As of Wednesday, Twitter has expanded upon their Expand feature. The expand feature is what makes it possible for users to see Youtube videos and Instagram photos simply by hovering over a link. This gives users the option to preview what is being linked and to decide whether it is something worth clicking.  It ultimately made Twitter more interactive and user-friendly in that the links that are posted are no longer a guessing game.

Now, Twitter has taken the Expand feature a step further to include things such as news articles and other online content. As Twitter has become the easiest way for news stations and websites to deliver breaking news, this new addition is critical. Instead of simply being able to link followers to an article, without being able to really tell them what is in it, websites can now show headlines and even a few lines of text. If the follower wants to read more based on what they’ve read already, they can click the link.

It’s also a new opportunity for advertisers and brands. Most companies and brand names have official Twitter accounts, on which they post advertisements and information about what’s new with their products or services. Until recently, this wasn’t a very effective tool at all. Without something to draw them in other than a URL highlighted in blue, people tend to just scroll down to read what their friends are up to. With this new feature, however, every link will provide users something to view directly on the page they’re on. So, every blue link that shows up triggers intrigue about what might pop up when they hover over it. It is this that brands and advertisers will be able to take advantage of, by drawing Twitter followers in with what expands from a link.

With this new opportunity, however, must come some careful planning. For example, if a website is trying to link an article to appear in the expand feature, they must carefully choose which lines will show, and figure out what kind of headline will drag in Twitter followers. Also, if an advertiser is taking advantage of the feature, they must be attentive to how best to take advantage of it.

Twitter is often said to be the most relevant social networking idea. It’s also been stated that it is the only one that will last. The argument holds water, because it is where people go to catch up on what is happening with friends, family, and the rest of the world. Twitter keeps people updated more consistently than any other site, like a live stream of information. It’s important to keep something like Twitter fresh and effective, something they’ve done with the Expand feature.

The people at Twitter continue to come up with ideas that build up the strength of their network and optimize their site for everyday use. This most recent update is just one of many innovative ideas. It seems that our world has started revolving around social networking, therefore making it absolutely necessary to keep the components on the up-and-up.

Since it was first revealed to the public in 2003-2004, people have been using Skype to stay in touch with friends and family face-to-face (or camera-to-camera). It is used in the business world for telecommuting and meetings with clients across the globe.  It’s hard to find anyone that hasn’t heard of this breakthrough software. When it started to spread like wildfire, the people at Microsoft saw great potential and decided to buy it in 2011.  Now, Microsoft has seized this opportunity and has come up with a revolutionary marketing technique that promises to be incredibly effective.

Being that Skype has been a free service from the get-go, it isn’t a surprise that Microsoft has decided to start using it for marketing purposes.  Any user who doesn’t pay for the use of Skype, as paying for it is optional, should expect to see advertisements on-screen during their calls.  Putting the ad directly in front of the user while they are in conversation is perfect.

“We know from our research that people on Skype are more likely to discuss products, make recommendations, and decide what to buy with their close relatives and friends,” Joslyn Moore writes.  Joslyn is Microsoft’s general manager of advertising incubations. She continues to explain the new opportunities that brands have to be the topic of conversation for millions of Skype calls. This will help to boost, “Word-of-mouth and social influence in a tight-knit circle of trust,” she writes.

Some would think these new on-screen ads a burden, but Microsoft has taken careful steps in avoiding a bother to the user.  The advertisement is presented in a 300 x 250 rectangle during audio calls.  The “Conversation Ads,”as Microsoft refers to them, appear pristine and leave room for eye movement, allowing the advertisement to, “compliment the consumer interaction.”  Most importantly though, the ads will be silent for the sake of the consumer. Furthermore, at any point during the conversation, a user can choose to close the ad box. So far, the ads have only appeared on the Windows version of Skype but, this new advertising feature is now available to over 55 markets worldwide, a number which is expected to grow quickly.

Microsoft’s marketing growth will not stop here, however. On their blog, Joslyn notes that in the near future they will continue to find original ways to, “engage consumers in this unique environment.”  Microsoft has been working on bringing  new advertising aspects to the recent Windows phone and the extremely popular Xbox Kinect using Skype and other Windows applications.

It’s hard to find a marketing method that puts consumers face-to-face with advertising as often as the new Skype ads will. With between 20 and 40 million calls made each day using Skype, this marketing technique has to be effective. Skype users won’t mind the new feature, and brands and advertisers will get the word out about products and services. This method seems like it will inevitably result in a win-win situation for all.

Internet Brands announced yesterday at ForumCon that it was exclusively going with content monetization company VigLink for its new release vBulletin 5 because as Internet Brands CTO Joe Rosenblum puts it “VigLink monetizes better than the competition, they are less intrusive than the competition, it is a better experience for users and the person buying our software as well.” Until now Skimlinks has been the preferred partner for vBulletin, this is quite a turn around for Internet Brands.

Watch our Interview with Oliver Roup, the CEO of VigLink

Chateau 20, the leading performance-marketing agency serving travel, lifestyle and entertainment brands, announces Kim Salvino as its new Director, Publisher Development. Salvino brings over seven years performance marketing industry experience and an award-winning resume to the specialty agency.

“Kim brings amazing energy, top-notch ethics and broad experience to the team. She builds strong partnerships—which is critical for performance marketing success,” said Chateau 20 CEO, Karen White. “We’re thrilled to have her join the team.”

Chateau 20 serves as performance-marketing agency for such prominent brands as Caesars Entertainment, Couples Resorts, and Ganz, creator of Webkinz World.

“The opportunity to develop partner relationships for and with the amazing client list at Chateau 20 is truly exciting,” said Salvino. “I’ve witnessed the agency’s growth and consider Karen’s abilities to grow client revenue impressive. Chateau 20 is setting a new standard of service and I’m eager to start contributing.”

Prior to joining Chateau 20, Salvino was Head of Publishers at buy.at US. She also held the position of buy.at US’s Head of Account Management. In January 2012, Salvino was recognized with an Affiliate Summit Pinnacle Award for Affiliate Manager of the Year.

“One of many reasons I’m looking forward to working with the team, clients, and partners at Chateau 20 is the focus on quality. From strategy and planning to communication and results, the agency is dedicated to developing custom solutions and building genuine, trusted relationships. The priorities at Chateau 20 perfectly align with my values and philosophy for doing business,” said Salvino.

About Chateau 20 Chateau 20 is a performance marketing agency specializing in services for travel, lifestyle and entertainment brands. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. To learn more about Chateau 20’s services visit: www.chateau20.com All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies.

In order to promote how effective online advertising is via Twitter, the social media company has started to buy advertising on television. Its first advertisement aired during a Nascar broadcast on TNT this past Sunday.

As part of a partnership between Twitter and Nascar, the social media company is looking to establish some level of gravitas that is desperately needed if they are going to continue seeking funding and perhaps eventually go public.

According to Reuters

Using Nascar to demonstrate how hashtag pages could work, Twitter aired six different 15-second spots during Sunday’s Pocono 400 race that introduced the “#NASCAR” hashtag and directed viewers to the URL “twitter.com/#NASCAR.” On the Nascar’s hashtag page, Nascar fans could view content posted by drivers, their families and racing teams that supplemented the cable broadcast.

One commercial showed driver Brad Keselowski taking a photo from inside his race car with the tagline: “See what he sees” while another showed the view from the helmet cam of a pit technician.

In a blog post previewing the Nascar hashtag page, Twitter executive Omid Ashtari wrote that “throughout the weekend – but especially during the race – a combination of algorithms and curation will surface the most interesting Tweets to bring you closer to all of the action happening around the track, from the garage to the victory lane.”

Of course, no one has pointed out that its not really that safe to Tweet while driving a car, let alone a Nascar race car.

Great offers for Twitter at NDEMAND Affiliates