Glued to our phones in 2012 by Lauren
Our intern Suzy reckons she's found her new favourite social media network for 2012...
Whether you are watching The News, Davina’s Million Pound Drop or listening to the radio we are constantly being invited to interact with social media channels. Only the other morning I listened to Chris Moyles inspire people enough to get Peppa Pig trending on Twitter worldwide - even I found myself following suit!
In 2012 multi-tasking between media and social media is only predicted to increase, moving beyond a little hash tag in the corner and into a fundamental part of our viewer experience. Media producers will acknowledge that, according to researchers at the Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a growing “Social Participation TV” trend means that 40% of mobile users already “multi-task” - using their phone while watching TV for example, and this statistic is predicted to increase. They go as far as to say that the primary function of the smart phone will change, from calls and texts, to social media interaction being the most important function.
In the past week I have joined GetGlue, predicted to be the 'next big thing', and downloaded the app to my Blackberry. Launched in 2009 GetGlue is, according to founder Alex Iskold, 'the number one fastest growing social media network for entertainment'. As a GetGlue user, you 'check in' to the various media you’re consuming which you can link with your Facebook account, telling your friends online what you’re watching, reading, or listening to. Your friends can respond and comment on your posts. You have a profile, which you build up to different levels by checking in to what you’re doing now, as well as rating things you’ve liked (or haven’t liked) in the past. Based on that, the site recommends new music, TV, books, and movies it thinks you might like.
What do I think of it…easy? Yes. Fun? Kind of. Useful? Yes. Addictive? Very!
The challenge for 2012 seem to be inspiring people to interact with media like GetGlue which is not live and not a game show. The emphasis is being put on encouraging interaction between viewers and other viewers, rather than the current trend of trying to get viewers interacting with the media channel itself.
Do you think you would actively use an social network app like GetGlue?
1 comment
Aimee
04/02/12
I agree about the twteeing. I am so glad to see that Clay is twteeing..and he is so interesting. Very intelligent man. I have a twitter account…but, I really haven't been on it much. Kind of complicated to me. But, hey, I am following Clay. That is something. I will try to learn a little more about it.