Social Networking, Social Media Marketing what ever you want to call it is going main stream. Here’s the latest stories and tips of some of the big brands are using social media to get ahead of the competition. Don’t get left behind.

Borders Group as in Borders Books, launched a new web site with social networking site Gather.com, where Borders’ books, movies and music customers can earn loyalty points good toward purchases or cash by sharing personal content online and participating in online forums.

The new site, Borders.Gather.com, is designed to let Borders shoppers participate in existing discussion groups about particular books and other media, but also to upload personal content such as photos and book reviews or to start their own online book club.

Read more about how the social network can benefit you.

In other Social Networking News

Executives Must Realize and Learn the Power of Social Media

Senior marketing executives in several countries agree that the use of social media for corporate, brand and product marketing is not a passing fad, according to research sponsored by TNS media intelligence/Cymfony. In fact, nearly 50% believe it is a vital component of corporate communications that should be monitored at the executive level and allocated significant resources.

The responses of the marketing executives surveyed show that companies are taking social media seriously. Beyond the need for C-level support, another 30% see social media as an unconventional new opportunity that businesses must grasp with a sense of urgency. In addition, 95% believe social media will grow in significance over the next five years. When asked about the uses of social media, respondents endorsed it as a strategic tool to gain consumer insights (37%), build brand awareness (21%) and increase customer loyalty (18%).

SEO & Social Media Marketing
Barry has a great coverage on the SMX West Conference. Rand Fishkin, CEO of SEOmoz says you need to ask what are the goals of online marketing? Rand replies: web site traffic, growing brand awareness, biz development. Social media can help with all these things. By interacting with the participatory communities on the web. You can create and promote viral content with social media. One method is Leveraging UGC sites for technical goals. Reach key influencers via blogs and social news portals.

Neil Patel, CTO, Advantage Consulting Services shared a case study about American Greetings who did a viral halloween e-card contest by putting a dog head on a human body. American Greetings now ranks well for halloween cards in Google.

Barbara Boser, Social Media Director, 3 Dog Media tells how to be a top stumbler and top digger.

Michael Gray, President, Atlas Web Services gives Twenty Twitter Tips on Marketing, Sales and Traffic

Read Jolina’s Tips on Social Media Marketing at Lee’s Onlne Marketing Blog.

Localeze, a provider of merchant data for local search services, has hired Andy Gordon as vice president of content acquisition. Gordon will head the sales team that markets Localeze’s merchant data to brand manufacturers and other channel partners.

Localeze is a Chicago-based local search company that was stablished in 2003, and specializes in connecting consumers with local merchants through online content collection, enhancement, and distribution.

Gordon most recently served as vice president of worldwide sales at Innovectra Corp., where he was a member of the senior management team responsible for sales growth and partnership development. Before that he held positions at Artesia Technologies, TeleBright Corp. and Edify Corp.

“Andy has decades of experience helping customers and channel partners leverage advanced interactive services,” says Localeze general manager Jeff Beard. “He will offer local merchants and national brands the high level of service they deserve, while helping them dramatically boost their findability in local searches. We`re delighted to have him on board.”

Localeze is a subsidiary of Chicago-based Targusinfo.