REM gets it

May 24, 2008 at 9:56 am · Filed under Music

For those of you who know me, I am a big fan of REM. From the ChronicTown EP in 1980 to their 2008 release Accelerate, their music has helped shape my life.

Last night, I saw them live for the sixth time in Vancouver; it was a great show. I don’t want to review the show here as many other people will do that in their blogs. I want to talk about how REM is using social media to viral market the band, the songs and their brand.

There are a handful of bands in the world that “get it.” REM is one of them. Instead of fighting technology, they are embracing and encouraging it. For example, the band released twelve different HD versions of the video for their first single (Supernatural Superserious) and encouraged people to download them and create a mash-up which the band would link to from their site. Several hundred fans created mash-ups and posted them on YouTube.

For the tour, the band has created a page that tells fans which media tags to use and asks them to post during the shows. Last night, there were a handful of people (myself included) sending tweets from the show. A few people were streaming live video on ShoZu. Photos were being uploaded live from the venue from iPhones using iFlickr. There was some live blogging going on too.

For the technologically advanced, this is nothing new. But for a big band to encourage uploading user-generated content, this is a big step forward. In the past, the rules for many bands was “no cameras, no recording devices.” For REM, the rules are: we want you to help us viral the media.

From diehard fans to casual listeners, the REM rule engages a community and enhances their fan base. My guess is that half of the people at last night’s concert will do some sort of REM search today and find some amazing videos, photos and reviews. But the big win is for fans around the world that could not make it to the concert. They were able to see live set-lists, photos, videos and blogs about the concert, as it occurred. For these fans, it brings them closer to the band and increases REM’s brand. And all of this will trickle down to revenue for the band as it will increase ticket sales, merchandise sales and, for those people like me who still buy music, audio sales.

REM did one more thing right. They used their own site as a launching pad for the user-generated content. The most recent tweets, Flickr photos, YouTube videos and blog postings can all be found on their tour page in one convienent place. Fans will quickly find that it is much easier to go this page than to search the web. Once again, this increases REM’s brand by gaining eyeballs at their site and making things easier for fans.

One more interactive thing: the stage show made use of about a dozen cameras feeding an LED light curtain, much like U2 used on their last tour. REM had live video mixed with abstract images and song lyrics. A great effect. Something the band should consider is making some of that content available for fans for mash-ups.

Maybe I am biased, because I love the band, but I really believe REM is a leader in where the music industry is headed. Amazing, considering the band is 28 years-old. Great job guys!

Comments

I made the big-time again

April 17, 2008 at 5:03 pm · Filed under Life

Have you ever experienced sad-Mac syndrome? Or perhaps the spinning wheel of death? Greg Gazin of G4TechTV Canada waxes on the frustration of old computers in his latest Blog posting of Apple Gazin’, Old Mac – Time to say Goodbye? When is it time to buy a new one? Will your investment pay off? Greg thinks so – so do I, as quoted in his April 17th entry.

Comments

Wilco’s five night stand

February 17, 2008 at 1:42 pm · Filed under Music

One of the best band’s of this generation, Wilco, is performing every song from their eight studio albums (six of their own and two with Billy Bragg) over a five night stand in Chicago.

After the first two shows, many fans feel that history is being made as no band has attempted to do this that they could uncover.

As the excitement for the opening show on Friday built, I was looking for some reviews and found this post in one of the Wilco fan forums:

“What kind of world do we live in where we can get live updates from a concert that is still going on?” KevinG

Could you even imagine thinking this was possible a few years ago? And now when fans can’t find a live set list they feel a need to comment on it. Proof that the mobile web has arrived.

Comments

SaskInteractive continues Feb 27-29

February 16, 2008 at 2:35 pm · Filed under Interactive Media

The Third Annual SaskInteractive Summit takes place in Saskatoon on Februray 28th and 29th. It is preceded by the best Interactive Media Mixer on Wednesday night, Feb 27th.

The 1½-day SaskInteractive event will provide insights into the revolution in the way we live, learn, communicate and transact business as media applications, technologies and cultures converge.

Everyone will be affected…this Summit will provide examples of how. Presentations will focus on applications and issues related to: Business, Communication, Education, eGame development, Government, Health, Industry, Interactive Media production, Marketing

International interactive media leaders, thinkers and practitioners will share their vision, passion and experience. You will hear about the application and impact of current trends including virtual worlds, social media, eGaming, mobile applications/platforms, entertainment game development, among others. Choose from over twenty-five 50 minute presentations across three concurrent tracks.

You may register for the full event or for portions that interest you. Group and student discounts are available. Details are posted on the web site.

SaskInteractive invites you to visit thier website for details of the event. They also hope you’ll use the on-line form to register. Pre-registering helps them with catering plans.

Kick off the “Convergence — Taking the Leap" Summit in style on Wednesday night February 27 at SaskInteractive’s Reception. Play video games from 1976’s Pong to 2006’s Wii. Enjoy delectable food and sip sensational drinks while chatting with speakers and networking with new media leaders from across North America. DJ Albert will be in the House while K2 will be sharing his video game collection. Cash bar.

Comments

SaskInteractive continues Feb 27-29

February 16, 2008 at 1:40 pm · Filed under Interactive Media

The Third Annual SaskInteractive Summit takes place in Saskatoon on Februray 28th and 29th. It is preceded by the best Interactive Media Mixer on Wednesday night, Feb 27th.

The 1½-day SaskInteractive event will provide insights into the revolution in the way we live, learn, communicate and transact business as media applications, technologies and cultures converge.

Everyone will be affected…this Summit will provide examples of how. Presentations will focus on applications and issues related to: Business, Communication, Education, eGame development, Government, Health, Industry, Interactive Media production, Marketing

International interactive media leaders, thinkers and practitioners will share their vision, passion and experience. You will hear about the application and impact of current trends including virtual worlds, social media, eGaming, mobile applications/platforms, entertainment game development, among others. Choose from over twenty-five 50 minute presentations across three concurrent tracks.

You may register for the full event or for portions that interest you. Group and student discounts are available. Details are posted on the web site.

SaskInteractive invites you to visit thier website for details of the event. They also hope you’ll use the on-line form to register. Pre-registering helps them with catering plans.

Kick off the “Convergence — Taking the Leap” Summit in style on Wednesday night February 27 at SaskInteractive’s Reception. Play video games from 1976’s Pong to 2006’s Wii. Enjoy delectable food and sip sensational drinks while chatting with speakers and networking with new media leaders from across North America. DJ Albert will be in the House while K2 will be sharing his video game collection. Cash bar.

Comments

Corky’s saddest day

December 11, 2007 at 12:25 pm · Filed under Life

Dr. Paul Spong sent this to me today and I thought I should share it…

Incredibly, this December 11th marks the 38th anniversary of Corky’s capture in 1969.  We say “incredibly” for several reasons.  One is that Corky, who has held the record for captive orca longevity for decades, is still alive despite her circumstances.  Surrounded by concrete walls, shut off from every natural ocean sound, circling her tank around and around and around, totally deprived of her kin - all grounds for giving up – Corky has endured.  From our distance we can only admire and applaud her resilience, and yes, character.

Sadly, we reflect on how thing might have been, if only….

Corky, should be a healthy orca mother, secure within her pod and with offspring to carry on her traditions. Her days should be filled with all the routines and adventures of an orca in her natural, ocean home. Tragically, her reality is far different.

Recently, while preparing a short presentation about orcas, we were struck by the stark differences between Corky’s and Springer’s lives. In 1969, outright greed and opportunism sealed Corky’s fate as a captive.  By 2002, times and attitudes had changed. Instead of the life of a captive with its endless boredom, the lost orphaned baby orca, Springer, became the beneficiary of an elaborate plan that concluded with her translocation and reintroduction to her family. Now, every year, we anticipate Springer’s return, and welcome her back to her “home” waters.

As we reflect on Corky’s fate, we are acutely aware that in Japan, plans are being made to capture more orcas.  Last month, a symposium aimed at producing a “scientific” justification for more captures was held at Kaiyo University. A report on the symposium (in Japanese, English & Spanish) has been posted at http://www.sha-chi.jp.  Needless to say, we oppose any futher captures, anywhere.  There is no need to repeat the tragic tale that is Corky’s story.

Just what might it take to bring Corky home?  So far “we” have tried appeals, demonstrations, messages, protests, art and songs.  Alas, for Corky we have come up short. We take heart that the untiring efforts of so many have helped change the careless and destructive attitudes of years ago, sowing the seeds of the sentiments which gave Keiko his freedom and brought Springer back to her family. Although, we will not give up trying to bring her home, we know that Corky has both inspired and earned this enduring legacy already.

Please, today: Light a candle for Corky, and believe.

Comments

BarCamp Saskatoon

August 16, 2007 at 7:56 am · Filed under Interactive Media

BarCamp returns to Saskatoon for its second year as BarCampSaskatoon2007 on Saturday, September 29 at The Cellar (in the basement of the Senator Hotel (243 21st Street East).

BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants. BarCampSaskatoon2007 is open to all who love technology, as a place to talk and to learn.

“Saskatoon is one of about 300 cities in the world to host BarCamps,” said co-organizer Ginger Koolick. “Our city is known world-wide for excellence in interactive technologies such as Facebook applications, mobile phone websites, e-learning and video game development.”

“BarCampSaskatoon2007 will bring together some of the brightest minds to listen, share and learn with others, making our technology industry even stronger.”

“BarCamp does not have a program made in advance,” add co-organizer Ryan Lejbak. “Instead, the first item in the morning is to have all of the participants pick the presentations. That way, the sessions are geared to exactly what the participants want to hear. Sessions could range from mobile development, to marketing a product on the web to ActionScript tips, to instructional design theories… whatever the participants choose.”

Last fall, about 60 people attended the first BarCamp in Saskatoon. This year, over 100 people are expected. The event is free, but in order to attend, you must be willing to present, participate in discussions or volunteer.

“The amazing thing about BarCamp is that everyone is there to help and learn,” said Lejbak. “If you are not willing to participate in some way, you will not be able to attend.  Whether you have 20 years or 20 days of experience, your ideas, questions and thoughts are welcome. Everyone is invited to attend.”

BarCampSaskatoon2007 will once again feature live blogging, photosharing and videosharing. Some of the sessions will be streamed live to other BarCamps, occurring at the same time.

For more information and to register, visit the BarCampSaskatoon web site at www.barcampsaskatoon.org or the wiki at barcamp.org/BarCampSaskatoon2007.

Comments

aideRSS launches

August 10, 2007 at 8:29 am · Filed under Interactive Media

I subscribe to about 40 RSS feeds using a desktop application on my Mac called PulpFiction. I don’t think that they make it anymore, and it is becoming less stable. Last week I asked around the office to see what other people use for RSS readers and I got about 20 different answers, with pros and cons for all of them. So, I did a bit or research and dug up this Waterloo, Ontario nugget: aideRSS.

aideRSS descries their service as an intelligent assistant that saves time and keeps you on top of the latest news. They claim to research every story and filter out the noise, allowing you to focus on what matters most.

aideRSS uses a technology that they pioneered called PostRank that looks at each post in each of your feeds and ranks them. Depending on your level of interest in a specific blog or a topic, aideRSS allows you to intelligently pick and filter the incoming news stream. The top ranked posts make it to the top of their web-based reader. While I question how their software will know what I think is more important, PostRank seemed to get it right. Genius.

aideRSS saves me a lot of time sifting through my feeds and I am grateful for that. I would still prefer a desktop reader, but, for now, I am moving all of my feeds to aideRSS.

Comments

Brown Stepping Down

July 27, 2007 at 8:28 am · Filed under Interactive Media

New Media BC announced last week that its President, Lynda Brown, has decided to step down.

Lynda Brown, photo by Kris Krug.

I have known Lynda for about four years. She has put tons of energy into New Media BC, making it a much stronger organization. In addition, she helped start the Canadian Interactive Alliance (CI@IC) and has been the President for the past year.

Lynda has been at the forefront of establishing Canada as a world leader in digital media. In the past year, she has been instrumental in securing $40.5m of BC provincial government support for Canada’s first digital media graduate program and establishing the strategic plan for a digital media world centre in Vancouver. She has worked extensively to solidify federal support and will continue to champion the world centre project through an upcoming national funding competition.

Lynda won a CNMA in 2005 for the Industry Advocate of the Year, which proves how much that she has done to advance the interactive industry in Canada.

Lynda told me that she is excited about the possibility of moving back into the private sector. I want to wish the best of luck to Lynda and I hope that our paths continue to cross in the future.

Comments

Canadian Facebook developers

June 6, 2007 at 10:55 am · Filed under Interactive Media

It has been about two weeks since Facebook opened up their application to third party developers. In this short span, there have been hundreds of Facebook apps developed. zu.com communications, located in Saskatoon (and the place that I work), is one of the first Canadian firms to launch a Facebook application and there are more coming.

zuPort: Flickr is an application that displays your Flickr photos in Facebook and the Facebook mini-feed. For people like me that have been using Flickr forever, this is a huge timesaver as I only need to upload photos to Flickr and have them automatically ported over to Facebook.

There are a few Facebook/Flickr competitors, but zuPort: Flickr has the most features and is the most tightly integrated with Facebook.

zuPort, the social network development team at zu.com, has a number of new applications in development. For example, zuPort: YouTube (launching in the next 24 hours) will allow you to put all of your YouTube videos in Facebook as seamlessly as zuPort: Flickr does with photos.

Its been a lot of fun developing these applications because we get great suggestions from users. That’s what web 2.0 is all about and that’s why the zuPort apps are the best.

Comments (2)