American Consumers Want A Dialog With Business

According to the 2009 Cone Consumer New Media Study, an online survey by Opinion Research Corporation among a representative U.S. sample of 1,048 adults, comprising “new media users,” 44% of American new media users are searching for, sharing or discussing information about corporate responsibility (CR) efforts and programs and are highly confident they can have an effect on business.

[....]

62% of users polled believe they can influence business decisions by voicing opinions via new media channels. About a quarter have contributed their point-of-view on an issue (24%) or contacted a company directly (23%). 74% expect companies to join conversations about their corporate responsibility practices happening on new media.

Microsoft’s Bing Serves Up Recipes Tied To Paid Search

Advertisers may find that a service launched by Bing Thursday is an opportunity to connect with consumers through food and paid search ads. Search on an ingredient and the engine returns recipes made with the item. Type in “tomato,” hit the return key, and consumers not only get a list of recipes, but nutritional value, calories, benefits, types and varieties, and more.

The left rail lists articles, ratings, cuisine, convenience, occasion, main ingredient, course, and cooking method. Consumers also will find related searches, from how to grow tomatoes, history and facts to diseases. Down the right rail, consumers will find a few paid-search ads.

Analyst: Search Is Social’s Sweet Spot

In a week when Google promoted its Twitter feed on its heavily trafficked home page, a top digital marketing expert said he expects social networks to offer more robust search capabilities soon. In addition to an improved consumer experience, search can be a notable revenue generator for Twitter and Facebook, particularly if it allows swift discovery of what a person’s friends are discussing or even buying.

“More searches are going to start to be done inside social networks,” said Steve Rubel, director of insights at Edelman. “Social networks are going to start to make it easier for you to search content at point of information.” Referencing the paid-search model, Rubel called it a “tremendous monetization opportunity.”