I was enthralled by the David Davis piece in The Times today, highlighting the crime that is the UK broadband system and his suggestion for resolving it.
The highlights were that the lack of decent connectivity in this country is not something that should worry just geeks and politicians, but it should worry everyone as it has a direct effect on many aspects of our lives.
A man after my own heart. I always knew he was a genius.
But his solution is just a little too renegade for me and misses the easiest way to solve this issue. He suggests getting the long-term unemployed to get digging the trenches and laying the pipes that will allow us all to have superfast broadband. Not so much ‘on your bike’ but ‘on your digger’.
Now, I am sure there are many people who are ready to wave the ‘typical Tory’ baton at Mr Davis for suggesting people should be forced down the trenches in some Dickensian –inspired workhouse scheme. But they should all stand back and listen more closely to what he is saying and take heed. Because, to be honest, he is one of the few UK politicians willing to come up with a solution for this problem.
His suggestion that long-term unemployed should help build the digital network we need benefits everyone. People that have been on the dole for a while get a job and start to regain some self-confidence back. They will be contributing to our society in a way that quite a lot of jobs don’t (I would have more respect for them than, say, a car salesman or a double glazing salesman) and we would all get the broadband we need.
Now, the big problem with Mr Davis’ theory can be summed up in two letters –B and T. He is expecting British Telecom to care about the digital needs of every British person. Problem is, they don’t.
You can pay to employ as many BT engineers as you like, you can give BT free labour for years and they will still have no intention of providing proper broadband coverage for 100 % of the population. Because, Mr Davis, it is not in BT’s commercial interest to wire the whole of Britain. They can’t make big profits out of a village with three croft farms on the Isle of Lewis or even a village like Howden where, if you forget its biggest employer (the Press Association), there is not the volume of customers and usage BT needs to make a profit.
If there was, they would have done it by now. They would have taken the investment cost hit knowing they would reap the rewards later.
The truth is, BT is a global company with far bigger interests than improving broadband connections in the rural parts of the UK and the quicker politicians realise this, the better.
We need to forget about BT and look at alternatives. Politicans in Cardiff Bay, London and Edinburgh should be falling over themselves to engage with companies that deliver broadband by satellite.
There are loads of them out there and the one thing you can guarantee is if you can't get a pipe to a place it will have a satellite spinning over it.
Why haven't we forced Arquiva to surrender more spectrum from traditional TV and radio masts for terrestrial broadband? OFCOM seem to be constantly handing out licences for radio stations no one listens to - why aren't we handing that spectrum to potential wi-fi companies?
In short, there is no need to buy spades for the long-term unemployed just yet - let's just give up our heroin-like addiction of BT and move on to new partners who can deliver what we need now.
Here endeth the lesson!
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Why radio stations will always be better at social networking than TV stations.
Trawling through the myriad of media Facebook and Twitter presences I could find, it is becoming clear to me that radio stations have a far better grasp of the power of social media than newspapers or TV stations or programmes.
And there's an obvious reason why they get it - community is in their DNA.
Social Networking ticks when the company trying to start it knows they have to have a conversation with the other people on the page.
Radio has always been a conversational medium. It's never been a broadcaster in the true sense of the word, because it has engaged people as a core part of its output, where television and newspapers restrict where the viewers'/Readers' voices can be heard and have only recently become interactive media.
The other reason why radio stations do social networking better than other media is because they have always been embedded in a community. They know what it is like to live in the area where they broadcast, so they know what to say to people to spark a social conversation.
With radio stations, it's all about a two-way conversation, and that is why it always looks like social networks works for them.
Now, whether that means radio will become worse over time as more local stations merge into national brands, only time will tell.
There is a danger of that. However, community doesn't just refer to a geographical space bit also a common interest. That is why stations like Jazzfm are able to use social networks effectively, despite being a national (arguably global) station. They have a community of jazz enthusiasts they can connect with.
Now, don't get me wrong. There are some abysmal attempts at social networking by radio stations. But the level of them compared to the amount if dross you find from TV companies is far less.
And there's an obvious reason why they get it - community is in their DNA.
Social Networking ticks when the company trying to start it knows they have to have a conversation with the other people on the page.
Radio has always been a conversational medium. It's never been a broadcaster in the true sense of the word, because it has engaged people as a core part of its output, where television and newspapers restrict where the viewers'/Readers' voices can be heard and have only recently become interactive media.
The other reason why radio stations do social networking better than other media is because they have always been embedded in a community. They know what it is like to live in the area where they broadcast, so they know what to say to people to spark a social conversation.
With radio stations, it's all about a two-way conversation, and that is why it always looks like social networks works for them.
Now, whether that means radio will become worse over time as more local stations merge into national brands, only time will tell.
There is a danger of that. However, community doesn't just refer to a geographical space bit also a common interest. That is why stations like Jazzfm are able to use social networks effectively, despite being a national (arguably global) station. They have a community of jazz enthusiasts they can connect with.
Now, don't get me wrong. There are some abysmal attempts at social networking by radio stations. But the level of them compared to the amount if dross you find from TV companies is far less.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
I'm buzzzz-ing after that match
We should never laugh when someone is injured at a football match. But as I was doing my research for a safe standing article for the next issue of F.C. Business, I couldn’t help but have a little chuckle at some of the injuries people pick up when watching the beautiful game.
For example, did you know that 43 people were stung by a wasp at UK football grounds last year?! I’m not able to tell you if that was down to one swarm of wasps or 43 separate attacks. But I find it amazing that it is the 10th biggest reason why people are injured at UK football matches.
I mean, it’s too cold for wasps for most of the season – so there must have been an influx of the blighters at the start and end of the season. The moral is – take your Raid spray with you to every game.
Oh, no, hold on….you can’t take aerosols into football grounds!
Are our clubs leaving their fans vulnerable to unnecessary injury? Should Claims Direct or Injury Lawyers 4 U be swarming around football grounds looking for people with sore arms?!
Maybe Rentokil should sponsor all summer soccer games and hand out free lemon-scented candles to ward away the flighty characters?
In other silly injury news. Did you know a 108 people were hit by a football in a stadium last year? I can totally sympathise with this and I was probably on this statistics list in season 2007/2008 when a Michael Chopra slice connected with the perspex on the press box at the old Ninian Park and smashed it while I was reporting live on the game for BBC1 Final Score.
They never replaced the perspex as they were about to move into the new stadium. However, I would like to think that it was left broken as a monument to me – a sort of Blue Plaque to mark my place on the list of the UK football injured.
Wasp victims and those bruised by sphercial leather -British football salutes you!
You can see the full injury statistics here http://www.flaweb.org.uk/docs/injstat.php
For example, did you know that 43 people were stung by a wasp at UK football grounds last year?! I’m not able to tell you if that was down to one swarm of wasps or 43 separate attacks. But I find it amazing that it is the 10th biggest reason why people are injured at UK football matches.
I mean, it’s too cold for wasps for most of the season – so there must have been an influx of the blighters at the start and end of the season. The moral is – take your Raid spray with you to every game.
Oh, no, hold on….you can’t take aerosols into football grounds!
Are our clubs leaving their fans vulnerable to unnecessary injury? Should Claims Direct or Injury Lawyers 4 U be swarming around football grounds looking for people with sore arms?!
Maybe Rentokil should sponsor all summer soccer games and hand out free lemon-scented candles to ward away the flighty characters?
In other silly injury news. Did you know a 108 people were hit by a football in a stadium last year? I can totally sympathise with this and I was probably on this statistics list in season 2007/2008 when a Michael Chopra slice connected with the perspex on the press box at the old Ninian Park and smashed it while I was reporting live on the game for BBC1 Final Score.
They never replaced the perspex as they were about to move into the new stadium. However, I would like to think that it was left broken as a monument to me – a sort of Blue Plaque to mark my place on the list of the UK football injured.
Wasp victims and those bruised by sphercial leather -British football salutes you!
You can see the full injury statistics here http://www.flaweb.org.uk/docs/injstat.php
Sunday, 1 May 2011
The 20 Welsh seats which Facebook users could win and what politicians are doing about it
I was on Five Live on Thursday talking about my latest research which shows up to 20 Welsh Assembly seats could change hands if the candidates involved spoke to their constituents through social networking.
It also got a mention in the fantastic South Wales Argus - click here for link - it also got a mention in the Western Mail.
I've listed the seats that could fall below. The methodology behind my madness is that there are more people on Facebook in these constituencies than the majority which the incumbent AM holds. In some cases, like Bridgend and Ceredigion, there is a whopping difference between the number of people on Facebook and the majority. This means that if one candidate was really serious about winning those constituencies, they could overturn the majority and be returned with a near 8000 vote majority if they persuaded all the people on Facebook in the constituency to vote for them.
As I explain in my Five Live piece - the problem is many politicians think that just chucking up a Facebook page or a Twitter feed means they've ticked the box when they come to social networking - and that is totally wrong.
Candidates need to have a proper two-way dialogue on social networks just as much as they do in real life. They must not be afraid to answer questions, face criticism and be more informative about where they stand. The question is, would they turn up to a constituency surgery and not listen to the constituent's concerns?
And whilst I don't think one single party in Wales is doing well, there are individual candidates that get this.
And, finally, I do agree with Matt Withers from the Western Mail that the message is the most important thing -after all, content is King and the parties do need to get their message over in a better way. However, the problem is that you can have the best message in the world, but if you don't get it out there, no one will hear it. The parties know how to get this message over through canvassing and hustings, but as more and more people choose to get their information from online and mobile services, politicians need to hone their skills in this area if they are to stand any chance of getting their message across effectively.
Anyway, rant over, the full press release and list of constituencies is below. Let me know what you think.
EMBARGO 0001 THURSDAY 28 APRIL 2011
HOW FACEBOOK WILL WIN THE WELSH ASSEMBLY ELECTION
Up to 20 Assembly seats could change hands if candidates engage with their constituents through the social network
Facebook could decide the winner of up to 20 Welsh Assembly seats in the forthcoming election.
According to research, the number of over 18s using the social network in those constituencies is more than the majority that needs to be overturned to win the seat.
By engaging with these Facebook users, candidates could gain enough votes to win a seat or incumbent AMs to hold on.
Ultra marginal seats such as the Vale of Glamorgan could be won or lost by speaking to voters on Facebook. But some supposedly safe seats including that of Carwyn Jones in Bridgend could be captured if rival parties start have meaningful conversations with voters who have chosen to use social networks as part of their everyday lives.
There are enough Facebook users in Cowbridge alone to secure a victory for the Conservatives in the Vale of Glamorgan. And Labour could re-capture Llanelli from Plaid if all the Facebook users in the town were persuaded to vote for them.
Bridgend -which has the fifth-highest usage of the social network in Wales - could have a new AM if any of the opposition parties speak to the near 14,000 voting adults in Bridgend on Facebook.
This research was undertaken by Dipping Bridge Communications, the Bridgend-based digital media consultancy which helps Welsh companies and organisations develop their online and mobile presences.
"There are over 700,000 over 18s in Wales on Facebook and 500 Welsh Language tweets are posted every week on Twitter. What this research proves is that the people of Wales are digitally engaged and they expect their politicians to follow suit." says Marc Webber, MD of Dipping Bridge and former Assistant Editor of The Sun online.
"Some candidates have made a strong effort on the social networking front, but others are poor. They think that just by creating a Facebook fan page, that's the job done. That's not how you engage people on Facebook - it's the equivalent of not attending a hustings because you think people will come and find your office and listen to you anyway.
"Social networking is now part of people's everyday life. Not talking to them in the spaces where they have chosen to communicate could be seen as punishing them and a slight against their democratic right."
STATS OF MARGINALS FOLLOW
More can be found on Marc's blog www.marcwebber.com.
Marc is available for further comment by contacting him in the following manner: - Email Marc@dippingbridge.com, call 07879 415473 or find him on Twitter @marcwebber
THE ‘FACEBOOK’ MARGINALS
The following seats could be easily won or lost if candidates engaged with constituents on Facebook:
Vale of Glamorgan -Actual Majority: 83
Over 18s on Facebook: Barry 12,960 Cowbridge 480, Llantwit Major 1,160
Carmarthen West and Pembs South -Actual Majority: 98
Over 18s on Facebook: Carmarthen West 2,200 Tenby 1,300 Saundersfoot 400
Vale of Clwyd -Actual Majority: 92
Over 18s on Facebook: Rhyl 4,740, Prestatyn 2,340
Delyn -Actual Majority: 510
Over 18s on Facebook: Mold 2,680 Flint 1,460
Newport East - Actual Majority : 875
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Newport 33,800
Gower - Actual Majority : 1192
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Swansea 24,666
Wrexham - Actual Majority : 1250
Over 18s on Facebook: Wrexham 17,300
Newport West - Actual Majority : 1401
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Newport 33,080
Clwyd West - Actual Majority : 1596
Over 18s on Facebook: Colwyn Bay 2,380
Swansea West - Actual Majority : 1511
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Swansea 24,666
Aberconwy - Actual Majority : 1693
Over 18s on Facebook: Llandudno 3,160
Neath - Actual Majority : 1944
Over 18s on Facebook: Neath 11,400
Caerphilly - Actual Majority : 1937
Over 18s on Facebook: 8,180
Bridgend - Actual Majority : 2566
Over 18s on Facebook: Bridgend 13,080
Cardiff South and Penarth - Actual Majority : 2754
Over 18s on Facebook: Penarth 3,800
Ceredigion - Actual Majority : 3995
Over 18s on Facebook: Aberystwyth 12,380
Llanelli - Actual Majority : 3884
Over 18s on Facebook: Llanelli 9,700
Pontypridd - Actual Majority : 3387
Over 18s on Facebook: Pontypridd 6,240
Preseli Pembs - Actual Majority : 3205
Over 18s on Facebook: Haverfordwest 3,940
Rhondda - Actual Majority : 6215
Over 18s on Facebook: Rhondda 6,340
ENDS
It also got a mention in the fantastic South Wales Argus - click here for link - it also got a mention in the Western Mail.
I've listed the seats that could fall below. The methodology behind my madness is that there are more people on Facebook in these constituencies than the majority which the incumbent AM holds. In some cases, like Bridgend and Ceredigion, there is a whopping difference between the number of people on Facebook and the majority. This means that if one candidate was really serious about winning those constituencies, they could overturn the majority and be returned with a near 8000 vote majority if they persuaded all the people on Facebook in the constituency to vote for them.
As I explain in my Five Live piece - the problem is many politicians think that just chucking up a Facebook page or a Twitter feed means they've ticked the box when they come to social networking - and that is totally wrong.
Candidates need to have a proper two-way dialogue on social networks just as much as they do in real life. They must not be afraid to answer questions, face criticism and be more informative about where they stand. The question is, would they turn up to a constituency surgery and not listen to the constituent's concerns?
And whilst I don't think one single party in Wales is doing well, there are individual candidates that get this.
And, finally, I do agree with Matt Withers from the Western Mail that the message is the most important thing -after all, content is King and the parties do need to get their message over in a better way. However, the problem is that you can have the best message in the world, but if you don't get it out there, no one will hear it. The parties know how to get this message over through canvassing and hustings, but as more and more people choose to get their information from online and mobile services, politicians need to hone their skills in this area if they are to stand any chance of getting their message across effectively.
Anyway, rant over, the full press release and list of constituencies is below. Let me know what you think.
EMBARGO 0001 THURSDAY 28 APRIL 2011
HOW FACEBOOK WILL WIN THE WELSH ASSEMBLY ELECTION
Up to 20 Assembly seats could change hands if candidates engage with their constituents through the social network
Facebook could decide the winner of up to 20 Welsh Assembly seats in the forthcoming election.
According to research, the number of over 18s using the social network in those constituencies is more than the majority that needs to be overturned to win the seat.
By engaging with these Facebook users, candidates could gain enough votes to win a seat or incumbent AMs to hold on.
Ultra marginal seats such as the Vale of Glamorgan could be won or lost by speaking to voters on Facebook. But some supposedly safe seats including that of Carwyn Jones in Bridgend could be captured if rival parties start have meaningful conversations with voters who have chosen to use social networks as part of their everyday lives.
There are enough Facebook users in Cowbridge alone to secure a victory for the Conservatives in the Vale of Glamorgan. And Labour could re-capture Llanelli from Plaid if all the Facebook users in the town were persuaded to vote for them.
Bridgend -which has the fifth-highest usage of the social network in Wales - could have a new AM if any of the opposition parties speak to the near 14,000 voting adults in Bridgend on Facebook.
This research was undertaken by Dipping Bridge Communications, the Bridgend-based digital media consultancy which helps Welsh companies and organisations develop their online and mobile presences.
"There are over 700,000 over 18s in Wales on Facebook and 500 Welsh Language tweets are posted every week on Twitter. What this research proves is that the people of Wales are digitally engaged and they expect their politicians to follow suit." says Marc Webber, MD of Dipping Bridge and former Assistant Editor of The Sun online.
"Some candidates have made a strong effort on the social networking front, but others are poor. They think that just by creating a Facebook fan page, that's the job done. That's not how you engage people on Facebook - it's the equivalent of not attending a hustings because you think people will come and find your office and listen to you anyway.
"Social networking is now part of people's everyday life. Not talking to them in the spaces where they have chosen to communicate could be seen as punishing them and a slight against their democratic right."
STATS OF MARGINALS FOLLOW
More can be found on Marc's blog www.marcwebber.com.
Marc is available for further comment by contacting him in the following manner: - Email Marc@dippingbridge.com, call 07879 415473 or find him on Twitter @marcwebber
THE ‘FACEBOOK’ MARGINALS
The following seats could be easily won or lost if candidates engaged with constituents on Facebook:
Vale of Glamorgan -Actual Majority: 83
Over 18s on Facebook: Barry 12,960 Cowbridge 480, Llantwit Major 1,160
Carmarthen West and Pembs South -Actual Majority: 98
Over 18s on Facebook: Carmarthen West 2,200 Tenby 1,300 Saundersfoot 400
Vale of Clwyd -Actual Majority: 92
Over 18s on Facebook: Rhyl 4,740, Prestatyn 2,340
Delyn -Actual Majority: 510
Over 18s on Facebook: Mold 2,680 Flint 1,460
Newport East - Actual Majority : 875
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Newport 33,800
Gower - Actual Majority : 1192
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Swansea 24,666
Wrexham - Actual Majority : 1250
Over 18s on Facebook: Wrexham 17,300
Newport West - Actual Majority : 1401
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Newport 33,080
Clwyd West - Actual Majority : 1596
Over 18s on Facebook: Colwyn Bay 2,380
Swansea West - Actual Majority : 1511
Over 18s on Facebook: Whole of Swansea 24,666
Aberconwy - Actual Majority : 1693
Over 18s on Facebook: Llandudno 3,160
Neath - Actual Majority : 1944
Over 18s on Facebook: Neath 11,400
Caerphilly - Actual Majority : 1937
Over 18s on Facebook: 8,180
Bridgend - Actual Majority : 2566
Over 18s on Facebook: Bridgend 13,080
Cardiff South and Penarth - Actual Majority : 2754
Over 18s on Facebook: Penarth 3,800
Ceredigion - Actual Majority : 3995
Over 18s on Facebook: Aberystwyth 12,380
Llanelli - Actual Majority : 3884
Over 18s on Facebook: Llanelli 9,700
Pontypridd - Actual Majority : 3387
Over 18s on Facebook: Pontypridd 6,240
Preseli Pembs - Actual Majority : 3205
Over 18s on Facebook: Haverfordwest 3,940
Rhondda - Actual Majority : 6215
Over 18s on Facebook: Rhondda 6,340
ENDS
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
The day Fiona Bruce was e-thumped by a 23-year-old singer from Colwyn Bay
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.
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.
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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