#ElectrifyingEnd

It’s electrifying, it’s Grease...no sorry guys it’s not Grease Lightning, its daredevil David Blaine again. David took to the stage for one last time (we hope), to perform a stunt set to literally ‘shock’ himself as well as his fans. The magician trended over social networking sites, for example Twitter and Facebook, but for all the wrong reasons! Critics took to Twitter to share their views on the attention fanatic so called superstar, claiming his time was up and it was time to pack away the magic wand. Could this be a shock too far for the magician? Blaine perched himself on New York’s Pier, so that spectators could watch him being bombarded with over one million volts over three days! On an empty stomach and wearing a chainmail suit David patiently waited for spectators around the world to control the coil settings! But was it worth it? The video become viral in seconds, with YouTube hosting the live event! Live streams were being passed around the Internet, so that everyone was able to comment, watch and share the illusionist perform his trick! 

http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2012/10/05/watch-a-livestream-here-tonight-and-through-the-weekend-as-david-blaine-has-one-million-volts-of-electricity-streamed-around-him/#

An example of one the websites streaming the event.

Could the rise of social media be the reason as to why Blaine’s career is slowly fading? With people throwing their opinions over the World Wide Web, the job of Blaine’s public relations officer is going to be a hard one! Repairing the damage of a company or celebrity, caused by social media is becoming a reoccurring issue within the PR profession.

I can’t help but feel a sense of pity for David after weeks of preparation and the endless amount of money and time spent on this trick surely he deserves some credit. Apparently not, Twitter users were in full swing whilst the magician began his stunt in NYC. With comments flooding in from across the Atlantic, complaining about how boring his acts have become, and mimicking the magician, David has not gained the attention he so longingly craved. Freedom of speech mainly on social networking sites, has allowed the profile of celebrities to crumble uncontrollably. 

Comments left by online users highlight the extent to which a celebrity’s image can be destroyed.

Example of comments left by spectators after watching the stunt.

Could this turn of events see the end of David Blaine and his crazy tricks, maybe now that he has a daughter to provide and care for it may be time for David to take one last bow? But with David out of the picture, will this so called hate stop? I think not. Social media has become the platform for individuals to vent their emotions on anything and everyone. I understand that everyone has a right to speak, but surely there should be some control over the content that is available on the Internet. I’m sure that people will disagree, and believe any publicity is good publicity, however I disagree. Surely David’s aim was to be entertaining, not to create a foundation for people to destroy and mimic his reputation. I suppose that these are the perks of being a so called celebrity. Rather you than me David. Rather you than me.

#DancePonyDance

The world of Youtube is very weird but wonderful, the only place where you can find all the crazy animal videos, jackass remakes and Chris Crocker crying over Britney Spears. However, when you are introduce to a moon walking pony dancing along to a Fleetwood Mac soundtrack, its comedic indication has become more irritating than humorous. Internet sensations involving animals has become overrated and overplayed, but here we are with ANOTHER viral video containing a pony.

Brought to you by 3 Monkey’s Communications the pony called Socks has become an international sensation. Introduced in a campaign for the Three network, Socks is the flavour of the month on social networking sites. With 6,218,478 Youtube views (as of 16/4/13) and his (assuming it’s a boy) own personal twitter account with 3,114 followers. Socks has become a celebrity in his own right, but have we lost the point already? As a current promoted trend on twitter to increase the Three networks status, the video has certainly gained many fans attention, but has it achieved it’s campaigns targets?

In PR campaigns, communication is key and the World Wide Web is the fastest way to do it, the Three viral video became March’s big trend on twitter, not only nationally but also internationally. This can be seen in some of the tweets shown below.

The Today Show – In America

Capital FM Breakfast – In the UK

Social media has become apart of daily life and interaction using apps such as ponymixer.com only make the campaign even more enjoyable to potential customers. Making your own pony advert not only increases the awareness of the three networks, but it is also extremely funny!

Here I have created my own pony called Rocks and the link below shows you my creation using ponymixer.com.

http://bit.ly/15cAX0S

Yet, in a world of social media everything and everyone is vulnerable to new takes on videos, including parodies. Three’s timing could not be any better or worse for their campaign when news broke of the horse meat scandal. Poor socks has become the next victim in the video below being shown below. Whereas many are still experiencing churned stomachs by the thought of eating horse, some creative bodies took the opportunity to amuse the situation by having Socks moon walk into a Findus factory. Good press or bad press, all the videos involving the moon walking pony are comedy gold. And more importantly even though it’s difficult to know if Three had any increase in sales or customer base, but the 3 Monkey's communications and the Three networks PR campaign has reached a global audience. And that is just the beginning of Three’s campaign and Socks road to stardom!

 

*No Ponies/Horses were ate in the making of this video.

Useful Websites:

http://www.3-monkeys.co.uk/dance-pony-dance/

https://twitter.com/ThreeUK

https://twitter.com/3MonkeysPR

https://twitter.com/DancePony3