A New York State of Mind

My Term Project Discussion

2009-07-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

The Internet. Exactly how vulnerable to this medium are we? As many would like to suggest we could survive independently from the Internet’s resources, in reality, we are virtually addicted. The ease and availability of the Internet makes it possible to use it in nearly any situation. Although it does not encompass new media’s entirety, the Internet has generated about three dimensions of communication old media lacked. Specifically, new media has introduced us to the notions of instant knowledge, digitalization and interactivity. Although new media has impacted the resources for, and communication of advertising, the main goal for marketers has remained unchanged: attract your consumer and deliver value.

Although the area of advertising is becoming increasingly technology-driven, old ways of doing business will not die overnight. Many traditional ad agencies simply do not have the budget to allow for much digital experimentation, and yet others are merely reluctant to embrace the unknown. The radical new approaches to advertising culture have both demanded and inspired innovative techniques of attracting attention. “It has forced marketers to stay on their toes and think of thousands of small great ideas instead of one great big one,” (Clifford 1).

New media has affected advertising in various ways. The major lesson acquired, though, has been that change does not have to be a negative concept. Until the Internet, advertising required heavy research at the front and back ends; millions of dollars went into television and print ads, so advertisers had to ensure they had the right idea before they could produce anything. Additionally, determining the effectiveness of those ads was just as complex. Beginning an advertising campaign was an undeviating process that required commitment and patience, and above all, a little luck. TV commercials used to be booked months before a season premiered, and if was show flopped, there were no ways of aborting their plans.

Today, the daily newspaper is yesterday’s news and the brilliant 30-second commercial is skipped over in the blink of an eye. The advertising that will survive today will not only embrace new media, but it will take advantage of and conquer it. “The species that are superior at adapting to change, those are the ones that will carry on,” (Friedman and Friedman 8). No one has ever gotten ahead by being a step behind, it is as simple as that.

References

Clifford, Stephanie. “Put Ad on Web. Count Clicks. Revise.” The New York Times 31 May 2009. 5 June 2009 .

Friedman, Linda Weiser, and Hersey H. Friedman. “High Impact Areas of the New Media Technologies: A Review.” Management Online Review (July 2008): 1-8. 24 June 2009 .

Our Class Wiki - So Far

2009-06-28T12:30:00.001-07:00

In correlation with my blog,

I titled my Wiki:

"A New York State of Mind"

as well.

*Being new to the city provides me with numerous things to research (i.e. entertainment, transportation, food & beverage, etc...)

*Therefore, I focused my Wiki page on all the things I was learning about my new city.

*To enhance the presentation of the site, I added pictures, color, different font styles and sizes, as well as inserting internal and external links to allow for easy navigation for viewers.

*Wikis are what you make of them. They allow users to organize and display whatever kind of information they want to as creatively as they choose to.

The Next New Thing

2009-06-24T06:48:00.001-07:00

Allow me to introduce the notion of

.....MORPHING.....

(the next stage of convergence)

So this is how it will play out:

You have one gadget.

First "disguise" -- ALARM CLOCK. Set up the night before to fulfill the purpose of waking you up. Upon success, you turn it off and morph it into your cell phone.
Second disguise -- CELL PHONE. Check messages.
Third disguise -- WRIST WATCH. Snap it on, go to work.
Fourth disguise -- LAPTOP. Put the gadget on your desk, push a button and watch it morph into your personal PC.
Fifth disguise -- iPOD. Hit the gym without having to store all your valuables in a public locker.
Sixth disguise -- CAMERA. Take a picture of a restaurant on your way home and wirelessly send it to someone as a dinner suggestion.

This morphing gadget will allow for consumers to have ONE "tool" to perform almost everything. All that will be left are credit cards and keys! But who knows, perhaps we can combine those into the morphing gadget as well.

The best part is that not only will this be completely wireless, but it will be eco-friendly as well, as it will recharge through solar power. This will also help with the ease and reliability of using the device, as it will never die on you. The drawback: Now you'll have to literally turn it off if you need a break from reality...

Advice to Baruch College

2009-06-22T20:46:00.003-07:00

As a temporary student of Baruch, it is hard to highlight their flaws. However, as with any other college, I think the most beneficial addition to the classroom would be the implementation of social networks as an educational tool.

College students live very unique lives, packed with numerous activities and engagements. Not only does this affect the time they have available for school, but limits the number of resources they can utilize for coursework and classroom communication as well.

Social Networking could allow for a central location for students and professors to find information about the class, as well as an accessible tool to contact anyone with questions and concerns about the class.

OLD vs. NEW

2009-06-22T20:46:00.001-07:00

In general.....

OLD MEDIA: Anything that wasn't initially available on the Internet

NEW MEDIA: Forms of communication made available because of the Internet

Specifically....

OLD media has to seek out your attention.

NEW media is always and already there.

You have to find OLD media.

NEW media finds you.

OLD media pushes you.

NEW media is pulled by you.

Examples....

OLD media: Newspapers, Radio, TV (ONE-WAY communication)

NEW media: Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube (Interaction, TWO-WAY, or more, communication)

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

2009-06-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO A VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING....

These new technologies allow "employees separated by thousands of miles [the ability] to mingle, interact and share ideas in the virtual world before their first day on the job," (Frauenheim, 2006).

Virtual Worlds create an atmosphere that users can feel completely comfortable in; "You're on your own computer, in your own room, your own space," (Saidi).

Not only do you receive the benefit of feeling relaxed, but it differs from "video-conferencing" in that you get to create an "Avator," which is a virtual representation of yourself. These can resemble the way you look in real life, or have fairy wings attached!

Businesses can use these worlds in a number of ways. One easy way to implement this technology is through employee training; "the video game play adds a dimension of training because people don't perceive it as learning. That makes them more willing to take risks and be more flexible in their thinking," (Frauenheim, 2006).

**BeYoNd ThE cOrPoRaTe WoRlD**

Many people have already put these virtual worlds to great use.

For example, many toy companies have added online-codes to their toys that allow the consumer to not only play with the physical toy, but also play with other people's "virtual" toys online. Visit Webkinz.com to see for yourself....

Additionally, MTV has created several 3-D, Internet-based social networks that are virtual representations of popular cities, replicating everything from clubs to bars to delis to the weather! They are creating a realistic imitation of what the city looks and feels like, as well as everything it has to offer you (entertainment, food, lodging) if you plan to visit.

Furthermore, there are even virtual worlds for those with autism. Autism is "a range of brain disorders that can cause difficulties in social interaction, communication and behavior," (Saidi). Having this type of virtual resource center allows users to get "familiar with an environment before they actually try it out in real life," (Saidi).

As we all very well know, every great invention has a cynical twin.

So is this the case for virtual worlds as well? Sure, why not....Creeps are never going to stop creepin', this is yet another way for them to prove their skills.

However, most of these virtual worlds are "self-policing communities...users would likely be quick to report any behavior that seemed to indicate [if] users posed real-world threats," (Musgrove, 2008).

With that being said, I believe that, sadly, the true evil counterpart of the virtual world is addiction.

If misused or abused, people have the potential to get too sucked into these virtual realities, and be led even further astray from actual human interaction than they were before.

The fact that people can become too comfortable in a video game-like setting to ever face reality again is both scary, but more so sad...

However, if used correctly, these Internet-based worlds can be extraordinary learning tools for an array of disorders, phobias, and so on.

Like everything in life, this technology offers plenty of gray areas and fine lines between it's benefits and harms. And to be redundant, it will become exactly what you make of it.

These worlds offer much greater future benefits than threats anyway....

These can be successfully utilized in businesses, education, for boredom, and much more. Like social media, virtual media opens a door for boundless possibilities.

For instance, virtual worlds could be used for high school students during their college search. In these worlds, they could meet potential classmates, and virtually move into their dorm room "early," and get to know their hall mates, etc.

Likewise, these virtual realities could allow applicants to explore companies, meet their potential co-workers and discover if they fit in with the company's system and core values, BEFORE even applying for the job.

Lastly, this virtual media could benefit advertising by allowing buyers to virtually test out products to see how they would fit into their lifestyle, and/or if the product could offer additional benefits to their current living situation.

This technology can truly minimize geographical separations between people, beyond the way social networks can, and bring people from all over the world together quickly and easily.

And ultimately, it puts the control back into the hands of the consumer. And Lord knows, we all love power!

References

Frauenheim, Ed. "IBM Learning Programs Get a 'Second Life.'" 17 October 2006. 16 June 2009.

Musgrove, Mike. "At Hearing, Real and Virtual Worlds Collide." The Washington Post. 2 April 2008. 16 June 2009.

Saidi, Nicole. "iReport: 'Naughty Auties' battles autism with virtual interaction." CNN. 16 June 2009.

Social Networking

2009-06-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Corporate America,

If you have not woken up already, the time has finally time to conform. Social media can actually help, more than hinder, you.....for real!

Sincerely,

New Media

Ok business-owners, I am going to list a FEW benefits of New Media, and you tell me which ones you oppose:

*Saving paper (are you not trying to help the environment and go green?)*

**Ability to update content without any lag (do we really have extra time for delays these days?)**

***Centralization of data (c'mon, filing cabinet were so last season)***

****CHEAP (did I miss the economy boom?)****

*****No, or very little, user learning curve (yes, your Grandma could use it too)*****

(Goonoe, 2005)

So you are obviously convinced by now, so now I will tell you how you can implement these technologies to help your business run more efficiently:

1. Create a company INTRANET. All of the benefits above are combined in one Web-based application that anyone within the company will be able to access. This will allow for idea and data sharing, which in turn will provide an atmosphere of efficiency and equality, where everyone is constantly up-to-date on the company.

2. Allow social media to be a part of EDUCATION. Enabling students to have access to a central location where they can inquire about and answer concerns about their course work will provide both higher simplicity, as well as efficiency, inside and outside the classroom.

"The Dark Side"

Before you freak out, let's be serious, what technology or media doesn't have the potential of monstrosity? So what is different about New Media?

Yes, these new technologies can be very susceptible to Internet predators, but that is why someone needs to be put in charge; anything that has public access needs to be monitored. (Ex: a public swimming pool.)

As long as your choice of New Media (blog, wiki, social network, etc...) is under adequate supervision, there are endless windows of opportunity of improving the communication of your company.

Lesson to be learned: Don't be scared, just be aware.

~*tHe FuTuRe*~

Without my trusty crystal ball, I must rely on my psychic abilities....

With that, I believe that New Media and convergence are going to spread like wildfire. Somehow, "they" (the brains of these innovations) are going to find ways to connect everything.

The C's of this Convergence: Cars, Computers, Cameras, Cell-phones, Cable, Credit Cards, Clothes.....and who knows what else???

To continue the "C" trend, the future will provide CENTRAL CONTROL. Imagine, everything is one place. How? Well, that is up to the brains of this operation....

References
Goodnoe, Ezra. "How To Use Wikis For Business." InformationWeek. 8 Aug. 2005. InternetWeek. 10 June 2009 .

MY NEW MEDIA CLASS - SO FAR

2009-06-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

Glossary of New Media Technologies

So far, our class has discussed several different forums of new media. Specifically, we have researched Blogs, Wikis and Social Networks. The technology that encompasses new media has been coined "Web 2.0," which is a collection of "Web-based applications designed to improve information sharing and collaboration," (Locher, 2008).

Additionally, New Media technology requires a higher knowledge and desire for innovative, and instant, interaction.

In a nutshell, New Media Technology has turned everything DIGITAL.

New media defines the technological developments of computers, digital media and the Internet. If it is digital, dynamic and networkable then it qualifies as “new media”.

Nowadays, most businesses are using new media to help them in their online marketing campaign, specifically with Internet advertising.

However, having an online business does not guarantee that people will automatically visit your website. So, how do you inform people that your website exists: Internet marketing.

So is OLD MEDIA dead?

"Content management systems will always have their place in the publishing world, but they've never been the best tools for business collaboration. A simple open-source app called the Wiki may soon rule the knowledge management roost," (Goodnoe, 2005).

Saying that Old Media is dead is a bit harsh. Think about it, without OLD media, we would have never discovered NEW media! So no, we could never kill it off. In fact, many old mediums are still going strong, such as TV and magazines.

The main benefits that New Media is offering exists in the Business world.

New Media allows businesses to establish a quick and cheap organizational tool without having to sacrifice functionality, security, or duralibilty, (Goodnoe, 2005). It provides a universally accessible location to manage and organize information.

Simply put, NEW MEDIA has brought about an

EMERGENCE OF CONVERGENCE.

Convergence is a current process whereby new media and communications technologies are changing not only our media equipment, but the ways old media institutions have worked as well.

It is continually globalizing and changing our systems of gaining knowledge.

The process is still in transition as new developments are rapidly emerging. To follow trend, in a few years all of these processes will have matured and will be less dynamic than they seem today.

A huge example of convergence technologies, that nearly every American can relate to, is the way that mobile phones are now turning into multi-player gaming machines or mini-GPS devices that can send back images through wireless technology.

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE: the one and only iPhone.

References

Goodnoe, Ezra. "How To Use Wikis For Business." InformationWeek. 8 Aug. 2005. InternetWeek. 10 June 2009 .

Locher, Margaret. "More of How to Build Your Own Wikipedia." CIO. 17 April 2008. 10 June 2009.

Blogs vs. Wikis

2009-06-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

Let's start with some Definitions...

WIKI: "The simplest online database that could possibly work." It is a webpage that anyone, with permission, can create or edit (Goodnoe, 2005), that can be used to provide knowledge management and power community websites.

BLOG: A personal or corporate website in the form of an online journal, with new entries appearing in sequence as they are written, especially as dealing with reflections or opinion, and typically incorporating links to other articles.

Both Blogs and Wikis enable communication of information by a person or group of people, and provide a platform for feedback.

Blogs allow you to control the information that is available to the public
Wikis, without the appropriate control, can be very susceptible to Internet fallacies.

A Blog allows you to see exactly who posted each comment, without compromising the integrity of the content.
However, Wikis encompass the highly-notarized American notion of "freedom of speech," as well as allow for the emergence of unanticipated information, instantly.

Blogs and Wikis in one word: CONVERGENCE

* Today's interactive and mediated world thrives, and virtually survives, on instantaneous information. If you need to look something up, you will not be surprised when 5 co-workers bark "Google it" at you.

*In fact, Web 2.0 has established a whole slur of jargon to describe processes that never existed in the past, and the comedy in these jibberish terms is that they are continually understood.

Other Examples....

Youtube it.....Facebook me

Skype me.........Tweet about it

Tag me..........Poke her.......B.B.M. him

Blogs as a Collaboration Tool:

Although blogs do not have "centralized registry [or] editorial oversight," (Gill 2004), the collaboration occurs through similar interests, resulting in blog-posts and responses. This two-way journal allows for users to express themselves holistically, and wait for those interested to respond to in turn spark a conversation of relevance.

A new use for Wikis?

The explosion of social networking and new media has allowed for numerous, innovative ways to use these communication tools. Although the best use for them is still a work in progress, David Pogue, 2009, says it best by describing these new notions as "It's what you make of it." However, I believe that the best use for Wikis right now, that is not fully being implemented, are for academia. Students will be more apt to using this tool for homework help and study skills, then for personal uses. It will allow for ease and simplicity when someone has a question or comment about the course, as well as having a high probability of at least one student responding in a relatively short amount of time.

References

Goodnoe, Ezra. "How To Use Wikis For Business." InformationWeek. 8 Aug. 2005. InternetWeek. 10 June 2009 .

Gill, Kathy E. "How Can We Measure the Influence of the Blogosphere?" May 2004. June 2009.

Pogue, David. "Twitter? It's What You Make It." The New York Times. 12 Feb. 2009. 15 June 2009.

CHECKING OUT SOME SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

2009-06-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sites to Compare:

Facebook
Myspace
Friendster
Twitter

My favorite is definitely Facebook. I have been a user for a few years so I have compiled a friend list of over a 1000, consisting of people I went to grade school, high school and college with, as well as family members, co-employees, etc...

Myspace seemed to reach it's peak a few years ago, before users discovered and favored Facebook. However, even when it was peaking I was not a fan. I preferred how Facebook made you belong to some kind of community in order to join (i.e. a college), whereas Myspace had room for every creep in the book. Although anyone can join Facebook now, it's original premise is what made it so popular.

I was a new user to Friendster, so after some exploring, it seemed very similiar to Myspace. It is far behind the innovativeness of Facebook, but has several ways to expand your friendlist. Additionally, it has multiple applications to allow you to share photos, etc. Ultimately, just like the other sites, unless you are trying to meet new people or keep in touch with friends, this site had many ways to help cure boredom.

I use Twitter mostly for sharing music with my friends. So all-in-all, I think Facebook wins because it combines all aspects of social networking that are important to me.

What is New Media?

2009-06-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

The 5 T's of New Media:

Talk

Type

Tag

Text

Twitter

Sooo...what

is it?!

The convergence of technologies have changed the old-fashioned "one-way communication" into a dynamic network of instant and constant interaction.

Today's emerging world of digitization, in one word, encompasses interactivity. New Media has opened new windows for technology, communication, marketing, and much, much more.

New Media is a working definition. We are still trying to define it's wingspan.

Project Description

2009-06-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

The two main characteristics that I will be focusing on for how new media has affected advertising are: interactivity and "digitality". These two areas have significantly changed the way advertisers reach their audience as well as how the audience views the ads. From that, there are three classifications of new media advertising: 1.) intrusive, where the viewer is interrupted (ex: pop-up ads). 2.) non-instrusive, where the viewer chooses to receive the message (ex: streaming video/audio) and 3.) user-generated, where the viewer actually creates the communication (ex: product ratings and recommendations). New media has focused on creating brand personalities that consumers associate with the product, thus connecting on a deeper, more personal level (i.e. make them feel special). A few experimentations within the new media era include: internet ads, video game product placement, M-commerce, pod-casting, social networking sites, and "buzz"/viral/word of mouth marketing. Although new media has opened several opportunities for advertisers, it has created problems as well. For example, now marketers need to come up with numerous, small, great ideas instead of just one, big, great idea. Furthermore, it is much more difficult to measure the effectivess of the ad, plan a budget, and control communication of the message (i.e. negative product reviews by consumers). However, when all is said and done though, the mail goal of advertising remains unchanged: Attract attention and deliver value. If you can't complete step 1, you will not see success. New media has allowed for cheaper experimentation of consumer satisfaction due to the low cost of Internet advertising. Now, companies can test their campaigns online and receieve feedback before spening a vast amount on an expensive TV commercial or magazine ad. Additionally, they also can receive feedback virtually instantly. This notion of "instant" gratification is another area I will research, as it is both beneficial for the marketer as well as the consumer.