Not everyone is up to speed on Google+ pages yet. And if you are like most (including us), you aren’t either. Incorporating a new social media platform into the mix is never easy, especially with an already challenging set of expectations, right? We understand—really, we do. The good news is that we can find some very stellar examples of great social media via Google+ pages. We can all learn best practices from what leading, top brands are doing on the new social network—which is why we’re calling out ten of our favorites here. We started by reviewing early Google+ adopters and then used our own Sysomos MAP listening tool to look at the online discussion around several of them. We ultimately zeroed in on those who are pushing the envelope with their pages, practicing active engagement and having fun while doing it. We added them to our circles—and we hope you’ll add them to yours, as well!

1. THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
10 Stellar
Branded
Google+
Pages

2. THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages
Not everyone is up to speed on Google+ pages yet. And if you are like most
(including us), you aren’t either. Incorporating a new social media platform into the
mix is never easy, especially with an already challenging set of expectations, right?
We understand—really, we do.
The good news is that we can find some very stellar examples of great social media
via Google+ pages. We can all learn best practices from what leading, top brands
are doing on the new social network—which is why we’re calling out ten of our
favorites here. We started by reviewing early Google+ adopters and then used our
own Sysomos MAP listening tool to look at the online discussion around several of
them. We ultimately zeroed in on those who are pushing the envelope with their
pages, practicing active engagement and having fun while doing it. We added them
to our circles—and we hope you’ll add them to yours, as well!

3. 1. Android
There’s an App for That!
We all know that social is all about
community. We also know that we social
media geeks love to congregate and that
most people adore their mobile phones.
Put it all together and you have the
Android Google+ page.
Their tag line is clear: “A place for
Android fans everywhere to meet, share
and get the latest on all things Android.”
The page is 100% that. What really
surprised us is how many +1’s and
comments they get when they post witty
comments and content tied to Android
offerings. With 500K+ fans, they are
leveraging their online community in fun
and effective ways. Those are good
numbers for a new page on a new social
network.
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

4. 2. H&M
A Fresh Approach to Fashion
You might expect a retail outlet to be all
about deals and sales. And yes, you’ll
see that on H&M’s Google+ page.
However, the way they push the deals
is what we think is so interesting.
On H&M’s page, you’ll see photos of
individual items, typically tied to limited-
time or online-only exclusive offers.
This is refreshing, because it doesn’t
feature under-dressed models, as
would have been the easy route. Just
the items, thank you. It’s simple,
straightforward, and clean. In a world of
hyperbole and an obsession with body
image, this approach stands out.
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

5. 3. NASA
To Space and Beyond!
Science and adventure certainly make
for some breathtaking photos. And being
an astronaut is a go-to aspiration for
many starry-eyed children. Luckily, the
world of discovery is a highly sharable
social media experience these days.
NASA does this in such an engaging
way that we had to feature them.
The NASA Google+ page features
amazing photos and, even more
impressive, doesn’t shy away from using
scientific, even technical, language.
When an explanation requires a heavy
dose of mathematics and complicated
terminology, NASA’s page serves it up.
For staying true to the science
community while still delighting the kid
inside us all, NASA gets our nod.
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

6. 4. Funny Pictures & Videos
Meme-ification
Can a curated collective be a brand? We
think so. And we support the notion that
branding can include people and even, as
is the case with the Funny Pictures &
Videos Google+ page, social memes.
YouTube is a godsend to this Google+
page, as much of what is posted here
comes from the video site. The popularity
of LOLCats, Tosh.0 and other videos here
and elsewhere suggests that curating
clever, laugh-inducing content can be a
winning proposal. As more memes tied to
humor spread online, it’s easy to see that
they have much to teach marketers who
only too often take their brands too
seriously. Ten minutes on this Google+
page proves that funny sells!
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

7. 5. Dell
A Hub for Answers
Want to share your opinion? Dell
wants to hear it! Want to know what’s
going with Dell’s execs? Dell wants
you to know that, too! Dell’s Google+
page is full of questions and answers
—and lots of engagement.
For starters, they provide content
about their global operations, including
a strong focus on thought leadership
pieces. You can see video interviews
and read industry analysis pieces from
their in-house subject matter experts.
You can also see Dell’s personality
and company culture being shared on
its Google+ page. With 174K+ fans
and counting, plenty of people seem to
find the open approach a winner!
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

8. 6. Starbucks
Human Stories
Coffee is more than just a hot cup-of-
joe anymore. It’s about community and
the ritual of sharing. Starbucks has
taken this to the nth degree in its
business and on its Google+ page.
Starbucks recently launched its
“Everylove” series—and these video
stories are featured prominently on the
company’s Google+ page. The
emphasis on lifestyle and community in
its brand story is a leading element and
it works well on this channel. You don’t
even have to play the Everylove videos
to get a sense of the brand connection
behind the human stories they profile.
Nearly 400K+ have joined Starbucks’
caffeinated coffee klatch lovefest—and
so should you!
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

9. 7. BBC World Have Your Say
Hanging Out
Want to talk politics, polarizing issues,
and world-changing news? Then you are
in for a treat when you visit the BBC
World Have Your Say Google+ page.
They’re using the Hangout feature to its
fullest potential!
The extent to which this news service is
seeking input from citizens is stunning.
BBC’s frequent Hangouts ask people to
talk about the news, give their opinions
on what’s happening in the world, and
engage in active dialogue. They don’t just
talk fluff here, either. From secularism in
China to reactions to austerity measures
in Greece, BBC Hangouts don’t shy away
from asking big questions with difficult
answers. That’s a winning approach for a
media Google+ page.
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

10. 8. Pepsi
Lots of Logo Love
A great brand presents a consistent
image regardless of context, right? And if
you’re lucky enough to have your logo
plastered on everything from T-shirts to
delivery trucks worldwide, you should
leverage that, right? Well, Pepsi does
both of these things on its Google+ page,
and 400K followers are loving it.
Every entry on the Pepsi Google+ page
features a picture of the company’s logo
—in the snow, with cute puppies, on a
sparkling glass of refreshing soda. It’s
colorful and playful. The entries are
lifestyle focused, and often include
mentions of music and having fun. We
think it’s a clever way to extend the
brand online. Like the soda itself, this
approach is refreshing!
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

11. 9. Britney Spears
Pop Princess Brand
Yes, Britney Spears is one of the
“twists” in this edition of the Pulse.
Some would argue that a person isn’t a
brand, but we would argue that a
personal brand is vital to all of us in the
social media erea. To illustrate our
point, enter the Pop Princess.
Britney’s Google+ page is wildly
popular, with 2.2+ million fans. The
messaging features “vintage” past
performance pictures and reminders of
why we’ve loved her work. There are
photo caption mini-contests and,
surprisingly, lots of pictures of kids—her
own and also those she visits as a
celebrity. Britney hits us one more time!
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

12. 10. President Barack Obama
Reaching All the People
Like 700K others, we’re intrigued by
U.S. President Barack Obama’s
Google+ page. We love the way it
communicates across demographics
with integrated, relevant imagery and
timely multimedia conversations.
Via frequent Google+ updates, the
president reaches across cultural,
economic, and even gender divides
to share his message and provide a
peek into his schedule. For example,
you see everything from photos of
redheads in green shirts (a reference
to his Ireland trip and St. Patrick’s
Day) to photos of a recent dinner
event. No doubt, this lively Google+
page will see its followers increase as
election year heats up.
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages

13. THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages
Build It and They Will Come?
The “Field of Dreams” mantra sounds great in many contexts—but it’s not really
how it works in social media or even branding at large. Instead, you must BRING
the audience to your brand via active engagement. That takes hard work—from
crafting a brand story that looks natural and welcoming online, to generating
compelling content that matters to real people. The good news is that doing it
right can help you build a loyal online following.
Google+ is an increasingly essential channel for making this possible. Integrating
the new Google+ pages into your branding strategy is now more than just a good
idea—and the examples presented this week should give you plenty of ideas for
getting started. Pick and choose the best approach for your business and
personal brands to enhance your other channels, and be authentic in your
messaging. When you’re ready, we’ll add you to our circles!
To read all the Pulses and other Slideshare.net presentations, click here.

14. THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
10 Stellar Branded Google+ Pages
Next on “The Pulse”:
Top 10 Websites That Changed PR & Marketing Forever
THE PULSE:
Delivering shareable and shareworthy content with a twist
so integrated marketing and communications professionals can work smarter, succeed and enjoy.
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