people media = people power
May 26, 2006 · Print This Article
I’ve noticed a bit of backlash on the term user generated content - at first I thought it was a bit funny but with a little reflection, I can see why the term rubs a number of bloggers the wrong way. So as Toni points out, I’ve started using the term People Media to describe how all kinds of people are creating amazing content, blogs, forums, podcasts, video blogs…..a lot of folks have noticed and said they like the description - I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Posted by Tony
Sphere: Related Content
Whatever happened to “Authentic Media”?
I had a similar discussion with Rishad Tobaccowalla at Denuo Group (http://www.denuogroup.com/). Rishad has been one of the leading thinkers in interactive marketing for the past 10 years and his new company is doing fascinating work at the intersection of technology, marketing strategy, and the Big Ideas that drive great marketing. He’s always a couple of years ahead of the industry.
Anyway we were discussing the various terms that marketers use in their planning: consumers, users, audience, targets, customers, segments, etc. To which Rishad said, “Lately I’ve just been using the term ‘people’. All these other terms are so impersonal. Marketers need to think about the human beings who buy and use their products.”
As a 25 year marketing veteran, the words hit home.
I agree that the CGM/CGC term has a clinical sense to it that while it can serve its purpose in broadcast (or source-receiver) communication models, really is an oxymoron for what underlies the approach in social media. I was transforming the terms for a public health audience (who REALLY don’t like the idea of consumers) into audience generated content - which I realize is still keeping things a bit at an arm’s distance. “People media?” I’ll try it out this week during a presentation.