A Vision of Students Today – A must see video for anyone targeting students in their campaigns

This is a great snapshot of the modern undergraduate classroom in college/university. Even though the video tries to blame technology to a certain degree, I think it’s ironic how its “technology” that to a large extent, has facilitated the distribution of this video via the web in order to better promote the core underlying message, which I understand as: Society has CHANGED, it’s time for TRADITIONAL beliefs and systems to adapt to this new DIGITAL society.

Implications for marketers in the public sector:

• Students are not reading your textbook pamphlets and brochures
• Students don’t have time to watch TV during regular hours
• Most “leisure time” at home is spent on the web
• If you think students are in the library, think again.
• Mobile is THE NEXT BIG THING in terms of getting your message across
• Online Social Networks are HUGE (just don’t abuse them using traditional push-advertising)
• Students are smarter than you think, don’t tell them what to do, join into their conversation instead.

What are your thoughts?

Excellent visual explanation of wikis!

Once again, YouTube member leelefever has created another wonderful illustrated explanation of a popular Web 2.0 concept/word: The Wiki.

Quick Case Study : U.S. Secretary Mike Leavitt’s Blog

Whenever I am asked to give an example of a successful senior government executive blog, I tell people about Mike Leavitt, who is currently Secretary of Health and Human Services in the U.S. Federal Government. What makes it so different from other government blogs? Sec. Leavitt’s Blog is real. He takes the time to post at least once a week, albeit usually it’s from planes and hotel rooms. Sometimes he misses a post, sometimes he doesn’t answer comments, but you you know what, rather than just ignoring the issue, he’s honest about it and writes about how busy he is. Even though we all inherently know this already, him being open and honest about it adds a GREAT DEAL to the “real conversation” factor. His readers feel a true conversational relationship. He’s even written a post evaluating his blog by summarizing feedback he has received over the last few months and what he’s going to do to improve. Thanks to his willingness to experiment with social media, he has opened a door for regular citizens to talk with him one on one. Compare this with trying to arrange a personal meeting with someone of his stature in the “physical” world…

Why should he even bother you may ask? Is it not just more work? Well, my answer to you is that if you have that kind of stance and you work for the government (where service/program delivery based on citizen needs should be your prime concern), you are in the wrong job. That’s my two cents for the day…