Is Twitter on the Verge of Making Facebook the Next Friendster?

Over the past few years we’ve seen the world of social networking go through a number of iterations — Friendster, MySpace, Facebook. While each seems to improve upon the last, in some shape or another, the concept remains the same – an online place to connect with those who we know in some capacity from our daily lives.  Typically, one would sign-up create a profile and connect with friends, beyond that the interaction has depended I suppose on how much spare time you had and what was offered on the particular site.

MySpace did a good job of becoming a venue for musical acts and comedians to easily have an online presence and interact with their fanbase, or to establish one.  Then Facebook came along and offered users not only the ability to connect with entertainment based users, but to also form groups about them, or causes that they were interested in, as well as opening up its service as a platform for various applications, which enhanced the user experience and offered users a wide variety of reasons to keep returning.

In the midst of Facebook’s rise, which has evolved as a growing platform for its users, a small project called Twitter was developing and taking shape.  Formed by Evan Williams, the same entrepreneur who earlier brought Blogging to the masses with Blogger (now owned by Google) the service simply asked users “What are you doing?”  That question became the springboard of invention and in many ways and altered yet again the communications paradigm and the world of social networking.  Now, instead of filling out a lengthly profile users could share with anyone that cared to listen what they were doing in 140 characters. (The same length as that last sentence, a nod to Inc for the idea see link below.)

After a failed bid to buy Twitter, in Facebook’s recent re-design, which garnered a lot of attention the social networking site poses the question to its users, “What’s on your mind?” Visually speaking, as a part of the re-design this question has taken on a central role to the Facebook platform and user experience.  While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I think it begs the question has Facebook’s time now passed?  Has our communications landscape been shifted and dwindled to 140 characters?

It seems to be working as Twitter has become mainstream in a sense garnering media attention from The Today Show, to athletes, and celebrities of all types.  In the process, communications barriers have been broken down and the world has become a smaller place allowing anyone to join the conversation and interact and follow any other member.  Often it is said that simple is better – and maybe that is exactly what Twitter is counting on.

Now, I’m just left wondering if the next social network will have us communicating in acronyms only…Let me know your thoughts on the Twitter and Facebook debate on Twitter @jasoncohen.

On the web:
Evan Williams discussed Twitter in this March 2008 article from INC Magazine

Updated: Disney Will Have an Extreme Makeover

There are a number of articles, like this one, from the Mercury News that are making the rounds these days about how through a series of actions Steve Jobs could rise to power to run Disney and what the implications would be for the media industry.

How does such a scenario develop?  Well, if Disney completes a deal to buy Pixar, the animation studio that created hits Toy Story and Finding Nemo, then Jobs, who is already Pixar’s CEO would obtain Disney stock as part of the deal.  In actuality, he would probably end up with enough stock to put him on Disney’s board and perhaps even the chairman’s seat.

So, how does that sit within the modern media landscape?  While, it may remind you of the failed AOL-Time Warner merger, which, was orchestrated to fuse AOL’s online portal with the Time Warner’s vast content library, the outcome will be much different.  While there could be questions as to why this mega-merger would have a different outcome.  Basically, there are two major differences between the AOL-TW merger and Disney and Pixar situation.  First, the AOL and Time Warner deal happened before broadband was widely deployed in American homes, which allows consumers to download larger media content such as songs and video content.  Secondly, there was no device nor the ability to mobilize AOL’s content whereas a Disney/Pixar deal would bring together not only two content behemoths but one of today’s hottest technology providers.

If the Disney-Pixar deal does take foot expect Steve Jobs – in whatever capacity he is in the corporate hierarchy – to use the newfound position to influence the organization’s strategy so that he can leverage the Disney’s large content library via the Apple’s iTunes store.  Not only will this help fully usher Disney into the new digital age, but it will monetize an extensive library that is not available yet in the digital world.  While Disney’s ABC and ESPN units have already debuted content in Apple’s iTunes Music Store, with Jobs on the Disney board, it would not be surprising to see old television shows and movies, as well as new releases make their way into the virtual shelves and available for download.  Jobs has built a platform that over 80 million Americans now use to manage their music libraries, and with the latest release of the company’s iPod supporting video, Jobs is looking for a way to tip the scales again for television and film properties and further drive traffic through iTunes and thus the sale of the iPod. 

Of course, on a larger scale, if Jobs is successful in this endeavor it will impact not only Disney, but the larger media community.

Update: Since we posted this earlier in the week, the deal has been completed and it has been announced that Jobs will be on the Disney board of directors.  Business Week has a good analysis of how Jobs will interact and help drive the direction of the Disney organization.

Welcome to the Media Backpage

Welcome!  First of all, thank you for visiting The Media Backpage, we hope that this site (or a feed of our postings) can become a staple in your media diet. 

The Media Backpage will focus on today’s modern media landscape and the changing dynamics of the information and entertainment arenas.  With that said, we will take a broad look at everything from radio and television to newspapers and new modern outlets such as blogs and podcasts.  Below, from our "pre-live" days, you will find the types of stories that will be covered.

At the Backpage we will try to take an objective look at how the industry shifts from its pre-digital days into tomorrow and as mega-newsrooms are retooled and subjected to the changing dynamics of today’s on-demand, on-the-go, customized media landscape.  Additionally, we hope to be able to shed some light on how these new technologies can help communications professionals in the worlds of public relations and marketing.  With that in mind, and in an effort to maintain full disclosure, we will be working with clients through our consulting practice at CityCast Media.

In addition to providing insights into today’s media and having an open dialogue about the media, we hope to be able to highlight some unique tools and applications along the way, we’ll file those under "Things We Like."  Naturally, as we expand and grow with your support, suggestions and comments we will add futher content to the site.

Should you have any questions along the way please feel free to contact me directly at jason@citycastmedia.com.

Wishing you all the best!