A few weeks ago I referenced some Adweek data on what we do when watching TV, and I went off on all the ways we can access multiple media sources simultaneously. I shared a few of my own examples, but another Adweek report on Neilsen data points out how my media appetite differs from today’s high school grads – and in some cases aligns. In doing so, it sheds light on where technology is taking all of us media consumers. The data shows that grads watch only 11 hours of TV (I watch much more…but I’m usually reading, surfing or texting at the same time), but they are watching much more mobile video. Here, we’re on the same page, as I’d guess is the case with most generations, as mobile video becomes more functional on devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops. The research showed that grads send over 3000 text messages a month – twice as many as 18-24 year olds (and about 2900 more than I do). Not surprisingly, these texting grads talk less, and here again we’re moving in the same direction: increasingly I rely on texts and emails more than phone conversations (not always a good thing – there are times when we need to maintain the personal connection of phone and face-to-face conversations). And finally, nearly 80 percent of these grads surveyed visit social networks and blogs. I’m sure this is far greater than my generation, but it’s clear we’re all moving in this direction. It’s not news that we’re seeing a rise in texting, mobile video and social networks, but the totals associated with this year’s high school graduates tell us just how quickly and dramatically these technologies are changing media consumption – and changing how PR people must communicate with the audiences we need to reach.
In this episode of PRobecast, Justin Martell and Renatta Siewart join me in talking about the new graphic cigarette labels, mobile apps being used to save money, the capture of Whitey Bulger and a little pup with 4 prosthetic legs.
New Cigarette Warnings – Starting in September 2012, the Food and Drug Administration is going to start pushing out graphic warnings that will be required to be placed on the packages of cigarettes. Graphics include: dead bodies, decaying teeth with cancer of the mouth, etc. What do you think of this campaign? Will this get people to stop smoking?
Mobile apps are helping people save money – Putnam Investments recently launched an application for iPhones that can scan bar codes to compare prices at other stores. Once the prices come up, it will reflect which purchase is better for your savings in the long run. The article on USA Today, also says that other programs such as UPromise and one from PNC Bank also help consumers save money. What do you think of these types of applications?
Whitey Bulger arrested – The big news of the week is that Whitey Bulger has finally been caught and arrested after being found in Santa Monica. Now 81, Whitey has been on the run for 15 years, after he was tipped by an FBI agent that he was about to be indicted. In 1995, Bulger was indicted for racketeering and for 19 murders. This capture was just after one day of a newly launched campaign by the FBI, trying to locate Bulger and his longtime girlfriend, Catherine Elizabeth Greig.
Dog with 4 prosthetic paws – At just over 5 weeks, a puppy named Naki’o – and his brothers and sisters – were abandoned after their family’s house was foreclosed on in Nebraska. Fortunately the puppy survived through the winter, however, his paws were deformed into rounded stumps after being stuck in an icy puddle. According to Incrediblefeatures.com, Veterinary technician Christie Tomlinson “organized a fundraiser to pay for Naki’o to have his two back legs fitted with prosthetics.” He is now the first dog to have a set of four prosthetic paws. It’s amazing what technology can do!
Now it’s time for the PRobecast PR Power Ranking – which is when we go around the room and pick the story that we think ranks the highest PR-wise – meaning any aspects of PR could be the reasoning behind the pick. Is it the story itself, good data that was used, what’s getting the most pickup, was it a good PR move the company made, etc.
While the Whitey Bulger story is huge, Renatta and I chose the new cigarette labels as this week’s winner. When it comes to younger kids choosing to smoke – seeing it as being ‘cool’ – we think these labels can really change their minds before taking their first drag. While some adults are just used to their routine, this campaign could be very effective in encouraging younger kids and teenagers to live a healthier lifestyle.
In this episode of PRobecast, Justin Martell and Liz O’Donnell join me in talking about the Bruins win/Canada rioting, if websites will become extinct and the “Gay Girl” blog hoax.
Sore losers – Canadians riot after the Bruins win: Wednesday night, the Bruins won Game 7 of the Stanley Cup and riots started shortly after. This seems to be a trend when it comes to big games and teams losing in cities. Passion or not. We don’t see our clients rioting if they don’t get included in a big article, or even ourselves rioting in anger and aggravation knowing we’ve pitched that same editor and we would get slack from the client side. What is it with sports and intensely violent behavior after a big event?
Will websites become extinct?: The curator of the Digital Archaeology exhibition in NY is predicting that websites as we currently know them will all disappear in a couple years as more and more focus will be on the individual – the social web – rather than the organization. Now, I know things certainly do change, but could it be possible that websites will go away?
Activists slam “Gay Girl” blog hoax: A blog that was originally thought to be a 25 year old lesbian documenting her life as she was held captive in Syria, has now been reported to actually be authored by a 40 year old American student in Scotland, Tom MacMaster. MacMaster is saying that while the entries were all fictional, the facts were true. This has Gay and political activists extremely angry, since many had been campaigning and investigating ways to free the blogger. Should the blogger been transparent from the beginning?
Now it’s time for the PRobecast PR Power Ranking – which is when we go around the room and pick the story that we think ranks the highest PR-wise – meaning any aspects of PR could be the reasoning behind the pick. Is it the story itself, good data that was used, what’s getting the most pickup, was it a good PR move the company made, etc.
Call us biased, but this week the Bruins won. While it’s not a PR move, they worked so hard in this series, and have been striving to get the Stanley Cup since 1972. That’s perseverance!
