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Stephen Fry is at it again. Tweeting, that is. But this time he's using Twibbon, the new way to promote a cause online.
Bob Thomson, 31, and Jonathan Joyce, 38, CEOs of web apps specialists Storm Ideas, were mulling over what they called the "underexploited real estate" of Facebook profile pictures when it occurred to them that they could use the space to promote causes.
In July 2009 they created Twibbon - a cross between Twitter and ribbon - which has become known as the "easiest way to promote your cause through Twitter".
The process is simple. Users think of a cause. In Fry's case, he's chosen World Aids and his home football team, Norwich City.
Using Twibbon.com you then paste an icon - a Twibbon - illustrating the cause onto the corner of your Facebook picture.
One click on the Twibbon takes Facebookers directly to their friend's Twitter page, and any followers will see who they're supporting.
It's a sure-fire way of spreading the word, says Storm's Dan Moss: "It's fantastic that we can facilitate these online campaigns - free tools like this are really handy."
Indeed, the site has attracted 907,000 users who, between them, support nearly 30,000 causes.
Twibbon.com also beat Channel 4 and Virgin Atlantic for E-Consultancy's Innovation in Social Media Award.
Charities such as Tickets for Troops, the new non-profit organisation offering free tickets for events to UK soldiers, is drawing in hundreds of Twibbonites but it's Breast Cancer Research that stands first, with more than 90,000 followers.
Soon you'll be in the minority if you haven't posted your pink ribbon on Facebook.
Reader views (1)
Can't believe how very old Stephen Fry is looking since he's lost all that weight. Bit disconcerting now that he looks like a whole generation or more older than some of the people he appears on TV with.
- Dan, London, 13/01/2010 10:59
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