"Is YouTube the Next Google?"

As we often study how people use media in our courses, I thought I'd share this post with you from a website called ReadWriteWeb.  The article discusses the idea that one day, we may use YouTube as our primary search engine.  Essentially, we would prefer video information over text.  Anything relevant we would need to search, surely there's a video or two on YouTube about it!  

You are the experts, you tell me.  When you want information, do you go to Google first, or to YouTube?  Can you see the progression the author is talking about?  With the lure of rich media, will we begin to prefer video over text?  

The article got me thinking of recent examples where I've used YouTube, instead of Google, and I immediately began to understand.  Just last week I was curious about a treacherous ski run in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Well if the ski run is that infamous, certainly there are YouTube videos for it!  And sure enough a few seconds later, I find Corbet's Coulior is chillin', just waiting for me to click, like the 11,575 times it's been watched before.  

Not only did I learn from this video that there's no way on God's green earth I will EVER ski down this thing, but I also picked up a phrase that I have already repeated at least 15 times just to be funny..."he just did yard sale".  Modeling would be the academic phrase for mimicking, right?  (don't act like you haven't picked up lingo from YouTube videos)

And almost immediately, I'm reminded of the truly fascinating media world we live in.  Isn't it crazy, that somehow, after watching this video, I feel as if I have experienced this mountain and feel compelled to repeat phrases from it?

These are the things that keep me up at night and so excited to be teaching media courses at this stage in the game.  

Speaking of YouTube, did anyone notice the change in video player size?

Yet, Another Name for Gen Y

Check out this video from an organization called, "Generation-We". After the video, leave your thoughts. Is this you? What do you agree or disagree with? Do you want to be part of this movement?


Generation WE: The Movement Begins... from Generation We on Vimeo.

Web Bytes: Phelps, Flacks and Chickens

Here is another installment of Web Bytes, where I attempt to bring you informative, entertaining, and relevant news items that relate to issues discussed in class this week (both COM 130 & COM 327). So, here's what's up for discussion this time:

Recently, my student bloggers analyzed that word Rift hates called, "convergence". Particularly, in the case of television. Text-messaging may not be the only problem for teachers in the future, but MTV's The Hills could be. What I'm getting at is the future of mobile television. Check out this link and let me know what you think. Is this something you see yourself using or demanding?

Also, we talked about Subway's Jared this week, but he may be taking a back seat to Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, as discussed in this AdAge article. What does Michael Phelps' celebrity status mean for Subway?

In COM 130 this week, we discussed the public relations industry and the term, "flacks". Just to prove it's regularly used, check out who won these coveted "flack/flak awards".

Many political operatives were honored in the above link, but let's talk Obama now. Specifically, his use of new media to communicate a message. His campaign has pundits talking about whether or not he'll be a Web 2.0 president, just like he was in his run for office. If so, he would be the first president to utilize social media. What do you think? How would this benefit/hurt him?

Like Subway, it's no surprise to anyone that companies hope to capitalize by using celebrities to sell products. The latest to get buzz? Gucci and Rihanna...not a lot going on in this ad, but in reference to "image advertising", what's the message here?

And finally, for no reason at all...because a few of my students said this was funny.

YouTube Embed

Here's my video:
Isn't that funny?

Moms Take on Motrin and Win

Since we discuss advertising and new media so heavily in class, I thought I'd share with you a very interesting article I read on David Armano's blog, Logic + Emotion.

He tracks a "groundswell" of tech-savvy moms upset and offended by a recent advertisement from the pain reliever, Motrin. It's an interesting example of how quickly an event can grow online and force change. Check it out and leave your reactions below. My guess is Motrin's sales will take a hit from this one...

Oh, and just for fun...for my Matrix-loving-PC-haters, I found this video today I think you'll enjoy.

Expect More Ads at the Movies...That Is, If You Still GO to the Movies...

There's no doubt that advertisers are trying to find us, wherever we make be lurking. But this article from AdAge surprised me a little. It talks about how retailers like Gap are placing more targeted spots in movie theaters, hoping to reach consumers there. Do you think this is a good idea on their part? My first thought is, aren't movie sales shrinking as Gen Y occupies itself with other sources of entertainment?

As we've discussed in class, there are two things that happen with movie advertisements: 1) if you show up on time you are a captive audience 2) you know you can be an extra 15 minutes late and don't see the ads at all.

To me, I find ads before movies incredibly annoying. I mean, I just PAID money for a movie ticket and these media companies are still trying to profit? Irritating. I will say, they do a good job of at least making the ads entertaining. (On a media literacy front, I guess it's better to see the clearly labeled ads at the beginning, as opposed to keeping an eye out for hidden product placement.)

So what do you think? With today's economy and a bleak holiday shopping forecast, are more targeted ads in movie theaters the answer retailers are hoping for?

What Made Gen Y Get Out the Vote?

Four years ago I remember a certain few celebrities, like Paris Hilton, stumping for the youth vote with Diddy's "Vote or Die" campaign. Everyone thought young people (you know who you are) would answer the call and prove to their elders they were not slackers at the ballot box.

Paris Hilton didn't even vote.

That was 2004.

What I gathered from the news coverage last night is that this year, things were different. Gen Y proved the once-apathetic young voting block does care and tipped the scales in Obama's favor. As a relatively new Facebook user, I was surprised how vocal my friends were when it came to stumping for their favorite candidate in their status updates...so the buzz certainly was out there. I see it in my classrooms too...students seem to care this time around.

I want to know, what made the difference for you this year, Gen Y?