Eric Yaverbaum

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On Friday, May 18, Facebook went public. Regardless of when you are reading this post, I would wager that discussion about the implications of the IPO still dominates the news about social media, with an emphasis on what happened, why it happened, and the implications for...

If only it were that easy.

It is natural and beneficial to see social issues mentioned and debated within the context of social media. Humans are, after all, meant to engage each other in order to form relationships and to solve common problems. Social media are just a technological extension...

It is fascinating to watch the manner in which social media are affecting the political landscape. They are causing a gradual transformation in how we perceive -- and ultimately elect -- our candidates for public office.

Several weeks ago, when Rick Santorum was in the race for the Republican...

Lately, it seems that pundits of every stripe are concerned with the nature of the current "social media bubble" and when, not whether, it will burst. No surprise there. Many fads, crazes and social movements seem to belong to boom-and-bust cycles. As such, they are somewhat predictable and depressingly regular....

There is a cultural phenomenon larger than basketball happening at Madison Square Garden. And those of us who have been waiting since the early 70's for an NBA championship probably care less about the 'hashtag' #Linsanity conversation now percolating all over the internet... well unless you read Deadspin. The evil...

How Mixing Politics and Friendships Can Make for Awkward Table Talk

Picture it: You've got a tableful of tasty food and all of your family and friends are gathered around to share a holiday meal. Sounds like a lovely evening. "Could you please pass the mashed potatoes?" someone asks.

But...

How Social Media Is Fighting Back Against Occupation

The Internet, since its origins, has been a place of imagination, innovation, creation and sharing. Its growth has been nothing short of tremendous, setting the stage for the next level of content creation and publishing. In this age, we are absorbing...

Events That Shaped 2011 Via Social Media

2011 was the year social media exploded and influenced our lives in many ways. Through technology, we have become more individualized and separated, however, through social media, we have the ability to communicate relationally -- to rally around causes, voice our opinions and...

I'm a workaholic. I admit it. It would be real easy to blame technology and being in the communications industry as the reason I haven't taken a real vacation from my office since I sailed the Caribbean 25 years ago.

My family spends this week together every year. We...

Preaching To The Choir
How Americans Are Tired Of The Song And Dance

So let's take a trip back to third grade history class. We learned that there are three branches of government in this country -- two of them are the Executive and the Legislative. The Legislative Branch...

Working in the field of public relations for nearly 30 years, I have found that although I am open to trying new things, social media is an interesting phenomenon that's both scary and intriguing at the same time. It can be a publicist's greatest asset -- or worst nightmare. Years...

Have you ever sat by the bed of a loved one night after night after night not knowing if they would live to see the next day? Sit there so long you had no idea what day it was? Cry for so long that your Blackberry actually ran out of...

I voted for you. With great energy and in the spirit of "Yes we can" I attempt to defend your positions each week during my appearances on Fox News. Not surprisingly, I'm not very popular at the network. As the cover of one of my magazines (fb & Business) has...

Facebook users have been up in arms about the recent changes that have been implemented on the popular social-networking site. Apparently, there are even more changes to come. This begs two questions: Does Facebook really care about what their users want? And aren't there bigger problems in the world to...

How Social Media Did Away With It and Put the Customer in Charge of Your Brand



Businesses used to have a small suggestion box near the door that mostly housed dust bunnies and an occasional piece of gum. Rarely would someone get back to you. But people can...