As this year draws to a close, I wanted to showcase the things in social media that I enjoyed from 2010. We saw Facebook go “Places” plus a revamp of their website multiple times, the “New Twitter” emerged, and a social web browser, Rockmelt, took shape.

In no particular order, here are the five things in social media that I thought were just swell:

1. Best Viral Video: “Trololo”

Unearthed from an old TV broadcast from 1966, this video of singer Eduard Khil has permamently cemented his place in pop culture as the “Trololo Guy.” Really, there isn’t much you can say about the weirdness of the video unless you watch it.

2. Best Use of Cinema: “The Social Network”

At first, I was skeptical about a “Facebook” movie and I wasn’t sure if I would “Like” it (no pun intended), but it turned out to be a great movie. “The Social Network,” released in October, tells the story of Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerburg and his rise to nerdy power. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this movie pick up multiple Golden Globes and Oscars this awards season.

3. Best New Trends Tool: YouTube

Borrowing from Twitter, YouTube launched its very own trending now dashboard. It lets you compare what’s trending in different cities and in different user demographic groups, as well as get insight into “most viewed” vs. “most shared.”

4. Best Facebook Campaign: Skittles

Taking a page out of the Old Spice guy playbook, Skittles UK launched the Facebook campaign, “Dazzle the Rainbow,” a challenge in which fans were asked to bury a man named David Phoenix in a vat of the sugary candy.

Skittles fans headed over to their Facebook pages and tuned into the live stream, which caused more and more candy to rain down on Phoenix every 15 minutes. Over 2 million Skittles were used but the only way they were released was if more fans watched.

This outrageous 17-hour stint on Facebook was a clever way to engage their fans and draw more attention to the brand. If you missed it, watch a highlight from the live stream here. Kudos to Skittles!

5. Best Tweet: @BrettErlich from Current TV

The tweet that needed to be tweeted during the World Cup/Twilight craze this year. Thank you, Mr. Erlich.

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2010 also saw the BLASTmedia social media team grow from one to eight members strong. If you are a company that needs a social media strategy set in place, get a hold of us.

Cheers to a great 2011 aboard the #SocialMediaNerdExpress!

Incoming search terms:

• trololo guy
• skittles vs david phoenix