Reimagining The Future
A challenge for most senior marketing professionals who cut their teeth any time before, say, last year has been to fully grasp the impact of social media on how they perform their job. The new many-to-many communications model forces everyone to re-imagine their tools, role, and strategies.
On September 23rd The Silicon Valley Brand Forum held an event on the impact of social media on branding. The morning opened with this viral video that uses powerful statistics and visuals to hammer home that this is not your dad’s Internet.
A guy I really respect, Rod Swanson, EA’s senior director of brand integration, was the one who suggested it. I think it was a powerful way to start the day and say, “The future is now. Wake up.”
What do you think? Please leave your comment.
Joanne Maly
October 1, 2009
Steve,
While I’ve seen this YouTube video before, I agree… it will wake you up.
Third time around, the video still feels almost haunting in the reality of its message.
The world is changing – and for those of us in marketing, communications and pr – the challenge to ‘keep up’ is intense. And yet, it’s the potential and the new avenues for creativity that make the new worlds offered by social media so energizing.
Yep… indeed, we are in a ‘brave new world.’
By the way, I have your blog listed in my own Simply Said blog as a ‘Blog I Like’ ‘cus after all, yours is a ‘blog I like’.
Thanks for today’s blog post.
Joanne Maly
Steve Farnsworth
October 1, 2009
That’s funny you should say that. As I watched the video again, before I posted it, I had the same experience. Also, I saw a few more layers this time around.
When computers first started becoming commonplace in offices there were so many professionals who said, in word or action, that they were just a fad. It’s almost funny now. That shift left a lot of people behind the curve and irrelevant. With social media I’m seeing the same thing happen again.
I really appreciate you adding me to your blogs you like list. That is very cool! Thanks. –Steve
Mike Tornatore
November 29, 2009
Steve,
Social Media is what it is trend, fad, it doesn’t matter. The bigger picture is this, human behavior has shifted. Audiences have made a choice to communicate using tools developed via the Internet by them and for them. The dog is now wagging the tail and it is exciting for brands if they engage rather than manipulate. Here is a “new” concept be of value to the consumer. Enhance their experience with your brand, it’s a winning formula. My two cents.
WGM
Steve Farnsworth
November 29, 2009
Mike,
Great comment. I could not agree more with you. Having both branding and public relations background I have seen the ultimate cost of a company being disconnected from the consumer. More precisely, the tangible cost of not being authentic and transparent. Some past employers have held an avid disregard, before I was independent, to the need to walk the talk. With the real feedback loop of social media, and its growing power, I feel like a petulant school child who wants to say scream, “See, I told you so!” However, I will refrain…
wineguymike
November 29, 2009
The high road is always the best path as you know Steve. have a great Sunday, I appreciate your blog.