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Anyone Can Be Interactive
August 1, 2009 in corporate blogs, corporations, dance, interactivity | Tags: dance, interactivity, Marriott, Merce Cunningham, Modern Dance, podcasts, social media, Washington Post | Leave a comment
Interactivity and social media for all ages! The growth of social media and Web 2.0 has been developing and expanding for years. We hear about it everyday in the news, more and more companies are finding unique ways to reach their audiences through social media.
Statistics for social media are always changing and updating. Jeremy Owyang, a web strategist, explains that people are not concerned by exact numbers, but by the actual changes that are occurring. His post, “A Collection of Social Media Stats for 2009“, had a lot of interesting information. More people are relying on social networks rather than email. Twitter has grown by the millions.
So why are people still afraid of social media? Some say they just don’t understand the concept. Many feel they don’t have the time or resources. The worst possible excuse is that they are too old to deal with the new technology. In my opinion if someone wants to communicate with social media, they will. I know two men who are blogging and reaching out to their communities through social media.
I learned of this first gentleman through my friend and classmate Sarah Lokitis. Her blog discusses the different types of corporate blogs and what makes them work. Her post, “Marriott: CEO Blog“, discusses a blog created by Bill Mariott, CEO of Marriott International, Inc. He uses his CEO blog to communicate with consumers. Mr. Marriott, at 70 years old, does not know how to type on a computer. He does however, understand the importance of social media and make sure to keep in touch with his consumers.
He is not the only man who understands the value of social media. Last Sunday modern dance legend and world renowned choreographer Merce Cunningham past away at age 90. Upon hearing the news, I found an article in the Washington Post discussing his life. While reading, “Renowned Choreographer Merce Cunningham Dies at 90“, I learned that Merce used social media to keep in touch with the dance community. This past year he created, Mondays with Merce, a series of webcasts and interviews open for public viewing.
These webcasts show behind the scenes master classes and rehearsals. They also provide interviews with current and former dancers, artists, and musicians that have worked and been influenced by Merce.
These two men have pushed past the so-called, “generation gap” and have proven that people of any age can find a way to use social media.
Apple Avoids Social Media?
March 16, 2009 in corporate blogs, interactivity | Tags: Apple, groundswell, interactivity, social media | 4 comments
If you are an avid reader of my blog or a social media enthusiast then you know how interactivity coincides with forming great communication outlets. Many corporations establish their customer relations because they need to find ways to control the conversations while becoming involved and responsive to customer concerns and possible negativity. Through this need to change, new forms of interactivity and ways to reach customers grow. This gives the companies the ability to gain customer trust and develop a strong reputation.
Some major corporations don’t see the point in developing social media. Are those companies in the right mind set? Are they afraid of the feedback? Do they not accept the current groundswell realization? Or is the company so powerful that their top status and high reputations will survive even as more companies are improving customer communication?
In a recent post I talked about how corporations fear the negative feedback, and how they can handle the situation should it occur. What if there are companies that fear a negative comment so little that they fell social media and interactivity is irrelevant?
It may surprise you that one major company that holds the idea that social media is irrelevant is Apple. That’s right Apple! One of the greatest technology developing companies avoids the social media world. I don’t know about you, but this news shocked me. Surely you would think a company so in touch with how people want to communicate with one another would make it their personal goal to interact with consumers.
According to an interview with Jens Alfke, the primary architect for Apple’s Ichat, realized the companies lack of social media was something he could not handle. He tried to push Apple to realizing the importance of social medial. He explains that other corporations are using their technology to improve communications, but to also create openness for consumers to learn about new products being released.
In years passed Apple has made sure to respond to any negative feedback that would circulate the web, but they have avoided implementing their own forms of social media. They have the technology and capability so why not create the sites?
A blog posted on davefleet.com explains why Apple does not join in the social media networks. The author says that companies like Apple are so certain of their positive feedback and strong company reputation that they don’t feel the need to begin communication themselves. They have now begun to allow customers to control communication with one another. Apple feels they could never do as great a job as their consumers.
Apple is fully aware of the groundswell, and they are such a strong company that they have given total control of interactivity to their consumers. The company has decided to focus on their interactive technology products to provide outlets for interactivity.
If you look at the Apple site, there is no link to blogs or podcasts, but you can find links to other customer blogs that have recently posted about Apple.
What if one day Apple has a problem like Dell and because they lack social media outlets cannot act quick enough? Or has Apple learned enough from their products that they can afford to remain out of the social media limelight?
