Over the last few years, the social media revolution has completely redefined marketing.

The rising prominence of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and others has led to a more complex array of media choices, but has also rebooted our traditional view of marketing. This is no longer a one-way conversation with consumers. It is a real-time dialogue in which brands can be upended by an ill-conceived tweet or a rogue YouTube posting.

In such an environment, we think marketers deserve kudos for making the right calls and applying creative solutions. That's why we've created The Mashies, which are designed to recognize the very best marketing in social media. The Mashies will highlight thought leadership in such categories as Best Real-Time Marketing, Best Use of Twitter, Best Branded Vine and Best Use of Facebook, among others. Read more…

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Instagram was famously worth about $1 billion to Facebook — but how much is one Instagram photo worth?

SEE ALSO: How One Instagram Hashtag Fights Pollution

The Kellogg brand's freestanding store offers a free box of its upgraded Special K to anyone who snaps a picture and tags it with #nyaspecialk, which is Swedish for "new Special K." Just show the cashier your pic to get the booty. Why Instagram? Jan Hedegaard, the Nordic marketing director at Kellogg, says the app is more popular in Sweden than Twitter, which is the typical home of hashtag promotions.

Image courtesy of Special K

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Many are aware of Amazon's robust retail and web-hosting businesses, but less are familiar with its advertising business, which is rapidly becoming a significant player in the space.

Amazon brought in $450 million in advertising in revenue last year, according to eMarketer estimates published Tuesday. The company managed to increase its advertising business by nearly two-thirds between 2011 and 2012, and is expected to grow it by another half this year — to $660 million. This makes Amazon's ad business even bigger than Twitter's, which eMarketer previously estimated would generate $580 million this year. Read more…

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The holiday season is just around the corner — the "season of giving." Well, let's call this the "season of buying" because before all that giving happens, you'll have to find gifts for all those special someones in your life.

At Mashable, we're constantly writing about the newest and coolest knickknacks from the tech world, many of which would make great gifts for your geeky family and friends. In addition to our regular load of tech tips, each day throughout the holiday season we'll post a new suggestion in our Gift of the Day series.

In case you had a busy few days and haven't had time to follow along, we've rounded up our most useful articles from the past week. Aside from some killer gift ideas, you'll also find hands-on social media advice concerning recent updates to Facebook's mobile app, Instagram and Pinterest, not to mention digital business and marketing advice.

Let Mashable help you make the most of your time on the Internet. Read more…

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NARS Cosmetics developed a limited-edition product line for the holidays inspired by Andy Warhol. NARS Andy Warhol Collection includes a range of cosmetics products like an eyeshadow palette with Warhol’s portrait and an essentials kit packaged in a film canister.

NARS energized its robust online community by taking its tribute to the pop art icon a step further. The company created the NARS Profile Makeover app in which users can "Warholize" their Facebook profile for a visual makeover.

Users can pull images from their Facebook photos, desktop images or take a new picture from their webcam. They can then assemble images and templates that combine Warhol’s artistic touch and NARS’ branding. Read more…

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The holidays are just around the corner, and for many, the next month-and-a-half will be the busiest and most stressful time of the year.

Here at Mashable, we're not looking to add to your stress; rather, we're trying to reduce it. So, for your convenience, we've rounded up all of our digital features into one post.

This week's roundup contains essential resources for holiday shoppers, including our Gift of the Day series and a gallery of 50 holiday gifts for video-game fans.

In addition to gifts and gadgets, you'll find helpful social media and digital business advice, as well as some killer software apps. So dig in, and help yourself to a holiday-feast-sized portion of digital media resources.

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