Multimedia Enhancement

Multimedia enhances our messages in a multitude of ways. According to our Module 9 overview, “multimedia refers to many means by which this transference can be accomplished” (SNHU 2014). When you take this definition literally, it simply means to goes above and beyond just one of the many senses we use on a day-to-day basis. It does not just touch on emotion but also touches on visual stimulation, audio, and physical touch. It allows us as the content creator to touch our audience more effectively. Multimedia creates a story that is easier to comprehend and engages our audience for longer periods of time. So the answer is YES! Multimedia does in fact enhance our use of messaging in many ways. Just because multimedia is a great way to connect with your audience, does not mean that all multimedia techniques are successful. Writer Zachary Sniderman (2010) said, “A website without multimedia is like a cupcake without icing: Functional but lacking” (Sniderman 2010). It is important that multimedia is used correctly to have a positive effect on its viewers. Otherwise, if done incorrectly, the story that is being told may not come across as effective to the viewer.

Let us take a look at a few examples to help better understand the difference between successful and unsuccessful techniques.

Successful Techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJNR2EpS0jw

A perfect example of multimedia use is a campaign created in Melbourne by their transit company. Public safety was not much of a concern so to gain the viewers attention they did a multitude of things. They created an App in which you die in dumb ways if you cannot complete the level. In turn this turned into an animation and YouTube video that became extremely popular now even in the U.S.! The techniques used here include, audio, visual, pictures, and stimulating content that has engaged viewers successfully all over the world. I attached the animation above so you can see the campaign! Enjoy!

Unsuccessful Techniques: http://www.dullestblog.com

In this example, you will notice that there is no visual stimulation being used here i.e. pictures, audio, or visual. Multimedia use lacks 100% in this blog. It is simply white pages and text. To most viewers this will not engage them to read what the writer has writer there for the techniques lacked quite a bit.

Overall, I believe that techniques are successful based on the criteria that are involved. It will vary each time multimedia is used; there is not one set way in which multimedia techniques can be 100% effective.  However, to be most effective you must engage with your viewers, have visually stimulating photos and videos, and stay creative with content on how you use headers and text to capture the viewer’s attention immediately. It is all about instantaneous connection, something we all have grown to love, and multimedia can certainly have leverage on any written news piece when it is added into the mix.

Resources

Dumb Ways To Die. (2012, November 14). Retrieved October 30, 2014, from https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIJNR2EpS0jw

Huber, E. (2010, November 23). Effective Multimedia Journalism. Retrieved October 30, 2014, from http%3A%2F%2Fjournalistjan.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F23%2Feffective-multimedia-journalism%2F

SNHU (2014) Module 9 - Overview. COM 510-X1509

Sniderman, Z. (2010). How to: Add multimedia to your blog. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2010/07/28/add-multimedia-to-blog/


Walker, D. (n.d.). The Dullest Blog. Retrieved October 30, 2014, from http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dullestblog.com

Best Practices = Great Blogs

Throughout the past few weeks, we have reviewed many different ethical codes that journalists follow when writing content. Best practices are something journalists should always have in mind when creating and writing their blogs. With that said I have consider very carefully what I feel are the best practices for blogging.  They include the following:

Presentation/Style: It is important in a blog that the presentation and style of the blog is engaging. Pictures, videos, and info graphics can help make a blogs style really pop to help engage the viewer to read and be interested in the blog. This is a must have, without this a blog can fall short and not interest a reader very easily.

Frequency: It is very important to post your blog on a specific day or week so the readers are familiar when to expect your post. Without this readers may have a hard time distinguishing when your blogs will be posted and not posted. This is great, what I like to call, customer service in the blog department.

Engagement: Without engagement how else are you supposed to get readers to take interest in your blog. Things like allowing them to comment and interact with your blog really make for great conversation and interaction between the writer and readers.

Honesty/Accuracy: Accuracy is key when creating a great blog. It is important that your readers are able to trust the content you put out to them. Without that trust your blog has no followers and readers that trust your content. Honesty produces accuracy when writing a blog, which is key to blogging success.

Paterno's Press Release & Facebook Post

COACHING LEGEND 

"JoePa" DIES AT AGE 83 

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Joe Paterno dies, at age 85, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, in Pennsylvania, from “metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung” on Sunday morning. Surrounded by family, Paterno’s cancer did not leave him much time to clean up his controversial 46-year career. The Pennsylvania hospital where Paterno died told the Associated Press that the cause of death was spreading lung cancer.

Two months prior, according to Paterno’s son, he was faced with a life threating yet “treatable” diagnosis of lung cancer (Schlabach, 2012). Since January 13^th, 2012, Paterno had been admitted into the hospital where his condition quickly became critical.  Soon after, Paterno's life long football career and controversy was over.

His family released a statement Sunday morning to announce his death: "His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled” (Schlabach, 2012). Many mourned the loss of Paterno, including members at State college, where many held a vigual and ceremony to celebrate his life and incredible football career.

At the end of Paterno’s career, he was under fire that he knew about an abuse case that happened earlier in his career. Joe did not report it and when the scandal came out the media immediately attacked Paterno and his career. Aside from fighting cancer he was fighting media, fans, and worst of his entire career. Aside from all of the publicity, Joe Paterno’s name and college football career live on.

According to Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, "He will go down as the greatest football coach in the history of the game” (Boeck, 2012). During Paterno’s career, he logged 409 wins, 37 bowl games, and two national championships, which makes him the of the greatest football coaches in history. 

His ability to coach 250 players to the NFL and make history on and off the field is what has made his life story so incredible. He not only touched the lives of his family and friends but of football players, coaches, and fans alike.

“Besides pride, loyalty, discipline, heart, and mind, confidence is the key to all the locks.” -- JoePa

Contact: Patricia Sheahan – patricia.sheahan@snhu.edu

FACEBOOK POST:

"Success with Honor" -- JoePa
(Dies of Cancer at Age 85)

Resources:

Boeck, S. (2012, January 23). Penn State coaching legend Joe Paterno dies at 85. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2012-01-21/former-penn-state-coach-joe-paterno-dead/52737230/1

Joe Paterno: 1926-2012. (n.d.). Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Joe_Paterno_Legacy.html

Services, E. N. (2012, January 23). Joe Paterno, 85, dies in State College. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7489238/joe-paterno-ex-penn-state-nittany-lions-coach-dies-85-2-month-cancer-fight