The newest and most popular music may be the bet or the most innovative, or it could be the result of an alluring Internet persona. With the increased use of social networking sites as promotional tools for musicians, musicians who enjoy relative popularity on the Internet more and more may have their social networking skills to thank. As with many other aspects of pop culture, music is shaping and being shaped by the way social networking sites are used.
Gerry Green, a solo musician in Athens who performs under the name of Green Gerry uses both MySpace and Facebook for different purposes to promote his music. Whereas he uses MySpace to share his music, he primarily uses Facebook to invite people to his shows. For Green, Facebook event pages provide an easy and free way to advertise his shows. “I usually see people that were confirmed [on the event page] at the show,” said Green. “It doesn’t take much work and it’s an easy way to get people versus word of mouth.”
Although Facebook and MySpace are the most heavily used social networking sites for aspiring musicians, Twitter, Tumblr, and various other networking sites have become popular for self-promotion. Allison Weiss, a senior at the University of Georgia and a solo performer around Athens keeps multiple online profiles for her music and has attained relatively widespread Internet fame by using them to promote her performances. She has built a fan base not only by promoting her music, but by promoting herself as an interesting individual who accompanies the music. As a result, her Twitter account has over 2,000 followers and her Tumblr, a hybrid of a blog and Twitter account, is updated multiple times daily with digital concert flyers as well as accounts of her travels and musicians she has encountered.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Katie Weise Unedited
Katie Weise
KWFILM
September 8, 2009
An environmental economics major at the University of Georgia spent $12.50 on what could have cost over a hundred dollars to see her favorite band.
Two summers ago, Roxanne DeMarco, 19, went to see “U2:3D”. She “idolizes Bono” and was grateful for the chance to avoid the “insane ticket prices” to see her favorite band play a concert in South Africa. All while sitting in the Washington D.C. Museum of Natural History.
“It felt like I was really there”, she said. “I was rockin out in my chair.”
A 3D concert is exactly what it sounds like. A live concert of a particular band is recorded and released across the country in movie theaters to try and convey a “live performance.” The first major band to try it was U2 in 2008. “U2:3D” spent 586 days in almost 700 theaters worldwide. It was followed by “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds” and “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience”.
In order to make a movie like this, you have to be a very popular artist.
“The bands that make these are giant powerhouses that are making even more money for already very well off bands,” said director of the University of Georgia's Music Business Program Bruce Birch. “But they are a way for a band to reach an audience who might not be able to afford a live concert ticket.”
These 3D music experiences are not doing as well as hoped however. The Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience only ran for 35 days in theaters and made only $23 million worldwide. On their World Tour 2009, the brothers have already made almost double that in just the first 2 months of touring. The tour ends on Nov. 26.
KWFILM TAKE 2
This profit also seems small compared to an animated 3D movie’s earnings. The 3D film “UP” made over $400 million worldwide, and even the horror film “My Bloody Valentine 3D” made over $93 million.
“3D concerts released in movie theaters are gimmicks pissing on the true art of making a movie”, said Alec Wooden, executive editor of Athens Blur Magazine.
Smaller bands that in no way can afford to make an entire movie just about them, can keep trying to get promotion through films in other ways.
“It’s one of the best possible ways right now, especially for independent artists,” said Wooden.
Even though Nathan Bach, a member of Dear Savannah, an unsigned band from Atlanta currently working on a new EP to be released sometime in 2010, hasn’t had the chance to hear his songs in the backgrounds of film or television, he still considers it a huge honor for an artist to be apart of another piece of art.
He knows that music can have a huge impact on not just the artists who get exposure but on the film itself. In a film class Bach took they did an activity that was composed of watching a scene from a film; once without music, the second time with music.
“In the music-less scene, the dialogue seemed forced, it did nothing for me. The second time through, I got goose bumps when I heard the way the scene was driven by music. In my mind, music makes or breaks a film,” said Bach. “As a musician, it’s cool to see how songs can be interpreted by correlating it with film. As an artist, it makes me incredibly proud to know that even now, all of us are working together.”
KWFILM TAKE 3
Wooden pointed out an example of the movie “Once”, a low budget film made a bout Irish buskers, or street musicians, last year. The soundtrack for the movie became a critical smash, and the title track was nominated for an Oscar alongside the movie with almost 20 times the budget. Now the two lead characters from “Once” are putting out a second album, and selling out theaters internationally.
“So yes, the universal truth is still the same-good art resonates with people,” said Wooden. “A movie setting is no exception.”
Contacts:
Roxanne DeMarco
Bruce Birch
Alec Wooden
Nathan Bach
KWFILM
September 8, 2009
An environmental economics major at the University of Georgia spent $12.50 on what could have cost over a hundred dollars to see her favorite band.
Two summers ago, Roxanne DeMarco, 19, went to see “U2:3D”. She “idolizes Bono” and was grateful for the chance to avoid the “insane ticket prices” to see her favorite band play a concert in South Africa. All while sitting in the Washington D.C. Museum of Natural History.
“It felt like I was really there”, she said. “I was rockin out in my chair.”
A 3D concert is exactly what it sounds like. A live concert of a particular band is recorded and released across the country in movie theaters to try and convey a “live performance.” The first major band to try it was U2 in 2008. “U2:3D” spent 586 days in almost 700 theaters worldwide. It was followed by “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds” and “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience”.
In order to make a movie like this, you have to be a very popular artist.
“The bands that make these are giant powerhouses that are making even more money for already very well off bands,” said director of the University of Georgia's Music Business Program Bruce Birch. “But they are a way for a band to reach an audience who might not be able to afford a live concert ticket.”
These 3D music experiences are not doing as well as hoped however. The Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience only ran for 35 days in theaters and made only $23 million worldwide. On their World Tour 2009, the brothers have already made almost double that in just the first 2 months of touring. The tour ends on Nov. 26.
KWFILM TAKE 2
This profit also seems small compared to an animated 3D movie’s earnings. The 3D film “UP” made over $400 million worldwide, and even the horror film “My Bloody Valentine 3D” made over $93 million.
“3D concerts released in movie theaters are gimmicks pissing on the true art of making a movie”, said Alec Wooden, executive editor of Athens Blur Magazine.
Smaller bands that in no way can afford to make an entire movie just about them, can keep trying to get promotion through films in other ways.
“It’s one of the best possible ways right now, especially for independent artists,” said Wooden.
Even though Nathan Bach, a member of Dear Savannah, an unsigned band from Atlanta currently working on a new EP to be released sometime in 2010, hasn’t had the chance to hear his songs in the backgrounds of film or television, he still considers it a huge honor for an artist to be apart of another piece of art.
He knows that music can have a huge impact on not just the artists who get exposure but on the film itself. In a film class Bach took they did an activity that was composed of watching a scene from a film; once without music, the second time with music.
“In the music-less scene, the dialogue seemed forced, it did nothing for me. The second time through, I got goose bumps when I heard the way the scene was driven by music. In my mind, music makes or breaks a film,” said Bach. “As a musician, it’s cool to see how songs can be interpreted by correlating it with film. As an artist, it makes me incredibly proud to know that even now, all of us are working together.”
KWFILM TAKE 3
Wooden pointed out an example of the movie “Once”, a low budget film made a bout Irish buskers, or street musicians, last year. The soundtrack for the movie became a critical smash, and the title track was nominated for an Oscar alongside the movie with almost 20 times the budget. Now the two lead characters from “Once” are putting out a second album, and selling out theaters internationally.
“So yes, the universal truth is still the same-good art resonates with people,” said Wooden. “A movie setting is no exception.”
Contacts:
Roxanne DeMarco
Bruce Birch
Alec Wooden
Nathan Bach
Social Media Goes Academic
Social Media Goes Academic
Facebook may soon be coming to a classroom near you.
Or at least one of its companions on the social media market may be. Services such as Facebook, Twitter, and del.icio.us, which are quickly gaining popularity among Internet users, are not going unnoticed on college campuses. One University of Georgia professor has decided to work with those services in her courses.
Associate Professor Karen Russell, of the Advertising and Public Relations department at Grady College, uses several different social media platforms in her courses.
When asked why she requires her students to use the programs for academic purposes, Russell said: “Since I teach PR and social media is important [to the profession] I try to expose them all to social media.”
One of the main ways she connects with her students through the Internet is del.icio.us, social bookmarking Web site. It is a place for Internet users to share and distribute links.
“That’s where I put my readings,” Russell said, referring to the Web site. Each day of class she informs her students where to look on her account for their reading assigments.
While del.icio.us may be relatively unknown among many students, Facebook has more fame. The service allows users to make accounts and connect with people who they share history or interests with, creating an electronic social network.
“I don’t really like Facebook,” Russell said when asked which service she herself preferred to use. “My favorite by far is Twitter, [my students] will tell you I’m addicted to it.”
Twitter is a microblogging service allowing users to update their page with messages of 140 characters or less. Users can choose to receive updates, called “tweets,” from as many other accounts as they wish, as well as reply to tweets and hold conversations across the Web site.
Russell uses Twitter to communicate with her students, such as recently when she had them use their Twitter accounts to tell her what books they wanted to use for a class assignment.
“I could do the same thing by e-mail,” Russell said, referencing the assignment, “but doing it by Twitter forces them to use [the service].”
Russell thinks that applications like Twitter are important to the PR industry, and thus to her students. She says that it also allows her to connect to students on a more personal level, citing that her students often use their Twitter accounts to update about their personal lives, things she would not learn in class. In turn, her students also learn more about her life. What she values most is the ability to get to know students in a different way.
That may be a benefit to some people, but others are resistant to the idea. Ricky Contes, a third-year English major, said he would be uncomfortable if a professor required him to use social media for class. Even with services like Twitter, he would object to their use in a classroom setting.
Contes also said that if social media and academics were combined, “I would never get anything done.”
Russell said that student reaction to her early use of Twitter, which she began doing in the summer of 2008, in particular was along those lines. “Let me tell you,” she said, “at first they hated it.”
Students complained as late as this spring, Russell said. This semester, however, she has seen her students as more amendable to using the service. The Web site’s popularity has reached the point where her students already have accounts before coming to class. She also receives positive feedback about it, and the other Web sites she uses, including PROpenMic, a online community for public relations students, educators, and professionals.
A student who has not used social media in class before seemed to reflect that attitude. Katie Wyke, a fourth-year English major, said that she would enjoy using social media for coursework.
“It’d be easy to get on it,” Wyke said. “I’m on it anyway sometimes.”
Social media have already proven themselves to be useful and popular across the Internet. Convenience and a personal quality have extended that reach to desks in Karen Russell’s classroom.
Facebook may soon be coming to a classroom near you.
Or at least one of its companions on the social media market may be. Services such as Facebook, Twitter, and del.icio.us, which are quickly gaining popularity among Internet users, are not going unnoticed on college campuses. One University of Georgia professor has decided to work with those services in her courses.
Associate Professor Karen Russell, of the Advertising and Public Relations department at Grady College, uses several different social media platforms in her courses.
When asked why she requires her students to use the programs for academic purposes, Russell said: “Since I teach PR and social media is important [to the profession] I try to expose them all to social media.”
One of the main ways she connects with her students through the Internet is del.icio.us, social bookmarking Web site. It is a place for Internet users to share and distribute links.
“That’s where I put my readings,” Russell said, referring to the Web site. Each day of class she informs her students where to look on her account for their reading assigments.
While del.icio.us may be relatively unknown among many students, Facebook has more fame. The service allows users to make accounts and connect with people who they share history or interests with, creating an electronic social network.
“I don’t really like Facebook,” Russell said when asked which service she herself preferred to use. “My favorite by far is Twitter, [my students] will tell you I’m addicted to it.”
Twitter is a microblogging service allowing users to update their page with messages of 140 characters or less. Users can choose to receive updates, called “tweets,” from as many other accounts as they wish, as well as reply to tweets and hold conversations across the Web site.
Russell uses Twitter to communicate with her students, such as recently when she had them use their Twitter accounts to tell her what books they wanted to use for a class assignment.
“I could do the same thing by e-mail,” Russell said, referencing the assignment, “but doing it by Twitter forces them to use [the service].”
Russell thinks that applications like Twitter are important to the PR industry, and thus to her students. She says that it also allows her to connect to students on a more personal level, citing that her students often use their Twitter accounts to update about their personal lives, things she would not learn in class. In turn, her students also learn more about her life. What she values most is the ability to get to know students in a different way.
That may be a benefit to some people, but others are resistant to the idea. Ricky Contes, a third-year English major, said he would be uncomfortable if a professor required him to use social media for class. Even with services like Twitter, he would object to their use in a classroom setting.
Contes also said that if social media and academics were combined, “I would never get anything done.”
Russell said that student reaction to her early use of Twitter, which she began doing in the summer of 2008, in particular was along those lines. “Let me tell you,” she said, “at first they hated it.”
Students complained as late as this spring, Russell said. This semester, however, she has seen her students as more amendable to using the service. The Web site’s popularity has reached the point where her students already have accounts before coming to class. She also receives positive feedback about it, and the other Web sites she uses, including PROpenMic, a online community for public relations students, educators, and professionals.
A student who has not used social media in class before seemed to reflect that attitude. Katie Wyke, a fourth-year English major, said that she would enjoy using social media for coursework.
“It’d be easy to get on it,” Wyke said. “I’m on it anyway sometimes.”
Social media have already proven themselves to be useful and popular across the Internet. Convenience and a personal quality have extended that reach to desks in Karen Russell’s classroom.
Students Share Mixed Opinions on GPS Devices
By: Ashley Bene
GPS devices are increasingly popular tools for drivers across the world.
Students come to the University of Georgia every year and find themselves on their own in a brand new city. Some students are even new to the state. While some students find GPS devices a necessity, others view it as a commodity.
Ryan Michalak is a junior majoring in real estate from Valdosta, Ga., who just transferred to the University. He says having a GPS device has been very helpful in finding his way around a new town.
Some people report problems with their GPS devices giving them incorrect directions. Michalak says the biggest mistakes his has made has been telling him something is on the right side of the road instead of the left, or vice versa.
“It always gets me where I need to go,” said Michalak. “Without GPS, I’d have no idea where to go.”
Sarah Burr, a sophomore double major in History and Philosophy from McDonough, Ga., said she would find a GPS device very helpful in Athens.
Devon Gibson, a freshman majoring in International Business from Cartersville, Ga., has a different take on GPS devices. He said he’s never needed one.
“If I need to go somewhere I just look at a map,” said Gibson. “If I need to figure out smaller roads, I get online and use Yahoo Maps before my trip.”
In past years, the sales of stand-alone GPS devices have increased consistently. With the recent economic downturn, however, the trend has taken a new direction.
2009 has seen an increase in the number of people buying iPhones and smart phones that will allow them to use GPS instead of having to buy a separate device.
Burr said she’d be interested in having GPS as an iPhone application instead of a stand-alone device.
“Then I’d have my music, phone, and directions all in one place,” said Burr.
Gibson and Michalak shared opposing opinions.
Michalak felt that paying the one-time fee for a stand-alone GPS device was a better deal than buying an iPhone and paying a monthly fee for the application.
Gibson, who already owns a GPS-application-capable Blackberry, just doesn’t see a need to pay the monthly fee for the feature.
There are some additions or changes that could be made to GPS devices to make them more appealing to college students, however.
For Burr, it’s all about the cost. She said her main reason for not already having a GPS is the price.
“I just have other expenses that are more pressing,” said Burr.
Michalak expressed interest in a GPS that comes with Lane Assistance. His doesn’t have the feature, which would help him navigate the interstates through Atlanta.
“It shows you a picture on your GPS so you can see which lane you’re supposed to be in,” he explained.
Gibson said he would use GPS if it was free on his cell phone, or he said he could see himself using it if he moved to a different part of the country. Until then, GPS manufacturers will not be receiving his business.
So if you don’t want to spend the money on a GPS with the extra features or you don’t already own an iphone or GPS-capable smart phone, you can do as Gibson does and plan your trips ahead of time.
If spontaneity is more your style, a GPS could be a good investment.
Whatever road in life you take, one thing is certain, everybody finds a different path of arrival.
GPS devices are increasingly popular tools for drivers across the world.
Students come to the University of Georgia every year and find themselves on their own in a brand new city. Some students are even new to the state. While some students find GPS devices a necessity, others view it as a commodity.
Ryan Michalak is a junior majoring in real estate from Valdosta, Ga., who just transferred to the University. He says having a GPS device has been very helpful in finding his way around a new town.
Some people report problems with their GPS devices giving them incorrect directions. Michalak says the biggest mistakes his has made has been telling him something is on the right side of the road instead of the left, or vice versa.
“It always gets me where I need to go,” said Michalak. “Without GPS, I’d have no idea where to go.”
Sarah Burr, a sophomore double major in History and Philosophy from McDonough, Ga., said she would find a GPS device very helpful in Athens.
Devon Gibson, a freshman majoring in International Business from Cartersville, Ga., has a different take on GPS devices. He said he’s never needed one.
“If I need to go somewhere I just look at a map,” said Gibson. “If I need to figure out smaller roads, I get online and use Yahoo Maps before my trip.”
In past years, the sales of stand-alone GPS devices have increased consistently. With the recent economic downturn, however, the trend has taken a new direction.
2009 has seen an increase in the number of people buying iPhones and smart phones that will allow them to use GPS instead of having to buy a separate device.
Burr said she’d be interested in having GPS as an iPhone application instead of a stand-alone device.
“Then I’d have my music, phone, and directions all in one place,” said Burr.
Gibson and Michalak shared opposing opinions.
Michalak felt that paying the one-time fee for a stand-alone GPS device was a better deal than buying an iPhone and paying a monthly fee for the application.
Gibson, who already owns a GPS-application-capable Blackberry, just doesn’t see a need to pay the monthly fee for the feature.
There are some additions or changes that could be made to GPS devices to make them more appealing to college students, however.
For Burr, it’s all about the cost. She said her main reason for not already having a GPS is the price.
“I just have other expenses that are more pressing,” said Burr.
Michalak expressed interest in a GPS that comes with Lane Assistance. His doesn’t have the feature, which would help him navigate the interstates through Atlanta.
“It shows you a picture on your GPS so you can see which lane you’re supposed to be in,” he explained.
Gibson said he would use GPS if it was free on his cell phone, or he said he could see himself using it if he moved to a different part of the country. Until then, GPS manufacturers will not be receiving his business.
So if you don’t want to spend the money on a GPS with the extra features or you don’t already own an iphone or GPS-capable smart phone, you can do as Gibson does and plan your trips ahead of time.
If spontaneity is more your style, a GPS could be a good investment.
Whatever road in life you take, one thing is certain, everybody finds a different path of arrival.
Alcoguard: the newest technology in drunk driving prevention
By: Alexis Economy
Soon it may be mechanically and physically impossible to drive while drunk, well in Europe at least.
Many leading car manufacturers are conducting tests and research in Europe and Asia with new technological devices that will not allow a car engine to start if the driver has had more than the legal limit to drink.
The leader among the manufacturers is Swedish-based Volvo. Volvo currently offers the Alcoguard, which it launched in 2007, as a feature on cars mainly in Sweden. Volvo is expected to release the devices in all of Europe in the next few years, and then eventually to the United States.
This device is handheld and allows drivers to blow in and receive instant results on their blood-alcohol content level. The device is stored in the center console and has a simple color system to notify drivers of the their results.
In Sweden the legal limit is 0.2 g/l, so if the driver has results of 0.0 to0.1 l/g the engine will start and a green light will shine. If the results are 0.1 to 0.2 g/l the engine will start and a yellow light will shin, however the driver will be informed that he or she should not drive. If the results are 0.2 g/l or greater then the engine will not start and a red light will shine. The device will also notify the driver if he or she needs to exhale for a longer period of time. The results are stored for thirty minutes and then the test must be repeated. The device is removable so it does not have to be used on a daily basis or for a quick trip to the grocery store.
The Alcoguard was developed to lessen alcohol-related accidents and as a result, insurance companies are talking about offering a discount on insurance as an initiative to use the device.
While this is good news for Sweden, and Europe in general, the big question is when will this device make its way over to the United States. The answer to that question is not anytime soon. According to Bryan Buffington, Sales Manager of Volvo of Athens, the Alcoguard is not something that Americans are interested in or receptive to.
“The American public ahs not bought into the product, so I don’t think we are looking to bring it to the U.S. just yet,” said Buffington. Despite the consensus of the American people, students at the University of Georgia seem to be more receptive to the idea.
Paul Brieske, a freshman and History major from Stone Mountain, Ga. says that he would definitely use the device. “Well, I don’t have a car right now, but yeah if I could I would get one so that I can tell whether I was safe to drive or not,” says Brieskse. Cortney Dodson a senior and Nutrition Science major from Carrollton, Ga. agrees with Brieske. “I would do it…I think it’s smart,” said Dodson, when asked if she would add the device to her car.
Other manufactures such as Toyota, Nissan, and Saab are said to be developing similar devices and conducting similar studies, yet when contacted, no sales representatives at Toyota, Nissan, or Saab could offer any type of information. They simply said to check the Internet.
For now it does not look like the Alcoguard will make its way across the ocean to the United States, but if DUI and drunk driving accident statistics continue to rise that could very well change.
For more information on the device, contact your local Volvo dealership or Brian Buffington of Volvo of Athens.
Soon it may be mechanically and physically impossible to drive while drunk, well in Europe at least.
Many leading car manufacturers are conducting tests and research in Europe and Asia with new technological devices that will not allow a car engine to start if the driver has had more than the legal limit to drink.
The leader among the manufacturers is Swedish-based Volvo. Volvo currently offers the Alcoguard, which it launched in 2007, as a feature on cars mainly in Sweden. Volvo is expected to release the devices in all of Europe in the next few years, and then eventually to the United States.
This device is handheld and allows drivers to blow in and receive instant results on their blood-alcohol content level. The device is stored in the center console and has a simple color system to notify drivers of the their results.
In Sweden the legal limit is 0.2 g/l, so if the driver has results of 0.0 to0.1 l/g the engine will start and a green light will shine. If the results are 0.1 to 0.2 g/l the engine will start and a yellow light will shin, however the driver will be informed that he or she should not drive. If the results are 0.2 g/l or greater then the engine will not start and a red light will shine. The device will also notify the driver if he or she needs to exhale for a longer period of time. The results are stored for thirty minutes and then the test must be repeated. The device is removable so it does not have to be used on a daily basis or for a quick trip to the grocery store.
The Alcoguard was developed to lessen alcohol-related accidents and as a result, insurance companies are talking about offering a discount on insurance as an initiative to use the device.
While this is good news for Sweden, and Europe in general, the big question is when will this device make its way over to the United States. The answer to that question is not anytime soon. According to Bryan Buffington, Sales Manager of Volvo of Athens, the Alcoguard is not something that Americans are interested in or receptive to.
“The American public ahs not bought into the product, so I don’t think we are looking to bring it to the U.S. just yet,” said Buffington. Despite the consensus of the American people, students at the University of Georgia seem to be more receptive to the idea.
Paul Brieske, a freshman and History major from Stone Mountain, Ga. says that he would definitely use the device. “Well, I don’t have a car right now, but yeah if I could I would get one so that I can tell whether I was safe to drive or not,” says Brieskse. Cortney Dodson a senior and Nutrition Science major from Carrollton, Ga. agrees with Brieske. “I would do it…I think it’s smart,” said Dodson, when asked if she would add the device to her car.
Other manufactures such as Toyota, Nissan, and Saab are said to be developing similar devices and conducting similar studies, yet when contacted, no sales representatives at Toyota, Nissan, or Saab could offer any type of information. They simply said to check the Internet.
For now it does not look like the Alcoguard will make its way across the ocean to the United States, but if DUI and drunk driving accident statistics continue to rise that could very well change.
For more information on the device, contact your local Volvo dealership or Brian Buffington of Volvo of Athens.
Social Media Marketing...Here to Stay?
Megan Niager
Social Media Marketing is a collaborative continuum where businesses take advantage of social media to brand themselves and sell products, said University of Georgia professor, Karen Russell.
Russell is an Associate professor, teaching advertising and public relations classes at UGA. She implements the use of social media tools in her classes by requiring that all students create a Twitter account.
Russell doesn’t think companies use social media solely to promote themselves but instead views it as real people who work for companies, becoming a part of the community.
On the future of social media marketing, Russell said, “Everything is blending and changing. It’s not settled.” She believes that the marketing industry is assuming a different role. Businesses themselves are offering content through social media outlets; not just placing ads. “[Social Media Marketing] is here. It’s happening,” she said.
At the very least, companies need to be monitoring social media to see what the public is saying about their company, said Russell. Social media has done nothing but grow and we must adjust to it, she said.
Twitter is very different than traditional online marketing, said Russell. “But it works.” Businesses who utilize social media can connect with the customer on a personal level. If the customer has a concern, there’s an actual person they can tweet their question to, rather than strictly consulting the Web site, said Russell.
“Not everyone knows how to make a Web site,” said Michelle Kim. Kim is a third year advertising student from Lawrenceville, Ga. and the webmaster for UGA’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, in charge of maintaining and updating the club’s social networking pages.
People already know how to use Facebook. By using Facebook and Twitter, it’s easier for Kim to communicate and keep in touch with members of Habitat, especially with the increased use of mobile media.
Kim mentioned the ineffectiveness of only using a listserv for an on-campus organization due to the amount of spam that students are receiving. Kim finds her social networking to be useful and effective. She once received an e-mail from a Habitat member saying, ‘Thanks for keeping me updated.’
“Social media marketing is really important,” Kim said. “How else am I supposed to get in touch with 200 people?” Those who stay updated with Habitat for Humanity through social media are the main ones who are involved with the organization, said Kim.
While Kim said she prefers Facebook to Twitter, she utilizes both for Habitat (as well as a blog) to keep members up to date and informed.
“We’ve seen more success on Facebook rather than Twitter,” said Creative Consultants Cine representative, Amanda Herrington. Through the Public Relations Student Society chapter at UGA, Herrington worked with a team to generate social media feedback for events that were held at Cine throughout the year.
Herrington witnessed first-hand the direct result of social media through the use of Flickr, which promotes itself as a “photo-sharing” outlet. After posting pictures of how the event space at Cine could be utilized, Herrington and the team were contacted by Cartoon Network to book the space for an event. “That was huge,” said Herrington.
Our goal was to get new people to Cine and we were able to see that happen through the use of Facebook and Twitter, Herrington said. We held a wine tasting that sold out and people were able to use Facebook as a way to find tickets to the event, she said. “We were able to have an internal conversation with a new crowd of people,” Herrington said.
Patrick Diebolt, a fourth year psychology major is an avid Twitter and Facebook user. Diebolt defines social media marketing as being companies and businesses using social networks to advertise themselves or a product.
Diebolt has had a personal Twitter account for one year. He recently deleted his account but quickly reactivated it because “I felt out of the loop with my friends,” he said.
Facebook fan pages are another method of social media marketing. Diebolt has created several fan pages to draw attention to a person or product and create publicity, he said. “Fan pages are good because they appear on mini-feeds and reach more people who wouldn’t otherwise be aware.”
Edited by: Ali Rosenberger
Social Media Marketing is a collaborative continuum where businesses take advantage of social media to brand themselves and sell products, said University of Georgia professor, Karen Russell.
Russell is an Associate professor, teaching advertising and public relations classes at UGA. She implements the use of social media tools in her classes by requiring that all students create a Twitter account.
Russell doesn’t think companies use social media solely to promote themselves but instead views it as real people who work for companies, becoming a part of the community.
On the future of social media marketing, Russell said, “Everything is blending and changing. It’s not settled.” She believes that the marketing industry is assuming a different role. Businesses themselves are offering content through social media outlets; not just placing ads. “[Social Media Marketing] is here. It’s happening,” she said.
At the very least, companies need to be monitoring social media to see what the public is saying about their company, said Russell. Social media has done nothing but grow and we must adjust to it, she said.
Twitter is very different than traditional online marketing, said Russell. “But it works.” Businesses who utilize social media can connect with the customer on a personal level. If the customer has a concern, there’s an actual person they can tweet their question to, rather than strictly consulting the Web site, said Russell.
“Not everyone knows how to make a Web site,” said Michelle Kim. Kim is a third year advertising student from Lawrenceville, Ga. and the webmaster for UGA’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, in charge of maintaining and updating the club’s social networking pages.
People already know how to use Facebook. By using Facebook and Twitter, it’s easier for Kim to communicate and keep in touch with members of Habitat, especially with the increased use of mobile media.
Kim mentioned the ineffectiveness of only using a listserv for an on-campus organization due to the amount of spam that students are receiving. Kim finds her social networking to be useful and effective. She once received an e-mail from a Habitat member saying, ‘Thanks for keeping me updated.’
“Social media marketing is really important,” Kim said. “How else am I supposed to get in touch with 200 people?” Those who stay updated with Habitat for Humanity through social media are the main ones who are involved with the organization, said Kim.
While Kim said she prefers Facebook to Twitter, she utilizes both for Habitat (as well as a blog) to keep members up to date and informed.
“We’ve seen more success on Facebook rather than Twitter,” said Creative Consultants Cine representative, Amanda Herrington. Through the Public Relations Student Society chapter at UGA, Herrington worked with a team to generate social media feedback for events that were held at Cine throughout the year.
Herrington witnessed first-hand the direct result of social media through the use of Flickr, which promotes itself as a “photo-sharing” outlet. After posting pictures of how the event space at Cine could be utilized, Herrington and the team were contacted by Cartoon Network to book the space for an event. “That was huge,” said Herrington.
Our goal was to get new people to Cine and we were able to see that happen through the use of Facebook and Twitter, Herrington said. We held a wine tasting that sold out and people were able to use Facebook as a way to find tickets to the event, she said. “We were able to have an internal conversation with a new crowd of people,” Herrington said.
Patrick Diebolt, a fourth year psychology major is an avid Twitter and Facebook user. Diebolt defines social media marketing as being companies and businesses using social networks to advertise themselves or a product.
Diebolt has had a personal Twitter account for one year. He recently deleted his account but quickly reactivated it because “I felt out of the loop with my friends,” he said.
Facebook fan pages are another method of social media marketing. Diebolt has created several fan pages to draw attention to a person or product and create publicity, he said. “Fan pages are good because they appear on mini-feeds and reach more people who wouldn’t otherwise be aware.”
Edited by: Ali Rosenberger
LWTEXT
A person’s risk of getting into an accident while driving a car increases eightfold when he or she is texting on a cell phone or PDA, said a recent study from the University of Utah. Athens-Clarke county currently has no ordinance against texing while driving, although there is a law against talking on a cell phone while weilding thousands of pounds of steel at high speeds. However, according to the University of Utah’s reports, talking on a cell phone increases risk of an accident only four times, half the risk of texting while driving.
“I text and drive all the time, and almost get into about 20 car accidents every day,” said Lauren Hoffman, age 22, a student from Dallas, Texas majoring in anthropology at the The University of Georgia. Lauren casually laughs at the prospect of getting into an accident while texing on her cell phone.
Texting is the most distracting thing to do on the road for teens, according to a Students Agasint Destructive Decisions report released in 2007. The report took a survey where 37 percent of teens said texting was the most dangerous thing to do while driving, over talking on a cell phone, being in an emotional state,messing with the radio, or having several friends in the car.
“Driving has become so natural to me, it’s like texting while walking, which isn’t exactly the best thing to do either,” said Rachel Barnhart, age 20, a student from Atlanta, Ga. majoring in advertising and women’s studies at UGA. “I’ve wandered out into the middle of oncoming traffic multiple times while sending a text, and one of my friends got hit by a car from not paying attention to what was going on in the road because she was texting.”
Texting on your cell increases the risk of getting in an accident, even more than being intoxicated while driving. The legal limit for being intoxicated, a blood alchohol level of .08, increases the risk of being in a car accdient only four times. Texing while driving increases the chances of being in an accident eight times.
“Athens police should start worrying about texters, not slightly tipsy drivers!” said Ms. Barnhart when presented with this news.
Legislature has been proposed to cut off a state’s federal highway funds if laws against texting while driving are not implemented in the next two years. The first wave of restricing cell phone use has hit Georgia in the past year, with the implementation of laws agasint talking on a cell phone while driving. Not every county has that law yet, since outlawing talking on a cell phone while driving has tricked down from the Northern states and bigger cities to the south and smaller towns.
One of the biggest concerns with implementing legislature agains texting while driving is the problem of how to enforce it. How will law enforcement officers tell the difference between looking at a person’s phone and texting on it?
“There seems to be a carelessness on the road now, like people just don’t care whether it’s dangerous or not, because all the stress for safe driving has been focused on drunk driving and wearing your seat belt,” said John Ellis Mansour, age 21, a student from Newnan, Ga. with an undecided major at Gainesville State College.
The University of Utah report stated that there seems to be a disconnect between a person’s risk assesment and his or her respective behaviors. Texting while driving is one of those risks that people are not taking seriously.
“I text and drive all the time, and almost get into about 20 car accidents every day,” said Lauren Hoffman, age 22, a student from Dallas, Texas majoring in anthropology at the The University of Georgia. Lauren casually laughs at the prospect of getting into an accident while texing on her cell phone.
Texting is the most distracting thing to do on the road for teens, according to a Students Agasint Destructive Decisions report released in 2007. The report took a survey where 37 percent of teens said texting was the most dangerous thing to do while driving, over talking on a cell phone, being in an emotional state,messing with the radio, or having several friends in the car.
“Driving has become so natural to me, it’s like texting while walking, which isn’t exactly the best thing to do either,” said Rachel Barnhart, age 20, a student from Atlanta, Ga. majoring in advertising and women’s studies at UGA. “I’ve wandered out into the middle of oncoming traffic multiple times while sending a text, and one of my friends got hit by a car from not paying attention to what was going on in the road because she was texting.”
Texting on your cell increases the risk of getting in an accident, even more than being intoxicated while driving. The legal limit for being intoxicated, a blood alchohol level of .08, increases the risk of being in a car accdient only four times. Texing while driving increases the chances of being in an accident eight times.
“Athens police should start worrying about texters, not slightly tipsy drivers!” said Ms. Barnhart when presented with this news.
Legislature has been proposed to cut off a state’s federal highway funds if laws against texting while driving are not implemented in the next two years. The first wave of restricing cell phone use has hit Georgia in the past year, with the implementation of laws agasint talking on a cell phone while driving. Not every county has that law yet, since outlawing talking on a cell phone while driving has tricked down from the Northern states and bigger cities to the south and smaller towns.
One of the biggest concerns with implementing legislature agains texting while driving is the problem of how to enforce it. How will law enforcement officers tell the difference between looking at a person’s phone and texting on it?
“There seems to be a carelessness on the road now, like people just don’t care whether it’s dangerous or not, because all the stress for safe driving has been focused on drunk driving and wearing your seat belt,” said John Ellis Mansour, age 21, a student from Newnan, Ga. with an undecided major at Gainesville State College.
The University of Utah report stated that there seems to be a disconnect between a person’s risk assesment and his or her respective behaviors. Texting while driving is one of those risks that people are not taking seriously.
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