Thursday's quick reads: Swine flu, clorox, and Intel

1.) Businesses that blog see 55% more visitors (Social Media Business Council) -- A recent study by HubSpot using data from their 1,531 customers (comprised of both small and medium-sized businesses) found that companies that blogged had far better marketing results.

2.) Clorox, Lysol marketing messages compounded by swine flu fears (Ad Age) -- A second wave of media coverage around outbreaks of the H1N1 virus is driving new opportunities for back-to-school marketing by brands not typically associated with the season.

3.) Recession prompts MARTA to spend on image (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) -- In the midst of long-running financial problems, fare hikes, service cuts and the worst economic downturn in a generation, MARTA is doing some high-level hiring to beef up its image. Money-starved MARTA may spend up to $592,000 on outside help in lobbying and public relations, according to agency documents and officials. The money would come from MARTA’s operating budget, which is particularly pinched.

4.) How Intel is making its press releases more social (Social Media Business Council) -- Intel’s “Press Room” has taken the traditional press page found on most corporate sites and overhauled it with lots of social media elements, including real-time Twitter feeds, external links to Facebook, and links to audio, video, and Intel’s blogs.