WDW Social 'Media' and Conspiracy

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74


<<I did get invited to the media event at Times Square tomorrow... hope the airline tickets arrive real quick.>>

Safe travels!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

Was on Indigo/John's site earlier and noted something in the comments section that speaks to the utilization of new media/social networking. I didn't wish to respond there because I barely have the time to keep up with the discussion here.

The posters were reflecting on the Disney brand and questioning the authenticity/genuineness of the marketing message of the WDW Co. The absence of dissent, the lack of counterpoints, the constant rah-rah-rahs ... inadvertently, I think lost in an echo chamber (comfortable as it may be) they were longing for something else, something like traditional media.

Point blank, something that provided less propaganda and more substance.

I think therein lies the conundrum. Social media should be an outlet for person to person (or community to community) communication and dialogue. It shouldn't be simply another mouthpiece for a corporation, a very insidious and dangerous one. When you watch a commercial (regardless of platform, because there isn't one out there that has been able to keep ads out), you damn well know that's what you are watching.

Most folks likely don't think of fan sites the same way. They're just fans ... like you and me. They love the Mouse, but only expect the best from Disney and won't make excuses (even for a free dinner buffet at Boma ... or a night at the BW) when they don't attain the level we expect ... and certainly won't simply ignore anything troubling or ugly about the company or its policies and products because they really must interview some largely insignificant voice actor from a Star Wars cartoon series. Right?

Bottom line, if you write a blog on Disney, you don't go writing about Mouse traps ... or boy wizards.

There is no doubt bloggers have a place ... specific bloggers have a rightful place among the hard media in Disney's media machine. But, generally speaking, how do we quantify the value of any blog? The Sunday NY Times ... that's an easy one. Disney knows its exact circulation and its specific, well-defined demos.

Just think about this one: recently, it was announced on CNBC that Twitter was going to be put out for an IPO. The morning started with an analyst speculating it could be valued as high as $10 billion. By mid-day that jaw dropping number had gone up to $50 billion (sounds like our taxpayer socialization of Wall Street banks and brokerages in 2008, doesn't it?) and at the closing bell analysts were now speculating the number to be closer to $100 billion. A few days later, a major investment firm bought a significant stake in Twitter (@anymoronsreading just had great burger and chock shake with biff and larry at Beachesnad Cream ... wait was 45 minutes) for less than $600 million.

At the end of the day, what's the difference between 3,000 twitter followers and 30,000 or 300,000? You know what? No one knows. Really. That's the wonderful world of social networking and its greatly overstated value. That 3,000 might well be part of or all-in on the 30,000 and the 30,000 ... well, you get the idea. No one, even consultants that rake in eight figures a year (some of whom I've known and talked in circles with) to sell corps like Disney on the importance of this 'new world', really knows.

And that leaves you right back at square one.

It's clear that some online sites have impact ... REAL impact. I'd guess judging by the attention this thread is getting in some circles that this would be one of them.

FWIW, I don't know anyone in Burbank that was rushing to invest in Twitter ... now pass the wine cooler (sorry for the inside Busch reference ... that's just another way of saying Twitter ... and zillions of fan sites are just a novelty ... besides, Pierce has taught me that real men don't drink the store bought stuff).

 

Originally Posted By -em

>><<Sorry... i'm not buying the assertion that 'fanboi/soccer mom/bored housewife bloggers' getting a bunch of free stuff.<<

At the Social Media Moms event a year or so ago I was shocked when I overheard different (invited) guests talk about the amount of hits on their sites to each other.. In most cases I had more on 365 Disney Style than they did on their sites (and I DONT consider myself a blogger!)if they had more it was negligible...

True I didn't talk to everyone and I realize some were the Moms Panel but it just shocked me...

-em

 

Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1

"Bottom line, if you write a blog on Disney, you don't go writing about Mouse traps ... or boy wizards."

Especially that last part.

I think I realized something was wrong in the (head)state of Mongello when I was listening to one of his podcasts about three years ago and he made a disparaging reference to "that place up the road".

This was the first time I realized that EXTREMELY petty people make it a policy that you can either be a fan of Disney or Universal but NOT both. I was sickened by this because I felt(even back then, hell even in 2001!)that Universal's offerings(ESPECIALLY IOA)were at least equal to Disney's!

It just smacked of an extremely immature and limited viewpoint. Of course, I realized also not long after that this was mainly motivated by a proprietary and financial interest on his part and it made it even MORE reprehensible!

 

Originally Posted By SpokkerJones

Twitter has value? During times of great crisis, it is basically a real-time misinformation generator.

Yes, the value of social network is greatly overestimated.

 

Originally Posted By SpokkerJones

"This was the first time I realized that EXTREMELY petty people make it a policy that you can either be a fan of Disney or Universal but NOT both."

Can you be a fan of Disney and Universal and anything else that competes with our scarce entertainment dollars?

For example, I find that some of the interactive worlds build for modern video games are far more immersive and elegant than many of the things Disney has done recently. Perhaps I'm a traitor because I prefer to explore the world of Rapture than the world of Disney right now.

There is another reason why it's stupid to pledge allegiance to Disney and Disney alone. You are basically eradicating consumer choice for yourself. All other things being equal, more choice is preferable to less choice. More competition is preferable to less competition. By never considering Universal or Sea World or whatever else, you basically fail to hold Disney accountable for anything it does or doesn't do (I use "accountable" lightly, for holding Disney accountable isn't really as important as holding the local utility accountable, for example).

The point is that your wallet is the most powerful tool you have as a consumer. By blindly pledging what little money you have to one corporation and disregarding all others, you essentially invite that corporation to take advantage of you, whether you know it or not.

We have many instances in life where consumer choice is decreased due to legal, natural and arbitrary causes. But to decrease choice for yourself is a mental illness in my opinion.

 

Originally Posted By DDMAN26

So how does our very own LP play into all this? Are they just considered to be a media outlet?

 

Originally Posted By DDMAN26

As for Mr. Mongello, like I said earlier I used to listen to his show but then dropped off once the format changed.

I have no problem with something being passionate about what they love. His happens to be Disney. Great. But hearing about the ways he gets his interviews or exclusives well that leaves a bit of a sour taste.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>The scary thing is I didn't even know that two of those sites existed until very recently. ... As to MAGIC, I wasn't aware they attended/were credentialed for events. I may be wrong there, but one would have thought if they did that the PTB there would have been on the Dream and would have been at Destination D etc. ... If I'm wrong, then please let me know. Although to be fair (and I don't like the way Steve and his mods run/censor those MAGICal boards), I would certainly credential someone from the site based on its traffic.<<<

They do. Seeing that Steve is very private (can't blame him) I guess they send a ... operative.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Those sites may or may not be. Not familiar enough to say, but I do believe at least one of them probably is.<<<


They are. All of them promote the same, pixie dusted, Disney is Perfect mindset and get huge numbers.

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

In case anyone was wondering, here's a list of 385 Disney fan-based web sites, ranked. (This was last updated on June of 2009, however):
<a href="http://www.thedisneyportal.com/tdp/AllTopDisneySites.asp" target="_blank">http://www.thedisneyportal.com...ites.asp</a>

Here's the top fifty, along with previous ranking and degree of movement. (Bear i mind this was two years ago).

1 1 - DisBoards
2 2 - AllEarsNet
3 3 - TheDisneyBlog
4 4 - MouseSavers
5 7 +2 JimHillMedia
6 5 -1 LaughingPlace
7 6 -1 WDWInfo
8 8 - ExploreTheMagic
9 9 - MousePlanet
10 12 +2 JustDisney
11 25 +14 Yesterland
12 11 -1 VisionsFantastic
13 14 +1 MouseVids
14 17 +3 MouseInfo
15 18 +3 OurLaughingPlace
16 38 +22 TheDisneyPortal
17 16 -1 UltimateDisney
18 13 -5 DavelandWeb
19 26 +7 HiddenMickeys
20 19 -1 Intercot
21 15 -6 MickeyNews
22 49 +27 TheMagicInPixels
23 22 -1 MiceChat
24 23 -1 WDWMagic
25 24 -1 MiceAge
26 27 +1 MagicalMountain
27 20 -7 WDisneyW (UK)
28 37 +9 Waltopia
29 70 +41 Epcot82
30 28 -2 TheDibb (UK)
31 33 +2 DoomBuggies
32 31 -1 Disney Animation Archive
33 52 +19 PixarAnimation
34 21 -13 TDRFan
35 47 +12 TheMouseForLess
36 36 - MouseTunes
37 43 +6 MGMStudios
38 40 +2 DLRPMagic
39 59 +20 WDisneyW
40 34 -6 DisneyGeek
41 57 +16 TalkDisney
42 64 +22 DisneyRunning
43 35 -8 20kRide
44 42 -2 DisneyWorldTrivia
45 72 +27 WDWPlanner
46 30 -16 HiddenMickeysGuide
47 50 +3 WebDisney
48 41 -7 LaughingPlaceStore
49 29 -20 SearchDisney.com
50 110 +60 MouseKeTrips

 

Originally Posted By DlandDug

>>The posters were reflecting on the Disney brand and questioning the authenticity/genuineness of the marketing message of the WDW Co. The absence of dissent, the lack of counterpoints, the constant rah-rah-rahs ...<<
>>Social media should be an outlet for person to person (or community to community) communication and dialogue.<<

Marketing Message is not Social Media.

Marketing Message is not Social Media.

Marketing Message is not Social Media.

When you go to Kraft do you expect a discussion of the health risks of mayonnaise? Does General Motors sponsor discussion boards about the superiority of mass transit over the internal combustion engine? Does Sanrio encourage folks to explore the wonderful world of manga? No. Kraft wants you to buy their mayonaisse. General Motors wants you to buy their cars. Sanrio wants fanatical loyalty to Hello Kitty.

And Disney creates and maintains web sites to encourage people to be loyal to their brand. It's pretty transparent to me. If any of these companies were engaging in outright deception, then there'd be room for criticism. But I really don't see it.

<a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/community/messageboards.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.kraftrecipes.com/co...rds.aspx</a>
<a href="http://www.gm.com/" target="_blank">http://www.gm.com/</a>
<a href="http://www.sanrio.com/hellokittyblog/" target="_blank">http://www.sanrio.com/hellokittyblog/</a>

 

Originally Posted By andyll

<<Marketing Message is not Social Media.>>

Correct. And on top of that...

Social Media is just a delivery method.

A company has a infomational/marketing message they want to get out.

They can deliver that message in a variety of ways... print, radio, tv, website, forums, blogs, facebook, twitter and so forth.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> In case anyone was wondering, here's a list of 385 Disney fan-based web sites, ranked. (This was last updated on June of 2009, however):
<a href="http://www.thedisneyportal.com...ites.asp" target="_blank">http://www.thedisneyportal.com...ites.asp</a>

Here's the top fifty, along with previous ranking and degree of movement. (Bear i mind this was two years ago).

1 1 - DisBoards
2 2 - AllEarsNet
3 3 - TheDisneyBlog
4 4 - MouseSavers
5 7 +2 JimHillMedia
6 5 -1 LaughingPlace
7 6 -1 WDWInfo
8 8 - ExploreTheMagic
9 9 - MousePlanet
10 12 +2 JustDisney
11 25 +14 Yesterland
12 11 -1 VisionsFantastic
13 14 +1 MouseVids
14 17 +3 MouseInfo
15 18 +3 OurLaughingPlace
16 38 +22 TheDisneyPortal
17 16 -1 UltimateDisney
18 13 -5 DavelandWeb
19 26 +7 HiddenMickeys
20 19 -1 Intercot
21 15 -6 MickeyNews
22 49 +27 TheMagicInPixels
23 22 -1 MiceChat
24 23 -1 WDWMagic
25 24 -1 MiceAge
26 27 +1 MagicalMountain
27 20 -7 WDisneyW (UK)
28 37 +9 Waltopia
29 70 +41 Epcot82
30 28 -2 TheDibb (UK)
31 33 +2 DoomBuggies
32 31 -1 Disney Animation Archive
33 52 +19 PixarAnimation
34 21 -13 TDRFan
35 47 +12 TheMouseForLess
36 36 - MouseTunes
37 43 +6 MGMStudios
38 40 +2 DLRPMagic
39 59 +20 WDisneyW
40 34 -6 DisneyGeek
41 57 +16 TalkDisney
42 64 +22 DisneyRunning
43 35 -8 20kRide
44 42 -2 DisneyWorldTrivia
45 72 +27 WDWPlanner
46 30 -16 HiddenMickeysGuide
47 50 +3 WebDisney
48 41 -7 LaughingPlaceStore
49 29 -20 SearchDisney.com
50 110 +60 MouseKeTrips <<

24th for wdwmagic sure seems low to me.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> <<Marketing Message is not Social Media.>>

Correct. And on top of that...

Social Media is just a delivery method.

A company has a infomational/marketing message they want to get out.

They can deliver that message in a variety of ways... print, radio, tv, website, forums, blogs, facebook, twitter and so forth. <<

Well Andy, may I bve so bold as to call you Andy? Exactly which blog site do you run, and what compensations have you received from TWDC?

 

Originally Posted By andyll

<< Exactly which blog site do you run, and what compensations have you received from TWDC?>>

What does your question have to do with what you quoted?

And why is it any of your business?

However...

I do not run a blog.

I am affiliated with a small disney website.

I do have access to Disney's online press websites.

I am on Disney emailing list for press releases.

I have not received anything of monetary value from Disney.

However...

If credentialed in Disney eyes I would expect more access to events/people then the general public.

and

If offered discounts as incentives to cover Disney media events I would have no ethical issues with accepting them and would disclose them per FTC rules.

 

Originally Posted By andyll

Now Pierce...

why don't you ask the posters on this thread who are attacking Disney websites/blogs to disclose who/where they are getting their inside information.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> What does your question have to do with what you quoted? <<

I would think what you said would make that self evident.

>> And why is it any of your business? <<

Actually no question I ever ask is any of my business. I already know my business. I simply asked a question. You are not obligated to answer.

>> However...

I do not run a blog. <<

Would you mind telling me which one. I would be interested in reading it.

>> I am affiliated with a small disney website. <<

Would you mind revealing which one? I would be interested in seeing what it had to say.

>>I do have access to Disney's online press websites.

I am on Disney emailing list for press releases.

I have not received anything of monetary value from Disney. <<

Now doesn't it feel better to get all of that off your chest. Nothing wrong with those things at all.

>> However...

If credentialed in Disney eyes I would expect more access to events/people then the general public. <<

Certainly. I would have to say if you are just a little more positive with what you blog, you will become credential in Disney's eyes perhaps.

>> and

If offered discounts as incentives to cover Disney media events I would have no ethical issues with accepting them and would disclose them per FTC rules. <<

It's always good to be honest about things. I'm sure the lobbyist in Washinton D.C. don't influence Congress either with their gifts.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Now Pierce...

why don't you ask the posters on this thread who are attacking Disney websites/blogs to disclose who/where they are getting their inside information. <<

Asking for the name of a persons source of information would seem to violate all that is sacred in journalism.

As arrogant, and abrasive as Spirit may seem to you, his track record for knowing what's going on at Disney is pretty impressive. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I suspect you already know that.

 

Originally Posted By andyll

<<Would you mind telling me which one. I would be interested in reading it>>

You're reading comprehension needs work. I do not have a blog.

However I'm curious at your litmus test of forcing people who post here to disclose this infomation.

Are you going to ask Doobie to disclose this infomation?

Are you going to ask Spirit to disclose their sources so we can judge the validity of the information posted here?

This thread is becoming a witchhunt and does not reflect well on laughingplace or its posters.