Question 1 Task

Preliminary AS  product- college newsletter. 

Media Theories

A2 Media Theories

Online Streaming: Spotify

The biggest shift in recent months has been the rise of online streaming subscriptions.

You will need to research the streaming music industry-

The Web's Affect On Distribution

How does the evolving web affect media distribution?

Socialnomics

Socialnomics was a theory created by Erik Qualman. It is associated with word of mouth marketing, due to the social media. He argued that companies who take time to develop a strong social media presence have the best chance of surviving in the 21st centuary marketplace. Likes, comments and check in's have been proven to make a difference to a company.

In a Ameican survey in 2012, 47% said that Facebook has the greatest impact on their purchase behaviour. However only 30% in 2011 agreed. This proves that the media has huge influences on campanies ect.

The Internet's Influence On The Music Industry

The internet had a huge influence on the growth of the music industry.

Historical Research

The role of Napster in 2001:

What was Napster? What was special about the program?
Napster was a online download service which allowed users to share files through the internet in a MP3 format. It was special as it allowed free downloading of almost any song, including demos.
What was the response from consumers?
As of early April 2000, there were over 5 million registered Napster users. The public loved the idea of peer-to-peer sharing through the internet , for free, as they were able to place the songs on their CD's.
What was the response from the artists?
Music artists were furious, as their congs were being leaked and downloaded for free. This meant they lost out on a lot of money. Some artists, such as Metallica, demanded that any one who attempting to download one of their albums/singles/songs were banned from using the website.
    However Napster also worked to promote bands and albums. Radiohead had never had a hit in the top 20 in the US, so their album Kid A was demo'd without any singles and very little radio play. By time it was released it had been downloaded by millions of people already, so became number one on the Billboard 200 in its debut week.
What happened to Napster?
In July 2001, Napster shut down its entire network in order to comply with a injunction. On September 24, 2001, the case was partially settled. Napster agreed to pay music creators and copyright owners a $26 million settlement for past, unauthorized uses of music, as well as an advance against future licensing royalties of $10 million. In order to pay those fees, Napster attempted to convert their free service to a subscription system. Thus traffic to Napster was reduced.

The role of iTunes:
When did iTunes get introduced?
The iTunes Store was first launched on April 28, 2003. At first, only Mac users were able to use it, and PC users had to wait until October 2003 for the release of the Windows version of iTunes. 
What services does it offer?
Apple provides a virtual store where people can buy and download digital music on-demand, they can then transfer the music to any Apple devices.
How has it changed the music industry?
Today, the iTunes Store is the largest seller of digital music in the U.S. This means that artists are now selling their songs, instead of them being illegally downloaded as much as they had in the past.
How has the platform changed between its inception and present day?

The Music Industry & Online Piracy: Napster

1. Read the article Record industry sees slight growth for first time since Napster - summarise and then give your own commentary: What do you think this means for the industry?

        I believe the record industry was never in as much trouble as they claimed. Downloading albums and singles individually uses quite a lot of time and effort, and as a result is a timeconsuming act. Many people would rather use sites, such as YouTube and VEVO, and streaming apps, such as Spotify, which charges a small fee per month for unlimited music. This results in the record label and artists receiving money and making a profit. Also the long tail theory identifies how less popular albums are able to be sold, not just popular, which also results in sales through CDs. Personally, I believe the  record industry is as alive as ever.

2. Read The anti-piracy Copyright Alert System: Is the Napster era finally dead? – summarise and give your own commentary: Do you think this will work? 
        I don't believe this will work and will just result in sites such as Napster closing down. Also, there are other ways to share files.

TV And Film Industry Essay

To what extent has the internet changed the TV and film industry?

The use of the internet has had huge, negative effects on the film and television
industry; as well as some positives.

How The Internet Has Affected The Television Industry

Crowdsourcing

What is Jeff Howe's Definition of Crowd Sourcing?
Jeff Howe posted the first definition of "crowdsourcing" in a blog post to his June 2006 'Wired' magazine article: "Simply defined, crowdsourcing represents the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined (and generally large) network of people in the form of an open call. This can take the form of peer-production (when the job is performed collaboratively), but is also often undertaken by sole individuals. The crucial prerequisite is the use of the open call format and the large network of potential laborers."

What does the video believe is the key to successful crowd-sourcing?
The video suggested that the key to successful crowd-sourcing are the communities, as these communities are the 'building-blocks' of crowd-sourcing; helping to manage and create more content.

Why do "crowds" form on the internet? Are you part of an online crowd- if so which?
Popular topics create crowds on the internet, such as fanbases. It allows fans to talk to other fans from across the world.

What are the crucial terms in Jeff Howes idea of crowd-sourcing? why is this crucial?
The crucial terms are open-call and undefined. They mean that the most qualified may not be the best or most suitable.

Name two reasons why this type of crowd-sourcing is now possible?
The internet and socialnetworking sites.

What do you think is the motivation behind it?

For people who share interests to express their views, and to use the long tail theory in businesses through miniture donations. 

How effective do you believe it to be?
Crowdsourcing has many chances to be effective, for example; Tim Schafer is legendary in gaming circles for titles including Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, but he had still found it hard work to secure funds through traditional means. So the idea of going direct to his fans had obvious appeal. Within 24 hours of seeking pledges over the internet it had bagged more than $1m (£630,000), overshooting its initial target of $400,000. By the campaign's end it had reeled in a total of $3.4m from more than 87,000 supporters for its point-and-click adventure game.

Name advantages and disadvantages of a crowd sourcing?
It is a great marketing tool, helps create communitites and benefits the public.However, you are also unable to know whether the information you are receiving is true.

Does Web 2.0 Exist?

Web founder Tim Berners-Lee has just weighed in on the Web 2.0 question in a podcast interview for IBM, and he's not big on the term. In fact, Sir Tim has some really big doubts that Web 2.0 is different from Web 1.0 at all. the biggest problems for Web 2.0 are excessive hype and the lack of a real definition.Most analysts define Web 2.0 in terms of the tools that foster online participation in content creation and social interaction. This tends only to produce lists of new software applications or claims of ‘we are the web’, ‘web 2.0 is people’ etc etc. the average user to organize online information in such a way that is useful, meaningful and personally relevant. They help people navigate the virtual world and find what they are looking for. 

Internets Effects On The Film Industry

Positives and negatives of internet on the film industry

Positives

• It makes it easier for film companies to promote their films (websites, YouTube, pop-up’s, etc.)
• Films made available to download on iTunes/Netflix, etc.
• Free downloads for audiences.
• Audiences can view films from the comfort of their own home.
• Opens films to a wider audience.
• The audience is in control of the film, not the producers.
• Easier to get independent films promoted.

Negatives

• Free but illegal downloads are harming the jobs of those in the film industry.
• The cinema industry is in decline and struggling with ticket sales.
• Criminals benefit from Internet piracy.
• Illegal downloading forces cinema chains to increase ticket prices.

Development Of The Internet

Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN, invented the World Wide Web in 1989. The Web was originally conceived and developed to meet the demand for automatic information sharing between scientists working in different universities and institutes all over the world. The first website ever created was on the 6th of August 1991, and was http://info.cern.ch.

In 1994 Wired.com, then known as HotWired, invents the web banner ad. In Feburary 2005 YouTube was launched. Google was registered in 1998 and  Amazon.com was founded in 1994. The term Web 2.0 was coined in 1999, however it did not resurface until 2002. Broadband became widely available in the year 2000.

David Gauntlett on Web 2.0

David Gauntlett is a Professor of Media and Communications, at the University of Westminster. He focused on the way digital media is changing in general. In 2007, he published a online media article Media Studies 2.0; this is a term reflecting the changing focus of Media Studies due to web 1.0 changing to web 2.0. Web 2.0 is defined as 'harnessing collective intelligence'. He says that Web 2.0 allows faster, more collaborative creavitity, and creativity is linked with desire to be connected.

Wikinomics

Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams published ‘Wikinomics’ in 2006. It is the ‘big idea’ about business and commerce in the online age. There are arguments about distribution, consumption and exchange (such as buying and selling) and human behaviour. Web 2.0 has brought cultural studies and economics together.

5 stages of wikinomics:

• Peering is the free sharing of material on the internet.  This cuts distribution costs for businesses, which is one bonus. However this is bad for people who create creative material who want to protect it as intellectual property (IP).
• There are positive outcomes due to wikinomics, such as free creativity (for example people creating remixes or YouTube videos). Creative Commons provide licences to protect IP, but also allowing others to remix material within limits.
• Wikinomics means journalism is produced by the public, such as on blogs and social networking sites.
•  There is a lot of global communication due to Web 2.0, making cultural and national boundries inevitably reduced.
• Technology, demographics (those bought up around the digital world) and economics (businesses online) are there for an internation market. Media compnay's would be lacking if it wasn't for Web 2.0.

Critics believe that things are not changing as quickly as Tapscott and Williams believed.  Many young people feel alienated by Web 2.0. Wikinomics ignores inequality, as a lot of the world isn’t able to access broadband, so think globally is a luxury to those who are richer. 

Ross/Brand Hoax Phone Call

Russell Brand was forced to resign while Jonathan Ross was suspended after calling Andrew Sachs on a radio show; which lead to them harrassing and humiliating him in regards to his grandaughter. 

What in your opinion, was the problem with this broadcast?
I believe that the main problem was the fact a eldery, and highly regarded actor, was attacked and humiliated publicly. Sachs probably felt targeted as he was the only person they rang. Also, because it was previously recorded and the BBC chose to air the radio show adds to the problem.

Why was this particular case of blatant disregard of OFCOM regulations highlighted?
As a consequence, BBC was fined £150,000 by Ofcom following the prank phone calls. Their actions 'exposed an unforgivably cavalier attitude to editorial standards in some parts of the BBC'.

What was hoped would be gained?
Ross and Brand thought they were being humourous, in a bid to entertain their audience and gain some comical popularity through impressing their listeners. 

Was it right to punish Brand/Ross? Why?
It was right to punish Brand and Ross, as they are responsible for their actions. However, the BBC had the chance to remove it off air, as it was previously recorded. Ross reveals that they believe that this is not offence during the radio show, so therefore they believe what they were doing was funny and unoffensive.

What do you think should have happened to Brand/Ross?
A public apology to Sachs and his grandaughter, as well as pay a fine personally.


Does this case highlight the need to regulate the media?
Yes as many people can be offended and feel targeted as victims due to the media.

HMV and Blockbuster

After the increase of downloads- including films, music and television shows, as well as the use of websites such as 4od, and other retailers- HMV and Blockbuster have both announced that they have gone into administration.

Advertising Standards Authority

The Advertising Standards Authority's purpose is to check advertisements, to ensure that they are not misleading, or offensive towards the audience. They recieve complaints about adverts seen or heard, and have the right to take action against those who own the adverts.

Press Complaints Commission

The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body set up to deal with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites) and the conduct of journalists who work for print media.

Office of Communications

Office of Communications (also known as Ofcom) ensures that the UK consumers receive the best from their communication services, as well as protecting the public from harmful or offensive images and material within the internet.

Their legal duties include ensuring that: the UK has high speed services (such as broadband), there are high-quality television and radio programmes for a wide range of tastes and interests, we’re protected from harmful material, peoples privacy isn’t invaded, the postal service is working six days a week universally across the country.

However, this does not include: premium rate services (such as mobile phone text messages), TV licence fee, post offices, advertising and information in newspapers or magazines.

The Long Tail Theory

The phrase 'The Long Tail' was first created in 2006 by Chris Anderson, to describe certain businesses and economic models such as Amazon.com or Netflix. He described the effects of The Long Tail on current and future businesses. 
       Anderson stated that products which are low in demand can make up a market share that rivals or exceeds the few bestsellers or blockbusters, if the store is large enough. 'The Long Tail' is a potential market as he long tail market is enabled by the distribution and sales the internet creates. 
       'The Long Tail' theory has the potential to threaten a lot of established businesses, which is clear through the administration of HMV and Blockbuster. These businesses can only offer the most popular products in store, due to the cost of storage, therefore this results in a smaller target audience. That can in turn, reduce the demand for the most popular products.

Obama's Digital Fundraising

President Obama successfully gained millions of fans throughout his campaign time through the social network website Twitter. This allowed him to recieve donations from millions of people, worldwide, from his followers as well as others. Although his rival recieved larger donations from more affluent supporters, he earned more overall. Obama used micro-donations, allowing his supporters to donate small amounts individually (an example of Chris Anderson's Long Tail theory).

Twitter

Positives

• Good form of distribution as it’s easier to spread ideas, information and content. You’re able to link websites to distribute more. This is easier to distribute to a wide audience. As well as being a fantastic form of marketing, as you can alert to your community of followers, making the news/website/business go viral.
• Twitter is the first draft of news, as many rumours start there first.
• It’s an easy way to search for topics you’re interested in. A personalised newsfeed allows you to follow the most interesting people with the most interesting information. It’s a great aid to find information.
• Users are able to agree or disagree with what everyone is saying. You receive an instant reaction and are able to share and discuss. It allows anyone in, generating user content, letting us have our say.
• There is a lot more humour, and it much more personal. Twitter allows use to engage and be entertained.
• A recognised name attracts a lot of followers, to increase their popularity and publicity. As well as linking celebrities with fans. For example, Sir Alan Sugar received a lot of positive feelings due to his kindness during the Great Ormond Street robbery. http://www.thenationalstudent.com/News/2012-12-19/Ormond_Street_Theft__Apprentice_Boss_says_send_me_the_bill.html
• There is a lot of attention on topics which were barely covered by the news. You can search a particular keyword, which will display many views and a lot of information about the topic.
• Communities form themselves around particular issues, people, events and much more. This is good for celebrities and topics such as Joseph Kony.

Negatives

• A lot of bullying on the internet can have harsh consequences. Victims can be targeted by a celebrity’s community of fans and followers, after they hurl abuse at the certain celebrity.  There is also a lot of abuse between celebrities, such as Chris Brown deleting his Twitter after a feud with comedian Jenny Johnson relating to his attack on Rihanna. http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/11/26/chris-brown-twitter-rihanna/
• Twitter challenges the media, leaving newspapers rendered useless. They are in competition as the internet works faster than newspapers, as well as it being free of charge, whereas newspapers are attempting to charge for their content.

What is a meme?

An internet meme is a word, phrase or image which spreads person to person via the internet. They grow rapidly because of the instant communication, which is a lot faster than word of mouth. They're spread via search engines, social networking sites and internety forums; as well as usually involving a condesending tone. Without search engines, memes would be heard to find even by those interested in the subject, as it makes it a lot easier to be located.

Web 2.0

What is it?
Web 2.0 is a second generation of the World Wide Web. The web hasnt changed, although the way it's used is. It now allows users to interact and collaborate with eachother and online to those around the world (this is called user generator content). This is used mainly for marketing; as well as allowing the public to blog, post videos on YouTube, speak to friends across the world using Skype, Tweet and create pages of information on Wikipedia.


Pros:

• Information is easily located from numerous places, and is personalised to meet the user’s needs.
• Better decisions are made due to the information being located from multiple sources.
• People are able to express their ideas easily, without the oversight of governments or corporations. They are unrestricted
• Web 2.0 allows the mass population to communicate with each other easily around the world at a very low cost, such as on Skype, Twitter and Facebook.

Cons:

• People become very dependent on the internet for communication and information.
• Many web services are free, which means they won’t be secure and can easily be hacked.
• Many things are no longer kept in hard copy form. This is worrying as your hard drive is sometimes unreliable, which means you could lose many years of work in one moment.
• Some users share copyrighted information. Videos, music and movies are main victims of privacy, leading to a loss of profit for those who deserve it.

A digital native- someone who has grown up around technology.

A digital immigrant- someone born before technology and has adopted it to some extent in their later life.