Generation Like Blog Post

1-Media literacy extends beyond the obvious traditional media outlets. Write a response to the producers of Generation Like from the perspective of a parent that addresses the following question: to what extent do we need to be “media literate” when we consume online content?
- Dear Generation Like, 
The production of Generation Like was the collision of teens and the way social media or even franchises use the power of the youth to further promote their own companies. However, as a parent of 3 kids, between  the ages of 12-17; I, unfortunately, get to experience the frequent comments by my kids; " Dad, don't do that it's so old now" or "You wouldn't understand" and worst of all "You're too old for this" . Which leads me to ask the following question: To what extent do we need to be "media literate"  when we consume online content?" 

Online content consists of many aspects, it can be a simple image that was posted with the caption of "Party was lit" to a 10-second snap chat that contains the latest J Cole album with the caption of "Chill vibez ". Regardless of what the content is we still do need to have the ability to encode and decode what the meaning of such terms like "Lit" and "Vibez". The ability to do so is also regarded as media literacy. And well how important is it for us to be media literates to be able to consider ourselves consumers of the current online community? 

I am positive that every parent shares similar concerns when it comes to the issue of teens on the internet, more specifically our own teenagers who share and document their lives on this platform. It is fair to say that under the introduction of online platforms such as 'Facebook, Twitter.. and so on just to name a few; that there has been an introduction to a whole new form of communication which may or may not hinder the communication barrier between one another ( However this may be seen as a debatable assumption). But what I have realised is that I personally found it more difficult to talk to my kids or to even relate to what they were saying whether it be at the dinner table or when I see them post something online. Language is progressive and with each passing day comes new trends that younger generations will adopt in an expeditious manner in correspondence to the "Older generations". Do we truly have to be media literates to be able to understand what our kids are saying? Or should we leave that for our teens to enjoy; Interestingly enough the topic was brought up and one of my kids aged 12 shared his thought on the situation by stating "Grown-Ups talk about stuff like politics and work and mortgages and taxes, which us kids don't necessarily follow with, nor do we understand it. But we don't try to relate to adults because that's their form of communication while us kids do that but on social media" which surprisingly left the dinner table in silence for the rest of dinner time.  Do we need to be media literates to be able to consume what the online community is preaching? Since social media and online platforms was made and promoted by our children, should we just leave it for them and not try and invade it with our "Old age opinion"



2-In class we focused chiefly on print and video advertising. In what ways did Generation Like reveal to you the new horizons for advertising provided by online spaces? Take on the role of a market analyst and write a short report to your superiors explaining why this is an area your company should invest in.  
- Greetings Team! 

I would first like to congratulate the entire team on their successful campaign we had in 2016 and I hope you all a happy and restful new year! 

With a new year should come a new attitude, a new vision and well a new campaign strategy and what better than to explore the world of the online communities? Obviously this is just a brainstorm process; however, I was thinking and brainstorming ideas for our new marketing strategy and I decided to base our potential ideas of the following questions!

- Does our idea target a large range of audience? 
-Doe s our idea show financial potential? (Will there be a profitable outcome?) 
-Does our idea show progression for the future?( Will it improve over time?)

And only one field came to mind when thinking about this was the online community!  The online community is massive, it's where all the kids are now! As well as the opportunities it presents a marketing company like ourselves. Furthermore, it is evident that funding for this project in this specific field has always shown a positive consequential. Due to the fact that the online community is always progressing and there are new trends that become national hits such as "Ice Bucket challenge" which generated a massive financial benefit to companies that participated in these internet trends!  

Overall, I do believe that advertising the online space is beneficial to our marketing strategy as it does offer us all of the aspects required to find success for present date and for the future development of our marketing strategy.  

-Do you believe that today’s YouTube stars are being exploited or empowered? Write a short persuasive piece that shares your opinion. 

- Youtube was created on February 14, 2005. And here we are almost 12 years later discussing how can normal individuals who sit in front of a camera talking about topics can be so empowering and influential? 

Well before we open the piece I would just like to say "YES! ABSOLUTELY" I do believe that today's youtube stars are being exploited or empowered. Youtube stars  are regarded and held to the same standard of a holy icon. Kids well teenagers pretty much live on the internet. And with 1 billion youtube accounts; it's fair to say that many of the 1 billion accounts are teenagers or even kids. Subscribing and liking their favourite YouTubers latest video doing challenge that has been done by 1000 other YouTubers! 

It's normally something special that gets a youtube all his fame. Whether it's their appearance or even the connection they have. "Did you see ComedyShortsGamer new video?" No why would I? "Dude, It's KSIOLAJEDABTs little bro!". Do you get the point? 

But what do these Youtube stars actually do that show that they are being empowered or exploited? 

Youtube stars document their journey, from having 15 subscribers to 150, and that number slowly transform into a larger sum. And as the number keeps on rising the more fame and control the YouTubers receive. What people necessarily don't grasp is that a large and passionate fanbase is the main factor in all of their empowerment. Because once someone knows that they have a fan base of 1,000,000 people behind them there are trust and a sense of empowerment. Not only are youtube creators of their own videos they are also marketers for themselves, and just like how the Kardashians are experts in advertising themselves.. so are YouTubers. And this is apparent in the form of their own merchandise or even meet and greets across the world; some even make it to the world of Hollywood, creating their own film or producing a music video. Which not only is good for their publicity just think about the finical benefit from all this?  

Youtube stars  also benefit from one another, so just like when your teacher announces you're going to do a group project you automatically want to work with the top student in the class; Youtube stars  do the exact same thing, they collaborate  and make videos with a much more famous YouTuber who probably has double their subscribers. And this is one factor of how some Youtube stars  are exploited. 

Fans go crazy when they see their favourite YouTubers, some even cry, and tears of happiness fall down their cheek. But do you know who gets even more excited by massive Youtube hits?  Yep! Marketers and Advertisers/Sponsors. 

What would be better than having a Youtube stars  with 3,000,000 subscribers wearing your brand in their videos? Or even recommending your product to their fan base! Advertisers exploit youtube stars  and make sure that their product is being advertised by the youtube stars in hope that it would enhance their sale production. Ethos! The die-hard fans of the youtube star will even go out of their way to make sure they use that product just because the youtube star  is, and for the simple reason of "They use it! So it must be good." 

Youtube stars are without a doubt talented human beings who mastered the online community and who frankly put the "If you don't have a University degree then you'll end up having no money or job!" case to bed. Whether we admit it or not we can't hold back and admit that no matter what anyone says, being a youtube star is a job and the financial credits from it pretty much prove its a job. However with this great deal of fame and money, does come responsibility to present themselves as an ideal icon to the online community 






  

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