With all apologies to Will Shakespeare, the trend toward self-indulgence and the power of the average schlub continues to get stronger as the Internet age evolves (or devolves).
This week in her “Merge” column, Lori Lewis highlighted the rapidly growing “selfie” trend as a mobile phone fact of life. And the trend continues to blossom (or fester). “The next big thing” is not just people talking “selfies” but taking them at bizarre events, accident scenes, funerals and other odd moments in their lives. The website – “Selfies at Serious Places” – will make you angry (or laugh) but it underscores just how self-centered our society is becoming.
It was one thing when people took pictures of their sushi and Instagrammed it out to their communities; it’s another when it truly is all about “self.”
When you think about it, the “Me Generation” probably spawned all of this inward emphasis, even though the tools to spread the self-indulgence weren’t available yet. And perhaps it all took flight when the first so-called “Reality TV” show debuted, which I catalogue as Survivor, when America started rooting for everyday people to stay alive. And then onto American Idol, and all the spin-offs. Today, there are so many versions of “real people” on TV that it has become extremely common. And yet we still watch.
The mobile phone has now accelerated the process. It’s not enough to take a picture of the big game – it has to be in the background, secondary to your presence there.
And that speaks volumes about the personalization craze that has taken over entertainment and information gathering. We want it our way, in the right order, without all the other stuff in the way.
So what does this have to do with you and your radio station, or is it just another isolated incident along the path of the social and mobile revolution? For a medium where fully a quarter of our hours are filled with commercials and music and information that we want to present, there are challenges to fit it all in. And too often, it is difficult for programmers to focus on all things digital.
So a number of years ago, we started a campaign for Jacobs clients called “W.T.D.A.,” complete with green wrist reminder bands that urged radio managers to think about the digital application for everyday promotions and events.
Today, the “selfie” craze has definite implications and value to radio by strategically showcasing listeners, making them feel important, and showcasing and highlighting them are well within our capabilities.
A number of years ago at The Bone in San Francisco, PD Larry Sharp did something interesting – all Workforce Payroll winner names appeared on a special web page, showing how much money each person won, and their city of residence. It became the most visited page on their website. Today, winner pages (complete with a “selfie” of course) could fill that role, capture attention, and lots of social sharing.
“Selfies” at concerts could become a great way for stations to build presence at key shows and events – even ones they no longer have the resources to even attend.
And even now-mundane features like all-request lunch hours or even Twofer Tuesday could be modernized, jump-started, and personalized with a listener “selfie.”
Every time you hear that the consumer is in control – whether you’re in the audience at a conference like DASH or you see more evidence of it in focus and L.A.B. groups, turn the camera around on the fan and use the power of your air, your website, and your Facebook page to amplify their ego – and your presence.
Let “selfies” work for you.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Radio + Thanksgiving = Gratitude - November 27, 2024
- Is It Quittin’ Time For SiriusXM? - November 26, 2024
- Radio, It Oughta Be A Crime - November 25, 2024
Fred – you seem to be channeling Walter White in your selfie 🙂
I have never lived in a Winnebago!