Google to the Rescue - People Finder App

Living in the students accommodation, I don't really have access to a TV. So I use the internet to stay in touch with the world and keep myself updated. I woke up on 11th March and turned on my laptop to check my email and facebook (my daily morning ritual.) It was actually through Facebook that I found out what had happened in Japan. My first instinct was to contact my two Japanese classmates and find out if their family and friends were alright. But this one link which was posted by one of my ex-collegues at Google struck me. It was the Google person finder.

 http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en

And then I noticed that a lot of my friends who're still working with Google had posted it. I sent this link to my Japenese friends immediately. But what really struck me is how social media has evolved and come to affect our lives everyday - some days more than others! 

I did some further research on this person finder tool and found out that Google has launched similar Person Finder applications to help locate missing people during the Haiti and Christchurch earthquakes and other humanitarian crises. It’s all part of Google Crisis Response, which – as well as the Person Finder tool – offers maps, links, resources and real-time news, video and Twitter updates on the situation 

Most of the mobile networks were down, not letting people locate or contact their loved ones. However, data networks are still operating in Tokyo and many have turned to social networks or VOIP services like Skype to contact their families and friends.

I know this blog is for a class. But why not use social media to spread the word. This is why social media exists - to connect and communicate. Please share this link with your friends and family; facebook it or tweet it. Google is offering an amazing service for Japan. Let’s be a part of it.

Sources : http://www.freepeoplesearchbyname.info/google-person-finder.html

http://wallblog.co.uk/2011/03/11/google-launches-person-finder-tool-following-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami/

http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/857831-japan-earthquake-google-launches-people-finder-to-track-down-missing-people

Digital PR - A Can Do OR Must Do For Brands

2.0 - That's the new buzzword in all media. Online news, magazines, blogs, social networking are all intrinsic to a PR campaign today. The sheer size of the online market, growth potential, and the global reach make it a must for any PR professional. But it also depends on the brand and the psychographics and the demographics involved. Again, TA becoming one of the most influencing factors for an overall brand campaign. 

It is essential to be 'connected' in today's world and make one's presence felt. But it has to be handled with much care, from the start to finish. As a standalone, digital PR might not be able to add value (again, brand dependent). However, once it's integrated with social, search and overall digital marketing strategy, it has the potential to push the brand in the right direction.

Image Source - http://prwarrior.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/crowdsourcing-the-meaning-of-social-media.html