The recent emergence of Pinterest onto the online scene may profoundly change the way brands engage with consumers. The website, which, according to Forbes, is now the third most popular social network behind Twitter, is a user-curated service that allows users to “pin” images they like to create their own boards. Easy-to-use and with a visually pleasing interface that features high-quality photos, Pinterest is becoming more popular each day.

Facebook’s recent introduction of the Timeline functionality for brands represents the single most important shift in how brands will continue to connect and engage with their consumers within the context of social media into the foreseeable future. This guide, prepared by the SocialWork practice of BBDO and Proximity for Digital Lab, outlines, step-by-step, the preparations brands need to make to take full advantage of this new means of expression and engagement on the world’s preeminent social platform.

At SXSWi, Mark Himmelsbach, BBDO’s SVP and Director of Digital Strategy participated on a panel discussion on community building for non-profits and then took some time to interview one of his fellow panelists, Scott Orn, founder of Ben’s Friends. Scott explains what inspired the creation of Ben’s Friends, a social network for people with rare diseases, and how grassroots community building tactics keep it thriving.

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