Types of New Media

Since this is the first entry related to new media, I will go ahead and define new media and some of its components before going into detail about a couple of interesting ideas about new media and marketing. So, I guess the first questions is: What is new media? According to PC Magazine, new media is "the forms of communicating in the digital world" (New media, 2008). There are numerous forms of new media, but the list below is comprised of the forms of new media that was recently discussed (West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism, 2008):

• Web Sites
• Video ads
• Widgets
• RSS Feeds
• Podcasting
• Banner ads
• Short Films
• Blogs & Vlogs
• Blue Tooth
• Chat Rooms
• In-Game advertising
• Social Networking

In reference to the effectiveness of new media, one of the points mentioned was the anonymity behind the term "widgets". A widget is "a mini-web application you can put in your web page, blog, or social profile" (What is a web widget, 2007). This visual/graphic form of media has been noted as being one of the less effective forms of new media marketing due to the widget's size and inability to "capture and hold the attention of the fickle public by developing a brand content that compels them to accept and share with others" (Paparo, 2008). With companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola using features such as interactive creations, videos, sounds, graphics, forums, informative text, etc.; the idea of a widget capturing the attention of a consumer and becoming memorable and informative is leaning toward doubtful. Consumers are given numerous choices, therefore information is a key aspect to creating brand recognition and loyalty (Delin & Waller, 2003).

Along with lack of information, another interesting statement mentioned in terms of widgets is the issue of trust. During the widgets discussion, one member mentioned that he/she would not trust downloading a foreign object on his/her computer such as a weather widget. Computer viruses, worms, trojans, etc. are a real threat to technology and personal safety (such as bank account information and social security numbers). The user downloading the widget needs to feel confident about the source of the widget before they agree to download the widget, especially since downloads and scripts can hide potential dangers. Viruses cost businesses over $55 billion in damages in 2003 and this number continues to grow as new viruses, trojans, etc. are developed (Virus related statistics, 2008). The problem with this risk is that the relationship between consumers and businesses is dependent upon trust. Without trust, there is no loyalty and this can become fatal to businesses (Ebersole, 2008).

Overall, a strong trend developed during this discussion leading to the idea that web sites are considered to be the most effective form of new media marketing. This form of new media can contain numerous forms of new media including blogs, social networks, video advertising, banners, and almost any and all types of media found online. While some forms of new media may be more effective than others when it comes to marketing, each new media object can be used to enhance the interactive new media marketing experience.

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Delin, J. & Waller, R. (2003). Cooperative brands: The importance of customer information for service brands. BNET. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4001/is_200310/ai_n9310376

Ebersole, G. (2008). The strategic importance of trust in business, according to your strategic thinking business coach. Ezine Articles. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Strategic-Importance-Of-Trust-In-Business,-According-To-Your-Strategic-Thinking-Business-Coach&id=649642

New media. PC Magazine. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=new+media&i=47936,00.asp

Paparo, Ari (2008, January 7). The ins and out of widget marketing. iMediaConnection. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/17895.asp

Virus related statistics. Security Statistics. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.securitystats.com/virusstats.html

West Virginia University, P.I. Reed School of Journalism (2008, August 18). Lesson 1: IMC in an evolving digital landscape. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from https://ecampus.wvu.edu/webct/urw/lc5116001.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct

What is a web widget. Widgest for web 2.0. Retrieved October 26, 2008, from http://www.widgets-gadgets.com/2007/08/what-is-web-widget.html

Biographical Entry

Welcome to my blog!

My name is April, but for the sake of alliteration I used my middle name for the title of this blog. I was originally born in Galveston, Texas and lived there for a few years until my family moved to SW Virginia. After graduating from high school, I went to a small, liberal arts college in Kentucky and received a Bachelors degree in Communication. During my junior year of college, I traveled to Sunderland, England to study abroad and gather more experience in the fields of television, film, and radio broadcasting and production. While I was there, I started to love traveling and traveled throughout England and into other contries: Edinburgh, Scotland; Paris, France; and Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, Spain. I rode the longest roller coaster, went to the largest mall, and in between I gathered a sense of spirituality that was stiffened when living in the South.

Along with my love of travel, I also love to read; communicate with people from a variety of beliefs, geographical locations, and other differences since I believe we can learn something new from one another; martial arts (black belt in Kempo); comedies/action-adventure films and shows; listen to music; and writing. My former employment was working as the student supervisor of a techonology sector within my college. We utilized traditional and new media for all sorts of projects and assisted in teaching students, faculty, and staff in how to incorporate different types of media. I would love to have a career in media/broadcasting, though advertising and public relations would be interesting as well.