Trends Talk: Dawn of the next day

In light of my Trends Talk presentation this Wednesday at 2pm Eastern Time within the hallowed halls of St.Lawrence College, I’ve decided to write about my topic and the entire process/experience thus far. My colleague James Potts and I are presenting the idea or concept of utilizing and establishing a website HUB, with the sole intent of creating traffic and more importantly conversions or transactions. Through establishing a strong brand presence, you can convert traffic from your secondary sites like Facebook and Twitter into transactions or service inquiries on your main website. Successes in implement strategies around this concept include but are not limited to Barack Obama, the people’s champ! Potts and I before taking this topic on had zero idea what a HUB meant, we were somewhat skeptical if we had made the right choice. Upon researching and learning more about the subject, this was an idea that truly made sense to us and should be utilized more strategically. A lot of brands today still fail at this concept and are great at creating traffic for solely their Twitter or Facebook accounts. What this does is all the right things for Facebook and Twitter, and not enough for you and your main base of operation within the realm of Cyber Space. The concept of conversions is simple, turn that intrigued potential consumer into a bona fide cash cow, perhaps there’s a more apt term for that, let me know in the comment section below if there’s a better term to ‘Cash Cow’. Potts and I are very excited to elaborate on these ideas more this coming Wednesday December 11th. The entire process with submitting three separate entries was interesting and taught us a lot about what makes a good presentation and giving the mix of retentive information and some entertainment. See you all Wednesday and until then this is the ‘Nation talking about the situation

SEO VS. WPO: The rising

I read an interesting article recently by Mark Jackson of Searchenginewatch.com. He states that perhaps SEO as it originally stood, is dead. He suggests that the industry standard has evolved so rapidly throughout the years and involves so many unique components, that SEO as we knew it is dead? If Mark was to categorize what a current SEO strategy entails he would probably segment it into three vital realms. This would be Content Marketing, PR and Link Building. He also mentions that as far back as the turn of the millennium, PR stood for nothing more than Press Releases. Currently these two versatile consonants are better suited to represent the Public Relations side of things. So the question is, what do we call this new untamed, majestic beast of the digital skies? Krista Lariviere has coined the term “Web Presence Optimization” or “W.P.O”. I don’t hate this. Do you? This article was well written and I’ll let you the readers decide if the new and current definition of WPO is that much different to SEO. “Web presence optimization is an all-encompassing approach to optimizing an entire web presence for organic search including the website, social channels, blogs, articles and press releases. Where strategies, techniques, and tactics are still used, but content marketing and social media are strongly incorporated.” -Krista Lariviere searchenginewatch.com “SEO is about a prospect discovering a brand's content and web presence through search and social, and the owner of that content being able to understand who consumed the content and the impact of the content across the organization.” - Krista Lariviere searchenginewatch.com After reading this, its clear that WPO besides being a terrific new acronym, is more diverse and incorporates more ideas. So why is this important? Well I’ll let Krista explain… SEO in the digital marketing mix is here to stay. Standardizing a definition of SEO will help buyers better understand the importance of it, the reason for committing to it, and the short- and long- term impact an SEO strategy has on a web presence. Its important to realize that there still is a home for SEO in my opinion. They can co exist. It’s like the difference between the bronze, silver, and gold package. It all depends what you want to achieve/can afford. Tell me what you guys think, until next time this is the ‘Nation talking about the situation

Social media: A double edged sword

Social media has provided many people an outlet (in 140 words or less). Some use this as a means to chastise their favourite prominent figure. Others like NHL enforcer or tough guy Paul Bisonnette have utilized this platform to expose himself to other opportunities outside of…. you know…. Punching guys in the face.

Paul’s Twitter handle @Biznasty2point0 has given Mr.Bissonette the opportunity to connect with his fans outside of hockey and is to me the prime example of someone who has used Twitter colorfully but not offended anyone to outrageously.  Another thing to note is that most enforcers don’t have a long career span; they’re very interchangeable. Paul also plays out of Columbus and that isn’t a white-hot hockey hot bed compared to cities like Toronto, Los Angeles or even Buffalo…. Wow that was said.

This has opened doors for Biznasty himself to branch out. He ran a weekly episodic documentation of sorts about his off season regime. He pretty much just worked out and ran alongside personal trainers aggressively hitting on them, but it was more television time then I can have claimed to hold, so good for him.

This is just one example of how athletes are utilizing social media to get their word out there for better or worse.

Kobe Bryant last year came under fire for tweeting out during the LA Lakers play off run, without him. The Black Mamba as he is so affectionately referred to, had managed to crumble under the weight of carrying his team for 15 years and ruptured his Achilles tendon weeks prior. That wasn’t the problem, the problem was he was tweeting what he deemed as words of encouragement, this was not how it was perceived. It was taken as Kobe literally trying to pull the strings from his sweet court side seat. Few could blame him for wanting to direly to be playing; that being said. He was told from both NBA and the Lakers organization to pull in the reigns, so to speak, for the remainder of his employer’s play off run.

Lets hope Kobe heals quickly, cause his teams no good this year.

Til then this is the ‘Nation talking about the situation.

Should athletes apologize for their tweets?

Freedom of speech, it’s a big deal. I believe in the right to say or express yourself in any way. So when athletes like Evander Kane lastyear came under harsh scrutiny for a picture he tweeted, I cry clown tears.

The photo in question shows young Evander, chilling out in a sweet Las Vegas Penthouse flaunting his cash and oodles of admiration from his entourage hanging out in the background. Just oodles.

This is how social media has changed us all for better or worse. In the 90’s this photo was still taken, but it was a shitty Polaroid of Doug Gilmour taking a belly shot off of Pat Burns or something. It NEVER left the circle. Evander Kane was a victim of being perhaps a little exuberant in his display, but the amount of negative publicity he received, likely affected how his hockey team the Winnipeg Jets handle their social media policies now.

The challenge being: how do you allow to the players whom endorse the site, to express themselves freely, but while keeping everyone gloriously content with what you say?

Teams like the New Jersey Devils have a strict zero social media policy, the only player they lifted this for was Legendary current goaltender Martin Brodeur, so he could promote for his EA Sports NHL 14 covercampaign.  Other players like Roberto Luongo operate under an alias, this has been suggested to me in class, this is an example of how it being utilized. Everyone knows it’s Bobby Lou, but will he ever acknowledge it in public?

Time will tell how the rest of professional sports, not only the NHL, adapt to this ever evolving new world of social media

Til then this is the ‘Nation talking about the situation.

Why you shouldn't give up on assets

The year is 2011 and the Leafs were in the need for a frontline center.  They had assembled a nice group of forwards but were still somewhat thin at the Center ice position. This off-season was especially frustrating for me because the Leafs brain trust had managed to acquire a lucrative Forward, just not at the Centre position.  The deal made was former 5th over all pick Luke Schenn for the man drafted 2nd over all years prior behind some schmuck called Sidney Crosby. This man was James van Riemsdyk. This deal could be made because Brian Burke (GM and president at the time) looked at his wreck of a team and thought.

“We sure have a lot of defensemen, and not enough skill upfront at the forward position”

In laments terms, this is excess, or surplus. Too much of the same parts doing the same job, not enough space to employ them. So the deal was made. A durable stay at home defenseman for a whole lot of unrealized potential.

Its two years later and the Leafs seem to be thriving, strong positional play from amongst their assets has lead them to amongst the elite in the Eastern Conference (or whatever they’re calling it now). JVR has emerged as a key cog in the offense that ranks amongst the league leaders in goals scored. Then karma happened. Injuries to top two centers David Bolland and Tyler Bozak had forced the boys in blue and white to entertain an interesting idea, move JVR to the position they have long needed an elite presence, the Centre ice position.

This is why it pays to be multi factitive in what ever position you are employed at work. You may not get your dream job right away and I’m not saying JVR enjoys this position he holds, he may secretly begrudging this ‘opportunity’. Through Social Media JVR has at least emitted an aura of ‘everything’s going to work out” and even has poked fun at the level of media exposure this whole thing has endured already.

JVR need not fret though because other than maybe some points in the standings being lost short term, he really cant lose. If he falters through this experiment, time will literally heal all wounds and the two centers will return from injury, or a new one will be acquired to aid in filling the void.

Off the ice, this is a prime example to how social media has changed the reporting of sports.

This extends to beyond the instant reporting of a position change that could not have been reported as quickly 20 years ago.  Now things like fisticuffs or venomous banter amongst teammates is set for exposure.  Time will tell if this makes hockey players even more cliché when dealing with interviews post practice. New levels of sheepishness learned from the ability reporters have now too instantly report any and all colorful remarks.

Til then this is the 'Nation talking about the situation.

Crash: An Oscar? Really?

 Film Review: Crash                                                                         By:Kyle Carr

I came into this viewing with literally zero expectations. The last time that happened I was seventeen and I was pleasantly surprised by the hokey film, Hot Rod. The film Crash, though very different from the mainstream, provides you with what could only be described as the poor man’s Magnolia.  An ensemble cast that includes, among others, Don Cheadle and Brenden Fraser, provides a good mix of compelling drama, and emotional context.

The story revolves around several arcs intertwining over the course of two days.  Racism looms over this film heavily as each character encounters some degree of it throughout. The cultural diversity amongst the actors reflects this.  Some powerful scenes occur with a Hispanic locksmith and his daughter being encountered by a disgruntled East Indian store clerk. There’s also an interesting look at what some would consider a unique case of police brutality. This theme continues throughout as corruption and the cost some are willing to pay to keep a secret are displayed.  There’s a good mix of contrast amongst the cast in portraying people who mean well vs. people who mean harm.  The problem I find with ensemble casts are its hard to really give each character their proper screen time.

Negatives about the film include and are pretty much isolated to; the ending. I was not satisfied with that ending what so ever. Woe is me, I suppose, and perhaps this film will hit home harder for someone else more captivated by the over all story. This film how ever, to me deserved slightly more arc or in the very least a culminating catastrophe where somehow each character received some sort of triumph, or personal anguish. C’est la vie, I digress.

The filming displayed was fairly well done. The angles weren’t the most exciting, but the background of most settings provided the perfect tone for most scenes.  The narrative was non-existent in my opinion and rightfully so. So many unique points of view are displayed, and screen time distributed evenly, there’s no real main protagonist. Thusly no need to have underlying plot saver for those less informed or disinterested. This film is a thinker and thusly, a narrative stops us from asking questions, piecing the story scene by scene and sitting idly as each part in the story becomes part of the preceding. 

To say that there’s a fair bit of salty dialogue would be an understatement.  Racism can’t be tip toed around unfortunately and be effective. Well not if it’s one of the major cogs propelling the story anyways.  So with that being said the amount of racial epithets in this film is pretty noticeable. However not on the level of Scar Face with the F bomb or Django Unchained with a commonly known epithet as well. This is absolutely necessary in my opinion and is used tastefully throughout.

The score lacked, and tracks displayed throughout were not memorable to me upon reflection. Too much thinking going on I guess for me to really be moved by the score.  Ominous tones?

The editing was well done, one scene in particular comes to mind between a man and his daughter being threatened. This was done so well and the continuation of the plot afterwards is the beginning to everything being mostly tied up by the end. This was akin the Gran Torino in terms of dramatic display and really had you somewhat on the edge of your seat. The special effects weren’t plentiful throughout, some interesting use of man imposed inflictions did however occur.

For me the performance that stole the show was Terrence Howard.  He really showed his range in comparison to his type cast roles at the time of this filming as a cop or street thug. He conveyed the conflictions of a man being thrown into his personal circus well. Nice performances by Don Cheadel, Ryan Phillipe, Matt Dhillon, and Larenz Tate are on display while Sandra Bullock and Brenden Fraser, quite frankly could have done better.  ‘Shout out to the ATL’ as Ludacris makes his acting debut as well playing somewhat of an antithesis of himself. 

Crash was a decent film, not a movie I’d pay to put on my shelf and look at in non alphabetical order, but a film you wouldn’t be totally upset viewing if there was nothing on and you were stuck inside sick all day.  That reads pretty bleak, so allow me to assure you that this is probably an aberration, perhaps I’m crazy but this film surprises me with its accolades.

It’s no Hot Rod

7/10