I posted about GetGlue last month and about event-based social media not too long ago. HBO is jumping on both of these bandwagons by encouraging fans to check-in while watching True Blood to earn badges. It's a great example of gaming mechanics and event-based social networks working together.

OK Go, masters of self promotion and the viral video, are taking their game to the next level. Tied into their latest (soon to be viral) video is a Facebook contest titled, "My 'Friends' Are Cooler Than Your 'Friends'." AdFreak gives the details:

The video points to Facebook, where (once you consent to receive promotional e-mails from the band) you can get a secret download link. You're then encouraged to download the video, upload it to your own Facebook page, and get people to comment on it. If your version gets the most comments (likes count as half) by June 30, you win an engraved iPad preloaded with OK Go's music and some random stuff they find amusing.

By joining their separate social media markets — connecting their YouTube viewers to their Facebook fans and turning those fans into e-mail subscribers — OK Go are learning to play with the big boys.

Remember NBA Jam? It's the classic basketball video game accompanied by an announcer that would yell catch phrases like, "He's on fire!" and "Boomshakalaka!" upon dunks and shots. The newest version is coming out for the Wii, and the EA team is using Facebook to create buzz.

On the NBA Jam Facebook page, you'll find a "Boomshakalaka" tab where people that Like NBA Jam on Facebook can vote on which new catch phrases will end up in the game. Check out the bracket, where you can hear sound clips and find how well phrases like "Bow to your sensei" and "Oh, that's gonna wake up the baby" are performing.

Mashable lays out the details of Cynthia Rowley's unveiling of her new collection, which also included gift certificates and discounts for participants and will be launching in two more cities in coming weeks.

The fashion world seems to really be embracing marketing via social media. Maybe it's the money or the target market of younger, more savvy social media users they're after; either way, they are creating the model that larger corporations will soon be trying to follow.

We'll have to wait till E3 to know for sure, but rumor has it Hulu is coming to Xbox Live. There are a couple of interesting implications that come to mind:

• Xbox is a social media machine — already having full integration into Twitter and Facebook — adding a Like button and/or @anywhere tag to the opening and closing credits of episodes should be a no-brainer.
• There's a real possibility to have Hulu parties (much like Xbox's current Netflix party feature). You could watch the season finale of Lost with all of your friends without ever leaving your house.
• Microsoft will probably find out that subscription fees don't work — anyone who can hook up an Xbox to their TV can hook up a computer to their TV and stream Hulu for free. This would mean commercial integration into Hulu shows, which could lead to some really groundbreaking commercials. I'm thinking a game/commercial hybrid. These people already have an Xbox controler in their hands, why not take advantage of that?

In the wide, wide world of social marketing, timing is everything. Take the Hardchorus Song Contest, for example. This Puma Football competition launched in February and comes to a close tomorrow. It's had moderate success in a field crowded with innovative soccer campaigns.

But augment Puma's concept with Google Moderator (which launched yesterday) and you've got a whole different ballgame. Maybe instead of a YouTube wall filled with knee-jerk comments, you've got Terry Wogan sparking a thoughtful yet wildly passionate debate among hardcore football aficionados everywhere.

Not bloody likely. Still, as one engagement ends and another begins, you get the feeling that a big opportunity may have been missed along the way.

Welcome to our world.

As one of the first companies to do a Facebook giveaway for fans (or people that Like them), Starbucks is back on the grind with a new social networking platform incentive. Foursquare users that become "the mayor" of their local Starbucks can get $1 off Frappuccinos. Nice choice for the summertime.

TechCrunch interviewed Virgin America, Comcast and Cisco about their social media use, and the companies had some interesting things to say.

There's a lot of insight into how social media changes a company internally, as well as how these companies have found success through social media. I think the key takeaways are:

• Define your ROI
• Have a business objective
• Empower your employees
• Personalize your brand

I have a few British friends on Facebook. I say that not to brag, but to point out that when I saw "John has voted in the election" in my news feed, I did a little digging to find out what was going on.

Here's the scoop from across the pond:

[British] Facebook users over the age of 18 were greeted on Thursday morning with an "I've voted" button at the top of their page.

A Facebook spokeswoman said this was acting as a "convenient reminder" to head to the polling booths, and around 100,000 people were clicking the button every hour.

She said: "As the numbers rise from the hundreds of thousands into the millions, people will know that they have been a part of the first British social media election.

Ricky Gervais was recently interviewed by Big Think. Besides some good laughs, he talks about some of the social media aspects of his career thus far. Gervais, who is the current world record holder for most downloaded podcast, gives a couple of pointers, which essential break down to: be casual, be open and have fun. Good advice for all your social media efforts.