Combine two or three events, especially during the “we’re suppose to be having fun, but I’m feeling a bit stressed out” holiday season, and you’ve got yourself a great way to have fun and forget about it all – at least for a while.

Recently, hundreds of thousands of fans attended the 2010 Hitmen versus Rebels hockey game. While they thoroughly enjoyed watching the sport itself, the really cool thing was more than 23,000 fans brought teddy bears with them – for charity!

Watch and see what 23 thousand teddy bears flying from the stands looks like! And remember, it was all in good fun and for a good cause

For more information about this event visit Yahoo’s sport page.

I promise this will be a marketing post, but I’m going to use a few real life – non-marketing examples – to make my point.

Having never heard of Susan Boyle before my father sent me an email of her YouTube audition, I never dreamed I’d get this wrapped up in a show that isn’t even based where I live (the U.S.). I know there are millions of American Idol fans out there, but I’ve just never gotten into the whole AI thing. Frankly, it is the (American) judging team that turns me off, particularly Simon Crowell (when he’s in the United States). However, in Britain on BGT, Simon turns into a completely different person. He’s insightful, helpful, and a nice guy… go figure.

But this isn’t about Simon, this is about fame coming too fast, cold feet, internet marketing (yes I promised), and examples of what happens when you don’t really think things through. (more…)

It seems a bit odd writing this post because as you read it, you’re already “doing it.” And, if you take the time to comment, you’ll even be putting it into practice (and getting some free marketing all at the same time).

Social media is huge, and blogging is one of the fundamental layers to using social media marketing to your advantage.

Being a blog reader – and again, commenting – also makes you a strategic part of the whole web 2.0 marketing hubbub. (Keep reading to get the stats AND find out what new “toy” is available online… for free!) (more…)