Heard the news today that FaceBook CEO Mark Zuckerburg has been named in a case brought by a rival social networking company ConnectU. Not sure whether this one will run or not (FaceBook 31 million registered users, ConnectU 70k anyone), but it made me think about the tremendous value (potential or otherwise) of social media and networks, precipitating cases like this.
This will run and run. I'm sure the BBC and other traditional outlets will sustain the viral effect on it too....
UPDATE at 14 August 2007
YouTube have taken the video down after complaints from users. The BBC featured the video on PM on the 13 August 2007. I guess that the principal of the school whose pupils made the video may have been one of those complaining. After all does he want his school to be seen as a bastion of privilege or open to all on merit. Whatever happened to all publicity is good publicity?
Getting back from holiday is always so depressing isn't it? So I thought I'd cheer myself up by sharing this link.
Hats off to Neil Boorman who has established himself as a brand (new eco-warrior/conscience of the middle classes etc?) whilst carrying out a performance art/reality TV friendly stunt for the last 11 months. Neil burnt all of his branded possessions and has made do with homemade toothpaste during this time...
It was announced today that Facebook now accounts for 1% of ALL daily web traffic...Think about that for a minute. 41 million active users and growing...How many of your target audience are using this? How many of these do you reach?
If you can't answer these questions now you need to think seriously about how you're going to utilise this new network immediately.
After the Radiohead episode, it looks like more bands are looking for newer and more innovative ways of reaching their fans (and getting new ones of course) and persuading them to purchase their product.
The latest idea seems to be a try before you buy version whereby fans can trial new music before buying. This hits two birds with one stone sometimes as with REM letting fans hear their new album via the iLike function on FaceBook recently. REM wanted fans to let them know whether their return to earlier influences was a good or a bad move, and also obviously gave them a huge PR opportunity...
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