The World of Twitter Welcomes Conan

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Not even a former evening talk show host can resist the glowing temptation of twitter. After a recent controversy surrounding talk show hosts Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno, which resulted in the expulsion of O’Brien from appearing on the air, he decided to retain viewers elsewhere. On February 24, 2010, @ConanOBrien posted his first tweet stating: “Today I interviewed a squirrel in my backyard and then threw to commercial. Somebody help me.” Within a half hour of his first tweet, he had up to 15,000 followers.

Upon deciding what to do with his new source of popularity, O’Brien announced that he would be following one new person every week. He would essentially be retweeting and commenting on the chosen followers’ posts. His first choice was 19 year bride-to-be, Sarah Killen, who he was drawn to because of her love for peanut butter and gummy dinosaurs. After being followed by O’Brien for one week, Killen’s life was flipped upside down. She gained 20,000 followers and is having her dream wedding planned for free, not to mention her all expenses paid honeymoon. And how will the couple repay him? By asking him to be best man in the wedding, of course!

As Conan continues to utilize social media as a tool to withhold his popularity and maintain support, he is also continuing to use social capital by building community strength. Sarah is just one individual who has received the benefits of marketing herself via twitter, however, thanks to O’Brien, she is using her new fame to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. So, until Conan is allowed back on the air, the only information he needs his followers to understand is this: “I had a show. Then I had a different show. Now I have a Twitter account.”

Stephanie Saulsbury

Comments

12 responses to “The World of Twitter Welcomes Conan”

March 15, 2010

Lauren Phelps

Conan’s use of Twitter and its success is a true indicator of the influence of social media in our current day society. It puts into question whether or not this sort of social medium will overtake that of television making television almost obsolete. It’s great to see that Conan’s success on Twitter has also led to the happiness of a bride-to-be and in turn led to a charitable act. This exhibits just how big social media is becoming.

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March 15, 2010

Lindsey Baggett

Conan’s achievement thus far with his Twitter account is inspiring. The knowledge and stories that he has shared with thousands of readers in this short period of time is fascinating. It goes to show you that not only Conan but several people in the media can truly grasp the attention and focus that we the viewers want to see take place. People across the world are sharing their words and thoughts with so many Twitter fans. I look forward to seeing more success stories from Conan, as I know their are several to come. Not only that but find your passion; a person you have a desire to learn more about, a company, an interest, and follow it on Twitter. You will be surprised as to how much knowledge you will actually take from that short blog.

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March 15, 2010

Alicia Gronneberg

Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook are becoming very important in our society. Social media sites are an effective way to reach many people who would not regularly watch the news or read the newspaper. I think it is great that Conan decided to use Twitter. Because of his blog a new charity was created and a woman’s dream wedding has come to life. Even though social networking sites have been looked down upon in the past (because of sexual predators, etc.) I think that the use of Twitter by Conan is a very good thing.

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1. March 16, 2010
  
  imcclass
  
  What is also interesting is that Conan is taking a completely different approach to utilizing Twitter. For him, it is not so much about networking (at least it appears to me) as it is about remaining in the public eye. He still has yet to follow more than just Sarah Killen, whereas he has thousands of followers. It is nice for fans to know that Conan has not completely disappeared and is using a new outlet to facilitate his social and political commentary while weaving in his unique humor. Thanks for your comment!
  
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March 16, 2010

Callie Stilwell

I think the main reason Twitter has become so popular is because regular people like Killen can “follow” celebrities like Conan and create a connection. Twitter allows regular people to gain full insight into the moment-to-moment activities of celebrities. This makes us feel personally connected to the celebritity and can make celebrities topical, current and relevant…all for free. Twitter is one of the only resources we have to be the celebrity and the paparazzi simultaneously. I think it’s great that Killen has won the attention of so many. This case is really a testament to the influence and advantages social media has in all of our lives.

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March 16, 2010

Lauren Corbett

Not to sound repetitive, but I was also truly inspired by this blog. It is amazing to see positive things generated from an electronic social community. Personally, I enjoy twitter because of the simplicity of it and I really hope it stays that way. Other social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, continue to get more cluttered and confusing all the time. How many more features can you add? How many more adds can you fit on the homepage? When it comes to celebrity use on those websites, it seems as though they aren’t the ones actually dealing with their ‘pages’. So in that respect, twitter isn’t just more user friendly, but it’s also more personal. It is also great to see celebrities utilizing it in a productive and healthy way.

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March 16, 2010

Holly Souther

Conan has become another positive proof that our world is becoming very dependent on social media. Twitter is a new phenomenon in my world and to be honest I am COMPLETELY baffled about Conan and Sarah Killen’s relationship. It is so interesting to see that through a random choice and the effects of social media, one woman’s life will never be the same. I am truly thankful that she has created goodwill out of this situation instead of eating up all of the glory and fame that was handed to her. Until now, I would never have believed that a tool for social media can impact life in such a dramatic way. All I can hope is that he follows me next!

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March 17, 2010

Lauren Locke

I think Conans approach to maintaining a spot in the public eye is brilliant and creative. He has continued his reputation of going against the grain and has found a way to impact his fans directly. This young bride-to-be is now known by thousands when she was before just an average joe. Social media never fails to astound me. Its scope and reach has exceeded far more than I ever expected. I never would have guessed that celebrities could initate such relationships with their fans through the internet and somehow it’s not even creepy!

Here’s my favorite fun fact about Conan…he looks alot like the female President of Finland.I think they should start a twittering together. Now that would be some impactful social media! http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/uploaded_images/060116_conan_prez_422-759748.jpg

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March 17, 2010

Meghan French

Conan Obrien’s use of twitter is genius. Using his personal fame to draw attention to ordinary people, Obrien is significantly impacting their lives. We have all seen this done on TV (Oprah using her TV show to promote books, businesses, etc.) but not with social media. I think this will start somewhat of a revolution in the way twitter can and will be used in the future. Social media sites like twitter are often seen as a waste of time but this type of positive outcome could yield a new connotation (not to mention an increase in twitter accounts and tweets, in the hopes that they will be the next one chosen.)

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March 18, 2010

Courtney Holton

This is such a great blog and it really goes to show how much social media as well as twitter really makes the world go around. Twitter is becoming the new facebook because it allows you to follow influential people and you can read a little snippet of their daily lives. Being able to be followed by them is also that a lot of people dream of and by Conan helping this bride to be in such an amazing way really shows you how much social media is needed in todays times. Not only does it help with things like relayed in this blog but as well as nice shopping ideas, coupons, wedding ideas, and many other things that are brought to our attention by our celebs.

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March 18, 2010

Caleb Musser

I think what O’Brien is doing is remarkable. With all the hype surrounding the online social network, it is easy for many to assume it be a silly fad, aimed at only teenagers. But as with many successful people, O’Brien has taken a new phenomenon and learned how to profit from it. Amazing how a little creativity can go a long way.

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March 18, 2010

Brooklyn Newbold

How Cool! I have never watched one night of late night television in my life! Nor do I have an active twitter account. Even still, this story is remarkable. It poses the question about what would have happened if Conan had twittered before his expulsions. Could his thousands of followers have had any say in the decision. As mentioned in a previous comment, it seems as though social media may have the power to surpass television in its influence.

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