In the Words of Aretha Franklin...

In this week's readings, we read a little bit about the evolution of blogging in "Citizen Markerters." It was pretty interesting that today's blogger.com was really the Roman's Acta Diurna over 2,100 years ago. Imagine taking the time to carve this message right now into a huge stone and hanging it in the public square, who has the time for that?...my how technology has changed..
In addition, the chapter went on discussing the invention of the printing press. movable type 1.0, LiveJournal, podcasting, and even TiVO. Probably the most interesting of examples was the creation of TiVO. When I was in middle school, I can remember thinking that this was perhaps the coolest thing ever invented. I was very involved in dance, so I never had the time to watch much T.V., but when I did, nothing ever seemed to on. With TiVO, I could record the O.C. AND even pause it too, just like a movie! Much of the success came from the idea of personal FREEDOM. Audiences were no longer chained to their seats during their favorite show and were use the restroom and grab a snack for an extended period of time (longer than a commercial break at least).

Another interesting topic in this chapter discussed podcasting. From previously taking an advertising class, I was aware that radio is struggling in a world of iPods. However, until recently, I was not even aware of podcasting, and was really surprised with the 63 million podcast listeners that are expected for 2010. Maybe I just wasn't in the know? But it doesn't surprise me that since these are becoming more and more popular, radio is not only losing their viewers to music on the iPods, but to podcast. Again, we can hear Aretha in the background screaming "Freedom," for the cause of this shift in technologies. No longer do we have to be limited to radio stations on a family road trip, we can now play OUR chosen audio.

It's all about freedom.

If at first you don't succeed or try, try again..or should you?

According to this week's reading "A Persistence Paradox," created a studied that tested the popularity of uploaded web video from YouTube based on how frequently someone uploads content. The results found that the more persistent you are, the less likely you are to have any success with your uploads becoming popular by an audience. What?

After reading only the first few pages of this study, I will admit that I was very confused. I was under the impression that a person who uploads more and more videos will begin to create an audience because people will be interested in what he or she might upload next. To my surprise, the wording of the study made it appear that this is not true and a person who routinely uploads video content somehow will "annoy" other users.

Reading a bit further, I discovered that the reason behind the study's finding is really that older video uploaders are less likely to create hits on their video than newer ones. A possible solution to this paradox is that amateur video producers and uploaders take less time than say, professional YouTubers, therefore the quality of their work is less than professionals. We then would want to watch something made with more substantial content by professionals than a YouTube video that is made by your average joe.

Even though this study may have supported evidence for these findings, I am still going to have to disagree. The very essence of YouTube is for ANYONE to post their videos and receive feedback. "Citizen Markerters" uses great examples of how amateaur YouTube videos create newsworthy buzz. You don't have to be a Hollywood director to make a video that people will talk about!

Milk and Cereal

"Citizen Marketers" has coined a great name for all of those ametures out there who are promoting a big name for a company or organization. One of the funniest things I read was how the creation of a simple idea of creating a silly video made a big hit for many cereal brands. One day, two boys uploaded a video on YouTube calling it "Milk and Cereal," that became viral. Many other teens had replicated the idea, but with other cereals besides the original (Apple Cinnamon Cheerios). With a few simple, corny lyrics, the videos all became a hit creating many smiles for many of the cereal brands.

Here is a snippet of the lyrics:

Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)

Milk and cereal (cereal, cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Cereal and milk (x12)

I don't want my Wheaties, give ‘em to the needy
Feeelin' kinda greedy, I keep them for myself
I keep them for myself

No Grapenuts..
For Grandma....(Grandma eats a bran muffin)
Mom likes Special K.........
You can't pinch an inch
You can't pinch an inch (x5)
They're magically delicious...
Keep your hands off my Lucky Charms
(pink hearts, yellow moons, blue diamonds (blue diamonds), green clovers)

Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)

Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)

Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)

Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)

Milk and stereo (stereo, stereo)
Milk and Cereal (cereal and milk) (x5)

Milk and Cheerio-eo-eo-eo)

In the morning at the table (milk and cereal milk and cereal)
Snap, crackle, pop
Snap, crackle, pop (x6)


Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs
Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs (x7)
Trix are for kids
Trix are for kids (x10)

In the morning...
At your table....
Milk and Cereal.... (x2)
Cereal And Milk....
Milk and Cereal....
Cereal And Milk...

No Grapenuts..............