Totally Twitter

Last week Twitter scored a mega funding deal--said to be 100 mil. It got me thinking how pervasive Twitter talk seems to be these days and social media in general.

Many radio folks are trying to figure out how to use social networking to their best advantage....aaaaa.....make money from it. That seems to remain allusive thus far. There may not be a home run money play anytime soon. Of course that doesn't mean it should be kicked to the curb. Done right, there may not be any better way to connect with your station's fans. Done wrong, and risk pushing fans in a different direction.

Companies of all types are also wrestling with how to allow their employees interact with social networking sites during the work day. Many are concerned of too much time wasted, inappropriate comments, and of course liabilities and trade secrets. Some workplaces have banned social networking activity all together. If you are working through these issues there's a website that provides links to companies who already have a social networking policy in place.

More on the subject...Ad Age had this story--Six Reasons Companies Are Still Scared of Social Media.

And finally...a chuckle. The latest craze: Twitteleh

The Social Media Fad

Not!

As an active Facebook user I have found myself somewhat of an evangelist for it. I really enjoy it. It allows for interaction with far many more people than face-to-face, phone, or email would ever allow. Now granted, there are things I know now that if I didn't know wouldn't matter, but overall it's been a very positive experience.

I've had more than a few conversations with people (all older) trying to explain to them why it's worth their time joining in on the revolution. OK, I didn't call it a revolution--but you know what I mean. In fact, the video that follows I found through social networking. My friend Mark Ramsey posted this on his hear2.o blog., but it was when it was posted on Facebook it found me.

Social Media has has exploded, but it has just begun. Understand the fundamental change it represents and you will be miles closer to understanding what's ahead.

Join The Conversation

Do you truly understanding how social media can really help over-the-air RADIO?

Old school thinking suggests that sending people away from your "main" product is a bad thing. Remember we used to tell listeners to, "lock it in and rip the knob off". Today we know enriching peoples experiences with related experiences--podcasts, video, enhanced features ONLY bring them back to the main channel for MORE. Just ask NBC as it relates to their multi-platform Olympic coverage.

I think 2008 has been the year in which radio folks have finally begun to get it--some anyway. At least we as an industry are starting to talk a good, errr, better game. And that's a start. Some might say it's too late...you've heard about Pandora, right? I don't think it's too late. That's the beauty of the time we are living in. Today's internet is not going to look like tomorrows internet. So we still have time to develop a vision for radio for tomorrow. A radio industry that is a two-way street of entertainment and information. This version of radio will be new and will know no generational boundaries. How's that for a Utopian dream?

With that dream in mind and my quest to occasionally use this blog as a learning tool I want to share with you a presentation I ran across this weekend.

Radio today:
Radio from now on:
Something positive to build on:

And now, the full presentation...it's a little in your face...but spot on...filled with good information...and a quick and informative read.

What The F**K is Social Media?

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: socialmediamarketing marketing)

Social Media Not a Fad

That according to Disney President and CEO Bob Iger. Broadcasting & Cable Magazine has the story on-line today. Iger was addressing the attendees at the McGraw-Hill Summit in New York.

He criticized media executives for their skittish view of the multiple-platform approach to delivering content.

“Brand managers look at technology with a deep-rooted aversion,”

“People take a protectionist view of it, but we’re projecting the brand versus protecting the brand.”

And check this out:

Iger spoke of using technology to “completely change the perception” of the Disney brand when he took over in 2005. He forecasted $1 billion in digital revenue for Disney this year, up from $750 million in 2007.

Quite impressive for an old-line company to project 25% revenue growth in a very important sector of their business.

But here's where Iger shows his true understanding of where things stand in today's media world:

Iger stressed how social media was far from a Gen X or Gen Y fad, but in fact a part of everyday life for children. He said the computer will soon supplant the television as children’s screen of choice. “In the years ahead, broadband on the computer will be the primary source of entertainment for kids,” he said. “It’s just as important to them as the TV set now.”

And I would go so far to say that the word wireless should be included when talking broadband. One also could project that the traditional "computer" for today's kids will not be the typical box we use today and manifest itself in a much more portable form...maybe hand held and portable? Exactly.

As you read through this it's hard not to draw the many parallels between Iger's vision and plan for Disney and what the radio industry needs to accomplish.