Being in the music PR business, I am intrigues by programs such as The X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent, and how the winners, and sometimes losers, are spun into untold fame.
I speak of Susan Boyle who wowed us all with her amazing voice 2 (or perhaps 3, I have been away) weeks ago. I won't go into immense detail, but for my fellow students who are international, and do not see our terrestrial TV channels do visit YouTube and type her name in.
Now, ICT's have played a HUGE part in Susan's fame, and she hasn't even reached the heats for the finals! How?? Why?? Well, precisely the way I just mentioned, by YouTube. Her performance has been viewed more than 48 million times (as up to 27th April '09). It is also on MySpace. It's talked about by everyone including A-list celebrities on Twitter and Facebook. "Viewers have reached over the 82.5 million. By comparison, President Obama's victory speech night had generated 18.5 million."
What I am trying to say is, that without the technology we have today, artists in my industry would not have even a quarter (a rough estimate by me) of the publicity say, 5 years ago. What would happen then?
Extracts taken from The Stage 30/04/09
Screen shot taken from 'Britain's Got Talent'
I speak of Susan Boyle who wowed us all with her amazing voice 2 (or perhaps 3, I have been away) weeks ago. I won't go into immense detail, but for my fellow students who are international, and do not see our terrestrial TV channels do visit YouTube and type her name in.
Now, ICT's have played a HUGE part in Susan's fame, and she hasn't even reached the heats for the finals! How?? Why?? Well, precisely the way I just mentioned, by YouTube. Her performance has been viewed more than 48 million times (as up to 27th April '09). It is also on MySpace. It's talked about by everyone including A-list celebrities on Twitter and Facebook. "Viewers have reached over the 82.5 million. By comparison, President Obama's victory speech night had generated 18.5 million."
What I am trying to say is, that without the technology we have today, artists in my industry would not have even a quarter (a rough estimate by me) of the publicity say, 5 years ago. What would happen then?
Extracts taken from The Stage 30/04/09
Screen shot taken from 'Britain's Got Talent'
2 comments:
Alas, without the help of new technology, Susan Boyle would still be singing in Motherwell FC's social club.
Her problem? Not her voice, but that fact that she isn't an 18-year-old cute, blonde popsie or wild child who smashes things. The popular music industry, in particular, has seen acts favoured by the moguls pushed forward and without these new platforms to see them, we'd be none the wiser to the other talent out there.
Worth having a read of this account of how the Daily Record powered the story up with digital and social media. Interesting example of old and new media working in concert. And important pointers for all in the PR business.
http://www.iainhepburn.com/please_stand_by/2009/04/behind-the-scenes-on-our-susan-boyle-exclusive.html
Post a Comment