moya.dominique.

Reflection

-490 Class, minus me :(

The final day of this class has arrived and it is time for my reflections. 

First, campaigns:

For this class, we were assigned 2 group projects, designing a social media campaign for 2 different websites/organizations. For the first campaign I was in the videographer group, for the second, the tactical team. I was lucky to have worked on a few UMTV programs so I am familiar with video. However, I had no idea how much it took to create these campaigns. 

Second, platforms:

During this class, we saw Instagram take the world by storm, and Pinterest grow in popularity. Twitter is steadily going strong and Facebook is barely holding on. I had not had a Linkedin account prior to this class and it was instrumental in me getting my internship. 

Overall, I am very glad I decided on this special topics in PR class over the rest of them. I also commend Professor Dodd. It is rare for young, graduate, college professors to know so much about, and be so passionate about what they are teaching. 

UM Enn

If there is one thing that I know about UM students is that we love our school. Considering this, it can be assumed that campus safety is high on our list of priorities. However, it is not. 

When our class discussed the University of Miami Emergency Notification Network (ENN), I was shocked to hear their opinions. Some students did acknowledge the importance of this system, despite the inconvenience it may cause. However, other students felt that UM ENN should not send her the emergency texts because she “is annoyed when i get a text and its not from my boyfriend.” I think that is totally irrelevant. 

While I admit the system is somewhat annoying, nobody likes getting messages that they dont think applies to them. At the same time, the easiest way to stay safe is to be informed, and thats all UM ENN seeks to do. 

And now, after our class’ help, UM ENN will be helping students stay informed through the use of their social networks!

Instagram

Originally an iPhone-only app, Instagram has had a crazy last month. 

What is Instagram? A social network based solely on pictures. Users can upload pictures, edit them with certain filters provided by Instagram, and then upload them to the app itself, or to Facebook or Twitter. Users can follow friends, like, and comment on pictures.

Currently, Instagram is my favorite social network. My favorite part of the application is that it is just a combination of everything that I like. Not only is it simply a great way to pass the time, it is also a source of ideas and inspiration. 

Recently, Instagram has made the news for many reasons. First, the application was made available on Android-powered devices, opening it up to the largest network in the world. This enraged many iPhone users, many even choosing to boycott the app or to move elsewhere, most likely Pinterest. 

Instagram made the news again when Mark Zuckerburg announced that the Facebook corporation has agreed to purchase the app. This move comes with many mixed feelings as well. Facebook is losing popularity for many reasons, the lack of privacy, the dissemination of information, the spamming, etc. It has become for focused on generating revenue than on the user. Many fear that this will happen to Instagram. Only time will tell. 

Pinterest

Have you heard of Pinterest? Are you pinning? In my social media class we have been discussing the different social media platforms that are popular right now and Pinterest is one. 

I consider myself to be an early-adopter when it comes to social networks but for some reason I do not yet have a Pinterest. One one hand I love Instagram, and since Pinterest is pretty much everything I like on Instagram (hair, nails, clothes, cars, children, food, etc.), im sure I would like it. However, on the other hand, I am reluctant to add another social network to the list of ones already consuming my time. 

Decisions, decisions. 

Social Media Mania

Does your phone screen look like this?

With all of the apps available to users, and all of the social media platforms in use right now, there are many questions. 

How do you organize?

How do you choose which social media platforms you want to use and which ones you dont want?

I currently have a personal twitter, a professional twitter, a Linkedin account, and instagram account, this class blog, and a personal facebook. However, when I become too caught up with one, I totally abandon the others. Also, when I am checking these apps and catching up, I quickly lose track of time. I am just thankful that I was born into this generation. I cant imagine the plight of those coming after. 

Social Media & Big Business

While this screenshot shows a mere 235,391 followers, as of today, Nike has 380,326 followers. 

If ever there was a worldwide company it is Nike. It has been shown that Nike is present in every developed country in the world. How many other brands have this claim to fame? 

Another way in which Nike is surpassing other brands, whether they be similar in product, service, or popularity, is in social media. Nike is officially present on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the currently most popular social networks. In addition to Nike’s official accounts, photos, tweets, etc of Nike products are found all throughout these websites. 

Nike proves a very valuable point here. A successful company must use social media to stay up to date with the consumer. 

Remember when we had privacy?

Ever since we all got iphones, my friends and I somehow always end up talking about how far technology has come. The conversation always starts praising the strides widely-available technology has taken. 

The conversation then always quickly takes a turn. 

One can not do anything on an iphone without having an apple id. In order to have one of those, you must register your name, email, address, and credit card information with itunes. However, people like me only purchase free apps. Why all the information?

Today in class we read the Washington Post article, “Parting with privacy with a quick click.” This article coincides with everything that my friends and I have been discussing. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/parting-with-privacy-with-a-quick-click-for-adolescents/2011/04/28/AF2gSjTG_story.html>

Basically, with the widening of the internet comes the loosening of age-restrictions and restrictions in general. My generation and above has really dodged a bullet because the current generation is never alone. Somebody knows where they are at all times!

Tweetstats

Twitter has taken the world by storm. A social network where one shares their thoughts in 140 characters or less? Seems like a weird concept but our world has certainly taken to it. 

However, there is one important thing to remember when using Twitter, and any social network in general. 

What you post to the internet, stays on the internet. 

Nothing on the internet is irretrievable. For example, take a trip over to tweetstats.com. This website can retrieve anything and everything about anyone’s twitter account. 

How many twooshes (140-character tweets) do I have? 116

Who do I tweet at most? My best friend Tava, with over 100 of my tweets. 

What day do I tweet on most? Thursdays. 

Most used hashtag? #scorpio

Who would have ever thought someone/something was tracking all of this…..

#Trayvon #TrayvonMartin #JusticeforTrayvon

Trayvon Martin has been a worldwide trending topic on twitter every week since his murder. He has been a trending topic in Florida every day since then, sometimes multiple trending topics.

The now-legendary Trayvon Martin case represents a complete organizational crisis for the Sanford Police Department in Sanford, Fl. Sanford Police Chief, Bill Lee, chose to temporarily step down during the investigation of this case after becoming a trending topic on twitter sparked multiple death threats.

Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old black male, was shot dead by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. Zimmerman spotted Martin walking through the gated community he lives in and called 911, reporting a suspicious person. Zimmerman was told by the 911 dispatcher that the matter will be investigated and not to follow Martin. Shortly afterward, 911 began to receive calls reporting an altercation and gunshot. Martin was dead.

Martin was killed on February 26, 2012. On March 26, 2012, Zimmerman is still a free man. CNN reports that almost three-fourths of Americans, 67% of whites, 86% of non-whites, believe that Zimmerman should at least be arrested for this murder.

The detailed description of George Zimmerman’s account of the incident was published in the Orlando Sentinel, after being leaked by a source within the Sanford Police Department.

The SPD have not had any choice but to respond in a timely fashion, however their response leaves much to be desired. Simply urging Americans to be “patient” and reminding us that “we do have a system in place, a legal system. It may not be perfect, but it’s the only one we have” is not an effective response to a possible hate crime, the murder of an unarmed minor.  

With no official Facebook, Twitter, or other social media accounts, private information is reaching the public long before the SPD can release it, they are behind on all responses, and will basically have to restructure their entire department due to this organizational crisis.

Moya

My name is Moya Dominique.

20 year old public relations and english double major.

jamaican-born.

ft lauderdale raised.

miami living. 

From January-May I will be enrolled in an upperclassman special topic public relations class, focusing on social media. I am not sure what to expect. This blog will follow my progress through this class, with posts commenting on our class discussions, etc. Enjoy!