We live in a digital world. No longer do people have home phones. Instead, they have cell phones. Digital cameras are commonplace, and film is a thing of the past. The same sentiment also applies for media, or does it?
On the surface, media is going digital. Analog television signals are a thing of the past as of June 2009, and digital cable is commonplace in many homes across the country. Computers and internet usage is vast and spanning generations with more and more people looking to the Web to get their news, weather and stay connected with friends.
Digital media is tremendous, and its capabilities are great, with more of them yet to be discovered. Yet, I do not believe that digital media can completely replace traditional media. For me, there is something relaxing and comforting grabbing a cup of coffee and my Sunday newspaper. Electronic books are a growing trend, but they do not compare to the turning of a page as you are curled up on your couch getting lost in a great novel.
Embracing change is great, and the world in which we live is definitely changing. I do see digital media playing a significant role in how we communicate, but I do not see it being the end-all, be-all in communication. I believe digital media should compliment and provide options as to how we currently communicate.
Teenagers, who I believe would be the first to move away from traditional media, are actually utilizing it as well as digital media. In a Nielsen Co. study, they found that teenagers are not always on Facebook or texting. Instead, the media that teenagers use most frequently is television, which debunks the thought that they are watching their favorite shows on YouTube or Hulu. The study also found that one in four teens reads a newspaper. You can learn more about this study here http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3i4993a5c32cf65e03561339183368ec75
Digital media is the new way in which we communicate, but it is not a replacement to current, proven means of communication. Some are concerned about the safety of communicating via social networking sites, and there are some people who still do not know how to use a computer. Each form a media, traditional and new, has its place in today’s society, and it is up to us to select the source of media that is the best compliment to our lives and needs.
On the surface, media is going digital. Analog television signals are a thing of the past as of June 2009, and digital cable is commonplace in many homes across the country. Computers and internet usage is vast and spanning generations with more and more people looking to the Web to get their news, weather and stay connected with friends.
Digital media is tremendous, and its capabilities are great, with more of them yet to be discovered. Yet, I do not believe that digital media can completely replace traditional media. For me, there is something relaxing and comforting grabbing a cup of coffee and my Sunday newspaper. Electronic books are a growing trend, but they do not compare to the turning of a page as you are curled up on your couch getting lost in a great novel.
Embracing change is great, and the world in which we live is definitely changing. I do see digital media playing a significant role in how we communicate, but I do not see it being the end-all, be-all in communication. I believe digital media should compliment and provide options as to how we currently communicate.
Teenagers, who I believe would be the first to move away from traditional media, are actually utilizing it as well as digital media. In a Nielsen Co. study, they found that teenagers are not always on Facebook or texting. Instead, the media that teenagers use most frequently is television, which debunks the thought that they are watching their favorite shows on YouTube or Hulu. The study also found that one in four teens reads a newspaper. You can learn more about this study here http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3i4993a5c32cf65e03561339183368ec75
Digital media is the new way in which we communicate, but it is not a replacement to current, proven means of communication. Some are concerned about the safety of communicating via social networking sites, and there are some people who still do not know how to use a computer. Each form a media, traditional and new, has its place in today’s society, and it is up to us to select the source of media that is the best compliment to our lives and needs.
Your first line is funny to me, because it reminded me of exactly how much of a catch-22 I am. I'm enrolled in this digital marketing course with you, all pumped up about social media, and yet, when I moved into my new apartment in May, the first thing I did was sign up for a land line. 99% of the time when I talk to my parents or friends on the phone, I use the land line. My reason is actually slightly ridiculous, too; I like the fact that it's larger and I can rest it on my shoulder. *shrugs*
ReplyDeleteYou completely hit the nail on the head with this post. I think that right now, people are so enthralled and enraptured by social media, just like any new trend, that they think it's going to take over the world. I don't think that this is going to happen, either. I think in the future, people are going to have modern tactics combined with traditional strategies. I actually feel so strongly about this, that I tagged my own blog as a modern vintage approach to PR. I'm currently working on my WordPress blog that has that very title. It's my whole outlook on business.
I loved this line, btw: "Electronic books are a growing trend, but they do not compare to the turning of a page as you are curled up on your couch getting lost in a great novel."
Apparently, we're not alone in thinking this. Here is the link to another study that stated traditional PR is still important to a lot of clients, even though they want to be educated on social media: http://racetalkblog.com/2009/02/25/social-media-is-great-but-dont-forget-traditional-pr/
Chris Brogan also had a really awesome post on a project he was working on to help people build frames for the social campaigns: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/you-still-need-a-frame/
Have you experienced a lot of your clients wanting to utilize social media, but not wanting to let go of their traditional advertising campaigns?
Sources:
Austin, K. (2009, February 25). "Social media is great, but don't forget traditional PR." RaceTalkBlog. Retrieved October 8, 2009, from http://racetalkblog.com/2009/02/25/social-media-is-great-but-dont-forget-traditional-pr/
Brogan, C. (2009, June 22). "You still need a frame." ChrisBrogan.com: Community and social media. Retrieved October 8, 2009, from http://www.chrisbrogan.com/you-still-need-a-frame/