Social media is the democratization of content and the understanding of the role people play in the process of not only reading and disseminating information, but also how they share and create content for others to participate. It is the shift from a broadcast mechanism to a many-to-many model, rooted in a conversational format between authors and people. -Brian Solis

Times Are Changing

Pre-1800s: Gutenberg Press, books, first newspaper, Benjamin Franklin’s “Silence Dogood” letters and the Federalist Papers

Media was untimely, inaccessible and ineffective

19th Century: Telegraph and telephone

Media moved toward timeliness

20th Century: Air mail, radio, international phone calls, television, cable, VCR, mobile phone, desktop computer and the Internet

Media became accessible and more effective

21st Century: Wireless internet, bluetooth and expansion of social media

News is instantaneous, universally accessible and user-generated

Social Media’s Implications for PR

Suggested Independent Research

1. Find an example of a company – PR, advertising or otherwise – that has used social media effectively
2. Research your favorite company to see how they are using social media

Next time: A breakdown of social media tools and their uses

Today, we discussed “PR and Social Media” in 40 minute sessions at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pm in Reese Phifer 216 at the University of Alabama campus.

The first session was a little rough but comfortable, and the next two sessions were marvelous.

As we are just now launching our blog, look forward to more updates soon.

–JMS–