Manipulation of The Media

We all know of the importance of media; no matter where we are or what we're doing, the media will always have some kind of influence on us. Often times, society is expected to follow the trends seen in the media. I wanted to go more into this, so I decided to search some articles on the importance of media in business in particular, and see how companies use the power of the media to their advantage. I found this article http://getshared.co/the-importance-of-social-media-marketing-for-businesses/ and I definitely agree with a lot of what the writer is talking about. I had been aware of the influence social media had on people, but I never really thought about how much effort and time businesses put into making their products advertised on social media sites. A part from this article talks about how Ford used Facebook to their advantage:

"So now it seems that culture and technology have met in a fortunate marriage for advertisers with the sense to learn this new market. Social networks have been around long before the internet began, but the interface that this technology enables has revolutionized the way companies and brands interact with the public. In a bold move, the Ford Motor Company, for example, decided to unveil its 2011 Ford Explorer on Facebook. Bypassing industry protocols and bucking years of established procedures, Ford presented the new model directly to the public instead of industry insiders and analysts. The direct relationship that Ford established and the feeling of ownership that customers felt as they were let ‘behind the curtain’ paid off. This type of innovative marketing campaign may signal to the ad execs of the past that times are changing."

When businesses keep in mind the power that the media truly has, they are able to make the proper decisions while advertising and reach a wider range of consumers. This new way of reaching consumers is not only helpful to the companies, but it makes things easier for people to learn about the companies and get new perspectives once they see these companies reaching out to them on Facebook. Even politics has been involved in the social media, a prime example being Barack Obama. He used his Twitter page to connect with people and this made him a lot more 'approachable' to voters, seeing their president using Twitter just like they do. The media was definitely one of his most used tools getting votes, and it led him to success in the end. After reading this article I really understood the way businesses use the media, and the conclusion of the article really ties it up perfectly:

"The landscape has changed; there is no doubt about it. Companies and individuals that wish to survive will be forced to adapt to the new environment or they will be forced out of the market altogether. The good news is: marketing in the new social media is often comparatively inexpensive and provides access to a vast global community. It also allows businesses to reach a more focused audience than ever before. For those with the imagination to exploit the opportunities that the internet offers, customers and fans are closer than ever. Like it or lump it, the network is here to stay."