As I am in Cardiff at the S4C New Media Forum, I thought it was time I pulled my finger out and uploaded the screengrab which shows how digitally connected the S4C audience really is.
Picture the scene, it's 845 on the night of Sunday the 6th of March, and yours truly is watching S4C's version of the XFactor/Eurovision Song Contest called 'Can I Gymru'. On BBC1, the sultry Fiona Bruce is making millions of men swoon with a heady combination of good looks and a great figure - I am, of course, talking about the artefacts she presents on Antiques Roadshow.
Now, I haven't done my research on the TV viewing figures for that day, but I'm guessing Antiques Roadshow is pulling in more than 3 million, where little old Can I Gymru is attracting 300,000 tops (10 percent of the AR audience).
So, you would expect more people to be talking about Fiona Bruce on Twitter than some Welsh music contest, wouldn't you? WRONG!
I give you evidence A - click this link and look at the Twitter trending on the right hand side and compare #CIG11 (the hashtag associated with Can I Gymru) with Antiques Roadshow.
Wednesday 20 April 2011
Happy Birthday Sky Sports - but is it a Sinner or a Winner?
Afternoon from Starbucks in Cardiff. Off to the S4C New Media Forun in a mo. But before that, I would like to share with you another post I've done on my F.C. Business blog about the 20th anniversary of Sky Sports today.
It questions whether Sky Sports has been a help or a hindrance to football and also asks for your classic Sky Sports moments.
Hopefully the pic of Kevin Keegan should inspire you! Enjoy http://bit.ly/ggg3bo
It questions whether Sky Sports has been a help or a hindrance to football and also asks for your classic Sky Sports moments.
Hopefully the pic of Kevin Keegan should inspire you! Enjoy http://bit.ly/ggg3bo
Monday 18 April 2011
Why UTV is leading the way in e-democracy
One of the good examples of social networking in the real world that I used in my speech at the Celtic Media Festival last week is UTV's partnership with political blog site Slugger O'Toole to run 'Tweet Ups' during the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.
It is a fantastic example of e-democracy in action. A traditional media company teaming up with a new media player to engage real people in the election debate...and get them to try out Twitter in the process.
I have attached a video below of Slugger (aka Mick Fealty) explaining what a Tweet Up is on UTV Live Tonight. The fact that a TV company is willing to give airtime to this sort of idea just shows how forward thinking UTV is compared to other media.
Moreover, the fact that the Political Editor of the TV station and other key players turn up to this event shows that the power of digital doesn't have to be forced onto the UTV news team - they've worked it out already
(can you imagine Nick Robinson turning up to a Tweet Up?!)
Some of the Tweet Up's have already occurred. You can see how the Ballymena one went here. And a list of future events are here
Now, two disclaimers before I ask your opinion. First off, there have been Tweet Ups in Northern Ireland - one was held in March by the NI Assembly itself - so this isn't a first. But the power this UTV/Slugger scheme will engage more people in Ulster politics and is Public Service Broadcasting at its finest.
The second disclaimer is, of course, that I do some digital work with UTV. But I wasn't involved in this great idea (if I was, this blog would be 10 miles long!) - so I am still neutral, even if it does sound like a UTV love-in.
Well done all for this!
It is a fantastic example of e-democracy in action. A traditional media company teaming up with a new media player to engage real people in the election debate...and get them to try out Twitter in the process.
I have attached a video below of Slugger (aka Mick Fealty) explaining what a Tweet Up is on UTV Live Tonight. The fact that a TV company is willing to give airtime to this sort of idea just shows how forward thinking UTV is compared to other media.
Moreover, the fact that the Political Editor of the TV station and other key players turn up to this event shows that the power of digital doesn't have to be forced onto the UTV news team - they've worked it out already
(can you imagine Nick Robinson turning up to a Tweet Up?!)
Some of the Tweet Up's have already occurred. You can see how the Ballymena one went here. And a list of future events are here
Now, two disclaimers before I ask your opinion. First off, there have been Tweet Ups in Northern Ireland - one was held in March by the NI Assembly itself - so this isn't a first. But the power this UTV/Slugger scheme will engage more people in Ulster politics and is Public Service Broadcasting at its finest.
The second disclaimer is, of course, that I do some digital work with UTV. But I wasn't involved in this great idea (if I was, this blog would be 10 miles long!) - so I am still neutral, even if it does sound like a UTV love-in.
Well done all for this!
Sunday 17 April 2011
Welsh football star in F-Word Twitter rant at fans - but is he to blame?
Hello,
I just wanted to point you to a post on my other blog for the football industry publication, F.C.Business magazine. It is relevant to the digital world as well as it talks about whether football clubs should and could control the Twitter feeds of their stars.
It's inspired by today's news that Danny Gabbidon's told West Ham Utd fans to F-off following a series of cyber abusive comments to his Twitter page today after their defeat.
Here's the link Danny Gabbidon in F-Word Twitter Rant - but who's REALLY to blame? Read my @fcbusiness blog to find out http://bit.ly/f2XjYc
I just wanted to point you to a post on my other blog for the football industry publication, F.C.Business magazine. It is relevant to the digital world as well as it talks about whether football clubs should and could control the Twitter feeds of their stars.
It's inspired by today's news that Danny Gabbidon's told West Ham Utd fans to F-off following a series of cyber abusive comments to his Twitter page today after their defeat.
Here's the link Danny Gabbidon in F-Word Twitter Rant - but who's REALLY to blame? Read my @fcbusiness blog to find out http://bit.ly/f2XjYc
Friday 15 April 2011
The trouble with the Welsh (and the Scots and the Irish)...
So, I am back from the Celtic Media Festival -fully refreshed, but slightly jealous that I missed out on the two big parties at the event (the closing Ceilidh tonight and the opening DJ set on Wednesday night)!
I met some fantastic people and heard about some great ideas and things happening in various parts of Welsh, Irish, Scots, Manx, Breton and Cornish media. But being there reinforced my feelings about what the Celtic media (and people to a certain extent are really bad at).
The Celtic media are really bad at one thing - marketing themselves. They don't shout enough about the great achievements they make or the power they have collectively to be a strong player in European media. These countries have consistently punched above their weight in the media arena in years.
Say what you like about S4C (and it does have its issues), but no other indigenous broadcaster in the world has produced an Oscar nominated movie and helped to create companies sold to giants like Disney. RTE and BBC Wales have produced shows that have sold around the world and STV and UTV are trying out some pretty interesting stuff online.
To say creative talent oozes out of these nations is an understatement. But you wouldn't know about that potential judging by some of the hand-wringing that goes on in the press or even over post-session cups of coffee at the CMF. The upshot of that is that people outside the Celtic media industry have a lower opinion of us, both as a public perception and an industry perception. This is why we are thought of as the country bumpkins who play at tele or radio or digital with state money.
Thankfully, events like the Celtic Media Festival blow that right out of the water. So, not only should we take the CMF to Cannes and Hollywood, but it should act as an inspiration for us all to do two things all year-round.
1)Shout louder - we all need to market ourselves better. That means talking and promoting on as many channels as possible (and yes,of course that means everyone in Celtic media upping their game digitally)
2) Working together - the amount of co-working or co-productions between Celtic media companies is pitiful and frankly shameful.
If we can't help each other, how can we change perceptions? There is so much common interest, either in the technology we need or the content we need for it. Moreover, there is one big common challenge to Celtic media - funding. Think how much further that money would go if media companies from our nations pooled their cash for part-funding of projects. We would all become innovators.
So, in the spirit of Stornoway, let's set a new deal for Celtic Media. I promise to turn this blog into a place where I shout about all the great things we are doing in the digital spaces.
SO, COME ON WELSH,SCOTTISH, IRISH, CORNISH, BRETON AND MANX MEDIA COMPANIES...HERE'S SOME FREE PUBLICITY. TELL ME YOUR GOOD WORK AND I'LL BLOG IT HERE.
And if you want to work with a media company in those countries, post your details here.
I met some fantastic people and heard about some great ideas and things happening in various parts of Welsh, Irish, Scots, Manx, Breton and Cornish media. But being there reinforced my feelings about what the Celtic media (and people to a certain extent are really bad at).
The Celtic media are really bad at one thing - marketing themselves. They don't shout enough about the great achievements they make or the power they have collectively to be a strong player in European media. These countries have consistently punched above their weight in the media arena in years.
Say what you like about S4C (and it does have its issues), but no other indigenous broadcaster in the world has produced an Oscar nominated movie and helped to create companies sold to giants like Disney. RTE and BBC Wales have produced shows that have sold around the world and STV and UTV are trying out some pretty interesting stuff online.
To say creative talent oozes out of these nations is an understatement. But you wouldn't know about that potential judging by some of the hand-wringing that goes on in the press or even over post-session cups of coffee at the CMF. The upshot of that is that people outside the Celtic media industry have a lower opinion of us, both as a public perception and an industry perception. This is why we are thought of as the country bumpkins who play at tele or radio or digital with state money.
Thankfully, events like the Celtic Media Festival blow that right out of the water. So, not only should we take the CMF to Cannes and Hollywood, but it should act as an inspiration for us all to do two things all year-round.
1)Shout louder - we all need to market ourselves better. That means talking and promoting on as many channels as possible (and yes,of course that means everyone in Celtic media upping their game digitally)
2) Working together - the amount of co-working or co-productions between Celtic media companies is pitiful and frankly shameful.
If we can't help each other, how can we change perceptions? There is so much common interest, either in the technology we need or the content we need for it. Moreover, there is one big common challenge to Celtic media - funding. Think how much further that money would go if media companies from our nations pooled their cash for part-funding of projects. We would all become innovators.
So, in the spirit of Stornoway, let's set a new deal for Celtic Media. I promise to turn this blog into a place where I shout about all the great things we are doing in the digital spaces.
SO, COME ON WELSH,SCOTTISH, IRISH, CORNISH, BRETON AND MANX MEDIA COMPANIES...HERE'S SOME FREE PUBLICITY. TELL ME YOUR GOOD WORK AND I'LL BLOG IT HERE.
And if you want to work with a media company in those countries, post your details here.
Wednesday 13 April 2011
How Glasgow Airport inspires me* (*sort of)
I am sitting in Glasgow Airport, pondering the relevancy of social networks for close-knit communities. You can't get more Rock and Roll than that!
Why prey tell, Webber, have you plummeted to this depth? Well, it's actually very interesting.
I am on my way to the Celtic Media Festival in Stornoway to give a talk tomorrow. It's title is Social NetWORKING - which implies the great-and-the-good of Celtic media still haven't cracked the genre.
I think there are two things that they haven't cracked social networks or don't get. The first is, why should anyone that lives ina close bricks-and-mortar community that you normally find in a Celtic country want to use a social network. Secondly, I sense none of them are making money out of social networking and they want to find out how.
I get the second point - and I hope to answer it tomorrow.
But the first point is an easy one to crack. Having a tighter real-life community actually makes digital social networks MORE important to those people in that the conversations they are likely to have are of a higher quality than someone who has no strong physical community.
The inane chit-chat about washing up is likely to be held down the pub or the church or the community hall with these communities, as opposed to littering Twitter. So they are more likely to use digital social networks to expand their horizons or deepen their interest.
That's nowhere more evident than in TV and Radio output. More and more of them are likely to be looking for a deep conversation about a programme on a social network, whether that be a mass-market show like Coronation Street, or something smaller like an offering from S4C or BBC Alba.
I give you Evidence A -the day S4C blasted Antiques Roadshow out of the Twittersphere. Can I Gymru trending ahead of the BBC1 show on Twitter - who'd have thunk it!
Now, an esteemed co-Tweeter @marshallmedia pointed out to me the reason why so many people were tweeting about Can I Gymru was because it was s**t! He may be right - but the fact was people WERE tweeting in their droves about an S4C show - and that should be cheered from the highest ground.
And that will be my second point to the throng that may gather for my session tomorrow. Don't be afraid of criticism - embrace the conversations on social networks, because it will only make you stronger.
You don't have to agree with them, you don't have to respond to all of them. But listen to what they are saying and make them feel you are listening without controlling them, and you will see a huge benefit.
There are 1700 people on Facebook in Stornoway (that's 20 percent of the town's population). There are 500 tweets in the Welsh Language every day - these people are already using social networks..why aren't you?
If you are in Stornoway tomorrow, please do pop in. Bring some muffins - I like muffins!
Why prey tell, Webber, have you plummeted to this depth? Well, it's actually very interesting.
I am on my way to the Celtic Media Festival in Stornoway to give a talk tomorrow. It's title is Social NetWORKING - which implies the great-and-the-good of Celtic media still haven't cracked the genre.
I think there are two things that they haven't cracked social networks or don't get. The first is, why should anyone that lives ina close bricks-and-mortar community that you normally find in a Celtic country want to use a social network. Secondly, I sense none of them are making money out of social networking and they want to find out how.
I get the second point - and I hope to answer it tomorrow.
But the first point is an easy one to crack. Having a tighter real-life community actually makes digital social networks MORE important to those people in that the conversations they are likely to have are of a higher quality than someone who has no strong physical community.
The inane chit-chat about washing up is likely to be held down the pub or the church or the community hall with these communities, as opposed to littering Twitter. So they are more likely to use digital social networks to expand their horizons or deepen their interest.
That's nowhere more evident than in TV and Radio output. More and more of them are likely to be looking for a deep conversation about a programme on a social network, whether that be a mass-market show like Coronation Street, or something smaller like an offering from S4C or BBC Alba.
I give you Evidence A -the day S4C blasted Antiques Roadshow out of the Twittersphere. Can I Gymru trending ahead of the BBC1 show on Twitter - who'd have thunk it!
Now, an esteemed co-Tweeter @marshallmedia pointed out to me the reason why so many people were tweeting about Can I Gymru was because it was s**t! He may be right - but the fact was people WERE tweeting in their droves about an S4C show - and that should be cheered from the highest ground.
And that will be my second point to the throng that may gather for my session tomorrow. Don't be afraid of criticism - embrace the conversations on social networks, because it will only make you stronger.
You don't have to agree with them, you don't have to respond to all of them. But listen to what they are saying and make them feel you are listening without controlling them, and you will see a huge benefit.
There are 1700 people on Facebook in Stornoway (that's 20 percent of the town's population). There are 500 tweets in the Welsh Language every day - these people are already using social networks..why aren't you?
If you are in Stornoway tomorrow, please do pop in. Bring some muffins - I like muffins!
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Rhestr llawn* o Apps Cymraeg (*effallai!)
Dwi'n falch i ddeud fod 'na bron llai 'na 60 o apps cymraeg ar gael trwy iPhone, Android ac ati. Mae rhestr llawn o nhw isod.
Mae'r rhif hon yn ddangos fod gwlad digidol yw Cymru - a diolch am hynny. Mae rhan fwyaf o nhw yw systemau i gyfieithu cymraeg, ac mae'n nhw'n braidd yn siomedig.
Ond rhaid i ni deud ddiolch wrth rhai cwmniau am greu apps arbennig, sef Cube Interactive, Fi a Fo, a Tim Brifysgol Aberystwyth.
Cyw s4c/Cube Interactive
Byti S4C/Cube Interactive
iSteddfod National Eisteddfod/fiafo
Cwrs Mynediad – Abertec Limited
Gwyddioniadur –Patrick Collinson
Welsh Lessons – Aberprogs Chris Price
Start Welsh – Aberprogs
Bible365 Aberprogs
Cerrig Perrig – Griffilms
Lliwiau – Cwmwl
Dr Barnacles – Lloyd Gregorian
Welsh English Verb Tables – Tsunami systems
Pethau Bychain – Gareth Vaughan Jones
Haciaith Gareth Vaughan Jones
Bwyd a Diod Canolbarth Cymru – MABIS
Welsh dictionary – code 4 de velopment
Learn Welsh Podcast – Wizzard media
U talk Welsh HD – Euro HD
Welsh for Dictionary – Ten Paces
Welsh Word for Today – Genwi LLC
Pocket Polyglot Welsh – Veneficium Ltd
The Welsh Fairy Book – IndiaNIC
Daoulagad
Womenspire Abstractec
Wales travel Log –Lee design services
Trails Cymru
Ramblers Cymru
Android apps
English Welsh Translator
Pocket Polyglot Welsh - Veneficium Ltd
Translator -Alterme Inc.
Conwy HTApplications/
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Info
Welsh Flag Sticker Widget
Learn Welsh- Podcast App -Wizzard Media
Better Translator
English to Welsh Flashcards - Doug Hansknecht
uTalk Welsh - EuroTalk Ltd
Celtic Folklore
The Four Ancient Books Of Wales
Flash Cards
Prolegomena To The Study Of
The Mabinogion
The Welsh Fairy Book
Welsh word for today - Genwi
BabelDroid -Patrick Amaru
Womenspire Abstractec
Cyw s4c/Cube Interactive
Byti S4C/Cube Interactive
Wales travel Log –Lee design services
Trails Cymru
Ramblers Cymru
Mae'r rhif hon yn ddangos fod gwlad digidol yw Cymru - a diolch am hynny. Mae rhan fwyaf o nhw yw systemau i gyfieithu cymraeg, ac mae'n nhw'n braidd yn siomedig.
Ond rhaid i ni deud ddiolch wrth rhai cwmniau am greu apps arbennig, sef Cube Interactive, Fi a Fo, a Tim Brifysgol Aberystwyth.
iPhone apps
Cyw s4c/Cube Interactive
Byti S4C/Cube Interactive
iSteddfod National Eisteddfod/fiafo
Cwrs Mynediad – Abertec Limited
Gwyddioniadur –Patrick Collinson
Welsh Lessons – Aberprogs Chris Price
Start Welsh – Aberprogs
Bible365 Aberprogs
Cerrig Perrig – Griffilms
Lliwiau – Cwmwl
Dr Barnacles – Lloyd Gregorian
Welsh English Verb Tables – Tsunami systems
Pethau Bychain – Gareth Vaughan Jones
Haciaith Gareth Vaughan Jones
Bwyd a Diod Canolbarth Cymru – MABIS
Welsh dictionary – code 4 de velopment
Learn Welsh Podcast – Wizzard media
U talk Welsh HD – Euro HD
Welsh for Dictionary – Ten Paces
Welsh Word for Today – Genwi LLC
Pocket Polyglot Welsh – Veneficium Ltd
The Welsh Fairy Book – IndiaNIC
Daoulagad
Womenspire Abstractec
Wales travel Log –Lee design services
Trails Cymru
Ramblers Cymru
Android apps
English Welsh Translator
Pocket Polyglot Welsh - Veneficium Ltd
Translator -Alterme Inc.
Conwy HTApplications/
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Info
Welsh Flag Sticker Widget
Learn Welsh- Podcast App -Wizzard Media
Better Translator
English to Welsh Flashcards - Doug Hansknecht
uTalk Welsh - EuroTalk Ltd
Celtic Folklore
The Four Ancient Books Of Wales
Flash Cards
Prolegomena To The Study Of
The Mabinogion
The Welsh Fairy Book
Welsh word for today - Genwi
BabelDroid -Patrick Amaru
Womenspire Abstractec
Cyw s4c/Cube Interactive
Byti S4C/Cube Interactive
Wales travel Log –Lee design services
Trails Cymru
Ramblers Cymru
Croeso
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. I promise to be slightly more interesting than that dodgy Facebook photo you normally look at in your lunch break. Please do tell me if I fail in meeting that high criteria!
So, what is the aim of this blog? Well, as this name suggests, it is a take on the digital world and how it can help or hinder all walks of life - especially in the Land of My Fathers where I think there are a lot of interesting things happening in the digital world and I fell the nation is on the cusp of being truly digitally inclusive (hence the phrase Ap(p) Webber -Ap is the beginning of a Welsh surname).
But before you non-Welsh switch off, a lot of the things I talk about can be applied to any part of the world - and I will always praise or poke any other digital examples from the rest of the world.
Now and again, I will post in Welsh. Feel free to come back to me if you have a question or your Google translator has let you down.
I would love to hear from you whether you think I am talking a load of rubbish or have a point.
In other words, Welcome!
So, what is the aim of this blog? Well, as this name suggests, it is a take on the digital world and how it can help or hinder all walks of life - especially in the Land of My Fathers where I think there are a lot of interesting things happening in the digital world and I fell the nation is on the cusp of being truly digitally inclusive (hence the phrase Ap(p) Webber -Ap is the beginning of a Welsh surname).
But before you non-Welsh switch off, a lot of the things I talk about can be applied to any part of the world - and I will always praise or poke any other digital examples from the rest of the world.
Now and again, I will post in Welsh. Feel free to come back to me if you have a question or your Google translator has let you down.
I would love to hear from you whether you think I am talking a load of rubbish or have a point.
In other words, Welcome!
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