Video Interview - Future of Journalism with Corey Vilhauer

Corey Vilhauer is a User Experience Strategist for Blend Interactive, a company that specializes in custom design and development for web and mobile, including social marketing. Blend Interactive, in my opinion, seems like the perfect company to ask about the future of journalism with the advances in technology in society. The interview covers the movement of media going to the "portable device" like the iPad and smart phones, social networks like Facebook and twitter, and the overall future of journalism and advertising in this new "portable device" era. Lastly, we cover if print media, like newspapers, will survive the future change of journalism and advertising. There is also some witty banter included in the interview.

The following video interview is done with the help of Skype.

Music thanks to www.freeplaymusic.com

Social Media in South Dakota

With social media growing at a steady rate in South Dakota. I had the chance to talk with co-founder of 9 Clouds, Scott Meyer.

9 Clouds is a company based in the Brookings and Sioux Falls area, that helps you choose and use the most effective online tools to grow your business. The ones that fit your goals and show measurable results, 9 Clouds help businesses through three service offerings: Training, Strategy and Digital Campaigns.

I asked a number of questions all regarding too social media in the state of South Dakota. Scott stated, “Facebook is the number 1 growing social media outlet in South Dakota, with over 52% of the state is using Facebook, while twitter is only around .35%.”

This also gives companies in the state a huge boost in media compared to other states. “South Dakota Companies get a good bump in media because there is not much competition regarding anything social media in the state. Keloland, The Agrus Leader, and other media outlets get excited to talk about it so it only benefits the company that much more.” Scott said.

So if you live in the South Dakota area, look for social media to start growing more and more. Companies are embracing the change for the good, the iPhone is on the two largest cell networks, and the media loves talking about it. Use and embrace social media and make the most out of it.

Protecting Connections

By: Kaitlyn Hemmingson

The “bunker” is what employees call it, a fitting name for the new high security building complete with 16-inch thick concrete walls and 24-hour video surveillance. What resembles a maximum-security penitentiary is in fact nothing of the sort, although its importance compares. It is the new building, designed specifically to house and protect all broadband services for the entire state of South Dakota and some surrounding areas. In an interview with Vernon Brown, marketing and relations manager for SDN communications, he expressed the importance of the new building for the communication in South Dakota, “I don’t think people fully understand the process or the importance of what we do here at SDN Communications. Any activity from an emergency 911 phone call to logging onto your Facebook account is supported by the SDN broadband network.”

SDN, the leading provider of broadband for the state, has been awarded a $20 million stimulus grant from the state of South Dakota for its new building. The “bunker” will serve to protect the exceedingly important connections of hospitals, banks, schools, government and private individuals statewide. Internet connection is something people rely upon and take for granted daily, and in South Dakota we can thank SDN Communications for keeping our network up and running every day. Communication is an essential part of our daily lives as advertisers and without such extensive protection our jobs would be rather difficult.

The new building will be located in northwest of Sioux Falls and is scheduled to open in the fall of this year. Extensive research went into planning the location of the building, which was determined by examining weather patterns that would be most suitable for keeping information safe. The staff at SDN is very excited to open the new building Vernon noted, “we feel like it is our obligation to protect the information that we provide.”

Why? Why? WHY?

Annette Adams, Account Executive at Midcontinent Media, Inc., has been with for 21 years. During her first 17 years with the company she sold radio ads. In 2006 she switched to Midcontinent Cable Television ad sales.

Annette educates businesses and media buyers about cable television advertising, but her main focus is to help clients find their target audience. “Before you can effectively help a client, you need to effectively listen and be a ‘source’ for that business.” She said that her job is also all about helping her clients solve problems by suggesting and helping them with their advertising choices.

“Never underestimate the power of asking ‘why’.” Businesses can often answer why consumers go to the competition but then have a hard time coming up with reasons that consumers to to them. Annette helps her customers find those reasons. “They may think it’s all about a certain product or price only, when in fact it’s because the customer likes their product, but loves the way their employees interact, guide and help them.”

In the advertising industry, we need to guide our customers to be objective so that they do not overlook why consumers go to them in the first place and what they need to do as a business to keep consumers coming back for more.

South Dakota Driving Under the Influence Multi-Media Campaign

Stop drunk driving with... text messaging? That’s exactly what the South Dakota Department of Public Safety is doing. In a new multi-media campaign launched in March, residents of the state can now use their mobile devices to receive text messages on Sobriety Checkpoints in their county and taxi phone numbers. The DPS hopes to reduce driving while intoxicated and fatalities.

Text messaging ties together Lawrence and Schiller’s media campaign elements with a call to action. Other elements of the media mix include TV, radio, outdoor advertising and messaging in South Dakota bars. Revolving around the idea of ‘Act Civilized,’ the campaign versus media mix takes a different approach to the usually serious marketing of intoxicated driving, comparing primitive species to those who drive intoxicated.

In 2007, 42.5% of all South Dakota traffic fatalities were alcohol related. According to Lawrence and Schiller, only two months into the media campaign, more than 2,000 residents had signed up for the text messages and South Dakota bars have provided positive feedback. I believe consumers view ‘Act Civilized’ as a valuable resource because text messaging is convenient for them and a part of their everyday lives.

Sign up to receive the text messages at www.actcivilized.com.