#HappyHolidays: Lambertville firm's Twitter-controlled tree

#HappyHolidays: Lambertville firm's Twitter-controlled tree

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#HappyHolidays: Lambertville firm's Twitter-controlled tree

A Lambertville-based public relations firm has taken the hashtag a keyword preceded by a number sign that can be used to search for content on networking site and used it as way for people anywhere in the world to control a 9-foot Christmas tree in the company's lobby.

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Sergio Bichao, @sbichao 7:03 p.m. EST December 23, 2014

A Christmas Tree controlled by Twitter.(Photo: Oxford Communications)

Story Highlights

• People worldwide can use a hashtag to control a 9-foot Christmas tree in the lobby of a Lambertville-based firm.

Tinsel, glass baubles, plastic angels and now you can add Twitter hashtags to the list of Christmas tree decorations.

A Lambertville-based public relations firm has taken the hashtag a keyword preceded by a number sign that can be used to search for content on networking site and used it as way for people anywhere in the world to control a 9-foot Christmas tree in the company's lobby.

Oxford Communications spokesman Sean O'Grady said Monday that the tree is an example of how nonprofit organizations can use social media to generate awareness and spark interest in fundraising campaigns.

The tree has its own account on Twitter @Oxmas_Tree and when a Twitter user tweets at that account with the hashtag #comfort, the tree's red lights flash. The green lights turn on when #joy is tweeted. The menorah in the holiday display turns on when #candle is tweeted. And so on.

The tree is operated by Arduino, an open-source micro computer. A live cam lets users see the tree.

While the tree is not the first to be Twitter-controlled, Oxford hopes clients use the idea as a way to get their social media followers engaged with awareness and fundraising campaigns.

"The purpose of the @Oxmas_Tree is to empower philanthropic organizations to transform their holiday displays into gamified, socially-engaged awareness and fundraising opportunities," said Martin Slamon, the senior interactive project manager at Oxford. "The @Oxmas_Tree proves it can be done."

Staff Writer Sergio Bichao: 908-243-6615; sbichao@mycentraljersey.com

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Source: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/hunterdon-county/2014/12/23/lambertville-firm-twitter-controlled-tree/20832649/