Monday 25 March 2013

Three people to be interviewed

In today's world of mass marketing and social media, it's important that potential journalists, advertisers and so on understand what they're in for when they begin their dream career. Here are three living people whose insights on the media would provide one with adequate information to enter the world of Strategic Communication.

Todd Sampson

As well as being an advertiser, social commentator and panelist on Australian TV programme The Gruen Transfer, Todd Sampson helped to create the "Earth Hour" campaign by simply turning off the Sydney Opera House's lights to highlight the problem of Global Warming. He is heavily involved in the media industry as a whole and is well aware of the "social media" phenomenon.

With all this insight, it would be best to not ask him about the past or the present but about tomorrow, because chances are he'll know how companies will employ people and engage with the public in the future.


Jeremy Clarkson

Yes, the host of Top Gear. A young Jeremy started his career as a journalist in the local paper before presenting a number of TV shows in Britain. Although passionate about cars, his Sunday paper columns often criticise popular culture and political figures, with many of his views being controversial (example: he once denounced Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa).

With Top Gear still one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, it would be interesting to hear where he sees the show going years from now, and if it can still be popular - even if it has adapted to the internet somewhat.


Doug Walker

Doug Walker is an American comedian, film critic and actor whose content is shown exclusively on ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com, a website which he part owns and runs. He originally posted his videos on YouTube before moving them to the individual site with his most popular show, The Nostalgia Critic, averaging about 250,000 views per week. In contrast, my blog only had three hits in the past fortnight...

So because he has videos and the like found exclusively online, Doug would know how the internet operates and how to engage with an online audience. Being apolitical, his views on the American press and how it has adapted would also be worth hearing.

Of course, these people are all very busy with their work, therefore not all will want to talk to a wannabe journalist. Instead, you'd be better off talking to someone local and their views on modern communication. How are they going to adapt in years to come?

Monday 11 March 2013

What makes great writing today?

Imagine Stephen Hawking quoting Shakespeare - it would lose its drama, wouldn't it? Since printed media is dying,  great writing can no longer be found in the text alone.

Poetry remains a popular form of art, and can still be found in modern (and not so modern) music. My favourite song is "Year of the Cat", released in the Seventies by Al Stewart. Have a read of the opening lyrics:
On a morning from a Bogat movie
In a country where they turn back time
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre
Contemplating a crime...

Translated, you're in Morocco looking to steal something. The rest of the song is filled with clever metaphors and wonderful imagery just like this, but as beautiful as his poetry is it doesn't alone make the song  - the way Stewart sings, his piano chords and the various backing instruments all make it worth listening to.

Moving on now to one of the best shows currently on Australian television, if not THE best: "Shaun Micallef's MAD AS HELL", a satirical news program hosted by (of course) Shaun Micallef. One of Australia's best known (and funniest) comedians, Micallef presents the week's biggest stories as either a conventional report, an interview or a sketch - it's worth watching just to hear his one-liners. However "Mad As Hell" has a team of writers, and features six other actors assisting over the course of an episode. With just Micallef on his own, the show might not be as entertaining.

These examples show that a script can be enjoyable, but in today's world where people are turning to music, TV and film for entertainment, a script needs to complemented by engaging performances and character. In short, great media begins with great writing.