IMC Hawks Blog

Author: imcclass

  • Tiger Woods and His Wounded Image

    Last Friday, Tiger Woods finally came out of hiding.  Nearly three months after his car crash, which unveiled rumors of cheating, Woods made his first public appearance. With his mother present, he apologized and took sole responsibility for his actions. Woods pleaded for acceptance, stating, “What I did is not acceptable. I never thought about who I was hurting.” Although his speech was meant to be humble and selfless, many believe otherwise.

    Many people have been asking whether or not his personal life should really even be brought into the spotlight. Some argue that his personal life really doesn’t affect his ability to perform on the golf course. While these are valid arguments, there is something to be said about the personal life of a public figure, especially one who is tied up in endorsement deals.

    When Woods committed these acts of adultery, he hurt more than those who love him and those who follow him. He hurt himself. He hurt his image, his reputation and his personal brand. His actions in his personal life have had a negative affect on his public image. An article in the New York Post from December states, “Analysts said his contracts likely contain a “morality clause” that allows sponsors to walk if Woods engages in bad behavior.” Many of his sponsors have been doing just that.

    It was no accident Woods’ statement took place during the Match Play Championship. Player Ernie Els, among others, believes Woods was trying to play by his own rules. He stated that Woods is “selfish” for choosing the week of a World Golf Championship to make a public apology. Of course the media would give priority to Woods for his apology.

    Although the statement was a widely announced event, the media had limited access to the live speech. Three camera crewmen were allowed in the room, along with only 40 friends and family members. Also, no questions were to be asked during the speech, minimizing the media’s involvement in the speech.

    No matter the game, golf included, sports creates a sense of comradery and raises morale, especially within American society. When one of America’s most valued, favorite and squeaky clean athletes such as Tiger Woods commits adultery, the spirits of the golfing community as well as sports fan community are weakened. Tiger Woods did not only hurt his family life and golf game, but he diminished his public image and contributed to what many feel to be the slow decline of social capital within the world of sports.

    Lacey Inman

    Nicole Doherty

    Stephanie Saulsbury

  • Local journalist offers insight on social media

    It’s no secret that social media has turned many industries upside down, but how has this technology changed the media? Shannan Bowen, StarNews Media’s social networking and crime writer and “Talk and Squawk” blogger, knows best. Bowen addressed the UNCW Communication Studies Society on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 on the many aspects involving social media and technology in journalism.

    Bowen says social media has helped StarNews Media reach audiences, such as college students, that they could not reach in the past. It has encouraged them to be more innovative and create new ways to keep the audience interested. For instance, when Tropical Storm Hanna hit Wilmington, leaving some without power, StarNews Media created @SNOHurricane on Twitter to deliver information on the weather by tweeting and retweeting. Bowen said this received a lot of traffic because the power was out and the only sources for updates were cell phones.

    Social media sites are not only useful for media outlets to reach the public, but they are also helpful for hearing from the public. The public is the media’s link to what is happening around the community in its nooks and crannies. Bowen said they often use tips from Twitter or Facebook, and once they verify the information, they have a lead. Bowen did urge that it is “very important not to take tweets or Facebook posts at face value in journalism—that would be bad journalism!”

    Bowen emphasized the rise of niche social marketing by discussing Ning.com, a social media site that allows the user to create the network. Many local businesses and groups are using Ning.com to form a network of their own. StarNews Media created several sites using this platform such as WilmOnFilm , a network for local film fans, and Conscience Online for local non-profits.

    Her advice to college students interested in careers involving social media:

    • Keep up with major developments
    • Read communication related blogs
    • Know what is developing in the e-industry
    • Create your own blog and interact with others

    Check out Shannan Bowen’s blog post Living a double life on Facebook.

    Rachel Kaylor

  • Google Buzz or Google Bust??

    On February 2, Google introduced their latest product Google Buzz.  This added “social” feature, which is built right into Gmail, allows users to start conversations and share information (pictures, videos, links, etc.) with those they contact the most.  Google Buzz is essentially designed to evolve Gmail into a social networking platform that simplifies the process of sharing both public and private information with those on your contact list (aka: your Gmail address book).  You can follow anyone who has a Gmail account by searching for them by name or email address.  You can instant message, as well as post your latest “buzz” in real time (without a character limit, may I add) and this is all done through your Gmail account. Voila! It’s email, Facebook and Twitter all rolled into one.  Genius.

    Yeah, not so much.

    Over the past week, as Google continues to work out the kinks of its new interface, many feel as if they have fallen victim to an invasion of privacy.  With all of the noise we keep hearing about protecting your “online image,” especially in this job market and economy, when a private conversation is accidentally publicized…well, you can put two and two together.

    In a recent interview with CNBC regarding the privacy issues Google Buzz has created since its debut, Eric Schmidt the CEO of Google Inc. said,”If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. If you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that search engines –including Google –do retain this information for some time and it’s important, for example, that we are all subject in the United States to the Patriot Act and it is possible that all that information could be made available to the authorities.”

    So, maybe Google Buzz will be what the next buzz-worthy addition to social media.  Or, maybe Mr. Schmidt should prepare for his own little buzz-worthy bust.

    Laura Ann Klinedinst

  • The Internet Too Slow?

    The Internet is apparently too slow according to a Google analyst. Google has almost always had a very conservative view of the internet and the advocate for few, if any government censorship and barriers. There are many countries, such as China and France that put blocks on website’s information in order to hinder the amount and type of information its citizens receive. Google’s ideal would be achieving a single Web in order for all people to have high-speed, open and all-access internet connections.

    Google has recently taken strong actions against China by threatening to completely pull Google out of the country because of their strong governmental intervention and hacking. By taking out all of the blocks and creating a unified Web, Google says that everyone will be able to use the internet to its strongest ability. During an interview with CNN , Google analyst Derek Slater answered questions to give insight on how we can get this broadband, high-speed internet. Slater says, the Federal Communications Commission has started working towards creating a national broadband plan to give fast, affordable and open access to the internet in the United States in effort to put the US back on top in regards to internet leaders. The plan of action to achieve this is very in depth and requires much experimentation. It will be vital to achieve this solution that all sectors, municipalities and government agencies.

    Some ideas Google has submitted include using communities as central hubs for this broadband internet access for people to use and disperse. Furthermore to spread multiple strands of fiber to people’s homes in order to eliminate the high cost of digging up the streets and running cable into people’s homes.  Slater emphasize how essential it is for people to participate in civil society and political processes, along with economic growth, innovation and job creation. By falling behind on the implementation of this, we are falling behind in global competition economically and innovatively.

    Using Google as an example, Slater shows how the open internet can benefit all users and society through greater innovation, creativity, and free expression. This Democratization of the internet will further evolve the way people, business, and society use the internet in a seemingly immeasurable way.

    Shannon Meadows

  • Vancouver 2010 Heightens Mobile Advertising Technology

    The Olympics have come a long way since they began in 776 B.C., and with current mobile advertising technology, the games will continue to expand and reach new audiences. During the Beijing Summer Olympics, NBC executives were shocked to see that 6.5 million viewers visited their mobile website during the games. This is the inspiration that caused NBC to add two applications, a smartphone version of the NBC Olympics mobile site, and new social media features to its mobile offerings.  In addition, NBC said they have been “able to attract advertisers to mobile—not because it was part of a large media TV or online buy—but because of the strong performance numbers from Beijing.” The applications offer news results, videos and the opportunity for viewers to follow athletes’ Twitter feeds and Facebook; however, there are no live coverage links of the events. With changing technology, many fear that such an ancient tradition that has contributed so much to our world history may be lost. However, with advances such as smartphone applications and mobile coverage, the games will be further preserved.

    Lacey Inman

    Stephanie Saulsbury

  • MLK Day, President’s Day….Data Privacy Day?

    On January 28, 2010, Microsoft sponsored Data Privacy Day and left us thinking—who knew we would ever honor privacy of online photos and blogs with a “day”? In Washington DC, Microsoft held its 4th annual panel discussion entitled “Think Privacy?  Your reputation is ON the LINE” to empower consumers to take control of their online reputations.  Since social networks and blogging are becoming a bigger part of a person’s daily life, it is no surprise that it has a correlated effect on their jobs. Is this fair? Depends on who you ask.

    Microsoft conducted a survey in December 2009 that presented data showing how online reputations effect job applicants.  70% of Human Resource workers in the US admit to denying job applicants a position due to their online behavior. In close comparisons 60% of web surfers acknowledge that their online “life” may affect their careers. Astonishingly of the 60% only 15% take consideration for their careers (or possible careers) when posting information.

    Many companies have formal policies for checking online reputational data and, in the United States, male recruiters are more likely to perform the check.  These recruiters also search deeper than most consumers are aware. Despite the fact that all online information is not true, recruiters feel all information is valid.  Recruiters also report that they tell applicants when online information plays a role in the company’s decision; however candidates claim not to hear this.

    One key thing to remember is not all information on the internet can harm you.  In fact, 86% of recruiters admitted that good online reputations have positive effects on the candidate’s chances of being hired. Needless to say, people need to become more aware of what the put on social networks and blog sites. This is not to say do not use these sites, just use them with caution because companies are looking!

    Danielle Murray

  • Are you the next “Mayor”?

    Can’t get enough of social media? Well neither can major companies such as Pepsi, HBO, and BravoTV. Foursquare, an application for mobile phones has quickly made its way into the social media scene and continues to add companies to its long list of members.

    A little background on Foursquare: It allows people to “check-in” to wherever they are located. For instance, when visiting a cafe, bar, or restaurant, you simply “check-in” via the Foursquare application on your phone. It then notifies your “friends” of your whereabouts. Foursquare keeps track of how many times you’ve “checked-in” to the places you are visiting and compares your visits with how many times other people visit the same place. If you frequent the spot more than others, then you become the “Mayor” of the restaurant, cafe, bar, etc.

    How do businesses incorporate this “geolocation” social media? Businesses have begun to utilize Foursquare as a way to offer rewards for people who become the “Mayor” of their establishment—a free coffee, free appetizer, etc. Many of the television stations are now using Foursquare to send “pings” about certain TV shows. When a user “checks-in” at a venue, they are then able to view tips, which “friends” leave about the particular venue. Recently, stations such as BravoTV and HBO leave “tips” at select locations, which are usually related to TV show characters or themes. Users who add the stations/shows as friends can view the “tips” at the locations, which then allows them to unlock “badges. “Badges” are tied to items such as real-life awards, sweepstakes, and coupons.

    Will Foursquare catch on as a successful promotional tool, just as Twitter and Facebook have? The platform is still in the experimental phase, but already has the backing of big-name advertisers. It is also rumored that the developers at Facebook are creating a “check-in” feature. It will be interesting to follow Foursquare’s expansion as they have already begun discussing new campaigns with The History Channel, and a partnership with Zagat, a restaurant review guide that also allows users to publish tips about restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and Philadelphia.

    Rachel Kaylor, Writer

    Danielle Murray, Researcher

    Mandy Baker, Design