Baby Boomers Not So Unhealthy, After All

Source: http://www.marketingvox.com/baby-boomers-no-so-unhealthy-after-all-035734/

 

Contradicting studies that call Boomers less healthy than the generations preceding them, a study by ThirdAge Inc. and JWT BOOM finds 87 percent of Baby Boomers and aging mid-lifers ("ThirdAgers") are in "good to excellent" health, writes MarketingCharts.

The "Boomers, Healthcare and Interactive Media Study" was conducted online at www.thirdage.com with over 1,300 respondents 40+ years old. The study's findings are "consistent with the AARP's National Health Interview Survey," said Sharon Whiteley, CEO, ThirdAge Inc.

 

"Boomers and today's mid-lifers, generally speaking are solution-oriented by nature," said Lori Bitter, president of JWT BOOM. "Even though they may be dealing with conditions that come with age…they consider these issues as a 'natural' part of aging and overall feel confident that leading-edge therapies and science are going to keep them healthy and vital for years to come."

 

Research findings indicate that future health solutions will include alternative or integrative medicine protocols: Over 83 percent of all ThirdAge respondents - not just those on the younger end of the spectrum - said they are somewhat or very interested in complementary and alternative approaches.

 

Topics taboo for earlier generations of the same age were also addressed in the health survey:

• Of female respondents age 51 and older, 38.5 percent said they were moderately or extremely affected during menopause.
• Among all female respondents, close to one-third (29.5 percent), said they are somewhat or very concerned about their partner's sexual health.
• Almost half of all male respondents (49.7 percent) reported that they have the same level of concern about their own partner's sexual health.

Where Boomers Are Turning to For Healthcare Info

• A primary way this dynamic demographic is gathering health-related information is the Internet, Bitter said: Over 89 percent of ThirdAgers go online for health information, with over 80 percent clicking on online ads about a health condition, product or service to receive more information.
• Though Boomers are using the internet on a regular basis for health-related information, 73 percent of survey respondents also shared that they are concerned about their privacy.
• "Trusted resources and credible information is clearly a factor," Bitter said:
• Close to one-third (28.5 percent) said they read health-related blogs.
• 54 percent have taken, or reported they would enroll in, online health classes.
• Over 25 percent of respondents have taken an offline health workshop.
• 14.6 percent participate in online communities around health-related issues.
• 27.3 percent watch health-related videos online "occasionally" or "frequently"; 72.7 percent say they watch such videos "infrequently" or "never."

MarketingCharts provides other top-line findings from the study:

http://www.marketingcharts.com/interactive/baby-boomers-no-so-unhealthy-after-all-2968/

Reaching Baby Boomers Online

by Rich Newman, Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 7:00 AM
surce: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/index.cfm?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=88267

We recently came across an interesting tidbit talking about the limited use of social networking sites by Boomers. 

It seems that only 15% of 55- to-64-year-olds use social networking sites, compared to 75% of 15- to-24-year-olds.

That wasn't the interesting part, however.

The interesting part is that we seem intent on fostering the myth that the Internet is the province of the young, that online is an ineffective way to reach boomers--particularly older boomers--and you might as well forget social media when thinking about older consumers.

And nothing could be farther from the truth.

The fact is that Internet usage among Baby Boomers is comparable to Internet usage by both Generation X and the Echo Boomers. Also, online boomers are more involved with certain aspects of the Web than younger consumers.

According to data analyzed by Pew for The Associated Press:

• Online boomers were more likely to send or receive e-mail on a given day: 54% versus 49% of younger Americans who are wired.

• About 66% of online Boomers have looked up health information online, compared with 54% for younger users.

• Boomers were more likely to visit online support groups for specific medical conditions and personal situations: 55% versus 36%.

• Half of online Boomers have used the Internet for financial information, compared with 28% for the younger group.

Bottom line, for certain businesses, and with certain segments of boomers, the Web proves more critical to reach them than it would be for younger prospects. We've found this time and again with many of our clients. In the case of a major online media client, insights into boomers' media consumption habits and their attitudes toward online were critical to the development of a successful acquisition and retention strategy that significantly increased traffic to their site.

In regard to social networking, our experience doesn't quite mirror the claim that it is irrelevant to Boomers. For example, by appreciating the strong desire for emotional connection, both the frustrating and the humorous, around certain health issues--and detecting marked gaps in existing online offerings to support these needs--we were able to successfully launch a vibrant online community of mature women for one women's healthcare provider.

The problem lies in a tendency to limit our definition of social networking to a handful of high-profile networks with a largely youthful appeal, such as Facebook and MySpace. Considering only these and their ilk supports the case that social networks are not the place to find boomers. But when a broader--and, indeed, more accurate--definition is applied, the picture changes dramatically.

Wikipedia defines a social network as "a service which focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others."

This includes some of the earliest community-focused sites such as iVillage, Salon, and even Amazon.com--where Boomers become far more prevalent. According to comScore's Media Metrix, Baby Boomers index higher on sites such as Classmates.com (126), Reunion.com (124), and AOL Community (118)--all vibrant social networks.

Furthermore, sites such as Gather, BoomJ, Eons and TeeBeeDee are seeing success by building the communities a 60-year-old wants; focused on their needs and priorities. According to Quantcast, Boomj.com almost tripled their traffic from an average of 240K daily uniques in January 08 to almost 700K in July, a monthly average increase of 28%.

Our business is undergoing a massive transition from broad-based demographically driven initiatives to behaviorally focused, targeted marketing. And the Internet is fueling this shift. Does it make marketing more difficult and complicated? You bet! More rewarding, too. And it also means we need to avoid the black-and-white assessments of how and where we find our prospects.

Our experience with Boomers online is the same experience we know about any large consumer segment: Simple demographics are a poor substitute for understanding motivations, attitudes and behaviors.

Online Social Networking Helps Boomers Meet Peers with Similar Health Concerns

source: http://www.clearleadinc.com/family/health-conversations.html

(ARA) - Want advice on how to train for a marathon or treat depression? Baby boomers are increasingly finding answers to these kinds of health questions online, and not necessarily just on medical Web sites. They’re finding health information, personal stories and support on social networking sites where members engage directly with other members through private messages and online groups.

As boomers fully embrace the concept of social networking online, they are discovering an even more powerful medical resource at their fingertips -- the ability to find peers with similar health issues and goals who uniquely understand their life-stage and situations. These online peers can offer valuable encouragement and emotional support at a time when the person seeking health guidance may not have someone in their offline world to speak with candidly about their health goals or concerns.

Conversational Health

The largest online community for baby boomers, eons.com, has more than 700,000 members, many of whom are engaging in the online trend of “conversational health,” the concept of social networking around a health issue. The boomers participating in groups on eons.com are eager to share their health challenges and successes and learn from one another.

“Conversational health is a very therapeutic process for many people. Normalizing someone’s experience can help add years to their life,” says longevity expert Dr. Tom Perls, a physician and researcher in the study of aging at Boston University Medical School. “The process is made even more effective when groups like boomers, who are at similar life-stages, share thoughts, feelings and information.”

Health Care Communication for Health Issues

In the past year, 34 percent of adult online users (54 million people) in the United States connected to others online or to content that others created online about health issues, according to a report by Jupiter Research. Seventeen percent of “online health connectors” said they used the Internet “to get emotional support” for a health condition.

“Proactive health is important to boomers who stand to live 20 years longer on average than their grandparents did,” says Internet entrepreneur and eons.com CEO/founder Jeff Taylor who coined the term “conversational health.” “In addition to diseases or health conditions that have already occurred, boomers are sharing tips on healthy living, from losing weight to exercise to a vegetarian way of life.”

Real time groups address health issues relating to cancer, diabetes, smoking, weight loss and nutrition. These groups become 24/7 support networks for people who may need someone to talk to, no matter what time of day.

People with lesser-known ailments are especially finding comfort in groups that address topics such as fibromyalgia, which is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in muscles and fatigue.

“I’ve had fibromyalgia for over 25 years and while I have very supportive friends and family, it’s difficult for them to understand what it’s like for me to live with this little-known disease,” says Marge Orozco from Long Beach, Calif. “Thanks to the incredible fibromyalgia community on eons.com, I finally have friends who get it. We all strive to be supportive of each other, laugh with each other and, when appropriate, gently scold or nudge each other into taking better care of ourselves. This group has changed the way I see and live my life with fibromyalgia.”

To learn more about conversational health go to www.eons.com/health.

 

Hospital executives weigh risks and benefits of social media

Source: ePharm5

 

As an increasing number of Internet users are communicating via social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, hospital executives have begun weighing the risks and rewards of leveraging such tools, according to a HealthLeaders magazine article. On one hand, hospitals are concerned that social media outlets will provide them with minimal control over public comments. Open forums and relative anonymity might prompt people to make negative comments.

 

Other hospital executives say online conversations about their organizations will occur regardless of whether the facilities participate, so it's better to get their voice out there. For example, the University of Maryland Medical Center uses social media to build brand recognition, practice service recovery, and share and respond to positive feedback. "The bigger risk is not being engaged, not knowing what's going on, putting your head in the sand," says Chris Lindsley, Web site editor at the University of Maryland Medical Center. 

Entertainment company integrates Twitter into rich media ads

Source: ePharm5

Fox Home Entertainment announced that it is partnering with a digital advertising company to integrate Twitter into rich media ads. Viewers will be able to tweet directly in banner ads that promote the availability of Fox's TV show "Dollhouse" season one on DVD. The rollover ads are user-initiated and feature tweets from "Dollhouse" star Eliza Dushku's Twitter feed and invite users to sign in to their own Twitter accounts for an opportunity to share their thoughts on the show. Once they've passed through a moderation module, viewers' tweets could potentially appear in banner as well. The ads will run through August 3 on various male-targeted and sci-fi sites. 

CNBC and A DTC Ban?

Source: DTC Perspectives
(Issue 366 July 17, 2009)
Written by Bob Ehrlich, Chairman DTC Perspectives, Inc.

I regularly watch CNBC in my home office as I sit and write about or study DTC issues. The two activities are not related since I watch CNBC to track my investments(mostly energy) not to find DTC information. Today, on 7/15, I was unpleasantly surprised around 2:30 pm. Erin Burnett, an anchor I usually find very competent and one of their best, decided to ask some guest Congressmen to comment on some ideas to reform health care. She showed each idea as a chart that was stated in a problem solution format and promoted these ideas as specific ways to save money. I assume these are ideas she or her producers developed themselves or read about. The first idea was to end obesity as a covered anti-discrimination category under the disabilities act allowing employers to “encourage” weight loss. The second was to mandate living wills so people can choose to die earlier and avoid costly life maintenance procedures in those final few months.

The third idea was to ban DTC. Burnett said it would save $4 billion a year and end the practice of encouraging expensive brands over generics. She said it was outrageous that drugs are advertised. I was expecting big ideas on cost savings so I was shocked that DTC would make CNBC’s list. Ms. Burnett said jokingly we need to kill all the lobbyists since they inhibit change.

Ms. Burnett then posited her DTC cost saving idea to a Republican and Democratic Congressman. Would they ban DTC she asked? Democrat Frank Pallone said no. His rationale was very pragmatic. He tried in the past and said First Amendment and media company lobbying made that a no go. The Republican, John Fleming, a practicing M.D. said he feels we should not ban DTC advertising because it brings in people who are then diagnosed and educated on important medical conditions. I was relieved that a frequent industry critic like Pallone had put a ban on DTC off the table on both theoretical free speech grounds and very pragmatic media company constituent lobbying grounds. I sensed Frank Pallone has had enough of the DTC ban discussion for quite a while. The latest reform bill out of Congress does not have punitive tax treatment of DTC in the bill. I suspect the lobbyists used the First Amendment argument to discourage that idea.

Ms. Burnett seemed annoyed that such a practice could not be banned. First she needs to understand that banning DTC would not save $4 billion. Drug companies would not return that money to consumers but instead use it for other promotion or to add to profit for shareholders. Second, she assumes DTC leads to choosing branded drugs over equally effective generics. In fact she asked the Congressmen if generic Lipitor is worth using as a preventative. There is no generic Lipitor and her lack of awareness indicates the problem. Brands are usually prescribed because they are improvements over generics. Most doctors and most patients want to use generics when they become available. It is just that many of the newest medicines are not available as generics. It is true that some brands are no better than older versions available as generics. That cost/benefit decision is up to the doctor and of course the patient. DTC does not make a doctor or consumer choose a brand over a generic.

Ms. Burnett, by discussing DTC as one of three big cost saving ideas, once again shows how the media over plays the impact of drug advertising. That $4 billion spent is about 1.5% of annual drug sales in America. It adds about $8 billion in sales incrementally based on an ROI of 2 to 1. That $8 billion motivated by DTC is less than one third of one percent of our $2.4 trillion annual health care spending. DTC is not a cost problem in our health care system. It is rounding error at most. I keep telling the critics that DTC is an effective but minor promotional tactic. Just because you see it in prime time does not mean it is important. It is very important to me, ad agencies, media companies, pharma marketers, managed care but not to the health care system overall. Highly visible does not always mean highly important.

DTC is just one small part of the prescription drug information system, albeit information meant to sell more of the advertised drug. Do you really think the government plan currently proposed will provide only information meant in the best interests of its patients? No, that system will try to save cost by promoting cheap drugs that are adequate, not necessarily the best. DTC is designed to offer alternative information that is as subjective as government information will likely be. No information source is totally objective, as everyone has an agenda. Government wants to save money; insurance companies want to add to profit, doctors are influenced by habit, detail reps, insurers or peers. No one is unbiased so therefore consumers must take the final decision in their own hands after evaluating multiple points of view. A ban on DTC will just remove a portion of that biased information, leaving the cost mavens to push cheaper, but perhaps less effective drugs.

Nick Jonas & Bayer Launch "Simple Wins" Diabetes Creativity Contest

Music Sensation Nick Jonas and Bayer Diabetes Care Invite Kids With Diabetes to Express Their "Simple Wins" in a Creativity Contest

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - July 15, 2009) - Music sensation Nick Jonas and Bayer Diabetes Care are inviting kids and teens with diabetes to enter the "Express Your Simple Win Creativity Contest" online for a chance to meet him in person. Three Grand Prize Winners Will Meet Nick Jonas. Bayer Diabetes Care is the official sponsor of the contest.

Nick Jonas, who has Type 1 diabetes and uses a Bayer CONTOUR® meter, has made a special video announcement about the contest; in which he inspires young people with diabetes to share their creativity and their own personal "Simple Wins." The special message can be viewed and downloaded at www.mhp3.com/nick_jonas_contest

In Nick's video message, Nick talks about what Simple Wins are: "small, everyday victories for managing diabetes that can lead to big differences over time." His Simple Wins include writing lyrics, performing and making music, and he even talks about what inspired him to write the popular song, "A Little Bit Longer."

To enter the Bayer "Express Your Simple Win Creativity Contest," young people with diabetes between the ages of 6 and 18 are asked to record a 15-30 second video that demonstrates their Simple Win in an artistic way. The personal video submission can be a visual demonstration of original song lyrics, photography, painting/drawing, acting or another form of creativity. Once the video is complete, entrants can go to www.nickssimplewins.com and upload and complete the eligibility criteria to enter the contest.

The contest, which began in April and will last through September 20th, picks three monthly finalists during the last week of each month, and their videos are posted on www.nickssimplewins.com, allowing the public to vote on the best one, which is announced at the end of the month. Each monthly winner wins a prize and is eligible for the Grand Prize drawing. In October, following the end of the contest, the top three favorite videos will be picked by a team of judges and those entrants will get to meet Nick in person. Grand prize winners will be notified on or about October 30, 2009. Each of the Bayer "Express Your Simple Win Creativity Contest" Grand Prize winners and a guest of their choice will meet Nick Jonas in person on a date to be determined.

Restrictions and limitations apply. For more information: go to www.nickssimplewins.com for the official rules and regulations, grand prize information, online voting of monthly winners and contest submission guidelines.

The web site also shares Nick's personal experiences with diabetes and Nick's blog posts of his latest activities.

Watch a Special Message From Nick -- Exclusively Online; Video Clip Available at www.mhp3.com/nick_jonas_contest

Bayer Launches Review for $1 Billion Global Account

Seeks to Consolidate Business With One Holding Company

 

Posted by Rupal Parekh on 07.16.09 @ 11:21 AM

 

Source: AdAge (http://adage.com/agencynews/article?article_id=137967)

 

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- German pharmaceutical giant Bayer AG has begun a holding-company review as it pursues a global consolidation of its more than $1 billion advertising account, according to several executives familiar with the matter.

 

The consolidation -- one of many launched by mega-marketers during this recession, in a drive to find efficiencies and cut costs -- will include roster shops that work on Bayer's various brands.

 

Creative and media duties are spread across a number of entities, among them Omnicom Group's BBDO, which handles advertising for brands such as Aleve and One A Day; WPP's JWT, which handles creative for a number of consumer brands, including indigestion drug Rennie; and Interpublic Group of Cos.' Initiative, which handles media planning and buying for the Bayer Consumer Healthcare subsidiary.

 

Initial meetings are already under way, but an official response to a request for proposals isn't due till later this summer, so the process likely will take several months. Agency and holding-company representatives either could not be immediately reached or referred calls for comment to Bayer, which did not respond by press time.

 

Bayer, which was ranked 47th on Ad Age's list of top 100 national advertisers last month, has a massive ad budget that has remained relatively flat amidst the economic downturn, according to Ad Age data and TNS Media Intelligence figures.

 

In the U.S. alone, the company spent $442 million to market its products in 2008, down slightly from $459 million in 2007, according to TNS. Unmeasured U.S. media, meanwhile, is estimated at $387 million for 2008, bringing total U.S. spending to $840 million last year. That figure, only a 2% drop-off from 2007, represents about 7% of the company's total sales, according to Ad Age data. Globally, the company is estimated to spend more than $1 billion on advertising.

 

Pharma company preps for launch by establishing presence on social media channels

Source: ProActive

Over the last 3 months or so, Access Pharmaceuticals has continued to move forward with developments regarding one of their flagship products, MuGard, its proprietary oral mucositis product. What’s particularly interesting is how Access Pharmaceuticals has engaged its growing audience on social media platforms. Access now has a presence on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Slideshare
• YouTube

Access expects to continue to grow its audience through these Web 2.0 tools and broadening their presence on other platforms as well.

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• LUV IT! We built thss functionality 4 diff purpose. Join forces? @jonmrich @swoodruff TWEGULATE app 4 pharma. #pharmedia bit.ly/CIJUO

Compass launches blog and webinars for niche community

Source: Med Ad News

There is a really great article on Med Ad News' "Insider" blog by Gina Monari about how Compass Healthcare Communications is helping Tercica leverage innovative technologies and social media to help them reach and engage niche patient communities. In the the article Gina discusses both the components of the program, as well as how the company is managing the moderation of the community.

Way to go Compass and Tercica! On behalf of a competitive agency, I praise your effort and thank you for ensuring that it's publicized via this article so that others in the industry can see the various approaches to Social Media Engagement.

Two excerpts from the article:

"The campaign, developed for Tercica, comprises two components — an unbranded blog, one of the first pharmaceutical-sponsored patient blogs, and a PatientConnect patient webinar series in support of Somatuline Depot..."

And this excerpt discusses the moderation aspect of the program:

"Comments are approved by the med legal team and is moderated in collaboration between Compass and Ipsen regularly and checked at least once every 24 hours, usually every 12 hours, so that if there is any adverse events they can be reported in the appropriate timeframe."

Read the whole post here.

Women's Sexual Health Issues Hit Home, 35% Turn to Internet

Source: Forbes
U.S. survey finds two-thirds have had sex-related stress, anxiety

THURSDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) -- A new survey finds that 70 percent of American women have experienced a sexual health issue, and 22 percent felt very or extremely concerned about it.

The survey defined a sexual health issue as any one of the following conditions: lack of desire for sexual activity, inability to become sexually aroused, inability to have an orgasm, pain during intercourse, vaginal dryness, or excessive desire for sexual activity.

Women who reported a sexual health issue said it had an effect on their romantic relationships (44 percent), self-esteem (43 percent) and mental health (42 percent). Sexual health issues also caused stress and anxiety in 66 percent of those surveyed, and affected sleeping habits in 28 percent and weight in 25 percent, the researchers found.

When they wanted to get information about sexual health issues, 35 percent used the Internet and 32 percent turned to their partner. While many women said they'd be comfortable discussing a sexual health issue with a health-care provider, only 18 percent actually saw a health-care provider when they had a sexual health issue, the findings showed.

The survey, released Thursday, was commissioned by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP). The survey was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.

"Given the number of women who experience sexual health issues, it is important to provide them with accurate, unbiased information on conditions they may encounter throughout their lifetime," Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, executive director of the NWHRC, said in a news release from the center.

"Fortunately, many sexual health issues can be successfully addressed through education, lifestyle changes, counseling and treatment, and we encourage women to talk with their partner and their health-care provider," Cahill said.

"Health-care providers today have more resources than ever to help women understand and maximize their healthy sexuality throughout the age span," noted Dr. Beth Jordan, medical director of the ARHP. "It is critical for women to understand the basics of female sexual response and the myriad, and often emotional, factors that impact their sense of sexuality."

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• Guest blogger @DigitalBulldog writes about Novo Nordisk's New Social Media Initiative on Twitter: tr.im/oJHw
• The Scientist: "Pharma on Facebook?" something old is old again.: tr.im/pGJj
• RT @MAVERICKNY POST on "New Weapon for war against HIV/AIDS": tr.ihm/pGKCAA
• Found this sort of funny. Ad Age: "Pharma Marketing Is Embarrassing": tr.im/pGGN
• TheScientist: "Friending Pharma" Tips for industry collaborations. tr.im/pGHG
• RIP MJ. Just landed. In shock.

Oops for Apps

By Mark Sernak,
Courtesy of @EyeonFDA post.

It is no state secret that the pharmaceutical industry is seriously lagging behind other industries - even other highly regulated industries - in making use of digital media to engage and support their stakeholders. There are still many, if not most, that are not even using RSS feeds to issue news or to communicate internally with staff. And as mentioned yesterday, there is a less than overwhelming presence on Twitter. There is often the excuse put forth that pharma is hobbled by regulations (or lack thereof). Ok.

A few days ago, I came across a new app for iPhone that I thought was amazing. Dunkin Donuts, already recognized as a pioneer in its use of digital and social media, has come up with an iPhone app that is designed to help you organize group runs for coffee and donuts to the nearest Dunkin Donuts store and have your order ready for pickup. It's called Dunkin Run. Yes, that's right. Brace yourself. This is only the beginning. Before too long I would imagine that there will be an app that takes you to any chain restaurant and helps you order and pay for your meal - lines will become a thing of the past.

What the hell am I talking about?

Well, here it is. It seems to me that as pharmaceutical companies are mostly being very shy little creatures about engaging in social media, they may want to start thinking a little beyond the most obvious ways to engage consumers in the social media to some that are less obvious. Here are the things that pharma companies can and should be exploring. How about some smart phone applications that

• support and track a person's diabetes needs - from diet to levels;
• offer the capacity to help a person stay on a complex drug regimen (better than those branded little pill boxes they give out)
• support as part of a REMS program
• support to tell if a drug and/or TC product and/or supplement might have dangerous interactions
• dietary weight loss compliance
• help in working with particular medical devices
  

Outreach to patients doesn't have be limited to twitter, blogs and other forms of social media. The realm of digital media is complex, evolving and increasingly integrated. Pharmaceutical companies are light years behind, but with some innovative thought, the industry doesn't have to stay that way. A patient might find a Facebook page engaging, but an app that helps her out on a daily basis would be more than engaging, it would be essential support and position the pharmaceutical company as more than a drug manufacturer, but a partner in care.

There could even be apps for other stakeholders, like investors.

Does everyone have a smart phone? No. But 20 years ago, most people didn't have a mobile phone and if they did, it was the size of a shoe box. Smart phones are here and their presence and influence in commerce will be huge. This is an opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry which should not continue to be the laggard in the race to innovate in digital media and by all means, should not wait for the FDA to find which way the wind is blowing in digital media. The first to figure this out will make the others increase in irrelevance.

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• History is in the making. OMG. Conferations Cup!

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• FRIGHTENING, and funny! RT @ChristianeTrue: @skypen Apparently that switch plate was never a real drug rep giveaway: bit.ly/1LRR76

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• facebook VS Twitter infographic. Pretty cool. tr.im/phSY
• Janet--links not working 4 me. RT @janetdcarlson: Ah yes, pharma marketing maroons strike again: ping.fm/OY8Jv
• FAST COMPANY: Top 10 Most Creative People in Health Care. tr.im/pnrw
• RT @jonmrich: Pharma and Healthcare Digital Data Bank on Dose of Digital with stats about the industry. Plz RT. bit.ly/eaMMz
• RADIOLOGY TODAY - "Healthcare Atwitter Over Social Networking": tr.im/pnu6
• "Facebook as a Marketing Tool" (The Healthcare Marketer, @dandunlop): tr.im/pnuK
• Efficacy of Social Media in Marketing (via @sarahsavage8): tr.im/pnxQ

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• John Mack scolds pharma marketers: Stop blaming FDA 4 UR poor social media efforts. Let me tell U how it's done: tr.im/pgDh
• Several Ways That Pharma Can Harness the Power of Social Media (via Bio Job Blog): tr.im/pgEn
• MD Anderson Cancer Center MD Blogs: "Medicine and Social Media: Why Do I Tweet?" tr.im/pgJL
• The Debate on Novo Nordisk's Twitter Effort Continues in blog "The Geometry of Social Media": www.tr.im/pgCM
• If you haven't been following the #neda hashtag, you should. It's amazing how certain things just ignite a movement.
• RT @timdnew: Twitterverse, let your voices be heard Wikipedia asks to delete article on Neda or not tinyurl.com/mr7v6t #neda

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• Sad sad story. "Pixar Grants Girl's Last Wish to See Up": tr.im/paj2
• If you like metrics: 50 days of tweet-click tracking reveals top links of interest to fellow followers: tr.im/p8hj

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• 4 those who missed it - Novo Nordisk's twttr spokesperson Charlie Kimball @racingwithinsulin tweets abt brand, links 2 PI: tr.im/oYob
• RT @jonmrich: Is Pharma Ready for the New iPhone (or any iPhone)? bit.ly/L1eVd
• RT @StevePasierb: Consumers becoming more sensitive to/critical of corporate social responsibility messages bit.ly/OTQg7
• What a list! RT @Juan_Negro: Wow. UNBELIEVABLE Twitter Brand (companies) Index. I mean, this is unreal. bit.ly/dq8Cw
• DISAGREE: People talk like that a lot: tinyurl.com/lavk6z RT @jonmrich: @carolina_dore, just not w/ PI but that is prob rqrd by Legal
• Folks w/t1 diabetes tlk abt their products ALL THE TIME- frquntly by brand name. Diffrnce hre is simply requirmnt 4 PI. @pharmaguy @jonmrich
• Answer, yes. Esp. t1 diabetes. Seriously wired and social. RT @jonmrich: @carolina_dore : Is this a tech that their demo is using?
• Folks, those using TR.IM as URL shortener might want to hold off as I THINK it's down right now (at least 4 me).
• I must've been sleeping when this happened. Sanofi Aventis TV on Twitter: twitter.com/sanofiaventisTV @sanofiaventisTV
• 4.2 Earthquake Strikes 16 miles From San Clemente (where I live). Didn't even feel it. tr.im/p7IR
• RT @WendyBlackburn: Increase ROI with smarter segmentation - new guest ePharma Rx blogger post bit.ly/2R1jO
• SKYPEN'S Top 10 Tweets of All-Time. Social Media and Pharma Stories Dominate: tr.im/p8hj

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• New Survey Results from TNS & Conference Board on the SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOSION: tr.im/oVmn
• INTERESTING INDEED! RT @michelletripp: Reading "Why I Hate Social Media" (@adage) Interesting article! tr.im/hatesocial
• Agree! RT @swoodruff: ! @pharmaguy For me, the #1 "inspired" pharma product/story was Novartis' Gleevec. I still tell others the story.
• RT @pharmaguy: An example of why pharma marketers aren't good at social media. Pharma Marketing Blog. tr.im/oVFn
• New Toy for Kids? Creepy! tr.im/oVM5
• POZ: "Taking Black AIDS Awareness Viral": tr.im/oWgk
• A Historic Day - The First Branded Pharma Tweet: tr.im/oYob
• Novo Nordisk strikes again! Guest blogger @digitalbulldog breaks story on FIRST BRANDED PHARMA TWEET: tr.im/oYob
• Show support for democracy in Iran add green overlay to your Twitter avatar with 1-click - helpiranelection.com/

A Historic Day: The First Branded Pharma Tweet

By Ross Fetterolf, VP Digital Strategy at Ignite Health
(On twitter @digitalbulldog)

Well, it’s official – it took a total of 12 tweets before diabetes patient/racecar driver Charlie Kimball produced the first branded tweet on his Race With Insulin Twitter page (@racewithinsulin, http://twitter.com/racewithinsulin). See my previous post on this initiative here.

The effort is sponsored by Novo Nordisk, and includes both Levemir and Novolog important safety information and logos as part of the Twitter page background. The tweet itself represents (to this blogger's knowledge) the first ever officially branded tweet in the Pharma space, and can now be used as a model for other companies who want to adopt this approach:

The tweet includes both the full product name (brand name and generic), and includes a link to the full prescribing information for Levemir within the tweet itself. This represents a particularly “safe” (and hopefully FDA friendly) approach, and one that also translates well to the mobile space – in case users aren’t viewing Charlie’s tweet on the Race With Insulin page directly, but instead on their mobile device.

I wonder if Charlie’s 125 followers have their Levemir flexpen’s primed and ready to inject along with Charlie when it’s time for his next dose. We’ll have to wait and see.

Taking Black AIDS Awareness Viral

Source: POZ
by Kat Noel

Can the Web curb new HIV infections among African Americans?

As part of New York’s Internet Week, June 1 through 8, TheLoop21.com, an online news source and digital community for African Americans, invited various people within media to take part in a panel discussion titled “The Silent Killer: AIDS in Black America.” The goal was to address the impact the epidemic has had on the African-American community and to promote the Internet—from niche news sites to blogs to burgeoning communities such as Facebook and Twitter—as an HIV education tool.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released last year, African Americans make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for 45 percent of the country’s new HIV infections each year. AIDS is the third leading cause of death of African-American females ages 35 to 44 and the fourth leading cause of African-American males ages 25 to 44.

At the panel, K. Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH, assistant commissioner in New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, highlighted that AIDS is the No. 1 cause of death of African-American women between the ages of 25 to 34 and that there has also been an increase in the rate of infection among those older than 50.

“There are a lot of stats, and the picture does point to black America, but it’s important that everyone pays attention to it because it’s really going to take the entire U.S. [and] the entire world to focus on this issue in order to help eradicate it,“ said Maybank. “It’s really disappointing when we have death rates that are so high, because there really is treatment out there that can sustain and maintain life for a long time.”

Acknowledging that more Americans are turning to the Internet for information and support when confronted with a problem, TheLoop21.com is encouraging bloggers to link to online HIV resources and to host discussions about the epidemic on their blogs as part of two weeklong national initiatives on June 21–27 and July 19–25. The TheLoop21.com organized the panel in the hopes that by taking the imperative dialogue online, where anonymity is possible, blacks will be more vocal about the effects of the epidemic and will research how to prevent it from further spreading.

During the panel discussion, Kenya Hunt, senior editor of Essence, revealed for the first time publicly that last year she was personally affected by the black community’s silence around HIV when her 44-year-old brother died from an AIDS-related illness. She had noticed his deteriorating health, Hunt recalled, but was originally told he passed away from meningitis.

After his death, Hunt’s sister-in-law finally admitted that her husband was HIV positive and had asked that his HIV status remain hidden from family members out of fear of judgment.

“The first thing that speaks to me is that we need to encourage more dialogue,” Hunt said. “Women have to be more aggressive and say to their men, ‘Let’s go get tested together.’ It definitely starts with you first. We’re independent women, we’re hustlers, so why is it so difficult to say to our mate, ‘This is what I need from you’?”

Terrence Dean, founder and creator of Men’s Empowerment and author of Hiding in Hip-Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry From Music to Hollywood, said people are reluctant to discuss the reality of HIV because it is predominantly transmitted through sex and intravenous drug use—taboo topics within the black community. Although he acknowledged that men who identify as heterosexual but secretly have sex with other men (often referred to as being “on the down low”) might contribute to the rising number of infections among blacks, he emphasized that “this is not a ‘gay disease,’ anyone can get this disease.”

“If you’re only worried about if someone has had sex with another man, they could have unprotected sex with a whole bunch of women but you didn’t ask that question,” added Sonya Lockett, vice president of public affairs at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Networks. “That may be where you actually get infected.”

While the black church is often seen as a mobilizing force within the community, Dean notes that many of African-American religious leaders have been reluctant to take on HIV. “TD Jakes said something very powerful—‘There’s not a scripture in the Bible that talks about how to deal with AIDS,’” Dean said. “He was right. They don’t know how to deal with it, so we can’t put the responsibility on them.”

Chuck Creekmur, cofounder and co-CEO of AllHipHop.com, believes that the fight against the epidemic starts with African Americans taking personal accountability for themselves and the people around them. “If you look at the statistics, you’ll lose hope,” Creekmur said. “You have to make it a little smaller so people can conceptualize how they affect the change. “

Tweet that.

Social Media Explosion

Original Post: The Conference Board

Consumer Internet Barometer
(Trends, Usage and Attitudes)

For more detailed information, please visit www.consumerinternetbarometer.us

Social networks are exploding in popularity. Forty-three percent of the online community now uses social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. This is up from 27 percent a year ago, reports The Conference Board and TNS.

The Consumer Internet Barometer, a quarterly report produced by The Conference Board, the global business membership and research association, and TNS, a global market insight and information group, surveys 10,000 households across the country and tracks who's doing what on the Internet.

More than half of social networkers log on at least once a day, and the majority log on several times a day. Interacting with family, friends and celebrities are among the main reasons people log on to sites like Twitter. The majority of users log on at home, although a quarter of social networkers log on at work, and 10 percent connect through their phone.

Social networking spans all generations. Today, about 19 percent of those age 55 and over visit these sites, up from just 6 percent a year ago. Women are more likely than men to use social networking sites (48 percent versus 38 percent), but usage has increased dramatically among both groups in just a year.

"Social media is here to stay," says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center. "Online social networks are more than just a fad among the younger generation. They've become an integral part of our personal and professional lives. They're an effective way to keep in touch with people, connect with friends and family, and network with colleagues. Social media will also transform marketing as we know it. They're powerful communication tools, and are becoming an essential part of successful marketing strategies."

"Social media has transformed the way individuals connect and communicate with one another," says Anita Watkins, Senior Vice President at TNS. "Smart marketers are utilizing this behavior to their advantage by setting up online communities in which consumers can freely interact, discuss and debate issues around products, services and brands in a natural way. Companies are listening in to these conversations and harnessing the power of influencers to co-create their marketing strategies."

Facebook Most Popular Site

The most popular site is Facebook, used by 78 percent of online households, followed by MySpace (42 percent), LinkedIn (17 percent) and Twitter (10 percent).

Both men and women use Facebook in equal numbers. However, women are more likely than men (47 percent versus 35 percent) to use MySpace. Conversely, more men than women (21 percent versus 15 percent) use LinkedIn. Across generations, Facebook usage is about equal, but when it comes to MySpace, those under 35 are more likely to have an account than their older counterparts.

When asked with whom they would like more access/interaction with, celebrities (15 percent) topped the list, with favorite company (14 percent), service providers (13 percent) and athletes/sports teams (11 percent) not far behind.

The top concerns of social networking members — expressed by about 50 percent — are viruses/malware, exposure of information to strangers and lack of privacy. Women tend to be moderately more concerned than men. Only 14 percent claim they have no concerns, compared to 22 percent of men.

Twitter Encourages Closer Connections

Members of Twitter, the real-time micro-blogging website, say their top reasons for "tweeting" are to connect with friends (42 percent), update their status (29 percent) and look for news (26 percent). They also use Twitter for work-related (22 percent) reasons. Two out of three Twitter users interact with friends. Thirty percent interact with family, 30 percent connect with celebrities, and 24 percent interact with other bloggers. Members of Twitter also are likely to interact with TV shows, employers, co-workers, companies/brands and TV anchors/journalists.

Among Twitter users, half report being introduced to the site by a friend or family member, and one out of three were introduced by a co-worker.

About This Survey:

The Consumer Internet Barometer is based on a quarterly survey of 10,000 households. A unique sample is surveyed each quarter. Return rates average 70 percent, which ensures highly representative data. Data is weighted as well to reflect the latest U.S. household demographic information. The latest survey was conducted during the second quarter of 2009. For more information, please email f.tortorici@conference-board.org or
lynn.franco@conference-board.org.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE BOARD

The Conference Board is a global, independent business-membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance AND better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org.

About TNS

TNS, which recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tns-us.com for more information.

The Kantar Group

The Kantar Group is one of the world's largest research, insight and consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of more than 20 specialist companies — including the recently-acquired TNS — the group aims to become the preeminent provider of compelling and actionable insights for the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 80 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point of the consumer cycle. The group's services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies. The Kantar Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP Group plc. For further information, please visit www.kantargrouptns.com.

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• RT @pitselly: RT From Iran: CONFIRMED!! Army moving into Tehran against protesters! PLZ RT! URGENT! #IranElection #gr88 (via @twazzup)
• If anyone sees a message that says "Need Followers", please don't click. I've been TWITJACKED. Bound to happen.
• Yup! Thanks! RT @edwardaten: @skypen Looks like you may have been hacked. Your last post seems a bit unlike you (and like phishing).
• RT @Diabeticizme: Terrible @DiabetesMine: @amblass says there's zero health-related content at #140conf - 2 bad 4 the entire #health20 world
• RT @sujamthe: @gurupanguji sorry! they have a live video stream here 140conf.com/watch, also we are all tweeting a lot
• RT @Boehringer: Boehringer ingelheim just did an interview with John Mack all about our Twitter strategy. Hear it: bit.ly/IGoYX
• Love the tweetdeck on itouch. But HATE the crashes. Quick -- send out an upgrade! #tweetdeck
• Amen brother! RT @DigitalBulldog: Wishes @tweetdeck would stop crashing on iPod touch.
• LOOOK now if you want followers! im getting LOTS of them from: bit.ly/2btuR
• WOW want 10,000 Followers, EASY!: bit.ly/2btuR
• Novo Nordisk Pulls Ahead of the Pharma Social Media Pack with New Twitter Initiative: tr.im/oJHw
• WHOA! Get over 300 followers EVERYDAY from: bit.ly/2btuR
• RT @comScore: Microsoft sees gains in US searcher penetration/share of search result pages during 2nd wk of Bing's Debut bit.ly/6QRVm
• DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO STOP TWITTER SPAM FLU?
• A 5-min audio of talk on Health 2.0 at Ontario Pharma Mrktng Association (via @MattD19 @pharmacoach): tr.im/oNUe
• Pharma Exec: "Can Healthcare Games Change the Game of Healthcare?" (@ellenhoenig) tr.im/oNYc
• Guest blogger @digitalbulldog comments on Novo Nordisk's Social Media initiative on Twitter: tr.im/oJHw

Can Healthcare Games Change the Game of Healthcare?

Original post: Pharmaceutical Executive

Ellen Hoenig Carlson of Advance MarketWoRx is live from Day 2 of the Games for Health Conference.

With the completion of the Games For Health Conference Friday, it was very exciting to see several innovative efforts in place. Despite being the early days in Health eGaming, momentum is quickly building behind games and virtual worlds as potential “game changers” to improve education, engagement, and behavior to positively influence health.

As we head into the “virtual” future of marketing, here are seven key implications for pharma to think about:

1.Adherence: An educational and behavioral change focused game can be part of a ‘meaningful’ compliance and persistence-marketing program. Too often the current adherence RM programs are simply a few reminders that are either Web or direct mail interventions. A well-designed adherence health game could provide significantly more engagement to not only remind patients, but also teach them how to use and incorporate treatment into their daily regimen. And could furthermore, help them understand why on-going behavior changes and adherence are needed to maximize success.

2.Awareness/Diagnosis, Conversion: A well designed, fun game can be instrumental in helping people get diagnosed and/or feel better about new treatment options. Games can provide another channel and platform to further surround the consumer and provide learning and engagement opportunities that may appeal beyond traditional or Web media communications. Games have potential to turn one-way communications upside down in favor of two-way engagement.

3.Prevention: Virtual simulations of natural environments can dial-up coping mechanisms to help prevent relapse, improve self-esteem, and sustain learning. Memorial Sloan Kettering presented a pilot of a virtual reality simulation taking place in a home setting where an ex-smoker might be tempted in certain situations to smoke i.e. watching TV. While this virtual reality game was developed to prevent smoking relapse, one could also imagine designing a virtual simulation where ADHD kids or adults could practice social skills and coping mechanisms to be more successful in real life situations. Or even for diabetics or cholesterol suffers to ‘say no’ to sugar in social situations, etc. These types of games offer consumers the opportunity to test themselves prior to a real situation so that they can be ready for it.

4.Engagement, community building, and learning: Advergames that are relevant, easy, fun to play, and integrate the game and brand storyline in a seamless way can dramatically increase engagement, spawn communities, and become viral – always a struggle for the pharmaceutical industry. Well-executed advergames can also provide a rich source of qualified and highly motivated responders to a brand’s database for additional dialog and learning. Could Advergames complement and/or offer, in some cases, a more effective result than many of the relationship programs currently in place?

5.Consumer empowerment, with personalized 3D virtual realities and simulations, which can reflect the potential impact of possible behaviors and decisions on ‘their’ unique condition and quality of life. What would happen if we could enable a diabetic to watch what happens to their body in real time if they consume too much sugar? Or how strength building exercise and the proper diet does for bone preservation?

6.Medical training to enhance skills and execution. Some of the virtual simulations are pretty amazing. They can offer innovative ways to supplement training programs already in place with KOLs and sales reps, especially for new technologies and procedures that may require focused training to optimize usage and results.

7.Payer and managed care collaboration to improve healthcare prevention, diagnosis, delivery, and outcomes. Could this be a way to improve outcomes and bring meaningful value-add to your branded therapy, and a mechanism for the consumer to gain reimbursement for the adherence game with their branded medication? You be the judge. Start gaming!

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• Washington Post "Drug Firms Jockey for Space Online": tr.im/oHiu
• RT @StrategicHealth: RT @jmajka My new blog post: Healthcare Social Media applications tr.im/oHlm #healthcare
• Medical Marketing & Media: "UCB to report AEs to FDA via community site" tr.im/oHuL
• RT @gvanantwerp: Wellpoint NextRx says their programs to manage side effects leads to people working 7.4 hours more per week.
• RT @mariaatomaca: RT @ClickZ: Why Pharma Giants Fear Online Media bit.ly/tvq0k
• RT @190east: RT @JetBlue: TRIPIT!!! #TTinfo
• RT @mashable: BREAKING: Tweetdeck for iPhone is LIVE in the iPhone App Store. Download link & review here: bit.ly/6jm6i
• Tweetdeck for iPhone launches at 9PM PST tonight! tr.im/oJy5
• Novo Nordisk's "Race With Insulin" Twitter Page Blazes a New Path: tr.im/oJHw
• Novo Nordisk Pulls Ahead of the Pharma Social Media Pack with New Twitter Initiative: tr.im/oJHw
• It's official: TweetDeck for iPhone/iTouch is the ONLY game in town. Simply Awesome.
• RT @kennethbennett: "Pharmas don't do social networking"...Pharmas and social networking | bit.ly/ijHbh #socpharm
• RT @AllergyNotes: Just launched: upload & share documents on Medpedia. Invite colleagues to review & comment. www.medpedia.com
• AMAZING! TED Video - Clay Shirky: "How cellphones, Twitter, Facebook can make history" + Q&A RE: IRAN: tr.im/oKrQ
• WOW. U.S. Government Asks Twitter to Stay Up for #IranElection Crisis: tr.im/oKtA
• Facebook Readies Rival to Twitter Search: tr.im/oKtS

Clay Shirky: How cellphones, Twitter, Facebook can make history

Q&A with Clay Shirky on Twitter and Iran

Novo Nordisk's "Race With Insulin" Twitter Page Blazes a New Path

By Ross Fetterolf, VP Digital Strategy Ignite Health

(twitter @digitalbulldog)

Novo Nordisk’s new “Race With Insulin” twitter page (http://twitter.com/racewithinsulin) represents an important development in the evolution of Pharma’s role on the micro-blogging service. This effort includes a corporate sponsorship of racecar driver Charlie Kimball, who is also a patient living with diabetes. This is the first Twitter account that aligns a patient advocate (who conceivably uses Levemir or Novolog insulin) with a specific brand (not just a corporation). This is the first Pharma Twitter page that includes safety information and brand logos as part of the page, representing a significant shift from Pharma’s typical corporate Twitter presence of setting up a corporate account, and pushing out press releases with company data (see AstraZeneca (http://twitter.com/AstraZenecaUS), Genentech (http://twitter.com/genentechnews) or GSK (http://twitter.com/GSKUS) as prime examples of the corporate Twitter presence).

Where is Novo Steering the Conversation?

The concept of hearing from real diabetes patients has been one that has been explored in many forms by Pharma in the past, including everything from photos/quotes as part of Lantus’ campaign (www.Lantus.com), Novo’s “voices of diabetes” community initiative (www.changingdiabetes-us.com/voices/), Sanofi’s Go Insulin high production value videos showcased on YouTube (www.youtube.com/goinsulin), or Novo’s sponsorship of JDRF’s first social network for T1 diabetes patients, Juvenation (www.Junevation.org). The important distinction is that these efforts still rely on the user to visit the brand website or social media destination to view this content, and experience it at a point in time. The use of Twitter represents a new direction in sharing real patient experiences, and does it in such a way that people can follow a patient and go through experiences WITH them, as they are taking place, vs. having to get e-mails or check back on the site for new updates. So what’s on Charlie’s mind? Currently he’s tweeted 10 times since June 4^th about a range of topics including ADA, race preparation, the weather in New Orleans and the cleanliness of his race suit (wouldn’t want that Novo logo on the front to get dirty), but no mention of diabetes or insulin yet.

Like every other social media channel, Twitter is not right for every brand or every disease state, but clearly this is a step toward Pharma breaking out of its corporate experimentation phase with Twitter and moving toward some strong promotional potential. From a user experience/patient perspective, imagine that you were just prescribed a new medication (maybe Novolog insulin), then being able to follow a real patient on the product as they provide updates via Twitter related to common questions, side-effect concerns, basic disease information, and other topics of interest to help keep you engaged (and compliant) with your therapy.

This is an excellent example of Novo putting its foot the gas and racing to the head of the pack -- at least when it comes to social media initiatives. We’re left to wonder if some of their competitors feel like they’ve just been lapped.

Genentech's Cloud Cover

Source: Business Week

When Michael Roh, a sales representative for Genentech (DNA.), calls on physicians, he's never really on his own. The cloud is shadowing him.

A doctor may have a question Roh can't answer -- say, how Rituxan, one of the company's cancer drugs, will interact with another the physician is prescribing to a patient. Then Roh can use his smartphone to tap into Peeps, a Facebook-like directory of the Genentech staff. The application helps him find staffers with the expertise he needs. And if he can't speak to one of them or reach them by e-mail immediately, he can submit a question to Genentech's computing system for handling such queries. The system routes the query to the appropriate expert, who responds directly to the doctor.

These days, Roh doesn't bother to lug a laptop when he's on the road. He simply pockets his smartphone and he's off. The device provides all the computing power he needs to do his job. He can connect to cloud services, including Salesforce.com's sales management service and Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News) Apps, from his car or a physician's office to do anything from checking on the latest uses of the drug to strategizing with colleagues. Says Roh: "I can do things more real-time."

The itunes Model

For Roh and 4,000 other Genentech employees who carry company-issued iPhones, dealing with their corporate computing systems is just like downloading songs from Apple's (AAPL) iTunes. That's because Genentech's tech staff built a Web site modeled on iTunes, where employees can select the applications they want and download them with one click. So far, the company has created 15 applications for the iPhone, including Peeps. "We're cutting down on the drag of technology so people can focus more of their intellectual energy and creativity on the important stuff," says Todd Pierce, vice-president for information technology.

Employees are supportive of the switch. Surveys show 85% are satisfied with their mobile-computing experience.

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• 1st-ever pharma partnership 4 epilepsy patient community w/PatientsLikeMe (w/adverse event monitoring): tr.im/oyhc
• TIME MAGAZINE: "How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live" by @stevenbjohnson - tr.im/ouo9
• "Here Comes Google's Twitter Search (GOOG)" (courtesy @Monika29): tr.im/oyvV
• RT @mistermookie: step aside Google Chrome Incognito, MS Bing adds a porn domain "to better filter such content": twurl.nl/3z52gc
• RT @danschawbel: NEWS: Google adding microblog indexing to its search results: tr.im/oyxJ
• PRETTY INTERESTING. "Hunch Launches, Reinvents How You Make Decisions" (courtesy @mashable): tr.im/oyzs
• GREAT EVENT: Social Communications & Healthcare, Roundtable and Case Studies on 7/23 (courtesy @rdublife): tr.im/oyL2
• 6/16 @pharmaguy interviews Judith von Gordon & John Pugh from Boehringer Ingelheim abt their TWTR strategy: tr.im/oyM6
• FASCINATING IDEA: "Ask Google for a World Diabetes Day Doodle" (@brettmarvel): tr.im/oyNV
• "Porn Updates" is now following me on TWITTER. This is the beginning of the end.
• 360i Publishes Social Marketing Playbook. Download here: tr.im/oupb
• UCB partners w/PatientsLikeMe 4 epilepsy patient community w/adverse event monitoring: tr.im/oyhc
• Thousands of physicians using VideoMD to upload their own videos for patients: tr.im/oynl
• TOP-CLCKD TWT OF LST WK! Weed, Booze, Heroin, Cocaine and Other "Old School" Med. Ads (via @InVivoBlogChris): tr.im/ohFX
• Novartis Patient Advocate on facebook with sponsored page (Zometa): tr.im/oC2c
• RT @MaverickNY: RT @blogaceutics: Lilly To Use Web To Collaborate With Outsiders On New Drugs: tr.im/oCkK
• "The 5 Myths of Social Media": tr.im/oCo9
• VERY COOL - PDF Case Study on Johnson & Johnson's "New Media" initiatives by @ronploof: tr.im/oCtM
• RT @pharmacoach: RT @ellenhoenig How Social Are Healthcare Consumers with their Information? tr.im/oCyG
• RT @smallbizlady: RT @marybahr @mashable 10 Must-Haves for Your Social Media Policy: tr.im/oCBq
• 500+ clicks TODAY! Just for fun (but serious) $10 iTunes or Amazon gift cert. (UR choice) if U can guess TOP-CLICKED tweet. : )

Johnson & Johnson Does New Media / e-book

This blog-repost we removed per the author's request.

Below is a link to the presentation by Ron Ploof:

Johnson & Johnson Does New Media

PM Society launches Digital Media Awards

Source: PharmaFocus

The Pharmaceutical Marketing Society is to showcase the best in digital media across the pharma and healthcare industry at a new annual awards event.

The Digital Media Awards are an acknowledgement of pharma's increasing engagement with new media forms, which has recently seen the industry explore online video channels and social media initiatives.

The inaugural Digital Media Awards will be held in London in October and joins the Society's well-established Advertising Awards in the industry's events calendar.

The new awards will be open to in-house pharma company teams along with digital media and technology specialists, and communications agencies, all of whom will be invited to submit work for a variety of categories.

These include corporate and product websites, online education, emerging technologies, e-detailing, patient support initiatives and e-learning programmes.

A panel of experts from the industry and agency world will judge the awards, which the PM Society said will provide companies with a chance to enter work into an industry competition that may not have been suitable for existing awards.

The inaugural Digital Media Awards will take place at a black-tie event on 1st October 2009 at The Brewery, London.

The full Entry Kit will be released on 1 July to PM Society members. Non-members can register for information updates by contacting Society secretary Vivian Bennett.

What Do Facebook Changes Mean for Pharma?

Source: Eye on FDA

Well, in most circumstances, not much. If you consider the fact that most pharmaceutical companies aren't engaged with Facebook on a widespread level at the current time, the fact that Facebook is making an interesting change to its pages doesn't seem particularly relevant.

But if you consider the things that the pharmaceutical industry shouldbe doing on Faceook, and probably one day will be - listen up.

In case you've been living under a rock, you will have heard that beginning Saturday, Facebook will allow people to set up their own vanity URLs. Right now, when you sign up for Facebook, your URL is a randomly assigned bunch of numbers and letters, which is a little odd. However, if you have a Twitter account, you have a URL that is www.twitter.com/YOURNAMEHERE.

So what?

Well, one thing that I've picked up on lately in Twitter is that someone has set up Twitter accounts with the name of nearly every major pharmaceutical company - meaning that if a pharmaceutical company wants to set up a Twitter feed in the future, they either have to unseat the squatter or put something additional to their existing name.

For example, Sanofi and Merck Serono each have Twitterfeeds with followers, but no logo and no updates. It would appear that people, thinking they were the real thing, signed up to follow them, even though there are no updates. In other words, it would appear that someone is squatting on the names of companies. If names can be squatted on Twitter, why not Facebook - and not just companies, but brand names.

So that is why, it might be a good idea for companies to consider their plans for social media now, rather than later - other than the fact that pharma companies are already so very far behind in utilization of new media.

The Five Myths of Social Media

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

The Five Myths of Social Media

View more OpenOffice presentations from buckpost.

Lilly To Use Web To Collaborate With Outsiders On New Drugs

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) will use a Web portal to collaborate with researchers around the world in an effort to discover drugs to treat cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

The move comes as many pharmaceutical companies are looking for ways to boost their drug pipelines, especially as new generic versions of their former blockbusters are released.

Lilly's shares were recently down 1.2% at $33.88 in premarket trading amid a broader market decline.

The pharmaceutical giant will launch the Lilly Phenotypic Drug Discovery Initiative, using a Web portal to evaluate the potential of compounds created in university and biotechnology laboratories.

The company said findings from the plan could be used as the basis for collaboration or licensing agreements between Lilly and external institutions.

Alan Palkowitz, vice president of discovery chemistry and research technology at Lilly, said every year, researchers design and synthesize compounds that aren't fully evaluated as potential drug candidates.

Lilly's program is designed to allow global researchers a more convenient entry point into the company's drug discovery and development process.

Researchers confidentially submit the structure of their compound for review using algorithms focused on drug-like properties. If the compound meets certain criteria, the researchers can submit a sample for biological testing.

Lilly will then provide the researchers a report with the compound's profile for Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. In return for the data, Lilly will get the first rights to negotiate a collaboration or licensing agreement.

-By Kerry E. Grace, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5089; kerry.grace@ dowjones.com

Marcia Strassman - ZOMETA Patient Advocate - on Facebook

Marcia Strassman on Facebook, patient advocate for Novartis. Taking Novartis' Oncology product Zometa.

Check out the facebook "fan page". Below is a slideshow of screenshots. Click on the image to scroll through.

EVENT 7/23/09: Social Communications & Healthcare

SUMMARY

When social media emerged, many thought it was a fad or simply a communication technology for young people. It’s now clear that social media will continue to make a significant impact on how people and organizations communicate and operate. This event will showcase the best case studies of how leading healthcare organizations achieve marketing, communications, and educational objectives through the strategic use of social media.

EVENT DETAILS

We will cover the following questions:

• How do you deal with regulatory and legal issues when planning and implementing social media strategies?
• What will be the role of social media in President Obama’s healthcare reform plans?
• Why real-time social media tools such as Twitter are gaining momentum and what’s the business case to use them?
• How has social media impacted crisis communications specifically for the healthcare industry?
• How do you sell social communications projects and prove ROI to senior management?
• How do you create and participate in communities to achieve communications, education and branding objectives?
• How do you plan and execute a social communications plan with little or no budget?
• How do you create effective partnerships with new healthcare media leaders beyond advertising?
• What are the best examples of how to use social communications to connect internally with employees and stakeholders?
• What are the tools, technologies, and best practices for monitoring and measuring social communications?

ATTENDEE PROFILE

300 senior marketing, communications and media professionals from Fortune 1000, middle market and emerging growth companies are expected to attend from leading pharmaceuticals, medical technology/device companies, managed care providers, hospitals, healthcare media companies, government and nonprofit organizations.

REGISTRATION FEE
$195.00

WHEN
Thursday, July 23, 2009 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Eastern Time Zone

WHERE
The Graduate Center of The City University of NY
365 Fifth Avenue
(at 34th Street)
Room 1027
New York, New York 10016
USA
212.817.7000

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Thousands of physicians using Web site to upload their own videos for patients

Source: ePharm5

VideoMD.com says 2,500 physicians and healthcare providers are registered users on its platform. VideoMD lets physicians and healthcare practitioners upload videos directly to the site to inform patients about themselves, their practice, or specific medical procedures. Patients can find the doctors' videos by searching for them by name.

VideoMD also has a catalog of general health videos that practitioners can use to educate their patients. VideoMD.com launched in 2008.

UCB and PatientsLikeMe partner to give people with epilepsy a voice in advancing research

• Unique industry-patient partnership to improve understanding of epilepsy
• Epilepsy patients will share real-time, day-to-day progress in controlling seizures and achieving treatment goals

Original post: PharmiWeb

Brussels, Belgium and Cambridge, MA - June 15, 2009 - press release - Biopharma company UCB and PatientsLikeMe, the leading online community for people with life-changing conditions, today announced a strategic partnership to create an online, open epilepsy community that captures real-world experiences of people living with epilepsy in the U.S.

Scheduled to launch in early 2010, this platform will be designed to collect, analyze and reflect information received from people with epilepsy, regardless of their diagnosis, prognosis or treatment regimen.

"UCB has a longstanding commitment to improving the lives of people living with severe conditions," said Roch Doliveux, Chief Executive Officer, UCB. "This partnership is exciting because for the first time, patients will be able to contribute their experiences and real-world data to ongoing epilepsy research."

UCB is the first pharmaceutical company to partner with PatientsLikeMe to launch a patient community. The new epilepsy community will help create a platform for people with epilepsy that will enable UCB to better understand patients, their lives and treatment experiences.

Participants will record their real-time day-to-day progress in controlling their seizures and achieving their treatment goals, and share that with the community to help patients, caregivers, researchers and industry learn more about the disease.

"What we're seeing on our site every day is that patients are interested in learning more about their disease" says Ben Heywood, President and Co-founder of PatientsLikeMe. "By joining forces with industry leaders like UCB, we can turn up the volume of the patient voice in companies who are committed to hearing it and working toward better treatments and better care."

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide and between 2.5 and 3 million Americans.[1], [2] An often stigmatized and misunderstood condition, epilepsy can strike anyone at any time, but new cases are most common among young children and older adults. The number of people living with epilepsy in the U.S. is expected to rise as the population ages.[1] There is no cure for epilepsy, though treatments have improved in the last ten to twenty years.[3]

Yesterday's Tweets

A complete list of yesterday's tweets. Thanks for following. If you would like to follow, go to http://www.twitter.com/skypen.

• Twitter on the Cover of Time Magazine (in case you see a jump in followers): tr.im/ounm
• TIME MAGAZINE: "How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live" by @stevenbjohnson - tr.im/ouo9
• 360i Publishes Social Marketing Playbook. Download here: tr.im/oupb