Comments on: Social media is media (and the opportunity for the PR industry)

By: Matt @ PRBristol

Matt @ PRBristol — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:16:00 +0000

I think that as PRs, yes “social media” is an opportunity. Especially as so much of the traditional media is closing down as we speak. But can PR’s be trusted not to roll out the usual “fluff” to blogs and on social media platforms? We must adapt and understand that social media is more about voice and conversation. Bearing this in mind it must be as genuine,believable and focused as possible. To summarise most bloggers hate round robin advertorial style press releases. You have been warned! Social Media = Social interaction online.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:33:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment and the links. But suspect you might be missing the main point: the whole SM ecosystem should not be thought of by our industry as media in the same way that TV, Print, Radio or Posters are – ie as primarily media or “channels” down which we send information-based messaging to the people out there.The thing being these are gestural networks (as per Roger’s comment) – they allow us to connect, listen and be influenced by each other, and – as you acknowledge – they are definitely not ours to command! Hope this clarifies

By: Roger, Online PR Agency guy

Roger, Online PR Agency guy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:10:00 +0000

I dunno. I think I’m with the anti-’media’ label camp. I might be able to create my own media (my Netvibes page instead of the BBC news page), but (as you – and others – say) that doesn’t make it ‘brand-able’… The majority of this stuff is interesting is because its a bunch of communications networks – like the phone or wotnot… tools for telling, sharing, gossiping, etc, etc. And that’s hard (wrong) to put a brand imprint on in any sensible way.’Social Tools’ would perhaps be a better label than Social Media. (Perhaps – I just made that one up.) Then maybe trad marketers would have the bright idea of just sponsoring them rather than trying to hijack them….