Ten Grand Social Media Events in 2011
This top ten list presents events that were grown in the Petri dish of social media in 2011. The result of social media has been destiny changing, including business interruptions, changes in music and even revolutions.
Crowdcentric’s Social Media Week was created to study and comprehend social media’s growing influence in our society. In the spirit of social media itself, the week’s events are both free and global.
1. Arab Spring and the uprisings in the Middle East
Not just for kids, social media is a serious global force to be reckoned with. Increasingly, it is both a snapshot of society and a platform for social action. Arab Spring consisted of protests, calls to action and government reprisals in the Middle East. The outcome is unknown, and democratizing the area seems like a long shot. However, social media is a major influencer on this movement.
2. Japanese earthquake and tsunami
Video feed and survivor tweets both reassured loved ones and stupefied the world. This type of real-time coverage was only possible because people onsite had mobile devices.
3. Wikileaks scandal
The debate over Julian Assange’s character and ethics continues to rage over state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and social media platforms.
4. Charlie Sheen’s meltdown/use of Twitter
Sheen obtained a million followers on Twitter in a flash, cementing America’s fascination with celebrity. The hashtag “#winning” earned a place in the history of social media.
5. Anthony Weiner Twitter scandal
Notable for its groundbreaking Twitter visibility, this political tempest proved that politicians will be impacted by social media beyond the foreseeable future.
6. Rebecca Black’s viral YouTube hit and subsequent backlash
Is a celebrity now defined by their YouTube hits? “Friday” uprooted standard industry notions that representation is required to get mega exposure in the entertainment media. Why the backlash? Fourteen-year-old girls gettin’ down and riding crazily in convertibles implies car sex-“partyin’, partyin’, fun, fun, fun, fun.”
7. Social media coverage of British royal wedding
The world expressed its pre-wedding jitters via Twitter, via one million Tweets. Just before Andrew tied the knot, his wedding dominated all social media platforms.
8. UK riots
British authorities actually held IM accountable for London’s three days of chaos. Smart phones were invaded by police, and a social media shutdown was contemplated.
9. Hurricane Irene
A huge wave of Tweet traffic followed Irene’s path up the East Coast.
10. Social Media IPOs
LindedIn and Pandora are now public companies, and rumors abound that Facebook, Groupon and Xanga may follow their lead.
Growth is unprecedented in the social media space. Tout as well as other video social networks have sprung up lately to help connect you to your friends.
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