What I think about the General Elections.

5 years ago, I wrote an article about the political awakening of the youth of Singapore in my 'A' levels GP essay. I argued against the view that our youth are politically apathetic and indifferent to the way our country was run. With the increasing popularity of blogs then, wrote about the increasing importance for the Government to engage the youth in conversation, to listen to the opinions we had about our country.

For 2006, they did just that. A P-65 blog was set up for MPs who were born after our Independence to talk about government policies. I remember a youth forum where MM Lee Kuan Yew spoke to JC students. Look how far we have come!

Today, my Facebook newsfeed is rife with news and videos about political rallies from both the PAP and the Opposition with encouraging frequency. I say encouraging because for the first time ever, I finally feel like we do have a say in how our country is being run. Our voices are finally being heard. Indeed, this is a watershed in Singapore history and politics, a time where citizens are filling daring to speak their mind, to talk about the issues that have been at the back of our heads for the last 5 years -- all these are enabled by social media.

To me, the results of the elections are inconsequential. Something has already changed in the air, with or without the changing of government. The PAP should recognise by now that our youth are no longer silent lambs in the realm of political discourse. Serious efforts should be made in talking to the citizens, and understanding our concerns. That's what it truly means to be a democracy!

A recent check on the P65 blog shows a blog that was last updated in 2010. The footprint of candidates on social media is paltry at best, with those who are in it becoming the most popular despite their humble "track record". Therein lies the potential of social media. Any political party that wants to gain power or stay in power in a country would have to earnestly engage in conversation with its citizens, or risk becoming irrelevant and demonized by those who dominate the social media discourse.

The SDP understands that, and has uploaded their campaign videos on YouTube. The NSP's Nicole Seah has the most number of "Likes" on Facebook other than our MM Lee Kuan Yew. On the flip-side, PAP's Tin Pei Ling has drawn criticism for her Kate Spade bag. Conversation is less about facts and figures, than about talking about the things that the people are interested in. Can your party deliver? Are you competent as a candidate? Or are you just materialistic and off-base with common sentiments? In a world where Friday is the YouTube clip with the most views in history despite being possibly the worst song in the world, hard truths and track records are no longer as relevant.

The biggest question for all the parties out there now is: "Are you listening?"

Father and Son Launch iPhone Into Space [VIDEO]

A Father and Son launches an iPhone into space using a weather balloon. HOW COOL IS THAT?! I think the much cooler thing is that at this day and age, they are able to share this with the world.

Somehow I am reminded of how Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity in the kite experiment. Just imagine if YouTube was existent then! Okay, it's rather impossible since YouTube runs on electricity, but my point is that our mode of sharing information and experiences has changed so much over the past few years that it's just mindblasting, as Russell Peters puts it. The possibilities are simply endless.

via Mashable: Father and Son Launch iPhone Into Space [VIDEO]

Sesame Street's Old Spice Spoof

OMG THIS IS SO CUTTTEEEEEEE!

How Has “The Social Network” Changed Facebook’s Brand Perception? [STATS]

I thought this particular article on Mashable was pretty interesting because I didn't know you could measure brand perception so quickly. Or that a movie could affect the brand image by so much. The brand perception of Facebook doubled amongst young people of the age from 18-34 after the release of the movie, "The Social Network". Way cool!

How Has “The Social Network” Changed Facebook’s Brand Perception? [STATS]

LG Portugal.

Advertisements are moving away from merely stating the impressive specifications of products or showing how cool stuff look. Marketers are looking at how to alter the experience that consumers have with the product, and the image that the overall brand portrays.

What LG Portugal tried to do here was to show that LG brings the family together behind a TV Screen. In quite a literal sense, actually.

Of course, the video serves the purpose of targeting the expanding social networks market. By creating a compelling story, LG increases the chances that the video will be shared by people, hence creating far reaching impact than a typical TV commercial. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's free and how a 7-minute TV ad worth probably be really expensive.

5 Winning Social Media Campaigns to Learn From

Take a look at this article about the Top 5 Social Media Campaigns this year. Quite interesting to see what companies are doing to engage the growing population of netizens. Somehow YouTube seems to be the top influencers with regards to viral marketing...


5 Winning Social Media Campaigns to Learn From via Mashable

The Future of Ad Agencies

Just read a good article about the future of marketing and advertising beyond the mobile apps and social marketing that we see now.

Take look, as my Asian Marketing prof says it: via Mashable

Obama Announces Iraq War Over via YouTube

Talk about harnessing the power of social media! If the President of the United States is doing it, perhaps it's about time our National Day Rallies go on YouTube too!

YouTube to Live Stream President Obama’s Iraq Address [VIDEO]

On a heavier note, America's pull-off from Iraq just shows how powerful market forces are. I have to agree with the President that it is no longer viable or advantageous for America to stay in Iraq and continue sowing seeds of hatred amongst the Islamic community there. America has greater troubles to deal with at home after so much press about the slowing US economy, I think it's really time to focus!

See the NYT story here.

Facebook Places.

This has been buzzing all around the blogosphere and social media sites. Want to attract people to your business? Facebook Places. Want to check out where your friends are? Facebook Places. Want to know what's interesting around you? Facebook Places.

I am so going to download it on my iPhone RIGHT NAO!

More information at Facebook Blog

Have You Seen This?

This is the Old Spice advertisement that has gone viral on the net over the past month, reaching 23 million viewers in the first 36 hours of its posting - an excellent example of what Social Media can do for your brand.

I don't know if this video really made people go out to buy some Old Spice (only P&G knows that). What I know is, I would definitely buy Old Spice if I see it in my friendly neighbourhood NTUC the next time I visit it!