AlmapBBDO was roped in and they came with this solution:

First, they spread a series of tickets in different places within’ São Paulo. Then, a online platform was launched where visitors could see the Google Maps of the entire city. The mechanic was simple: the more tweets #foxatplanetaterra, the closer the zoom on the map. The first one to get to the ticket, won it. This went on for four days straight.

RESULTS
The tweet #foxatplanetaterra became a TrendTopic in São Paulo in less than 2 hours, where it remained for the entire length of the competition.

From here the story has 2 parts:

Part 1: Although Google’s Phone was a big pull, but still being android based was a bigger reason for me to persuade him. And the hunt began. Contact lists were scanned for any NRI friends! Relatives in US were pinged. And finally anyhow my friend got the phone (US-China-India). And I was obliged to accompany him to receive ’The Nexus One’ from the Airport! And when it started,   I was mesmerized by the Shining Screen. The google Id was entered and it took all the contacts from there, with images and profiles etc. .  it was magical.  And then we met very rarely. (he was busy with nexus one and I was busy with some work and jealousy!)

Part 2: One lazy after noon in office,  my other friend shouts my name ‘SUD!!!’ and shows me an invitation to Samsung’s Blogger meet to launch their new android based phone - Galaxy S and Wave with Samsung’s Bada OS. We eagerly went to the Blogger meet (Taj lands End), we were late by 45 minutes (as usual!). and then they started the show!!

First they (Product manager, Developer, Social media Agency etc.) explained about BADA OS - seemed great. Got to try both the phones- Wave and Galaxy S. Galaxy S’ 4 Inch Super Amoled Screen (first time in the world, I guess) was jaw dropping. The super responsive screen is an extreme delight to work with. and some cool features like, Social Hub, Swype (new method to enter text by just swiping your finger), 1 Ghz processor, Android OS all contribute to the best android phone ever!

Recently Google announced that Nexus one is the first and last from them. Well rightely said, Their main aim was to promote android with nexus one and they had accomplised that. Now the legacy has to be taken forward by the Mobile giants. And the latest entrant bring Samsung Galaxy S.

Now coming to the comparison, I got enough time to use both the phones.  Some of the features 4″ Super AMOLED screen, Superb bright and resolution screen, what I liked about the Samasung Galaxy S is the Social Hub, Which ?seamlessly integrates the SNS, IM, Contacts etc. One common minus point in both the phones is to call a contact, you need to do too many touch and takes some good 10-15 seconds! Some more points to note are:

• Both the phones boast of 1Ghz Processor (Galaxy S – Hummingbird and Nexus – Snapdragon)
• Galaxy S is much thinner and broader than Nexus One, which is problem to hold
• Galaxy S has got a flash, Nexus One hasnt got any.
• Samsung Support ‘Swype‘ – sliding text input method – 15% faster than Nexus One
• Galaxy S got a front camera (which also can record HD video), while Nexus One doesn’t have
• And last but Definitely not the least – the price difference is just 4-5 k, and Hold your breath, Nexus One is still not available in India.

And besides all these points, if you still are a Google Fanatic (HTC also!), go ahead for the following comparisons ( I am sure you will change your mind):

Comparison between Galaxy S & Nexus One

Besides these Motorola is coming up with their Driod Series, Which is certainly a threat to Samsung!

Do you have some more points? Do share.

But, Now i think people got bored of the simple, minimalistic, while layout. Then Bing was launched with Background Images. I had a thought once about Google having a Background pic.

But, Today when I opened Google.com, I found a small link on the left hand bottom corner, which said – Sign in to see your background Image. When Signed up – It gives option of selecting Images from: Computer, Picasa, Public Gallery and Editor’s pick. Also they have awarning which says – only use pictures that you have licence to use. (how many people will use licenced pictures?) I Opted for Public gallery and chose this.

Still its a nice gesture to personalise the world favourite Search Engine.

Whats your Background image for the google Search Engine??

Searching ones own name is termed as Ego Surfing. Searching about self is called Vanity Search. This practice of self googling can be a reason for rise in Narcissism [the trait of excessive self-love, based on self-image or ego] in people but also a strong reason to identify their online presence/ Brand Presence.

“The reason people search for themselves is that they’re curious about what other people see when they search for their name,” 

“One problem is they don’t have any control over the search results. Either they don’t like the search results, or what happens most of the time is, they’re not listed on the first page. If your name is Brian Jones and you’re not the deceased Rolling Stones guitarist, you don’t exist.“

Joe Kraus, Google’s director of product management.

So, What can be done to be on the top in the search results of your name. Some of the basic steps would be:

Get a social life: By this I mean have a presence in Social networks. Social Networks play an important role in getting your profile in top search results. With Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter etc. now having your name in the title of their pages, make you searchable. 

For eg: Earlier my Facebook profile url was: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=626836269

But now it has been changed to: www.facebook.com/people/Sudhindra-Rao/626836269

Same is the case with titles too: Facebook title has been changed to
Facebook | Sudhindra Rao

Same is the case with Twitter too. Twittler title of your home page shows something like: 

Google Profile: Seems now, Google is also taking Vanity search Seriously. Last week they launched Google Profiles. Google profile is like an online sheet of all your personal infromation, your pic, your online presence, your address, companies you worked for, your bio, and even your nickname!!!

The Google profile pages, appears in a box on the first page of the search results for their name (presently in US, Strangly mine appears!!)

For eg:  Click here to see My Profile.

You can also have your own profile. Just choose your name to be appeared, carefully. Choose a name which you think people would search you by. And to have your own click here.

The more detailed your profile, the higher your page is likely to be ranked on a Google search for your name and associated keywords. 

Happy Ego Searching!!!