Freestyle February 25, 2008

  So I’m so ready to be done with school.  I’m counting down the days until graduation.  Yeah, it’s my senior year and those that are already out into the real world tell me to enjoy the last few weeks of college while it’s still here.  I have to say, the cons definitely outweigh the pros here.  I’m so sick of the projects, internships, the papers and the stress.  It’s my fifth year and I’m so done with it.  It’s gotten so old and the senioritis has defintely started to take its toll.  I’m actually looking foward to having a full time job (that I’ll hopefully enjoy) and having my nights and weekends off to do whatever I please.  I can go out on the weekends without worrying about what projects are due when and having to cancel plans because i have to cram for some test.  Ughh hate when that happens.  So to make a long story short, I’m unlike your typical senior college kid who’s trying to live it up and trying their best to enjoy what they have left of school.  I cannot wait to get out.  Thanks Rider for all the good times and memories but it’s definitely time to say goodbye.

campaigns for the Internet February 20, 2008

I think it would be difficult to run a campaign for the Internet. But in order to be successful you would have to apply Gladwell’s theories.  The Stickiness Factor would have to be involved, meaning the site would have to memorable or some kind of message would have to stick with you.  You would need the right people to be interested and to help your site “tip” if you will.  Power of context would apply as well meaning be aware of the circumstances and time of your campaign.  It will all play a part in the effect.  Color schemes shold be thoroughly planned out making sure the site is eye-catching but at the same time not too overwhelming.

   Be sure to include entertainment in order to interest those who visit your site.  Graphics, games, clips you name it.  You don’t want someone to go to your site to give it one good look over and then leave never to return.  You want to include things that will keep your visitors attention and make then want to come back for more.  KEEP IT UPDATED!  No one will want to come back to your site after they’ve thoroughly been through the same stuff that’s been on there for months.  Keep it updated weekly with new information, new graphics, you name it.  This will ensure that your visitors stay happy with your site and come back every week(maybe even more often than that).  With this proper planning, your Internet campaign is sure to be a success.

Gladwell vs. Watts February 10, 2008

I thought that the article about Duncan Watts and what he thought about Malcolm Gladwells ideas were very interesting.  Watts definitely had contrasting ideas to those presented in “The Tipping Point.”  The main idea of contrast was about the idea of Influencers.  Gladwell believe that these are people who you need to start trends.  They are popular, connectors and they are the sole reason that trends hit their tipping point.  Apparently, it all has to start with these people.  Watts on the other hand said that Influencers have nothing to do with it.  He believes that these trends start randomly.  He also believes that society has to be ready for a trend in order for it to go anywhere.  He said, “If society is ready to embrace a trend, almost anyone can start one, and if it isn’t, almost no one can.”  He had also emphasized that any average joe can start a trend which goes totally against what Gladwells views were.  Part of me wants to fully agree with Watts because his discussion about influencers just sounds so much more logical.  The title of the article basically sums up what Watts thinks.  Marketers are spending a billion dollars a year on targeting influentials.  Watts believes they are wasting their money.

   It’s hard to find similarities in the views of these two individuals.  Watts didn’t totally shoot down Gladwells idea of Influencers.  But he did tweak the term a bit to fit his opinion.  He believes in something called “accidental influencers.”  He believes that every trend has to have a mover or a hipster to start a trend, but the people that start the trend accidentally fall into this role which makes them an “accidental influencer.”  I found this to be very interesting.  Watts is an intelligent man and I give him much credit in all the research that he had performed in order to form his own opinions.  Both of these men are very intelligent, but at this point I think I would like to agree with Watts’ ideas rather than those presented in “The Tipping Point.”

PR and blogging February 4, 2008

So in class we’ve talked about how important blogging is when in the field of PR and how important it may be to any organization out there.  I wanted to respond to what Scott had said in his book.  He said that only 20 to 30 percent of PR people read blogs and less than 10 percent write their own blogs.  It makes me wonder.  If blogging is so important in our mass media world now, then how come so many people haven’t caught on yet? 10 percent is very low.  Companies should be taking full advantage of this because not only can they write about themselves, but they can see what people are saying about their organization.  Maybe the whole blogging thing just needs time to show just how important it is to organizations in our world today.