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#RaganSocial and other tweet chats.

Today, I had the pleasure of participating in the #RaganSocial Twitter chat hosted by Beki Winchel and Ragan.com. It was the first Twitter chat I had ever contributed to, and I have to say, it was quite the experience. 

Today’s topic was internal communications and digital signage featuring Chuck Gose, the Vice President of Stratecache. I will admit, at first I was apprehensive. I, still a student in my own little PR bubble, felt I wasn’t prepared for the topic since I haven’t yet entered the working world. However, I was very pleasantly surprised that I could contribute knew more about the topic than I expected. Here were some of the highlights of the chat from my screen:

One of the most interesting things about this chat was the amount of engagement each participant contributed. there were about 10 people participating at any given time of the chat. I was, at first, expecting it would be more of a simple Q&A, but it was much more interactive and engaging. It was very impressed, and it was an awesome experience getting to talk to business and PR professionals. 

Beki Winchel is one of my favorite professionals that I follow on social media. I follow her articles on PR Daily...well, daily. Check out her latest here. It was such a pleasure to contribute to the chat she hosts. I highly recommend every PR practitioner participate in a Tweet chat at least once a month, if not once a week. It allows you to build relationships and converse with others in your field, beat, etc.

Next time you see a chat booming in the trends, jump in. It’s generally really easy to catch up. Check out TweetReports.com to see if their is a reoccurring chat you may want to plan into your schedule.

Paladini Out.

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Experiencing ‘Netflixia’

According to Urban Dictionary, one of my favorite satirical sites, ‘Netflixia’ is a self-diagnosed non-medical term to describe people who are addicted to the Netflix video streaming service. Basically, all those Netflix maniacs out there who can’t get enough TV. Now, normally I would laugh and carry on. However, I think Urban Dictionary has something here. It has at least given a name to a very real trend in today’s society.

Binge Watching has become one of the most popular hobbies of citizens across the 50 states and beyond. According to a recent study by Netflix, 61% of 1,500 TV streamers binge watch regularly, and 73% feel good about it!  

I will admit, I am one of these people, BUT I am only one of these people for about one month of the entire year. The reality of binge watching is, once you’ve finished one episode, you move on to the next, and the next, until finally you have finished the entire series and you are left not knowing what to do next. Throughout this time period, you are sluggish and lazy, and the contemplation on whether eating is worth getting up for is a daily struggle. It is not just Netflix either, it is also sites such as Hulu, iTunes, and Amazon that encourage bulk streaming. 

I decided to have a little fun, and try out some mobile video editing software on my iPhone 5s. To show you all what ‘Netflixia’ is really like. It was quite an experience, especially coming from someone with a Adobe Premiere and Final Cut background. I used a pretty cool iOS app called ‘Videoshop’ to make this video. If you ask me, my roommate makes a pretty convincing Netflix addict (maybe a little too convincing). Enjoy!

Beware. You could be the next victim.

Photo/Video Credit: CBS, Nickelodeon, & Anna Paladini

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#TalkAboutThis

Do you remember when this video went viral?

This video has almost 29 Million views since it was published on Youtube after appearing on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show in September of 2013. This is only part of the trend that is the hashtag.

You know there has been a generational flux when “Why does the house phone have a hashtag when you can’t use it online” comes out of a 9-year-old’s mouth. Back before the term hashtag was even on the radar, the ‘#’ symbol was the pound key, and 9-year-olds didn’t use the internet. 

Today, the hashtag is an icon for the digital age. Hashtags are mainly used on social media platforms such as Twitter to identify trending topics. Some hashtags are to discuss popular topics, and some hashtags are to share social trends such as jokes or popular puns. Hashtags are also used to further inform populations of social activism movements. For example, ‘#NotAllMen’ and ‘#YesAllWomen’ were used to discuss and debate misogyny after the 2014 Isla Vista Massacre. 

According to We R Social Media, a blog dedicated to informing others of news and opinions centered around social media, has this to say:

- Tweets with hashtags have 2 times more chance to generate engagement. - You have 55% higher chance to earn a retweet if you use 1 hashtag or more. - Hashtags on Instagram? The more, the merrier! - While hashtags on Facebook had a slow start, they’re catching up now. - On Google+, hashtags are generated automatically but feel free to add your owns!

The Entertainment Industry topics become very popular very fast. Many companies have also been known to use hashtags as campaign tools in movie premieres, music releases, and award shows. For example, today on my Twitter trends in my region, 3 out of 10 of the popular trends pertain to the Entertainment Industry and entertainment news. Right now are the topics of movies and releases are very popular, including discussions revolving around ‘Scandal′, ‘Batman v. Superman’, and ‘Star Wars’. These can all be attributed to the use of hashtags, which fuel discussions and lead to others becoming interested in the topic, creating a trend. 

A popular hashtag currently in the Entertainment Industry is #TribecaTogether. It was created to unite discussion and current events happening at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, N.Y. It has been a very buzzing topic since the beginning of the festival on April 15th. 

Hashtags are a great outreach tool to help create awareness and draw audience to news and other topics that people are currently discussing. A great example recently was during the 2015 Academy Awards when Reese Witherspoon fueled the discussion and the creating of the hashtag #AskHerMore. The topic was a call-to-action to further make known the issues surrounding reporters on the red carpet, and their mundane and sexist questions at awards shows. The discussion lasted about 5 days, and sparked controversy all over the Twittersphere and beyond.

I know whenever I see trending hashtags about the Entertainment Industry on Twitter, I always investigate the discussion, and that is the point of it all. The hashtag is an extraordinary tool that sparks discussion and social interaction across nations. We as a species have become curious, and this little symbol, the ‘#’ sign, is a fueler of social interaction and change. 

I can imagine a world without it, but that doesn’t mean I’d like to. It makes for some pretty interesting conversations.

To discover other trends in the hashtag world, visit hashtagify.com.

Media by: The National Broadcasting Company, We R Social Media, Jennifer Morrison, Anna Paladini, and The British Broadcasting Company.

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AMC Theatres rocks Twitter

Since the dawn of the Digital Age, Twitter has been a rising tool to help brands perform consumer outreach, and share content to further promote themselves, right? Well, in my opinion, a lot of them need to work on their tactics. You see, many companies and brands don’t know HOW to brand themselves in an interesting and relevant way. It’s quite shocking, actually, how some brands simply don’t think they need media presence, or an interesting take on how to ‘entertain’ and identify with their audience. 

However, there are many who use Twitter, and use it WELL. I can tell you quite a few who do a great job, but I’m only here to talk about one, AMC Theatres, and they do it through effective communication and personality.

AMC Theatres is not your usual ‘go-to’ twitter account that many would immediately want to follow. HOWEVER, this company has done a great job at capturing and keeping their audience entertained through fun and effective tweeting. 

Most of the posts AMC publish are related to movies playing in their theatres and news and announcements, but that isn’t the only reason people follow them. AMC Theatres is actually subtly hilarious on their Twitter page, and champions at customer service responses via tweets. 

If you look at AMC in comparison to Regal and Cinemark, you start to see that they have some sort of spark. They have a much larger following than either other movie chain with 299K followers compared to Regal with 120K followers, and Cinemark with 20K. This can be attributed to their dedication to informing their audience, and their approach to humor in their customer service.

I, personally, am very impressed with the personality AMC puts out into the Twittersphere. They are funny, and make a point to engage with their followers and current trends. The company is also known for their witty posts in relation to film releases, and their fun conversations with other brands, such as Oreo.

All in all, I think AMC has a great grip on their brand, and what they put out to their audience to keep them informed and entertained. They do a great job keeping their personality light, and their business fun and “on point.”

So, if you want to follow a funny and informing brand to keep you on top of the Entertainment Industry, check out AMC Theatres on Twitter! You’ll never be bored.

Photo Credit: Oreo, AMC Entertainment Co. & Topsy

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The Glorious Moment Disney Went Mobile

If you didn’t know this already, I am the world’s most closeted Disney fanatic. It’s amazing how tame I am about the subject considering how explosive my obsession is for the company. I could tell you anything you need to know about Disney, any time, anywhere. Disneyland is my home away from home, and the first time I ever went to Disney World, I just about cried joyous tears, it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. However, going to the Disney Parks can be someone what of a pain. As an individual, you have to be prepared for the hazards and lines that lie ahead, and I can only imagine the level of preparedness mothers have to have. It is probably similar to planning for battle. So, when Disney launched their My Disney Experience App for smartphones, it was a huge game changer for anyone experiencing Disney parks. 

This technology completely changed how park goers arrange their schedules to stay entertained at the Disney Parks. For Example, When you first enter the park, any park, you log into the app, and select which park you are attending. You then proceed to plan your day using the many features of the app including:

• Exploring Walt Disney World Resort on the interactive, GPS-enabled map. • Getting wait times for attractions and showtimes for fireworks and parades. • Finding Character greeting locations and times. • Browsing restaurant menus and make dining reservations. • Keeping reservations and activities organized in My Plans. • Sharing plans with others through Family & Friends feature. • Managing your Disney Resort reservations, tickets, MagicBands and cards. • Selecting and modify your party’s FastPass+ experiences.

The most popular feature for patrons of the Parks would be the wait times feature. Before this ever came out, it was a long process to trek all across the park only to find the attraction you wanted to ride is broken down, or has a wait line for over an hour. The app allows you to avoid all that with quick and timely  results on what lines are short, and when it’s time to take that much needed lunch break because EVERYTHING is packed. 

The app also can be programmed to update you via smartphone when special events are happening in the parks, like special Meet and Greets, as well as movie screenings. 

This app brings everything full circle and shows us just how smart our smartphones are these days. This mobile experience has changed how we visit these parks. Disney Parks are not the only parks using this technology either, many other amusement parks are also joining the digital age as well. Within the My Disney Experience app, you can also be directed to an “App Store” that specifically showcases other downloadable Disney apps that you can choose for your many other entertainment needs. 

Since the beginning of the Digital Age, we have become a society in need of instant satisfaction. With this technology, we gain instant access to information not easily accessible before mobile devices. It is a more effective way to stay entertained and amused during your Disney experience.

Disney Parks were amazing before, but with this, it became a much more magical experience. To learn more, visit here.

 Photo Credit: Walt Disney Company & Disney Parks

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Are Torrents and File Share Sites Killing the Entertainment Industry?

It has been a highly controversial issue for decades whether users of torrent sites, or file sharing sites, are actually affecting the Entertainment Industry.

Torrent sites have been around since the 1990′s, and since then has caused major issues surrounding ownership and piracy. Piracy is the ‘hijacking’ of products that are not owned by the seller, and profiting off their distribution. Across the globe, ‘Internet Pirates’ have profited from the distribution and sale of illegally pirated goods. A lot of these products include music, movies, and TV series.

Then there are the file sharers. The internet users people who simply want to share and download entertainment for free with friends, as well as random strangers of course. Why not? I mean, its right in from of me, for free on my computer versus having to pay $14.99 to buy the film on iTunes or Amazon, etc.

According to an LA Times article from 2013, “The amount of bandwidth used for copyright infringement in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific has grown nearly 160% from 2010 to 2012, accounting for 24% of total Internet bandwidth, according to a study from NetNames, the British brand protection firm.”

The first website to start this phenomena was Napster. Napster opened the gates to file sharing everywhere. You could download any song, any time, FOR FREE. However, in 2001, it was deemed illegal to use under copyright laws.

That was just the beginning, now there are sites such as BitTorrent, LimeTorrent,  Pirate Bay, and so many others distributing movies, TV series, music, video games EVERYWHERE. 

The problem is, this practice has caused the Entertainment Industry to take serious hits. Why? Because they aren’t making a profit from users sharing their materials for free. It has caused many battles and created a war to fight file sharing and piracy so that the Entertainment Industry can continue to charge us for their products. 

Is it really devastating the industry though?

According to TorrentFreak.com, study reports by The London School for Economics and Political Science have shown, “Despite the Motion Picture Association of America’s (MPAA) claim that online piracy is devastating the movie industry, Hollywood achieved record-breaking global box office revenues of $35 billion in 2012, a 6% increase over 2011.” 

Although the problem continues, according to PRNewswire, the industry is rapidly growing despite the issue at hand. 

In my opinion, it is wrong to share and download media illegally, and piracy is a serious issue that should continue to be fought against. I was once an angsty teen who wanted every song and every movie for free, but given my love for movies and entertainment, I am happy to pay for the chance to see Disney’s new Cinderella in theaters. Of course, I will be going on Discount Tuesday, but hey, that’s just me. #BrokeCollegeGirl

For more information on piracy and internet sharing laws, visit this website.

Photos Belong to: Fox Broadcasting Co. & Gabrial Dusil

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YES!

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What is a Twitter Scavenger Hunt Anyways?

This blog is brought to you by Anna Paladini & Katelyn Somers.

The best parts of my college experience thus far are that I attend a beautiful and innovative university and I also get to participate in an active and equally creative Journalism & Public Relations program. In this post, I'm going to be talking about something a little different. I am going to introduce you to my home by showing you the results of an amazing and tedious assignment given to a partner and I in my Social Media Strategy course. 

So my Professor, the incredibly motivating Debra Johnson, gave our class of about 20 students a task. We had to do a scavenger hunt, but not just any scavenger hunt, a Twitter scavenger hunt that showcased our campus in a bright and social centric light. 

Now, you might ask yourself, "What does a Twitter Scavenger Hunt entail?" Well, I'm going to show you rather than tell you. In a few short words, we were given a series of 10 topics that we had to interpret and creatively present utilizing photography and short quotes.  This is the result. Enjoy.

So there you have it, from our home to you. Here are just a few of our favorites from our other classmates. Even with the same topics we were all able to represent them in our own creative ways. Well done, guys.

Some forget that Twitter is extremely interactive and constantly moving, however it's a great tool to use for any brand, whether it be individual or traditional. The great thing about Twitter is that you can have fun with it! Photos, Videos, and other visuals are the most capturing media, and will always grab more attention than traditional text.

Some simple tips we took away from this project include:

Be creative, be courteous, and be consistent. 

Twitter is a whole new world and there is general etiquette, but for the most part it allows you to make it your own to showcase YOUR world and YOUR brand. Make sure you use a variety of text, photos, and other media options. Also, if you are posting a large amount of content quickly, warn your followers and let them know what's going on. They might be interested, but just in case they don't want to be included, they can mute and come back later. Another point to make is to be consistent and accurate in your information. Always, always, ALWAYS make sure what you're posting matches your style and reality. 

That's all for now ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed your inside scoop on what's happening at Chico State. #WildcatPride

Photo Credit: Katelyn Somers

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Have you been Foundd?

So, while stumbling around the greatest digital network that we call the World Wide Web, I came across a rather peculiar kind of website. I found Foundd, a Berlin-based entertainment social network designed to allow users to share, rate, and promote movies, television shows, and video games. Essentially, Foundd is a personalized entertainment recommendation engine.  

To log into Foundd, all you need is to log into your Facebook, Twitter, or email account, and the site creates a profile based on this information. When you enter the site, you are prompted by a selection of movies to be rated based on a 1–5 star system. Based on your preferences, the site will suggest movies and shows for you, similar to how Netflix suggests entertainment. The site, also, allows you to connect with friends from your other social platforms, and interact by creating "watchlists" that you and your friends, family members, or simply couples may enjoy together based on shared interests. The catch is, their "watchlists" are limited to 5 members per list. However, Foundd allows you to see what your friends have rated and want to watch, while giving you recommendations. This is especially helpful for those indecisive people who can't pick what to watch. It is a social network to cater to your entertainment needs. 

To discover more about this ingenious social entertainment tool, visit Foundd.com. Foundd is also now available in app format for iOS users that allows users to continue their journey to entertainment decision satisfaction anywhere.

Photo Credit: Foundd.com

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Everything you need to know about the 2015 Oscars

Full list of 2015 Oscar winners and nominees, here.

This is how the Oscar’s got political.

Patricia Arquette wins and calls for “wage equality for women.”

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A Whole New World For Graphics: Canva

In today’s digital age, visuals are EVERYTHING. I cannot emphasize that enough. We are now a skimming culture, so in order to grab attention to your works, you must have bright and crisp graphics. When working in promotions, in whatever industry, you need attractive images to spark the attention of your public.

For my job with AS Productions, we do a lot of promotions for our events that require a lot of online based work to engage students. I have made great strides by using graphics to grab students’ attention and promote upcoming events. For my graphics, I use an online platform program called Canva.

Canva is an interactive website that gives users access to basic design concepts for a simple graphic designing process. Much like modern photography apps, Canva incorporates filters, text, shapes, and other eye catching elements to help make your graphic design process easier, and your graphics more appealing. You get many of the basic benefits of a graphic design studio that can be accessed from any computer.

When making graphics, the best strategies to successful promotional images are to make your graphics dynamic. The use of bright colors, clear texture, and bold and eye catching text are all essential to the process. Also, the use of stand out, interactive images to grasp the readers’ eye for engagement. Also, to always, ALWAYS, use your brand; your logo and slogan, and set yourself out from competition.

It is very important to realize that, as the digital age becomes more interactive, so must your messages to your target audience. Canva is very simple to use, you can create an account or connect using your Facebook log in information.

For an inside look, visit www.canva.com.

Photography: Canva Logo by Canva.com; Wrap & Roll by Anna Paladini and AS Productions Chico.

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CSU, Chico's Entertainment Gurus: AS Productions

                                             California State University, Chico is the home of over 16,000 students. It is located in a tiny little town 90 miles north of Sacramento, and any significant abundance of entertainment. So what are the students to do for fun? There is plenty to keep you occupied in Chico, but as for entertainment, CSU, Chico's Associated Students program AS Productions has you covered.

AS Productions is a Student Union program, and is responsible for many of the on-campus events that take place including (but not limited to) outdoor movie nights, concerts, game nights, and other events. (Photo: Storm Sanchez, Junior Marketing Major).

Right now, AS Productions is in the middle of promoting their upcoming events, which include a tribute concert they putting on in collaboration with Uncle Dad's Art Collective, a local music collective of Chico bands, that will show on Saturday, February 21st. They are also in their prime of programming season, with such events as their debuting Taco Tuesday Trivia night on Tuesday, February 24th, that will feature a plethora of movie, music, and other trivia questions accompanied by free, YES FREE, tacos to students. (Photo: Storm Sanchez, Octavia Chandler - Sophomore Music Industry Student, and Madison Holmes - Sophomore English Literature Student).

AS Productions employs students to fill a few in office positions, AS Productions Assistants, who carry on the event planning, music inquiries, develop marketing strategies, and manage the numerous social media platforms of the program. They also employ a team of Event Staff who help implement the events, and table on campus to promote the events taking place. Pictured above is one of our AS Productions Assistants, Storm Sanchez, and one of our Event Staff, Octavia Chandler, working hard to promote the upcoming spring line-up.

I happen to work for this wonderful program, and love it. We try so hard to make the students happy and keep them entertained. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events!

For information and inquiries, come visit the assistant team or our Adviser, Billy Harkness, in the Bell Memorial Union Wildcat Leadership Center, Room 220.

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I don’t know how influential Twitter really is. I don’t think any of us are sitting around going, ‘Boy, if we can get people to tweet more, the ratings are going to go up.’

Preston Beckman, Fox’s longtime scheduling chief who is now a strategic adviser to the network. He’s one of many senior TV executives who remain dubious—if not disdainful—of  Twitter.

Now, activity on Twitter will influence Nielsen’s TV ratings. Here, an inside look at Twitter’s TV-powered, profitable future.

(via fastcompany)

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141 Thoughts I Had While Watching “Fifty Shades Of Grey”

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We see your selfies and raise you these incredible Dronies.