Thomas Robert Wessel Memorial Scholarship

As many of you know, my father, Thomas Wessel, passed away 15 years ago on November 23, 1997. One thing that my mother didn't want to have happen was for us 7 kids to forget what a great man and loving father he was. Part of this is in the many memories of him that have been shared amongst us and stored forever in our minds and hearts. But my mother wanted to have us remember him in one more way...the Thomas Robert Wessel Memorial Scholarship.

For the past 15 years since his passing, my mother set up the Thomas Robert Wessel Memorial Scholarship at our high school, Warren Township High School. The scholarship is given to two graduating seniors (one boy and one girl) who have exhibited academic excellence while participating in performing arts activities and/or athletic activities. My father had an amazing passion for music and sports, two things he shared with my mother and passed along to his children.



Being so young when my father passed and when my mother initiated this scholarship (I was only 8 years old), I don't believe I fully realized the meaning of the award until now.

As I mentioned before, my father had such a strong passion for music and sports, and he did everything he could to share in these passions with us kids. He would take us to piano lessons and band practice, coach my sisters' softball teams, and attend all of our major events. These times that we got to spend with him, such as the one in the image below, were the ones we could cherish forever.



Now, being only 8 when he passed away, my mother knew that my brother Ben and I didn't have as much time with him and in essence didn't have the ability to form as many memories with him. Part of me feels this is another reason why she worked to create this scholarship in his name...to give Ben and I a chance to remember him when memories may not present themselves. For this, I cannot thank my mother enough.



Lastly, I feel this award wasn't just for us a way for us kids to remember him, but a way for the entire community he had come to call home and the community that had come to love him to remember him as well.

This year will mark the 15th year in which we will be presenting the scholarship, and it will also be the last. My oldest sister Nicki will be the one to present the scholarship. In 1997, she was the first of us to walk on to the stage to present the scholarship, and so it's only fitting that in 2012 she will be the one to present the scholarship for the final time.

People always ask me what it was like to grow up without a father since the age of 8. I never really know how to answer that question because with the memories my mother and siblings share with me, the father figure my older brother (Matt) and grandfather took on, and the yearly memory of my father through the Thomas Robert Wessel Memorial Scholarship, I feel like my father has always been there with me...and will continue to be with me.

Concert for Life 2012

While I had stressed I would be keeping up with my blog much more often than I have in the past, it's clear I've been failing at this. So, once again, I'm trying to make a comeback. And I'd like to say that I'm opening this blog up to more than just sports, entertainment, social media, marketing, advertising and PR. This is my personal blog and I feel this is a great means of also sharing things going on in my personal life. No better time to begin than right now....

In just a few weeks, Warren's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will be holding the 12th Annual Concert for Life, an annual fundraiser that helps to raise money for the American Cancer Society. My older brother, Matt Wessel, will be performing many of his original pieces. It's an afternoon full of wonderful music and raffle prizes, followed by an evening of friends and leisure. But I want to share with you how the Concert for Life got started and what the concert truly means to a certain few, so here's my post from a year ago.

In 1995, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was only given 6-8 months to live. But his strength, will, and love for his family helped him survive 2 more years before he passed away in late 1997....I was only 8 years old. I have very few fond memories of my father, and it's sometimes hard to listen to my older siblings tell stories, laugh and tell their favorite memories of him because I know that I didn't get to spend as much time with him as they did. But every year, there is a time where I hear a lot of new stories from the many people whose lives my father touched....

In 2001, my older brother, Matt Wessel, was a senior in high school when he found out that one of his fellow classmates, Kate Pedersen, was diagnosed with cancer. Her classmates wanted to do something to support her fight, so they approached Matt with an idea. They asked if he would be willing to perform a benefit concert for the American Cancer Society in Kate's honor. Matt, who experiened the loss of our father from cancer 4 years earlier, agreed to perform. The concert was called "The Concert For Life."

The concert was held at St. Paul Apostle Church in Gurnee, Illionis, and it was so successful, that it has since then become an annual event. Since 2001, the concert has grown in size and in money raised. Each year, the concert touches the hearts of all those who attend. As the event continues to grow, more and more people will be moved by this special evening of music, love, and hope.

My brother Matt has continued to be the main performer since the concert's inception. While he understands that the concert was put together to support Kate and her fight against cancer, my family and I can see that the concert holds a much more personal meaning for him, and for all of my family. Every year, the concert is a time where Matt can open up his heart to the world and let everyone see the emotion he has felt since our father passed away 14 years ago. It's a time where Matt and my family can sit down, enjoy the inspirational music and reflect on the the father we lost too soon. And it's a time of rememberance, passion and hope.

The word has gotten out about the concert, and like I said, each year it continues to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Well, this year's Concert For Life was held last week on Sunday March 13, and the early total of money donated is $43,000 (which will continue to increase as receipts and funds are still being sent in). Overall, the Concert For Life has raised over $320,000, which has been donated to the American Cancer Society.

I guess what I'm trying to say through all of this is that, while the Concert For Life was started to benefit Kate Pedersen's fight against cancer and all those who are battling cancer, I believe my older brother wished to perform the concert as a tribute to my father, as well. While the money is being raised to support the American Cancer Society, Matt wanted it to be a time where our family could come together, reflect on our father, and share this time with each other. And for that, I cannot thank him enough....

"If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, we'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again..." - We miss you Dad and you will live on forever in our hearts....

Chris Narveson Joins the Twitter Ranks

Chris Narveson, still somewhat of a newbie to MLB, is looking to make a big name for himself this season. While he looks to have a a strong presence on the mound, he's receiving advice from teammates to also have a strong presence on social media.

Former teammate and fellow southpaw Mitch Stetterhas convinced Narveson to establish a Twitter account, asking Narveson "Do you want a bunch of followers?"

Narveson's twitter handle, @sleep_trick, is his gamer tag on XBox. Since joining twitter, he is already approaching 1,000 followers with 914 as I'm writing this.

Narveson joins other active Brewers on Twitter, including relievers John Axford (@JohnAxford), Francisco Rodriguez (@El_kid_rod57), Kameron Loe (@KameronLoe) and Manny Parra (MannyParra26); outfielders Nyjer Morgan (@TheRealTPlush) and Carlos Gomez (@C_Gomez27); and first baseman Mat Gamel (@JMGamel).

John Axford - Future Filmmaker?

For those Brewers fans who don't know, John Axford is a HUGE film buff. He took to Twitter on Sunday to talk about the Oscars and his predictions, as he correctly picked 11 out of 13 winners. But his love for film goes beyond watching movies, as he has lots of stories in his head and has ambitions to take a shot at film in the future after his baseball career comes to an end (which hopefully won't be anytime soon).

To my and many Brewer fans' surprise, it looks like John has already begun preparations for a potential film career after baseball. A spec script that John has been working on during the offseason has surfaced, and while I can't 100% confirm the scripts validity, I can say it sounds like it'd be an epic flick.

To read the few pages of the surfaced script, click here.

Go Brewers!

Super Bowl > Ad Bowl

Over the past decade or so, millions of households tune into the Super Bowl, the NFL's biggest game. While many viewers tune into the game for the joy of football and seeing who wins, just as many tune into the game just for the commercials....and I am one of those people (unless my Chicago Bears can get their act together and make it back to NFL's promised land). To us viewers, we call it the Ad Bowl.

Coming into Super Bowl 46, I can't remember an Ad Bowl being so hyped up. Year after year, the momentum and hype surrounding the commercials escalates to an unprecedented level. And for the most part, the ads have lived up to the level of generated excitement. Unfortunately, Super Bowl 46 might be remembered more for the game itself than the Ad Bowl.

There were some good ads, and there were some bad ads. There were some fantastic ads, and there were some terrible ads. There were some "WOW! They nailed it!" ads, and there were some "I can't believe they just wasted 3 million dollars on this" ads.

The majority of the commercials didn't explore any new creative limits and they simply were repeats of ads seen in Super Bowl past. The creative departments/agencies that worked on these commercials became to complacent with ideas that worked in the past and assumed they would work again. Examples include...GoDaddy, ETrade (although it was funny, he's running out of things to say), and car ads that are becoming more and more ridiculous each year (see Kia Optima, Audi, and Acura NSX). Below is the Go Daddy ad that, while sticking to it's sexual appeal, is NEVER going to get me to visit their site. Give up already!



But in reality, it's not just the creative team's fault for the surplus of terrible ads this year. Part of the reason is the public's fault as well. We've begun to demands ads BEFORE the Super Bowl even begins and in a sense, we are opening the presents much too early. The fun in watching the Super Bowl ads is to be surprised, shocked, WOW'ed, and mesmorized by ads that we have never seen before. All that is taken out the window when a company leaks its ad out a week before the big game, whether it be by their own decision or the public's high interest.

Maybe this will be the Ad Bowl where companies learn from their mistakes, and I have a few tidbits of advice for success:

1) While many successful ads are humorous, don't simply re-cast humorous situations from previous ads in the past. Unless the humor is iconic with your brand (i.e, the E*Trade baby), it's better to continuously come up with more creative and funnier ideas (I'm talking to you Miller Lite and your "man card" ads).

2) Grasp the power and potential of crowdsourcing. Look at how successful Dorito's ads have become in recent Super Bowl memory. Why are they so successful? Because they leave the creativity up to the viewers themselves. Nobody knows what's funnier than your audience, so see what they have to say and you might just find your next successful campaign.



3) No matter what anybody says, it's best to reveal your ad DURING the Super Bowl. Leaking it (or even displaying teaser ads) is uneventful and causes the ad to lose its appeal/spark when it actually is seen by millions during the game. The ad that's most talked about after the Super Bowl is usually (if not always) one that viewers are seeing for the 1st time. So PLEASE don't reveal your ads until the big game itself.

Later on in the week, I'll post videos of the ads that I thought were the best and those that I thought were the worst....and I'd love to hear what you have to think about my choices as well as what your favorite & least favorite ads were.

Thanks, and until next time, Go Bucks!

Let the Super Bowl Ads begin!

As I was surfing the Internet today, I came across the first full-length commercial that will air during Super Bowl XLVI next Sunday. The commercial was for the 2013 Audi SL7. Check out the ad for yourself below...

While my feelings regarding this particular ad are mixed, the real reason for this post is to express my excitement for the kick-off to what I call Super Bowl Ad Extravaganza, the one day where companies and businesses around the country put all their eggs into one basket and pray that their creative and marketing teams have come up with the ad that everyone will remember days, weeks and even months after football's main event. I remember the commercial that captured everyone's attention last year....The Force: Volkswagen.

With the cost of a 30-second ad continuing to increase, it's becoming more and more important for businesses to make sure their ads are the ones that stick out. And with most of the Super Bowl's audience not caring about the outcome of the game (like me), their attention is solely focused on the commercials. It's to the point where the Super Bowl Sunday is becoming more hyped up for the commercials than the game itself. Therefore, the pressure is on! Who will step up to the plate this year and hit a home-run? Well, we will just have to tune in and find out.

Ted Davis: Bucks Announcer on Social Media

With Twitter (and the rest of the social networking world) becoming so prevalent all around the world, it has become a major component of success for businesses. The same holds true for professional sports teams. Many organizations simply hand the team's social media controls over to the marketing department (or create a social media department) whose sole job is to develop effective social media strategies to engage with fans and increase revenue in creative ways. But a lot of times, it's the people within a sports organization who "aren't" expected to be tweeting that are the ones who are effectively engaging with fans. One such man is Ted Davis, the radio announcer for the Milwaukee Bucks.

A recent newcomer to Twitter, Ted has made it clear that fan interaction is a major reason for his decision to join the major social networking platform. "What is it that he does?" you may ask. It's simple. Before every game, Ted reminds Bucks fans on Twitter that they can tweet him a question and he will look to answer it during the game on the air. It's not a "big" idea that people are going to say WOW! at, but it's an effective idea that Bucks fans are flocking to. Hundreds of fans tweet a question at Ted during the game, and he does his best to answer as many as he can.

This is the type of interaction that fans are looking for. Not just tweets or Facebook posts that highlight deals and leave no room for communication between a team and its fans. But instead, interaction where fans and a team are actually conversing with one another.

The reason I wanted to highlight Ted Davis is to show that it's not just the marketing/Social Media department that can be effective on social media for a team....it's other people within the organization that can as well. Ted Davis is just one of those people, and as a Bucks fan, I can tell you he's doing great.

You can follow Ted Davis on Twitter at the handle @nbated

The Comeback

As many of you may have noticed, I haven't taken to my blog in a while. Between graduating last May and beginning work in the real world, I kind of lost sight of what I had created here. And after a great conversation with a friend of mine and after seeing my brother begin his blog for his year-long journey in Germany, I've come to realize how effective having a blog can be. It's not just for personal reasons of letting out emotion, detailing experiences, or simply sharing any bit of information I feel people should know. It's also effective for career reasons. Blogs are a great way for you to reach a wide audience of potential employers and a great way for people to see what you are all about.

While I began this blog for a class project back in college, I plan on utilizing it as a means to express many of my interests as I move forward in my career. What interests you may ask? My biggest passions in life are sports and social media, but I also enjoy movies, music, and entertainment.

So if you are interested in joining me along for the ride, please follow this blog. I'm looking to put my name out there in the sports and social media world, and every connection helps.

Thus completes my first entry of the new year, and I hope to provide many more along the way.

Take care everyone.

Baby Boomers are Embracing Digital Media

In the U.S., 80 million baby boomers have turned 65 and are officially senior citizens...and many of them are turning to digital media. You don't believe me? Well, check out some of these statistics (from an article on Mashable):

• Social network use among Internet users 50+ years old has nearly doubled to 42% over the past year.
• In the U.S. alone, there are nearly 16 million people 55+ years old using Facebook.
• According to Nielsen data, 15% of people 55+ years of age are using smartphones
• A study found that around 13% of people aged 55-64 and 5% of people aged 65+ play games using a smartphone or standard cellphone
• 16% of people aged 50-64 have searched online for information on long-term care for an elderly or disabled person

One of the main reasons that an increasing number of senior citizens have started using social media is to connect with friends and loved ones, and also to shar

e experiences with strangers and new friends over the Internet.

In fact, more often then not, the reason that older people don't use social media ISN'T because of lack of interest, but instead because social media platforms have not been developed with these older people in mind.

With this in mind, there are a few key takeaways that every company should consider if they want to reach the "older" people through social media:

1. A growing number of old adults are taking advantage of the web right now...don't ignore them
2. As society and the web mature, companies and individuals need to make sure they are building the web to empower everyone, not just the young and tech-savvy
3. New technologies and new social media platforms will need to be intuitive and easy to use
4. When these new technologies and social media platforms are ready for use by the public, education is key to ensure senior citizens don't fall behind and become victims of the "digital divide"

In the end, senior citizens may be "old," but if companies want to maintain (and even increase) their success, they will need to develop social media strategies that allow senior citizens to easily use the platforms and technologies available to them.

Thank You Marquette...For Everything

It's late Sunday night as I sit here on my couch watching sports. And then it suddenly hit me...I'm going to be graduating in less than two months. I know it's an overly-used cliche, but it's amazing how time flies by when you're having fun. It feels like just yesterday I was stepping into my freshman dorm room at McCormick hall on Marquette University's campus, anxiously waiting to meet my freshman roommate for the first time while trying to console my mother who was on the verge of tears. Hanging up on a bulletin board in my room is a picture of my twin brother Ben and I with our mom, standing right outside my dorm room. It's amazing to look at that picture and see the long way that I have come in the past 4 years...

I have had the pleasure to meet many new people, make many new friends, and create many fond memories that I will carry with me forever. Who knew that I could have so much fun on such a small campus in such a wonderful city.

In the end of May, Ben and I will be the last of our siblings to graduate from Marquette University. Our other 5 siblings, which includes 2 other sets of twins, all had the pleasure of graduating from this fine establishment. However, Ben and I will be the only set of twins to graduate at the same time, which is such a wonderful way for our family's presence at this University to come to an end....at least until our own children reach college.

I guess what I wanted to share with you in this blog is my appreciation towards Marquette University. People say that college is the best 4 years of your life. As I approach the last couple months of my 4-year stay here at Marquette, I couldn't agree more with that statement. So thank you Marquette for everything that you have helped me to experience these past 4 years, I will never forget it. Now, on to the hectic job search.....

The Concert For Life

In 1995, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was only given 6-8 months to live. But his strength, will, and love for his family helped him survive 2 more years before he passed away in late 1997....I was only 8 years old. I have very few fond memories of my father, and it's sometimes hard to listen to my older siblings tell stories, laugh and tell their favorite memories of him because I know that I didn't get to spend as much time with him as they did. But every year, there is a time where I hear a lot of new stories from the many people whose lives my father touched....

In 2001, my older brother, Matt Wessel, was a senior in high school when he found out that one of his fellow classmates, Kate Pedersen, was diagnosed with cancer. Her classmates wanted to do something to support her fight, so they approached Matt with an idea. They asked if he would be willing to perform a benefit concert for the American Cancer Society in Kate's honor. Matt, who experiened the loss of our father from cancer 4 years earlier, agreed to perform. The concert was called "The Concert For Life."

The concert was held at St. Paul Apostle Church in Gurnee, Illionis, and it was so successful, that it has since then become an annual event. Since 2001, the concert has grown in size and in money raised. Each year, the concert touches the hearts of all those who attend. As the event continues to grow, more and more people will be moved by this special evening of music, love, and hope.

My brother Matt has continued to be the main performer since the concert's inception. While he understands that the concert was put together to support Kate and her fight against cancer, my family and I can see that the concert holds a much more personal meaning for him, and for all of my family. Every year, the concert is a time where Matt can open up his heart to the world and let everyone see the emotion he has felt since our father passed away 14 years ago. It's a time where Matt and my family can sit down, enjoy the inspirational music and reflect on the the father we lost too soon. And it's a time of rememberance, passion and hope.

The word has gotten out about the concert, and like I said, each year it continues to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Well, this year's Concert For Life was held last week on Sunday March 13, and the early total of money donated is $43,000 (which will continue to increase as receipts and funds are still being sent in). Overall, the Concert For Life has raised over $320,000, which has been donated to the American Cancer Society.

I guess what I'm trying to say through all of this is that, while the Concert For Life was started to benefit Kate Pedersen's fight against cancer and all those who are battling cancer, I believe my older brother wished to perform the concert as a tribute to my father, as well. While the money is being raised to support the American Cancer Society, Matt wanted it to be a time where our family could come together, reflect on our father, and share this time with each other. And for that, I cannot thank him enough....

"If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, we'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again..." - We miss you Dad and you will live on forever in our hearts....

The Grammys Turn Heavily to Social Media

SUMMARY

In one of my past posts, I discussed how the State of the Union address began to utilize social media. Well, this trend is continuing among major national events, as the 2011 Grammy Awards took on an impressive and extensive social media campaign. The campaign involved many aspects, such as geolocation, mobile, web, social media and augmented reality.

The 2011 Grammys' social media campaign was called "Music is Life is Music," and it centers around the idea that everybody has a musical journey with memories tied to certain songs and locations. Here are a few of the initiatives taken on for the social media campaign:

• A Foursquare-esque app called the MusicMapper (mashup of Google Maps, SimpleGeo, and Rdio) that allows users to tag locations on a map of their current city with songs and notes
• Users could share their tags on MusicMapper with others via Twitter and Facebook
• MusicMapper highlights concert venues via Foursquare and allows users to add photos of artists and local venues via Flickr
• A "Music is Life is Music" micro website where users can tag locations
• Several well-known artists have had their musical journeys mapped on MusicMapper, including Eminem
• An app that has QR code reader in which users can unlock exclusive Grammy content via codes on outdoor advertisements and print material. Within the app, 8 previous Grammy performances will be released
• An app that features an augmented reality view that allows users to see all of the tags associated with a location
• A 3-day Virtual Pre-Show called GRAMMY Live on Twitter, YouTube and Grammy.com
• Twitter tracker with hashtags where users could follow updates on everything related to the Grammys

ANALYSIS

The Grammys in 2010 took a major look at the power of social media and did an excellent job in incorporating a social media campaign into its operations. But last year, the campaign, which was titled "We're All Fans," was built around user-generated content. TV spots were user-generated and a website was made that integrated real-time content from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

But this year, the Grammys wanted to make its social media campaign more interactive among users so as not to make it passive, like last year's appeared to be. This year, users have been able to contribute to the data themselves. This represents the shift in communication that social media is helping to create. No longer are people (users) just waiting for updates and contents from operations (such as the Grammys). Now, they are starting and contributing to the conversations that are being had around the event.

Overall, I feel that the Grammys utilized social media very effectively. When it comes to music, music is a facet and a part of everybody's lives, whether they realize it or not. Music is a way for people to express themselves, and now, they get to share those expressions and feelings with others around the world. The social media campaign used for the 2011 Grammys took a major step forward from the campaign used for the 2010 Grammys. People don't just want to give their take on music and express their ideas; they want to be able to share their take on music and express their ideas WITH other avid music fans. This year, the Grammys allowed for this through their revamped social media campaign.

I don't really have any suggestions for the Grammys on how to improve its social media strategy because its such a young venture for the major event. This was only the 2nd year that the Grammys have utilized a social media campaign, and thus, the Grammys are still in the early stages of settling on a social media campaign. But with the many advancements in social media that will continue to come about as time goes on, I would recommend that the Grammys continue to test out new platforms and cater to the trends that take place (as it did this year with making the social media campaign more interactive). I would recommend that Grammys continue to utilize the ever-growing geolocation platform, as more and more people are beginning to utilize this aspect of social media. Also, I would recommend that the Grammys build a Facebook page and YouTube channel (with songs from the nominated Grammy artists for users to listen to). These are 2 channels that are highly used by the public and avid music fans, so having a presence on these social media platforms would be an essential key to success in the future for the Grammys.

SOURCES

http://mashable.com/2011/01/14/grammys-social-media-2011/

http://activ8social.com/2011/02/11/social-media-and-the-grammys/

http://josedweblink.com/Josedwebseo/27/the-annual-grammy-awards-music-is-life-is-music/

The Adjustment Bureau & Battle: Los Angeles are Worth the Trip

I feel it's an appropriate time to blog about something that doesn't involve solely social media. And as an avid movie fan, I couldn't think of a better topic.

I have been called a movie addict by many friends and by my family. I have a knack for seeing a movie and then quoting it for the rest of the night upon returning home. But now at college, I have found it difficult to find time to head to the movies with friends and family because everyone is busy. This has resulted in me not seeing nearly as many movies as I have had my heart set on. Thus, I have opened a Netflix account and watch movies when I can.

While Netflix is great (I will undoubtedly continue to use it), there is nothing like seeing a movie in the theater. These past two weekends, I have had the luxury of returning to the cinema to see two great movies that were at the top of my "to-see list." First, last weekend, I saw The Adjustment Bureau with a few of my siblings and in-law.

It's a movie about a group of people that control the fates of mankind, and how a couple in love has to fight for their right to be together. It's a great thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. While I thought it was a bit short and could have been a little bit more daring, it's a movie that I would highly recommend.

Tonight, I had the luxury of seeing Battle: Los Angeles with my stepdad.

For the past few months, I have had my heart set on seeing this movie and have been looking forward to it. However, within the past few weeks, I have read some harsh and negative reviews about it. It made me question if it would be worth seeing. But when my stepdad asked if I wanted to go see it with him, I jumped at the opportunity. And I must say, I'm glad I did. Battle: Los Angeles is about an alien invasion unlike any other seen before on camera. I won't give much away about the movie because it's something that's definitely worth seeing. The special effects, graphics, and musical score are incredible. All of these aspects worked together to create a very enjoyable movie that had me biting my fingernails until the very end. I highly recommend this movie.

There you have it. Two movies I highly recommend. And while it was fun seeing these movies, I have a lot more on my "to-see list" that I have to start finding time for.

New Facebook App Teeters on the Edge of Stalking

Facebook is continuing to pour out applications. This week, the popular social networking site is off to a fast start.

In an article on CNN, Facebook has released the "Facebook Breakup Notifier" app, which lets users pick certain friends whose relationship status they want to monitor. When one of these people's relationship status changes, the user is then notified of the change via email. It's perfect for those who have their eye on someone who is currently taken. As the app promises, "You like someone. They're in a relationship. Be the first to know when they're out of it."

Here's a picture of what the new app looks like, and its also at this site:



But does this app, which was created by Dan Loewenherz, cross the border of becoming "stalkerish?" At first look, the concept of this app seems to indeed carry a stalkerish vibe, as people's love lives could be being followed by others without their knowing.

In a column called "Signs you could be a Facebook stalker," William Marshall clarifies some of the activities on Facebook that would classify a user as a stalker. While Facebook stalking is a presently an undefined term, there are activities that can clearly constitute stalking. Marshall goes on to say that "if you are infatuated with someone and you are paying close attention to their activities to further your chances of a relationship with them, you are stalking." In this sense, Marshall sees Facebook stalking as "an unknown and unwanted amount of attention by another user." With the points that this article makes, it's easy to see that constantly monitoring the relationship statuses of other users is clearly considered stalking.

But while Facebook users may find it creepy, it will undoubtedly become a highly popular app among users. It has the potential to be the next big thing on this social networking platform. The thing is, no matter how stalkerish a Facebook app or other social media platforms may seem, we always aggregate to them and turn them into the most popular apps and platforms on the web. Instead of turning our backs towards these stalkerish apps, we soak them all in.

I believe that this Breakup Notifier app will follow the same path that other stalkerish apps have gone down. While there may be initial concerns about its stalkerish vibe and privacy concerns, this app will become a huge hit on Facebook and users will flock to it. This shows the power of social media, and at the same time it shows the potential negatives of social media.

For your viewing pleasure, I've included an advertisement for Virgin Mobile which shows how social media can be used to stalk other people's lives. It may be a funny commercial, but in reality, things like this are actually happening.



Well, now it's time to hear your opinion. What is your take on this new Breakup Notifier app? Do you feel it crosses the line of "stalking?" Do you think it will become a popular app among users?

I for one will now be more aware of who I'm becoming friends with on Facebook because who knows, maybe they only want to be friends to follow my relationship status. Let's hear your take on the issue.

State of the Union Address Goes Digital

SUMMARY

As advances in technology continue to erupt, many of the biggest events in our country are incorporating social media campaigns into their operations. One such event is the State of the Union address. This year, the State of the Union address went digital. Many online and social media platforms were engaged throughout the event. Here are just a few of the initiatives taken on the big night of January 25th:

• C-SPAN and PBS's News Hour broadcasted the event online, with sidebars for people to leave comments via Twitter, Facebook, and more sites
• The White House's website broadcasted the event alongside data and images reflecting the subject matters discussed
• Live stream and enhanced presentation of the address on YouTube
• Sunlight Foundation posted real-time fact-checking during the address
• A mobile app that keeps people updated on the address while they're on-the-go
• The public was having political conversations on Twitter, with hashtags #SOTU, #StateoftheUnion and #UnionAddress as trending topics
• People tweeting included some Senators, Congressmen, and the President himself
• Some of the President's policy team members held a live panel, taking questions via Facebook and Twitter
• The Republican response was broadcasted on C-SPAN, PBS and Facebook

ANALYSIS

This represents a major shift in the way conversations in politics are being carried out. No longer are political conversations simply one-way affairs that are controlled mostly by the media and politicians themselves. Now, these conversations consist of two-way dialogue between the politicians and citizens, allowing anyone who cares to join the conversation. This is exactly what the public desires: a chance to engage with the important politicians who are at the center of all of the issues, and a chance for their voices to be heard. With this social media campaign, the White House has successfully turned the State of the Union address into a significant 4-day affair instead of just a 1-hour event.

Overall, I believe the White House used social media very effectively. In the hard times that our country is facing, more and more people feel the desire to express their opinion and truly "have a say." All of these social media platforms that the White House operated before, during and after the State of the Union address gave people the chance to engage in the conversation. It shows that Obama and his administration are committed to creating and nurturing a productive dialogue throughout the whole nation.

I don't have any major suggestions for the White House on how to improve it social media strategy for the State of the Union address. It's really the first time this has been set forth and put into action, so the White House is still in the beginning stages of its social media usage. It will surely continue to test out new platforms in the years to come. In the meantime, I would recommend that the White House develop a social media strategy for all major events throughout the year. This will continue to give the public a chance to engage with politicians and media in the many political conversations that are going on.

SOURCES

http://www.fastcompany.com/1720866/what-you-missed-while-you-were-watching-cnn-sotu-the-digital-party

http://socialmediabirmingham.com/the-2011-state-of-the-union-social-media-strategy/

College Rejection Letters Gone Forever?

When we were seniors in high school, we went through the lengthy process of applying to the various colleges that we had our hopes and dreams set on. Do you remember the anxiety we felt while waiting to hear from each of the schools? And do you remember the feeling of our stomachs dropping when we received a rejection letter from the college that was at the top of our list? Ok, well that last part may only pertain to a select few of us (yes...me included), but we can all agree that receiving a rejection letter from a school we had hoped to attend would certainly hit us where it hurts.

Well, after reading an article on CNN, Startup Splash Networks and Facebook are teaming up in hopes of eliminating rejection letters forever. Startup Splash Networks has designed a Facebook app called "AdmissionSplash" that will show prospective college students how likely it is that they will be admitted to each school on their lists. This app asks for students to input various information, including test scores, GPA, address, other demographic information, and more factors that admission offices take into account. Then, based off of an algorithm, the users receive a desirability rating as well as the likelihood they will get into the colleges they are looking at. AdmissionSplash is up and running for 1,500 colleges. So far, the results have been suprisingly accurate. For UCLA, "approximately 85% of the students the app said would get admitted actually did." Here's a picture of what the new Facebook app looks like up front:














While the app seems to work (it's in the beginning stages), there are a few underlying questions that need to be answered before prospective students throw all of their information to these two companies. First and foremost, this new app requires a lot of personal and demographic information that would seem to have no bearing on anyone's ability to get into a college, such as one's address. This makes the app look a little suspicious, as people might make it out to believe a simple data mining exercise for Facebook and SSN. In his blog, professional Art Director and Designer Michael Leo wrote an article about the rise of Facebook applications that have underlying intentions to harvest demographic data from consumers. This is a direct violation of privacy on the consumer and tons and tons of people are falling for such applications. Is the new AdmissionSplash app just the next one in line on this list?

Second, the question needs to be asked: can an app or algorithm truly be developed to help predict whether one will be accepted to a certain college? And if so, can it ever be reliable? While results for UCLA have been accurate for this new app, that's not to say it works for the other colleges.

That said, if people do try it out, will they believe the results? The consequences can be detrimental if one tries out the app and it informs him/her that the chances of him/her getting into a school are not good. As mentioned before, it's not 100% accurate. It's not full-proof. It isn't the "real thing." Someone who is rejected by the app can just as easily apply to the school and get in.

Thus, I don't know whether this app should be trusted. Questions will continue to linger around this app for as long as it is in existence about whether it can be trusted or not. Is it just a data-mining attempt by Facebook and SSN to get more information on consumers? Are the results it produces reliable enough? What if one is rejected by the app but in reality, he/she would've gotten into the college had they applied? When it comes down to it, I don't know if I'd be able to trust this app. Thankfully, I've already been through the college application process, so I will not have to worry about ever using this app. But for those who will, I stress a heavy word of caution.

Tweeting With Twitter...Take 2

Ahh, it's time once again to share my thoughts on Twitter. I have a lot to say, so bare with me. Let's get started!

Having taken Media Writing with Mary Ingles, I had the luxury of completing this Twitter assignment last semester. Before then, I had no true desire to enter the Twitter universe, feeling that it was nothing more than a waste of time. But as the assignment went on and as I continued to gain more knowledge about Twitter, I began to understand its true value as a social media tool.

When I discovered that we would be completing the same assignment for Public Relations Writing, I was glad that I would have another go-around with Twitter. I hoped that it would be a chance for me to learn even more about this ever-growing tool.

Much of my first run with this assignment last semester consisted of tweets about what I was doing, what sports I was watching, what was on my mind and a bunch of other random blurbs. I was not utilizing Twitter for all that it was worth. I was treating it more as a chance to declare to the world aspects of my life when there were more creative reasons to tweet. The problem was that I did not fully realize this…..until now.

One thing I have found to be really enjoying about Twitter is posting links to articles that might interest other “tweeple.” Whether it is an article about a sports figure, an entertainment scene, a global crisis, or even a technological breakthrough, I have gotten into the habit of placing the links on my tweets. This is one area that I find heavy value in Twitter because it is a two-way street: not only can people take a gander at the articles I tweet, but I can read up on articles that my fellow tweeple are sharing. It can be anything from breaking news to random interviews. The best part about it is that I don’t have to go to numerous websites to read find these articles. They are right there for me on my twitter feed, waiting for me to read them. Ever since I have developed this habit, I repeatedly check Twitter for new articles while continuing to post those that I feel I should share with everyone. It truly is a valuable source for all that is going on right before our eyes.

In reading the article “Twitter for College Students,” there is one tip that really stands out to me: remembering that your tweets (unless protected) are viewable by anyone with the Internet. The tip goes on to say “keep it clean” and “avoid profanity.” Over the course of the time I have spent on Twitter, I have been following many athletes, news reporters and many more professionals. For them, and even for every single “tweep,” it is crucial that their tweets are appropriate. Any mishap or wrong step in a tweet can be seen by just about ANYONE and it can potentially result in heavy consequences (depending on the situation). Therefore, it’s critical that people are always aware of what they are tweeting about and making sure it’s appropriate and clean.

What is interesting is thinking of the various opportunities Spaulding Clinical Research, my client, can use Twitter for its Public Relations efforts. Spaulding Clinical has recently created a Twitter name and plans on making great use of it. Some of the reasons they will use it will be to tweet about events that are coming up that they are sponsoring, to tweet about clinical studies they have announced or ones that are upcoming, to tweet about any new company news that has evolved (with links to news releases), and to allow people to inquire about the various events and clinical studies Spaulding Clinical will be involved in. The opportunities Spaulding Clinical has with Twitter seem to be limitless at this point.

While I plan to continue to follow everyone that I am currently following on Twitter, there are five people/organizations that I will heavily be tuned into:

· My brother Matt Wessel (mwess) – being brothers, we have many of the same interests. His tweets cover topics that I am heavily interested in, so it is always interesting to see what he has to say.
· MarquetteU – this organization is constantly tweeting updates about events, stories, people and more around Marquette’s campus and around the world. It’s a great source of information to keep myself on top of what is happening around me.
· Bucks – the Milwaukee Bucks are my favorite sports team in the area (besides Marquette of course), and I will continue to follow them to stay up-to-date on all the important information and news surrounding the team.
· BreakingNews – I love using Twitter to discover any breaking news around the world, so this Twitter account is right up my alley with everything it provides.
· ESPN – being a die-hard sports fan, I will continue to follow ESPN for all of the up-to-the-minute news, scores and information it provides.
· And for a bonus sixth person/organization, I will continue to follow Mary Ingles for any insightful tweets she provides.

It feels good to have gotten this all off my chest. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it!

Finally 21...do I smell Las Vegas?

This past weekend, my brother and I celebrated our 21st birthday, a time in our lives we thought could not come soon enough. I won't sit here and share all of the hilarious details, but just like any 21st birthday celebration, it was a great time.

Now if you don't know my family, let me tell you that it is a big one. There is my mom, me and my six siblings (which includes three sets of twins), my stepdad, and three stepbrothers (and a bunch of in-laws mixed in). I always thought that being the youngest in the family was the greatest because being the baby means you get more gifts, you get away with things your siblings didn't, and you get to follow the paths of your older siblings so that life doesn't seem too hard. But as I grow up, I'm starting to realize that there are many things to look forward to in life the older you get. One of those moments is your 21st birthday.

Unfortunately, my brother and I, being the youngest in the family, would be the last ones to turn 21. On top of that sorrow, for any 21st birthday in the family, my stepdad's gift is to take the entire family to Las Vegas for a weekend. However, only those who are 21 and over would be able to go (OUCH!!). This means that on three or four occasions, my brother and I spent the entire weekend at a friend's or relative's house while the rest of our family was living it up in the magnificent city that is Las Vegas. I have to say that those were some of the most boring and aggravating weekends in my life to date.

But that is all in the past because our time to celebrate in Sin City is just around the corner. This upcoming weekend (Feb. 12-14), my brother and I will join our family and crew in Las Vegas for a weekend to remember. Everyone should be able to experience Las Vegas at least once in their lives, and I couldn't be more happier that my first time will be with those who I love the most and are the closest to me. Let's just hope they are there to support me if I lose all of my money.....

Tweeting With Twitter

These past couple of years, I have been watching before my eyes the evolution of social networking. I have even jumped on the bandwagon, joining MySpace before switching to Facebook four years ago. But then comes Twitter, the next big idea, and soon everyone is joining it. I just didn't see any reason for me to create a Twitter account and thought it would have been a waste of time. Was I ever wrong.

Twitter has proven a lot to me over these past two weeks. It's basically Facebook without all of the extra junk. It's just updating your status (tweets) and seeing what else people are saying. Never in my life have I seen an easier way to stay in touch with friends, family, and the entire World then through Twitter. It's communication made easy and fun.

Initially, I was dreading the fact that I actually had to create a Twitter because I had been so against it for some time. For the first couple of tweets, I put way too much thought into what I was writing and wasn't truly having fun with it like most do. But once I saw people tweeting about random events, facts and stories, I realized how fun Twitter could actually be. I looked forward to signing in and tweeting new things each day, knowing that many people would see it and take it in. Most of the time I would tweet about my day, but I also found time to tweet about random quotes which I am looking to do more of now.

Another unique aspect of Twitter is the popularity it has gained from celebrities, as people around the globe follow them and what they are doing. I even joined in by following various pro athletes and a couple Hollywood actors. It's interesting because they are doing exactly what we are doing: finding time to share with many people what is going on with them.

But the biggest thing I learned from this experience is the power of Twitter as a news source. Right when something happens, you can bet that someone is tweeting about it to get it out to everyone. The speed with which news can travel on Twitter is astonishing. I remember finding out about the "balloon boy" incident through Twitter just moments after the balloon had taken off.

All in all, it was a great experience. Twitter has shown me the power of social networking not only as a means of communication with friends and family, but as a means of news communication around the globe. That is the value I have found in Twitter and the reason I will continue to use it. It serves as one of my main news sources, keeping me up to date with things that are going on around the U.S. and around the Globe.

Just as a little side note, the event that I chose for my client is my older brother's Concert For Life. I'm sure I will be working with him to set up some promotional tweets along the way to get people to come out and support the American Cancer Society. So be on the look out.

You have how many sets of twins!!!

I get this reaction all the time when I tell people how many sets of twins I have in my family, and I'm pretty sure my siblings get the same reaction when they tell various people. Just to fill you guys in, I have three sets of twins in my family, and an older sister on top of that. What's unique is that we have a set of each kind: boy/boy, girl/girl and boy/girl. I never realized how big of a deal it was...until now.

You see, growing up, whenever my mom met someone new, it didn't matter what they were talking about, she would somehow find a way to inform the person that our family consisted of seven kids, including three sets of twins. Being the youngest of the seven, along with my twin brother, Ben, I was around most of the time when this happened. It got to the point where, whenever my mom started up a conversation with a new person, I would place bets with Ben on whether she brings up the twin topic. I'm pretty sure I won most of those bets.

To me, I didn't see why she always liked to bring it up. At first, you might think it's because she wants to brag. But if you ever meet her, or have met her, you'll know that's not my mom at all. She did it, and still does, because she has so much love for her family. We are her love and joy, and she tells people of us because she is proud of us. The consistency of my mom in telling our story to others has helped me realize the love my family has had for each other.

Everyone knows that family is the most important thing in the world to an individual. Being able to grow up with six other siblings and a loving mother was truly a blessing. You see, I was only eight years old when my dad passed away. My mother and siblings did all they could to help show me the ropes in life and help me grow into the man I am today. That is family love at its fullest.

My siblings and mom have continued to be there for me, and we've all continued to be there for each other. Now when I meet someone new, I have grown into the habit of telling him or her about my family and how many sets of twins I have. It's not to brag, but to express the love I have for my family...just like my mom did.