On the 23rd of January, Wikipedia, Reddit and other major websites made the unprecedented move of blacking out their entire sites. The motive was protesting against SOPA - Stop Online Piracy Act - and PIPA - Protect IP Act - which are US House and Senate bills respectively that wants to give content holders far-reaching new powers to block websites in the name of copyright protection.

In response to SOPA, Twibbon users launched their own protest.

As the movement began to gather momentum, over 74 Twibbon campaigns were created to support this:

In total so far over 100,000 people have added an anti-SOPA or PIPA Twibbon – the most popular being this campaign with over 67,000 supporters! 

Twibboners were vocal in their support:

CoverJunction (along with Twibbon another great Storm Idea) also had users flocking to add Stop SOPA Covers to their Facebook Profile. Almost 3,000 added the cover below - 

In spite of an extensive lobbying campaign from major media corporations, the bill has been shelved for now, demonstrating the amazing power that the internet gives to grassroots campaigning, and people unifying behind one cause.

 

We love a phenomenon here at Twibbon and in the last week we have just seen one of our wildest! One Direction US fans have gone crazy responding to the call to Bring1DtoUS!

On the 10^th of January the boys put a video on their US concert website with number 6 of their famous challenges asking fans to use Twibbon to show which city they want One Direction to visit on their American tour in February.

Within minutes of that video going up Twibbon was buzzing with fans from Atlanta, New York, Dallas, LA, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle and DC vying to add as many Twibbons as they could and show the boys how much they wanted to see them in their hometown! 

The Twitter-sphere was abuzz with chat from fans!

The boys retweeted a tweet that we sent out reporting on the mayhem - 

- which led to even more adding, multiple times over!

By the end of the competition, Chicago had the most fervent support and won the competition with 167,000 Twibbons added. Overall, an incredible 650,000 Twibbons had been collectively added across all the campaigns; that's more than 1 Twibbon per second!

 The success places One Direction as one of the most popular Twibbon campaigns of all time, and demonstrates the amazing power that Twibbon has to spread your cause like wildfire throughout the social world.

If you would like to create a Twibbon campaign for your campaign, charity or brand, create a campaign for free in 5 minutes at http://twibbon.com/create.

ITV’s ever popular Dancing on Ice skated its way back onto our TVs last weekend, and with it the annual campaign that allows you to support your favourite celeb with a Twibbon!

All the celebrity skaters have been freezing their feet off practising to get ready for the series and they are all lined up for you on Twibbon to support from the comfort of your web browser.

The Dancing on Ice homepage on ITV is bursting with videos, updates and info on all this year’s contestants, so if you don’t know Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter from your Hollywood child star Corey Feldman, don’t worry – there’s still plenty of time to work out who to lend your social networking support to!

You can also show your Twitter and Facebook followers how much you’re enjoying the show by wearing the official Dancing on Ice Twibbon. Remember when you’re talking about it on Twitter and Facebook make sure you use the #DOI hashtag (so we all know we’re talking about the same thing!)

There are lots of Twitter accounts following all the Dancing on Ice action, including the official @dancingonice, world famous skaters @torvillanddean, presenters @schofe and @clbleakley as well as contestants such as @MrMattWolfenden and @Corey_Feldman so make sure you join in the discussion!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your Dancing on Ice Twibbon on today!

With Twitter announcing the definitive list of trends over 2011, we thought it would be a good time to relive the year that’s come and gone (quicker than a speeding bullet!) here at Twibbon Towers and reveal the 10 most popular Twibbons of the past 12 months.

Scrolling down, you’ll see what an assorted lot they are. Chances are if you’re reading this, you’ll have come across at least some of these on Twitter or Facebook, or maybe you’ve worn one yourself! Let us know in the comments section below!

 

10)  Todos Iguales (All Equal) - 27,000 Supporters

Todos Iguales was a Chilean campaign for equal rights in diversity and was used to encourage and organise demonstrators to march for this cause. It got a superb 27,000 supporters overall and most of them in its first week! The Twibbon itself was a very cool cut out design which put a twist on the normal overlay style.

 

9)  NOH8 - 29,000

The now famous NOH8 campaign, currently in its third year, was set up as a direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. This movement is all about building awareness through great photography and a compelling social media presence. Their Twibbon campaign was used to great effect as an instrument to aid them in this.

 

8)  Stand with Israel - 31,000

One of our most contentious, yet massively supported, campaigns. The Stand with Israel Twibbon, made for the controversial American TV host Glenn Beck, was successful in getting everybody hot under the collar and provoking much discussion both on Twitter and Facebook. 

 

7)  Purple Glasses - 32,000

Justin Bieber’s fan club made a simple, identifiable Purple Glasses Twibbon to echo Bieber's 2011 movie, as well as the hashtag #purpleglasses to spread awareness across Twitter. They also promoted the Twibbon on the movie's official website.

 

6)  Pray for Japan - 41,000

After the March 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, people around the world wanted to reach out to those affected. The Twibbon Pray for Japan was added by almost 42,000 of our users. The hashtag #Japan was one of Twitter’s top ten hashtags of the year and it was also the most shared story on Facebook.

 

5)  Love Always - 42,000

Created by @UNAIDS , the aim of this campaign was to promote love and understanding for those with HIV and AIDS in the Asia and Pacific region. An incredible 20,000 supporters added the Twibbon in the first day! This was due in part to the three members of pop band JYJ - Jae joong, Yoochan and Jun su - all tweeting messages of support from their personal Twitter accounts, grabbing the interest of their collective 1.4 million followers on Twitter.

 

4)  2011 Proud to be a Thomasian - 44,000

As the oldest university in Asia and the largest Catholic university in the world, the University of St Tomas had an incredibly successful campaign this year commemorating its Grand Quadricentennial. Students old and new got involved pushing the total supporters up to an incredible 44,000.  

 

3)  #SpiritDay - 47,000

In October 2010, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) created a Custom Campaign for their Spirit Day, which remembers those teens who took their lives in the face of homophobic bullying.

This year again the cause was hugely popular, as over 47,000 people added the distinct purple overlay to their Twitter and Facebook profile pictures.

 

2)  Delete Digital Drama - 82,000

We teamed up with popular television network, ABC Family, and America’s leading teen magazine, Seventeen, in July to harness the viral power of social media for good in a bid to stamp out cyberbullying. 

In only 2 weeks, an incredible 82,000 people had pledged their support for the campaign by adding the official Digital Drama Twibbon to their Twitter or Facebook profiles. The mass popularity has led to the campaign being one of the fastest growing of all time. 

 

1)  Norway - 106,000

The July shootings and bombing in Norway prompted our most supported Twibbon this year. Over 106,000 users from around the globe added the simple but effective Norway flag to show solidarity with the country in the aftermath of the tragedy.

We would love to hear your highlights of 2011, tell us if you made a Twibbon campaign and how it was for you!

 

This month was all about Poppies and Remembrance Day and our Twibboners had over 40 different styles to choose from:

November has turned into Movember for many of our users and we had some very inventive moustaches to raise money for prostrate cancer:

Children in Need is a special favourite cause of ours here at Twibbon and it was marked with over 18,000 of our users adding the cute Pudsey Twibbon:

Health was on our users minds and we promoted International Diabetes Day, World Pneumonia Day and Epilepsy Month  with these great Twibbons:

We also gave thanks with our American cousins with a turkey Twibbon!

Monthly Awards

Most Retweeted Tweet of the Month - International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

Most Popular Custom Campaign – The Canadians own Poppy campaign with an amazing 12,110 supporters!

Most Popular Campaign – Another Poppy Campaign created by @perrralta whose campaign is now at an incredible 109,380 supporters.

Since 2009, Twibbons have been used to promote charities, music, brands, sports, communities...you name it, there is a Twibbon for it.

But what if you want to take your campaign to the next level?

Then a Twibbon Custom Campaign is just for you.

Above and beyond the normal Twibbon campaign we offer our special Custom versions – a package that helps campaigns succeed, at a price that won’t break marketing budgets: $99. That’s a flat fee. For all time. But what does that get you? We’re glad you asked:

Automatically build a quality following 

After joining your Twibbon, supporters automatically follow your Twitter account. This is fantastic engagement with users who have already committed to your brand with a Twibbon. We tell your supporters this before they join the campaign so they’re on board!

Customise the viral message

The most awesomely viral component of a Twibbon campaign is the message supporters automatically send out when they wear the Twibbon on Facebook or Twitter. Usually this is set to default but you can tailor it to optimise your specific campaign! Imagine the possibilities... 

Get loads of Facebook Fans

Before they can add the Twibbon, users must like your Facebook page, driving up your like count. Fans, followers, what more do you need? Conquer the world’s two most important social networking websites in one go! 

Increase site traffic

After joining, your supporters are redirected to the page of your choice, whether it’s to a campaign micro-site, registration page, or a page where they can donate to a cause. We’ve seen a really impressive conversion rate in case studies. Why? Because users have already connected to your campaign with a Twibbon of course! And don’t worry, your supporters are made aware of this beforehand too.

We also offer awesome packages to partners with bigger budgets (and bigger imaginations!), like multiple Twibbons on one page, total customasible branding, our marketing support, and reporting... among other things! If that sounds like you get in touch by emailing us at whitelabel@twibbon.com.

Oh, and payment is really secure. We take Mastercard or VISA. Check out full pricing details.

Start getting your Custom Campaign benefits today!

 

 

One question frequently asked by Twitter users (especially those new to Twibbon) relates to removing their Twibbons once a campaign is over. It is actually a very simple process.

This step-by-step guide to removing your Twibbon should tell you everything you need to know. There are two methods to do this:

1. Using Twibbon.com to change your Twitter profile image

• Navigate to the Twibbon homepage (twibbon.com)
• If you are signed in, click the ‘My Profile’ link at the top of the page.

• Once on the “My Profile” page, you will see the toolbar highlighted in red below:

• Select the “My History” tab on the right. From here you will see a grid of all the profile pictures that you have had since joining Twibbon. Select the image you want as your Twitter avatar from the history panel, and click on the word ‘Revert’ – not the image itself. That’s it!

N.B. If you are not signed in click on the “Sign in with Twitter” at the top right of the page first:

P.S. It can take Twitter a while to update your profile picture after you’ve Twibbonised it! Please wait 24 hours after removing a Twibbon for Twitter to update. If it has not sorted itself out by then, please contact the lovely Twibbon Team by emailing support@twibbon.com or tweeting @twibbonsupport.

2. Re-upload your profile picture to Twitter

You can also remove your Twibbon by re-uploading your original picture (or a brand new one) onto Twitter and then visit twibbon.com to support a different cause.

• This method requires you to go to your Twitter profile page and click on ‘Edit Your Profile’ underneath your picture. This automatically takes you to your settings page and onto your profile tab.

• Now you can click ‘Choose File’ and find a suitable image for your profile picture. (Twitter now likes you to upload a completely square image)

• Once you’ve found the picture for you, just click “Save” and Twitter will congratulate you on getting a new picture…and you’ve done it!

 

If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve this functionality, please use the ‘Feedback’ button on the left of the screen on the Twibbon website.

Thanks for continuing to use Twibbon!

The Twibbon Team

 

 

 

It’s poppy time again on Twibbon and that means a great way to recognise the sacrifice of all those who have given and who continue to give their lives so that we can all live in a free society. You can see below the fantastic Twibute made from 15,000 of the RBL Twibbon supporters.

This year we had no fewer than 39 poppy campaigns remembering the fallen of both World Wars and in the past month an over 100,000 have added the online poppy to their profile picture.

Our most popular poppy Twibbons this year are Canada Remembers, Remembrance Day Poppy, and the Official Royal British Legion Poppy - which amassed tens of thousands of supporters since the beginning of October .

The campaigns were helped along with some well known names choosing to support the causes, including ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair, London Mayor Boris Johnson Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, his politician brother David Miliband, and former England rugby player Will Carling.

Much discussion has been going on around the poppy campaigns– here’s what some of the poppy supporters have been saying:

Today, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there will be a UK nationwide two minute silence to remember the end of the First World War, and to remember those who have given their lives.

Get your poppy Twibbon on Twitter and Facebook, and please take part in the #2minutesilence at 11:00 GMT to pause for reflection and remembrance.

While wearing a poppy Twibbon is a great way to drive awareness of the cause, don't forget you can donate directly to The Royal British Legion, or to Poppy Scotland, whose charitable work helps support ex-soldiers and their families. You can also volunteer your time to help this important cause.

October is customarily the month on Twibbon when we like to go pink to help raise Breast Cancer Awareness and this year was no exception. With no fewer than 102 campaigns relating to breast cancer we feel very proud of our followers and fans in raising awareness of this terrible disease.

We love our chocolate here at Twibbon Towers... almost as much as you do! On International Chocolate Week we asked the question “What’s your favourite sweet treat?” And ended up with some mouth-watering answers!

As many went back to school we celebrated the teachers that make a difference with our highly popular World Teachers Day Twibbon.

The sad announcement of the death of Steve Jobs provoked many thousands to add a suitably sombre yet fitting Twibbon as a mark of respect for the pioneer.

The Rugby World Cup finished earlier this month with New Zealand the triumphant winners, however the team that won on Twibbon was plucky Wales, with BBC Wales' I believe Twibbon backing the boys!

October traditionally ends up spooky and pumpkin-filled and we do not like to disappoint – our favourite Twibbons are below!

Monthly Awards

Most Retweeted Tweet of the Month -  Spirit Day 

Most Popular Custom Campaign – The annually recurring, very popular Spirit Day with now an incredible 153,000 supporters!

Most Popular Campaign – Breast Cancer Research, whose astounding campaign is now at a breathtaking 194,000 supporters!

 

Big sporting events are a real staple of Twibbon campaigns and the Rugby World Cup battle between Wales and France last weekend brought out the patriot in the Welsh fans, prompting our Custom Campaign of the week. 

Since the beginning of the campaign just last week, the Twibbon has garnered a fantastic 2,500 supporters! 

We have found that adding a Twibbon to your profile picture encourages discussion and involvement in a cause, Here is what some supporters and Twibbon users were saying about the I Believe campaign:

Because this was a Custom Campaign filled with features and not just a free one, @bbcscrumtv were able to use additional features to increase their Twitter followers and their Facebook likes 

With a Custom Campaign, users who add your Twibbon will automatically follow your Twitter account which means increased, targeted supporters. For BBC Wales, the result was an increase of 1,000 followers in a week!

As well as the increased Twitter followers, BBC Wales were able to benefit from other Custom Campaign features such as:

1. Increased Facebook Likes  – a feature which specifies that users must “like” a page before they can add a Twibbon, and not forgetting the added extra that they were able to promote their Facebook page on their Twibbon page.

2. Complete control over their message –  the ability to customise tweets and status updates that their supporters automatically sent out when adding the Twibbon.

BBC Wales also helped their cause by encouraging their fans to add on Facebook with regular news and updates:

BBC Wales were able to get all of these great benefits and more for just a one-off fee of $99! That is amazing value for money, and that payment is what keeps Twibbons free and our site ad free.

Our Custom Campaigns are perfect for fans, teams or sporting events looking to quickly and easily expand their online presence with targeted, engaged users. If you would like all of the above features for your brand, cause or event, why not Create your own CustomCampaign today?