Convergence

What is convergence culture? Is is the flow of content across multiple media platforms, multiple media industries, and getting entertainment the way the consumer wants it! The convergence culture is not only who is speaking, but what they are talking about. Creative Engagement? Allows the target market to engage in the decision making process. An example is when we look at viewers being able to vote for their favorite contestant on American Idol, or Survivor spoiling where the next season will take place. Participators engaging? With todays available technology, people are able to engage and participate, modify, and amend their favorite shows. In todays society, not only are we a factor, but we are also always connected. From LTE phones to tablets, we are always keeping track of our favorite content.

Illegal Downloads

Unfortunately, in todays society, artist are having to work hard to insure their music is not being stolen from them. Artist work hard to create an album for the world to hear, and then are not seeing the benefits. Instead of society paying for their songs, they are stealing them. After our class, I thought of three ways to stop illegal downloads. 1. The first thing I think needs to happen is stricter laws. I have multiple friends who illegally download songs, and have never been caught. If the music and free, easy to get, and you don't get caught getting it for free, then why would you pay. I think the government needs to pay close attention to illegal downloads. Even if someone steals $5.00 worth of music, they need to be fined. I also think the government needs to completely shut down website that allow illegal downloads. 2. The second thing I think should happen is lower prices. If you walk around Walmart and look at how much an actual CD cost, they are pretty cheap. So why would someone steal songs if they can buy the whole CD for like $12.00. I think it is because people don't want a whole CD, they may only want one or two songs. Individually buying a song iTunes is around $1.29 today, which use to be $.99. With the economic downturn, I think people just refused to pay that price. I think artist should reduced the price of online/virtual CDs and individual songs. I think there should also be deals, they need to make the price attractive for consumers. 3. The last thing I think the government can do to control illegal downloads is to stop putting music on the internet. When Taylor Swift's album came out, 1989, at first you could find her songs on YouTube and Spotify, and then she got smart and removed all of her songs off the Internet. This way, people had to buy her songs if they wanted to listen to it. Taylor took a stand against people stealing her music. If the songs are available to the public, then they can't get stolen.

In todays world, it seems that companies and consumers have a hard time finding a balance between personalization and privacy. Throughout the article, I found that the common theme was that consumers would be willing to provide their information to websites considering the company builds that trust with them. This trust is found by disclosing what information the company is taking and storing about their users, and how they plan to use this information. Today, there are also three different types of privacy attitudes: those who express extreme concern, those who are unconcerned, and those that lie somewhere in the middle (which is the majority of the people). It seems that marketers are having trouble finding this common ground of creating a personalized environment for their consumer without overstepping their boundaries. Technology has created a new world of concerns, but privacy seems to be on the forefront of many peoples minds. My question to companies and consumers is, even if the company wrote out a disclosure of how they are using our information would we take the time to read it? If we do take the time to read and understand what information is being taken from us, would that stop us form using a particular website? It is hard to say.

New Media and Technology

Below I have posted an article on a Professor at New York University who has finally banned all technology in his classroom. No computers, phones, tablets, etc. In the article, Dr. Shirkly explains his classroom in two different ways, one where students are using their cellphones and are disconnected in class, and the other is a bright interactive class. This professor believes that in order to actually learn and be interactive in class, you need to omit the distraction of technology. The reason I choose this article, was because it is a great example of all the discussions we've been having in class. It is a real life experiment of a professor banning technology in his classroom and seeing the positive effects! It will be interesting to see if this behavior becomes a trend with other teachers and professors. Why a Leading Professor of New Media Just Banned Technology Use in Class. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/09/25/why-a-leading-professor-of-new-media-just-banned-technology-use-in-class/

Sarnoff's Law

I can identify, and agree most with Sarnoff's law. To simplify his law, he states that the value of a broadcast network is directly related to the number of viewers. Unfortunately this does not give credible credit to the information, it just means that what and how you are giving information has gained followers. I currently market for a real estate agency, and I constantly have to change our website and material to eliminate unsubscribers and to keep our SEO website ranking within Google high. His law has brought to our attention the value of the VIEWER. What does your viewer want to see and read? Your company is only as valuable as the viewers say you are. It creates this completely new dynamic of company and consumer. Honestly, it is hard to say where we will get our information from in five years. Technology has evolved more in two years than it had in ten. I do see everything going electronic. No more printed newspapers, no more printed magazines. We already all have a tablet or a phone with constant internet connection. What if instead of printing a newspaper or a magazine, it was purely online, and you paid per issue. This means that while standing in line at Walmart and pick up a magazine, you simply scan a bar-code, and that bar-code takes you directly to the magazine article link online using a tablet or phone. There is also already the trend of consumers trusting and listening to other consumers for reviews more than company description. I think this idea will continue to grow in blogs and social media sites.

Blog

Why we Blog? After reading the article, I realized that everyone blogs for different reasons. Some people may blog to just rant about their day, others blog so they can keep in touch while traveling the world, and sometimes we blog to share common interest with one another. I like when the article discusses why one would choose a blog over sending an email out to everyone. Blogging allows us to personalize what we write along with how we present it to our readers. When I receive an email, I feel obligated to at least open and skim it, blogging gives those an option to search for a specific type of blog they wish to read about, or completely omit from their life. I think that no matter what the reason is that drives us to blog, ultimately we do it for the reader. We are putting out our insights on certain knowledge out there for the world to see. I believe this goes back to the social acceptance/gratification. We want to know people agree with us, and care about what we have to say. When people see others comment on a blog or post, they are more likely to post their ideals as well. Blog become more interesting and personal as people post and respond to others. Within the article it states that one person became burnt out on her blog, that she no longer had anything to say, I wonder is this was because people we no longer interacting and accepting her blog post in the past. If people are reading, commenting, and know their readers are listening, I believe that blogs will continue to be popular.

First Post