It’s always been tough getting Medicaid moms to their prenatal and well–baby visits. Which is why UnitedHealth’s new game, called Baby Blocks, is a great idea. When moms attend prenatal and well-baby check-ups (which is easier said than done), they get to unlock “blocks” in the game.  And voila, they are rewarded with gift cards for much-needed baby related stuff. Like maternity clothes, diaper bags and baby apparel. Pretty spot on for this younger, low-income, yet gaming-savvy, target. And it seems to be working, as 2296 members used the Baby Blocks pilot in 2012, logging 7098 prenatal appointments (an average of 3.1 prenatal blocks per member).

The rise of healthcare gamification can be attributed to the rise in smartphone and social media use and related desire for engagement. “Using motivational techniques from games is part of it, as is creating engaging experiences for people,” says Kevin Werbach, Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics. In the Pew Future of Gamification report, neuroscientists claim that "interactive design elements can cause feel-good chemical reactions and in certain situations can improve learning, participation and motivation."

That’s the intent behind HopeLab’s Re-Mission, a video game developed specifically for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Nanobot, Roxxi, travels through fictional cancer patients destroying cancer cells, battling infections and managing side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatment. Research shows the game has been an effective tool for young cancer patients, now distributed to over 185,000 patients worldwide.

A related tool worth applauding is the pain diary app, called The Pain Squad, developed by The Hospital for Sick Children. This innovation was designed to help pediatric cancer patients track and address their pain. How intense it is, how long it lasts, where it hurts, how it impacts their mood and daily activities, and what helps to treat it. Since inadequate assessment and patient reluctance to report pain are the biggest barriers in pain treatment, the goal is to make it easier for kids to track their symptoms by using technology that’s fun and familiar. And the hope is better pain management and quality of life for these youths.

It seems in many cases the ramification of gamification in healthcare is improved health status. Let us know if you have any favorite healthcare games or apps that are  helping people.

South by Southwest or better known as SXSW, is an interactive, music and film festival.  A few of us, Broganites, set off on our travels to take part in the interactive portion of the festival.  In particular, I was a SXSW virgin.  However, I was excited to lose my v-card and participate in networking events, panel discussions and other social activities surrounding tech innovations.

My first thought was that it all was extremely overwhelming.  There were probably over 50 events or sessions you could choose from per day.  And there were always going to be 1 or 2 that you could tell would be a waste of time once you sat in them for the first 10 minutes.  But overall, the tech leaders that made up the panel discussions and sessions were really insightful.  They made you think.  After a session you would feel more empowered, more knowledgeable and maybe even invincible.  There was also the feeling of: When I get home I am going to be the first one in my office to know about the next great tech idea!

I had a few favorite sessions and here’s what I learned from them:  

I Used Data Analytics to Game Online Dating – I was under the assumption that this solo speaker, Amy Webb, was using the title as a metaphor.  I thought I was going to a session about social media analytics.  Boy was I wrong!  It really was about her dating life.  This woman created an algorithm to find her husband on an online dating platform.  It was even considered rated “R” according to the SXSW organizers – only because she used colorful, raunchy-ish language.  Even though it wasn’t what I expected, I really found it very entertaining and humorous.  And I may even buy Webb’s book, Data: A Love Story, once it is released in 2013.  

What’s So [Bleeping] Hard About Social ROI? – There isn’t one!  Or at least there isn’t a universal social media ROI.  The panel from this session discussed that you shouldn’t use sales as a goal for social media.  Social media is about building relationships directly with the consumer.  For those folks who have created their own ROI for social – your formula should be used as a benchmark.  However, it’s not an absolute science or equation.  My favorite quote from this panel was “What’s the ROI in not doing social?” from Craig Daitch a Social Media Manager for Ford Motor Company.  

Social Media Is a Bubble and SXSW Is a Fad – This panel of 5 had lots to say.  It was a combination of humor and opinions.  All but one of the panelists agreed that social media was a bubble.  They were preaching that the social community should figure out how to manage the bubble once it bursts.  How do we create value from the burst?  I think the creative talent that comes out of this burst will need to be placed in new companies.  However, this could be good because they will bring new and fresh ideas to wherever they land.  This was by far my favorite, because these people who are looked at as social leaders were being realistic and having a real conversation about the social phenomenon.  It is here to stay; the question is when will it become just another medium?  After the bubble bursts?

So there you have it, those were my favorite sessions from SXSW.  And I can now say…I am no longer a virgin, and it was mind blowing!  If you were in Austin last week, what would you say was your favorite session?  If you weren’t in Austin last week, does this sound like something you would want to be a part of next year?

To be completely honest, my initial reaction to the Google Plus unveiling was less than enthusiastic. Sigh, yet another platform to tell the world I am “at Starbucks, getting a latte.” (I try to convince myself on a daily basis that this is relevant information). Trust me, I’m not complaining. I like having options. But keeping up with the social media rat race can be a little exhausting, regardless of how heavily it impacts our daily lives (or for some of us, our jobs).

Facebook, Twitter and the like are a huge part of what I do Brogan & Partners. I have seen up close and personal how social media can single handedly build a brand, generate buzz and make or break the success of a business. So this forces the question…will Google Plus become as natural as breathing like updating a status on Facebook?

Let’s take a look at the stats. Thus far, Google Plus has about 40 million users, a drop in the bucket compared to its Facebook counterpart of 800 million. This also means that due to Plus’s lack of maturity, it is too soon to say for sure how effective the network will be for marketing and building brands. In terms of cosmetics, both formats appear to be pretty similar at first glance, even though Facebook will be introducing Timeline, their new “Face lift”, in the near future (stay tuned for more on that).

All uncertainties aside, however, Google Plus might have its advantages. Unlike Facebook, Plus users will have the capability to link directly to YouTube while sharing videos without having to shorten URL’s or be shackled by character limits. It will also have the benefit of donning the name “Google” and, of course, in the ultimate form of nepotism, Google Plus brand pages will be promoted to the top of the search engine powerhouses’ results.

Another benefit to using Google Plus is its current lack of saturation. You may have heard whispers when the new social network debuted that you needed an invitation to join (a great PR ruse used by Facebook when it appeared on the scene, too).  It is now open to all users, but because you can customize the circles you share with and vice versa, you won’t get the same mess of information on your home page that you certainly get on Facebook. For now.

Only time will tell how big this social giant will grow. I, of course, jumped on the band wagon and signed Brogan up for a Plus profile. Want to know how to get your brand started on Google Plus?

1. Sign in with your Google account, then go the Google Plus Business Page and click “Create your Google + Page.”
2. Choose what category your brand falls under (most likely, it will be “Product or Brand”, or if you are unsure you can pick “Company, Institution or Organization)
3. Now, enter your page name (your brand name) and your website.
4. This next step is where you need to get a little creative. You have to describe your brand/company in 10 words or less. Try to stick to a description that includes buzz words about your business’s core competencies or where you fit in the marketplace. Here are a few things to think about: What makes you unique? What do you really do? If someone is on a search engine, what words would help them find you the fastest?
5. Tell your circles. If you are new to Google Plus, then you most likely do not have circles to tell of your new presence. So you can skip this step. If you are a Google Plus vet, then you can share your page with your current Plus contacts.
6. Congrats! You have a Google Plus page. Start looking up other brands and add them to your circles, post pictures and beef up the information to your profile page. The more info on your page and posts about your brand, the better.

Created a page already? I gave you my thoughts on Plus...I’d love to hear yours.

Social media is changing the world and it’s proving itself time and again that its powers can be used for more good than evil. Exhibit A: the Bread Art Project. It’s a really simple concept with hugely impactful results. With the help of Facebook, Twitter and the like, this project has gone from an unknown to a social media sensation.

 The Grain Foods Foundation along with Food Network favorite Ted Allen (host of Chopped) are joining forces with Feeding America to provide a whopping one million pounds of food for those who need it the most. And the numbers are staggering. Hunger impacts 48 million Americans, 17 million of which are children. Most of us can’t imagine what it would be like to not be able to feed ourselves or our families.

And now, social media is being used to help feed the hungry, simply by making pieces of digital bread art. Never fancied yourself an artist? All you have to do is upload a picture of yourself, friends, pets, or any image that is important to you. If you’re a regular Picasso, you can even create your own design and the application will generate a personalized piece of bread art just for you.  For every slice of bread art, the Grain Food Foundation will donate a $1 to Feeding America. They have already raised over $21,000 for the project and it continues to grow. Bet you never thought a digital piece of bread could be so much fun or could give back to such a great cause.  What are some of your favorite causes social media has impacted?

I even tried out my art skills with a picture of me and some of my girls from Brogan & Partners. If I ever wondered what my face would look like toasted to a piece of bread…I just got my answer.