Natural Events: Part Two

In my previous blog I discussed the the affect of digital medias power on natural sudden disaster events and how these can be effective to gain aid from the public. Carrying on from those unprovoked events that charities have to plead for the nations help onto marketing of charities who put on events to fund raise for ongoing disasters like illnesses and poverty.

These disasters are ones that constantly need to be fund raised for as these illnesses and poverty are growing and are ongoing issues in the world we live in today. To keep the public, and I hate to say it, interested in helping them out, these charities have to create events that attract the public’s attention in order to do so. These events are often first marketed online either in the charities social media of celebrity endorsement, through their social media. This way it reaches out to a large section of the nation and makes the charity have a ‘human face’ to it.

One if the most successful ways of marketing these charity events is through video and online streaming. Many charity’s have taken to Youtube to show the public what fun and exciting events they can host to raise money for serious charities dealing with serious issues.

Cancer Research UK: Race For Life

This video is a fun, upbeat and exciting way to get females around the nation to get involved and prepared for their annual Race For Life. This charity focus on a common, but very serious and life threatening disease but takes a fun and upbeat approach to their campaigns and events to draw the public into helping. With the slogan ‘kicking cancers butt’ it gives a sense of achievement to those donating, volunteering and those taking part in the events themselves. This video also includes the “#” which also spreads the charities awareness throughout social media when the public are using it.

ALS: Ice Bucket Challenge

*wipes tears*

This video is a perfect example of a serious cause having a humorous take onto its event but then reminding the public of WHY its being done and HOW your money helps. But, this is an interesting one. The ice bucket challenge wasn’t one organised by a charity but one which was done by an individual and has gone viral through nearly all the social media platforms which encourages millions of us worldwide to take part in. This hilarious challenge made entertaining viewing for us over a month long period. It was also massive success as it raised over $100m for the charity. This challenge was also taken on by 100’s of celebrities which increased the awareness as well as the involvement.

From these charitable events for such serious causes it is obvious that by taken a fun and outgoing approach to such serious issues is one which works with the public. These methods, all applied to social media are ways which are changing the marketing of events for the better.

REFERENCES

CARBAJAL, A., 2014. ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE – UNCENSORED & SEXY?. [online video]. 18 August. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h07OT8p8Oik [Accessed 28 April 2015].

CANCER RESEARCH UK RACE FOR LIFE., 2015. #ThisGirlCan. [online video]. 25 February. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydSBteBSyFM [Accessed 28 April 2015].

T in the Park Success

Social Media Platforms for Events: Part Two

Following on from part one, I am going to discuss the effects of the social media marketing with the visual based social media. With images being more eye catching than lengthy attempts to gain public interest, this image social media is one which has lead to the success to a few social media sites, companies and normal people like me and you.

 Instagram

With 300 million active users Instagram is the leading image social media site to date. First starting off with an easy to access iOS app for Apple devices it is now available on other devices, such as android, and even is available online on a desktop. Instagram provides a simple way for users to share moments in the form of a photograph or image with caption to their followers. The ‘#’ is also incorporated into this social media platform too. The Instagram craze has lead to the success to many companies and individuals and is a platform often used by many event companies to promote their event.

This way is effective to gain the attention of your consumers as its a quick flash of an image which draws their attention into the caption, which usually will have relevant marketing information. With instagram now introducing videos this is also another effective way for events organisers to stream their event or teasers of their event to their customers. This will give a buzz to the audience and get them talking about it. This is also an effective way to raise the companies profile by giving it a more real feel about them, and getting people involved.

Did you know that more people own a phone than toothbrush? Even though this is a sad thing to hear, it is music to online marketer ears. And with it reported that more and more under 30 year olds are becoming addicted to being online and using social media this is a marketing gold mine. With a mobile device nearly always being attached to our generations hands, mostly being a smart phone which has access to the easy to use apps, it is the best marketing innovation out there. With these apps which are usually free to download to smartphones so accessible, it is a growing trend for companies to create their own apps. Even though it might be harder to promote than using their social media it is a way to show status and even though it doesn’t mean success it looks like it to consumers.

An events company who did this was T in the Park. Their app was available for a small fee but it was hugely taken aboard for the customers as it gave information about the festival and it gave an element of surprise as attendees of the event got updates about shows etc. on the days of the festival. I personally bought the app when I attended the festival and I felt it was an amazing way to feel involved, know my information about everything that was happening and it made me talk about the festive afterwards about it’s success.

REFERENCES

KEENAN, J., 2015. Social Media – Who, Why & How? Part One. [lecture notes]. Digital Media Practices and Platforms. The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Business School, room 224, 27 March.

PEDERSEN, S., 2015. Motivations for Using Social Media Part 1. [lecture notes]. Digital Media Practices and Platforms. The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Business School, room 224, 20 February.

STATISTA., 2015. Leading social networks worldwide as of March 2015, ranked by number of active users (in millions). [online]. USA: Statista Inc. Available from: http://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/ [Accessed 23 April 2015].