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Posted March 26th, 2007 by Kevin
Based on a recent article by Boston Globe sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy, it appears that some members of the traditional media are starting to let their envy of blogs and new media slip out from under the old guard façade. Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, recently launched his own blog, 38 Pitches, to which Shaughnessy recently felt the need to satire in the Globe here.
As you can imagine, Red Sox fans are not pleased with the representation Shaughnessy portrays. However, he clearly insults the blogosphere as well by implying that Schilling’s audience is still living in their parent’s basements and avid “Trekkies.”
Having read Schilling’s blog, Shaughnessy should apologize for his blatant disrespect of the community. Not because he insulted Red Sox Nation or Bloggers, but because Schilling is also using his blog to generate awareness around ALS. I applaud anyone who uses their celebrity to make a difference and Schilling adopted Social Media to aid in his quest for a cure.
For anyone who is looking to boycott Dan Shaughnessy, feel free to visit this site which “reads him so you don’t have to.” Maybe Dan should start blogging… that’s where the readers are.
Posted February 27th, 2007 by Kevin
Every business should have a damage control strategy. Of course, the tactics used only five years ago are no longer sufficient considering the rise of social media. Quickly distributing a press release and burying it in the Company News section of the website (like Yum Brands did as a result of this story involving rats at Taco Bell in NY) does not effectively reassure your customers that the organization is addressing the situation. In the case of the Taco Bell incident, one would think that the Damage Control strategy would have been updated as a result of last year’s E. coli scare, but a visit to both the Taco Bell site and the Yum Brands site failed to address either issue on the homepage.
However, in today’s social media world, individuals might want to start developing their own “Damage Control” strategy. Consider the recent American Idol news surrounding some lurid pictures of contestant Antonella Barba. After watching the show, one would think her focus would be on trying to improve her below average singing chops, but based on pictures that surfaced during the last week (which we won’t link to here), she might have more to worry about, like her entire reputation. Thankfully, social media even chips in to help out individual reputations. Popular American Idol site, Vote For The Worst, has done the research and at least helped Barba prove that she is not the girl in the extremely raunchy images (other images cannot be refuted). However, Vote for the Worst may only have protected her to fulfill its own agenda; keeping the least talented individual on the show, which Barba obviously is.
Clearly, having fans or brand advocates can help not only business, but individuals conduct damage control. What’s your plan?
Posted January 22nd, 2007 by Kevin
Due to its successful integration into our everyday lives, Web 2.0 terminology is being shouted all over the world and becoming as popular in business as “synergy” and “proactive.” For some, however, popular terms like “Social Media” and “Consumer-Generated Media” have jumped the shark. It was only a matter of time before someone stepped up and rebelled against the herd.
Industry veteran, Steve Rubel, shared an interesting post today in his popular blog, Micro Persuasion, questioning whether “social media,” and similar terms, matter anymore. He states that “The problem with all of these balkanized phrases is that they connote that the content created by digitally empowered individuals is somehow bush league.”
Interesting thought, but slightly off the mark for two reasons:
1) More and more people are turning to User-Generated Content for the entertainment value, the availability of information, and the ability to provide information in a method they prefer instead of having it force fed to them by the traditional media giants. Not necessarily the definition of “bush league,” IMHO.
2) Social Media is still evolving and it is necessary to distinguish User-Generated Content from traditional media to appropriately prepare the audience and give credibility to the content. Credibility to all aspects of media based on the guidelines that govern each.
Based on the comments to Rubel’s posts, the community itself recognizes the need to maintain some distinction from traditional media… at least for now.
Posted December 11th, 2006 by Kevin
Back when I was studying Media Theory and Communications, required courses discussed the societal impact of the representation of women, minorities and children in the world of mass communications. Were television and advertising an accurate reflection of society, or did they create ideal images and drive the populace to fulfill them? The topic is widely debated and arguments for both sides often have merit.
Now, years later, one could ask the same questions regarding the social web.
It’s clear to most of us that consumers have embraced the power of the Internet to drive trends and expose the flaws of big business (e.g., see “Dell” or “Starbucks”). No longer are the opinions of only a few television and advertising executives influencing the world or projecting the world they see. Now, the masses are influencing the masses. The logical question here is: are we doing a good job?
Sure, Web 2.0 is still in its infancy, so one should look past the “Happy Slapping” and drunken images and confessions on Myspace and focus on the positives like this and this. Companies that take the initiative to converse with the “real” consumer should be applauded and recognized.
With the evolution of Web 2.0, organizations have the unique opportunity to listen to the people that keep them in business and operate honestly instead of just communicating via 30 second spots. It may be too soon to answer the question as to whether or not the social web is a reflection of society or driving it, but the communities are out there and everyone’s invited to discuss.
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