Ah, The Bitter Sweet Finale

As I wrap up the blog for my class, finish my class project and feel the tingles of summer I am finally realizing that this semester is over. With the exception of one more test of course.
Digital Promotion Management was probably my most useful class of the semester. Often times Visual Rhetoric aligned with the topics we are learning, but it didn't compare to what I have learned in this class. Thanks to a detailed understanding of the digital promotion world, I now have more confident going into the workforce. To be quite frank, I'm not sure how PR students who have not completed this course are going to compare without the knowledge of the valuable promotional techniques we learned about.
I completely navigate the Internet differently now, I understand what is behind my Google searches, I pay close attention to promotional emails and I look at Facebook and other networking sites with a new perspective. I have had to explain away my new fascination with Twitter, and while some think it is another silly social networking site, I know a bit more to it than they do. Many of my friends have disregarded the importance of the seemingly mundane everyday interactions on social networking sites, but that is where they will fall short.
Having the valuable knowledge of these new technologies and techniques makes me feel really confident about my ability to function in the working atmosphere. I am apart of the technology and WWW generation, therefore it had better be me who guides companies and organizations into the uncertain future of digital promotion.
Thank you Digital Promotion Management for opening my eyes and giving me the resources necessary to be succesful in the future. Hopefully I maintain this blog and continue to challenge myself to look critically at promotion across the world. One day it will pay off.

Lostpedia...The Internet Super Star

This blog has already had a post dedicated to my infatuation with Lost, but here it comes again. After last night's ridiculous episode, I hopped onto Lostpedia for my first time to figure out what the heck is going to happen.
It is decent writing and acting if a show is so intense that it pulls you in and doesn't let you forget what you just experienced. Lostpedia, the online source for all that is Lost related, caters to crazy fans like me. It is a whole new way to get involved in a show. Not only does the website offer information, but a blog is available, a forum and even TWITTER! You can bet I just followed Lostpedia.
From my understanding, it started as just a fan site. Soon the producers and creators of the show jumped on board to start giving spoilers and clues to keep the viewers involved and active in the show. When questions aren't being answered for four seasons in a row, anxious viewers like me are going crazy.
This is effective though. When I came into work today my boss, friend and I all gabbed about the most recent happenings. My boss even referenced points brought up on Lostpedia to continue our discussion.
ABC has us hooked and certainly did a wise thing by partnering with Lostpedia to keep us coming back.

Disney Channel Stars on Twitter

I like how my blog about digital promotion has recently turned into analyzing Twitter. Who knew I would become such a junkie?
I have recently figured out how to update from my mobile device and reply to my friend's posts and direct message my friends. I'm feeling pretty confident in my twitter skills.
I have also discovered the comical joy of following celebrities. Michael Ian Black, a comedian, is a particularly funny celeb to follow. Travis and Mark from Blink 182 update the most random stuff and even though I don't particularly care for the music, it makes good entertainment.
Through random lurking of said celebs, I have uncovered a world of Disney Channel Stars twittering with one another. Now, for anyone who knows me, I am an avid Disney Channel fan. I love everything about it and I watch more Disney Channel than any senior in college ought to.
Favorite celebs to follow now: Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdail, Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez.
THIS IS SO COOL!
See, the cool part is how realistic it seems. It seems authentic, Miley posted today about how she has a crazy desire for privacy. The posts appear to be from the stars themselves, and if they're not, well... The fake is doing a dang good job of acting the role.

Yay for Twitter. Yay for Disney Channel. Yay for ridiculous social media techniques.

Catholicism Twitters?

After doing some project or another, I am signed up to receive AdAge emails. Every once in awhile I open them thanks to an interesting subject line. Obviously, the promotional email and the ever-so-important subject line could be the topic here in itself, but not today.
Today's email was telling me that the Cardinal of Ireland had reached out to the people of his church and encouraged them to email, text and twitter a prayer for those they love. The article went on to say how this could be a catastrophe for Twitter because it may encourage that many more users to sign up. I couldn't understand how this could be a catastrophe, aren't the more members the better?
Turns out not! According to this article Twitter is running off venture capitalism rather than a solid revenue-making business plan. After all we learned in class about how important advertising is and how search engines are not just for searches but to make money, it astonishes me to find this information out. Twitter has only been in existence for the last three years or so, and while its user basis is growing, it may be on its way out in popularity. Where does the money aspect of this fit in?

I have no answers, mostly because I probably don't understand it as well as I ought to, but it does make one curious. Could Twitter be in for a rough finish? As a young professional, do I need to really work on internalizing this concept of advertising in order to be successful?
Sounds complicated, maybe I should have done a business minor...