Social Media Just Plain "Media" (And Other PR Blog Jots)
Microsoft and Edelman Did Nothing Wrong
PR Guru’s Musings
Stuart Bruce argues that bloggers bashing Microsoft for gifting A-list bloggers with free laptops to test out Windows Vista are merely living in a “blogosphere bubble.” He claims that Microsoft and Edelman, the PR firm handling the launch of Vista, have done nothing wrong in offering the free review machines, but joins other bloggers in wishing they’d included a disclosure requirement along with the gift. “The one thing I might have done differently if I'd been Microsoft's PR team is to remind the bloggers that it might be a good idea to disclose that they were writing about Vista using a laptop supplied by Microsoft. However, it's not a deal breaker and certainly doesn't warrant the pathetic mock anger displayed by some bloggers.”
Micro Persuasion
Steve Rubel argues that after 2006, there will be no such thing as “social media.” He believes that all media has become “social,” and that to differentiate between social media and mainstream media is no longer necessary. “In 2006 all media went social. Pretty much every newspaper, TV network and publication has wholeheartedly embraced these technologies. Newspapers have comments, RSS feeds, blogs, wikis and other forms of two-way communications. TV networks have a presence in Second Life and more. The lines have blurred.”
Is Social Media Changing Presidential Campaigns?
Buzz Machine
Jeff Jarvis discusses the recent YouTube video launched by 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards, along with the many other modern video and Internet technology the candidate is using to spread his message. Jarvis feels the next presidential race will still be run mainly by mainstream media and advertising, but that Edwards’ modern campaign may one day be viewed as a turning point in politics. “Will this campaign still be run by broadcast and cable TV and advertising? I fear so. But just as blogs are now simply part of the media landscape — read and used by journalists, pundits, and politicians — so will the video of campaigns be part of the fabric of campaigns: the candidates’ own statements, their own embarrassing moments, and more.”
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