It was the most popular story on the Metro’s site, submissions went up 4600% and we had around 1200 page views since this morning. Thank you, media!
So, Erica, why did you start a Winnipeg photoblog?
I was inspired to start the blog by Instagram’s “popular” page. Because Instagram has a global user base, you get these fascinating little glimpses into daily life around the world.
I thought it would be worthwhile for us to share Winnipeg with each other like that. If you have stereotypes about different neighbourhoods, maybe they’ll be demystified a little by a guided tour from the people who love them.
The more we get to know each other’s spaces, and by extension know each other, the easier it is to think of yourself as part of a collective and to care what happens here.
Ok, it’s not not Tesco’s QR-code delivered virtual store, but it appears the Superstores in the, um, fancier part of town have digital displays instead of paper price tags!
Are these puppies RFID-enabled? Imagining checking yourself out before you hit the checkout by tapping your phone on each tag as you go!
“The checkout” would disappear, because you’d have a running total (scanning coupons along the way) and do a 1-click ‘debit’ from your bank or Visa when you’re ready to split.
But my star-studded life aside, what I want to tell you is the trick I discovered for better brand journalism where speed isn’t the be all.
Just-slightly-after-live-livetweeting
What I was showing the Premier was the video I’d shot of him at the press conference. It was a short event—he spoke for 1:59ish, according to my iPhone—so the usual live journalism tactics of posting live photos, quotes, etc would take too long (think uploads & phone-typing). I’d miss the soundbites.
Instead, I got in the way of the press pool & shot a low-fi vid of the speeches, ran back to my desk, slapped on my headphones & transcribed the key comments on Twitter.
Accompanied by a few establishing photos & liberal retweeting of the mainstream media (MSM) coverage after, I was able to convey all the key messages, the calls to action & the personality of the speakers, and give fans a few soundbites of my own for retweeting.
[I'm usually torn whether to shoot video or photos if I don't have ancillary shooter staff. In this case there were videojournalists shooting, no professional photogs, not much action visually, and little chance of being scooped by the MSM.]
Overall, this method achieves better, more thorough brand journalism if your event isn’t being livestreamed & gives the reporter time for accuracy with details like the spelling of names. Having all that video to draw on is awesome. Try it.
Twitter introduces us to people who can change our lives and shows us the connections between them, but proper introductions are hard to make in 140 characters.
So here’s a Winnipeg circle I’d like to introduce, if they haven’t met:
Ryan McMahon, comedian, podcaster, one of the first ever Aboriginal graduates of the Second City Conservatory, and passionate First Nations activist, who (while, I assure you, very not dumb) thinks he needs a little guidance bringing together Winnipeg Aboriginal thinkers.
Many ppl responded & emailed abt the "Indigenous TED" styled conference. I'm WAY TOO DUMB to lead this. All agree - it'd be groundbreaking.
Want a free download to review? Hit me up! As my IRL and totally pregnant friend says:
It really is amazing. It’s exactly what I was looking for and I didn’t even know it!
So there! And Tactica’s been doing so much kid-oriented interactive work recently, we’ve launched a Twitter stream devoted to kids & technology. We’ve got a few preschooler iPad apps in development, so follow if you’re a fellow techno parent
It was the most popular story on the Metro’s site, submissions went up 4600% and we had around 1200 page views since this morning. Thank you, media!
