The Easter Bunny is a Social Marketer

Happy Easter
By Marvin Double


I recognize that many readers of this post may not be Christian or possibly not religious.  Easter is of course an entirely Christian holiday and for pois Christians the foundation of their faith - but this article isn't about religion.  Oddly there is a parallel between Easter and what has come to be known as social marketing.  Like so many holidays it has been secularized and commercialized to the dismay of those for whom the holiday has a deeper spiritual significance. 

Chocolate Bunnies and Colored Eggs
The Easter Bunny it's much loved and anxiously awaited chocolate effigy have to a great extent come to symbolize the commercial part of the holiday.  For candy makers, card companies and toy makers Easter represents an important part of their yearly business, a fact no one should begrudge in these difficult times.

No doubt kids wait for Easter morning with the enchanted excitement of a child's imagination.  Even in this high tech age of video games not all of the magic has been lost from such mythical creates as the

The Social Marketing Connection
Not unlike Easter social networks like Twitter and Facebook, Myspace began in a more pure, form unsullied what some see as the sacrilege of commercialism.  These  networks originated as channels of communication which rose up from a need to connect with each other not as media for commercial advertising.

But of course as we know, things didn't stay that way and so a conflict arose - a conflict which is perhaps most obvious on Twitter where passions on the subject are often expressed openly.  In my recent article "Taming The Twitter Monster"   I discuss the good the bad and the ugly of twitter, including the use of impure devices such as automation for certain tasks and searching for those with similar interests.  It's a hot topic and a touchy point with the explosive potential of a cream filled chocolate egg in the microwave.

Peace on Earth
Like it or not, the commercial and practical potential of Social Media as a Marketing tool simply can't be overstated or overlooked or ignored.  Social media is quickly becoming a focus of communications for Interest groups, political parties, corporations mom and pop businesses.  Unfortunately many are blundering into it's use unprepared and unaware.  The end effect of course is standing up in church to break into the ministers sermon for a commercial.

Easter is a time when we can reflect on putting aside our conflicts and be more tolerant of our failings . Perhaps it is appropriate then that we reconcile with the the fact social media can , if used responsibly be more than just one thing to one group or another.  After all social media is still a new and evolving technology.  As it changes perhaps we should evolve along with it and embrace what it may become.  In the same way the Easter can be religious and  secular, Twitter and all other social media can offer something different to each individual depending on their preferences, each using it in their own way.

Here's wishing you each a Happy Easter, May Love and Peace be Yours