re still here.  Because you put the effort in and took the risks. Because you knew that not everything will always goes to plan; you just need to make sure you’re ready with a back-up.”

How to Reduce Your Email Checking to Once a Day | Far Beyond the Stars

“…The funny thing is, when you make people aware of the fact that you only check email once a day, in most cases they’ll understand wholeheartedly. Most people don’t make the decision to define how often they check email, so they end up spending most of their lives checking it.”

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What were some of the best things you read and discovered this week? Share your favorites in the comments below. Safe and happy 4th of July weekend to everyone. Take some time to unplug and enjoy the company of family and friends!

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone out there. Life is pretty much insanity right now in my neck of the woods, so Friday Quick Hits is a little bit condensed this week – that being said, here are some great reads and finds from the week that should keep you busy while you drink your morning coffee or slack off at work today. Enjoy!

• Seven Weird Habits that Will Change Your Life | Illuminated Mind
• Society, Re-imagined | mnmlist
• Putting Leo Babauta’s ‘Society, Re-imagined’ Into Practice | Far Beyond the Stars
• Do You Feel the Change? | Free Pursuits
• My Five Favorite Money Making Bloggers | Location 180
• How I Found A Balance | Reach Our Dreams
• When Being Professional is Harmful | The Middle Finger Project
• Wheezy Waiter | Adding this because it’s just so damn cool (and hilarious)

Danny Brown has been MIA for a bit working through some health issues – but he’s getting back to business and it’s great to see him back in the blogging/Social Media neck of the woods. If you’re not already reading his blog or associating with him in some way – today is a great day to stop by his casa and say hello!

Colin Wright has released his latest (and greatest) e-book, “Networking Awesomely” – and it’s something that you’d be doing yourself  a disservice by passing it up. I’m looking forward to really diving in and reading this on the plane when I travel in a couple weeks – at $20, this is an absolute steal and something you’d be crazy to miss.

Happy Friday folks! This week: Great reading material, some exciting announcements and giveaways, and one of the coolest crowd-sourced projects I’ve ever seen on the web. Enjoy, and feel free to share some great stuff you ran into this week in the comments below!

Must-Read Blog Posts.

• The Pomodoro Technique: A Tomato that’ll Rock your World! | Escaping the Nine to Five
• 26 Essential Ways to Achieve Minimalist Freedom | Far Beyond the Stars
• Leaping, Diving & Plunging Head First Into Humanity | The Middle Finger Project
• How to Find Happiness Without Shopping For It | Rowdy Kittens
• The Matrix Explains Lifestyle Design | The Life Design Project
• Blur | Chris Brogan

Other Exciting Stuff from Around the Web

• Jenny Blake is giving away a copy ‘The Book of Awesome’. I’m a huge fan of the blog and I have no doubt the book is great. Stop by Jenny’s blog and leave a comment for your chance to win!

• My good friend Emily Jasper will be attending Virginia Tech to earn her Masters Degree – stop by and wish her luck as she takes this next big step in her life.

• Mikinzie Stuart launched her personal ‘portfolio’ website this week – for all soon-to-be graduating seniors, this is an OUTSTANDING example of what you should be doing to establish your ‘professional self’ on the web.

Hola everyone and welcome to another Friday. We’re sharing not only some of the best blog reads the week, but also some other cool happenings and projects going on out there in the community. Enjoy, and feel free to share some great stuff you ran into this week in the comments below!

GREAT READS YOU MAY (OR MAY NOT) HAVE MISSED

The Importance of Serving Your Customers Well | Blake Sunshine talks about the importance of customer service in today’s world, and in my opinion, solid service trumps price, even within our current economic situation.

Warning: Your Major is Not a Flotation Device | Nicole over at Ms. Career Girl writes a great piece, driving home the point that you’ll forever hold yourself back if your clinging to your major – and that it’s important to understand that a major doesn’t define your path.

An Unconventional Guide to Movement | Melissa kicks it off with a quote from yours  truly, and leaves you with the simple message that, at the end of the day, you just gotta’ write – don’t over-think it. If you love doing it – do it, that’s all that matters.

Offline: Where the Magic Happens | Short and sweet – Jackie Adkins talks about the importance of taking things offline (I strongly encourage it both personally and professionally).

The Forgotten Art of Research | Recently, David Spinks and I both wrote about the importance (or lack there of) when it comes to the “truth” of online content these days. Taking it a step further, David asks, “What’s happened to research”? A valid question – and it’s something I believe all of us will have to get much more comfortable with in the future as our readers demand more substance, and less “flash” and “buzz”.

COOL SHIZ (IN OTHER WORDS, LIGHTEN UP AND ENJOY YOURSELVES WITH THESE LINKS)

New York Subway Gets Rick Rolled | Acapella. Rick Astley. New York Subway…Umm, awesome?

The Appreciation Revolution is Back | That’s right, Samantha Karol is bringing back the Appreciation Revolution for another round of…well, appreciation. Get on board and get involved with this awesome undertaking over at at Sam’s place.

The Plunge Project | Say goodbye o PRettySocial and hello to Nicole V’s new venture, ‘The Plunge Project’. If you’re in the midst of wedding planning (I’m less than a month away from the big day) or think you’ll be joining our club soon, keep tabs on Nicole’s new site.

Beyond the Pedway a Year Later | Tim Jahn has been doing some great things here in Chicago for the past year showcasing some of the most innovative and creative companies in the city. If you haven’t already, check out Beyond the Pedway today!

Hola everyone! Mixing it up and going with a slightly different format moving forward – sharing not only some of the best blog reads the week, but also some other cool happenings and projects going on out there in the community. Enjoy, and feel free to share some great stuff you ran into this week in the comments below!

Great Reads you may (or may not) have missed

• Cut Companies a Break (Dave Fleet gives some valuable insight on why we MAY be demanding a little too much from companies and brands online these days).

• What Love Taught You About Work (What do career and relationships have in common? Maybe more than you think, Derek explains).

• The Surprising Truth About Using Minimalism to Leave Your Day Job (Leaving the nine to five may not be such a daunting task).

• Twitter is Not a Case Study (Good thoughts from Lauren on the necessity of providing tangible results – positive or negative – of your online engagement).

• Dear Ms. Career Girl, I Heart Me (Well written piece on facing criticism with class and accepting the impossibility of pleasing everyone).

• The Ebb & The Flow (Ryan says what a lot of folks won’t – that it’s OK to step away from your blog and focus on other stuff).

• Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Blaze Your Trail (If you’re waiting for other people to pave the way, it’s about time to start focusing on creating your own path).

Cool Shiz (In other words, lighten up and enjoy yourselves with these links)

• The girls over at Chicago-based POP! Social Media, Inc. landed a sweet client this week – only the first step toward what will surely be a lot of wave-making.

• Stumbled across this earlier in the week and looks promising – essentially a network of designers (graphic, web, visual, etc) that ties into your LinkedIn Profile. I have yet to to “dive in” but am looking forward to checking it out.

• Sweet little project being put together by my buddy Daniel Prager aptly titled the ‘Playlist Project‘ featuring a playlist and a “story” from a new person every day – has the potential to really take off – climb on board!

• I moderated a ‘Wordpress’ discussion at the most recent Social Media Breakfast here in Chicago – Mike over at Pursuit of Change has a great recap of what I covered. Check it out (and if you’d like a copy of my “must have” plugins, let me know and I’ll email one your way.

• Next Saturday, Ms. Career Girl’s Nicole Crimaldi and I will be hosting out first Social Media Workshop in Elgin, IL. There are still about 10 tickets left – if you’re in the Chicago area, you should come join us! Should be a heck of a time (not to mention it’s free).  REGISTER HERE

What good things came your way this week?