Siwar Bandar's Blog (9)

Co-creation – the idea that the best work/thoughts may not come from so-called experts in the field (though their voices will be counted), but rather from the collective meaning created by groups. The hope is that the best ideas will ultimately float to the top of the pile and will comprise of a complex mash up of voices, perspectives and expertise. John Winsor calls it co-creation from the bottom up; posting that com… Continue

The hostile media theory posits that partisans perceive the media as hostile to their point of view despite the inference of neutral parties that the same coverage is unbiased. This paradigm precludes that the distinction between opinions, protected by the first amendment, and true libel must be clear. Scott M.Cutlip, Allen H. Center and Glen M. Broom (2006) define libel as a legal action meant to compensate… Continue

Media theorists have long debated the extent of media influence on viewers’ perceptions of reality. Some posit that media gatekeepers and content can affect public opinion, and more critically, alter subsequent behavior. These media theories however have been thrown for a loop since the emergence of the Internet. How do these long established frameworks and theories work in the context of the cyber universe? Do these media theories apply to Internet users in the same way as television viewers or… Continue

Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff present compelling evidence in their book Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies, that energizing existing communities can generate incredible positive (although not always) word of mouth, and contribute immensely to the bottom line. After all, inherent in these communities is a sense of passion for a given product, brand or issue. In 2009, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is set to joi… Continue

Mark Weiner touches on ethics in public relations in his book Unleashing the Power of PR: A Contrarian’s guide to Marketing and Communication – an important subject that has had huge influence o… Continue

As a first generation immigrant – I moved here eight years ago from Saudi Arabia – I have always been particularly interested the relationship between online activity, specifically blogging, and the complex political and social realties of the Middle East. Even within the region, traditions and beliefs can vary to such an extent that it is virtually impossible to speak generally or with any authority about online trends in the Arab world. The assumption is that one can easily dismiss Arab blogg… Continue

Seeds of Peace has done an admirable job of creating and expanding on already existing social networks. There are dozens of facebook groups dedicated to the organization, incepted and maintained by the non-profit its self and by former members, participants and counselors. The groups boast anywhere from 200 – 1,215 members, as well as relatively active posts (for example 75 wall posts on public walls). There are also several related groups such as Israeli Seeds of Peace, Seeds of Peace for Cypru… Continue

Associations are an extraordinary marketing tool, says Robert M. Cialdin in his book Influence, Science and Practice. Like Jordan and Nike, Dole and Viagra, corporations have rushed to connect their products with positive symbols of power, wealth, success and sex. Dig a little deeper however, and you will find that these associations can be far more complex than just connections to what is the current cultural rage. This morning I was running on the treadmill at Golds Gym, when a blaring voice… Continue

Word of mouth, be it digital or otherwise, is an exceptionally powerful influence. After all, as people we naturally tend to listen to what others like us have to say. It’s interesting that such trust is also apparent among online users – even though online forums and communities are comprised mostly of strangers who may or may not be linked. With little more than an obscure name, online users have managed to develop hard-earned reputations, and by extension have established complicated networks… Continue