It’s no secret that communications has changed dramatically. This Web 2.0 era is creating new business models everyday as it leaves old ones tattered in its wake. This past semester, as adjunct professor of communications at Endicott College, I’ve enjoyed the benefits of tapping into the zeitgeist of Gen Y and their take on this new age.
Breaking it all down, explaining the theories of communication and the technology behind this new era of interaction is tremendously enlightening. For me, I mean. Hopefully, for the students, too.
The Class of CMM220 Moments before the Final
In my class we tackle the history of telecommunications from the first transmission medium right up to this week’s Netflix/Comcast imbroglio. We examine the precious RF spectrum, the scarcity theory, the 1934 origin of the FCC, the Long Tail, the “tipping point,” and net neutrality. We cover Afghanistan’s Rupert Murdoch, micropayments, China’s Facebook alternative, and exactly how crowdsourcing is addressing huge issues in sustainability.
Communications is very complex today. Yet there are simple reasons why 50% of social networking strategies fail. Lots of businesses are actively Twittering, with a finely tuned SEO campaign and a clever Facebook page. But strong marketing communications still begins with the fundamentals. You may have more ways to link with customers than ever before – but do you really connect with them?
Each class is like a little show. There’s the fundamental challenge of connecting to students raised on a diet of technology. I have clients in techology that we talk about. I’ve brought in friends who specialize in interactive advertising, neuromarketing and video. We’re examining how all the levers work. But, it’s still about pushing the right buttons.
