When's the last time you had a conversation with someone, without saying anything? Just stood there and listened to someone talk at you, without responding? Not that often I suspect.
Journalists tend to do that sometimes. And, as a former reporter and editor of three publications, I feel qualified to say that. Then â€" not now. Back in the day we'd get the facts, write the story, send it out to the readers, and start planning the next issue.
Blogging and social media have changed the game forever. News is now a conversation, not a statement. Which is why I'm glad to see respected U.K. journalist Roy Greenslade debating that very topic in his blog today: "We were the secular priests who decided what information to give the great unwashed and even told them how they should react to that information, what to think and what to do. Public service performed. Job done. How clever were were. How privileged."
And, for the record, although I love the online world, I totally disagree with this statement ... but ask me again in 2018.
Update: In a follow-up to yesterday's blog post about Visa, Jeremiah Owyang now has an ongoing list of the social media efforts from banks, credit card, financial institutions and lenders. He's one smart guy who I recommend subscribing to.
But, if all that talk of news and finance has dried you out a bit before your next client brainstorm, check out Moonstream. Pick your mood, and get inspiration from the ensuing photos, videos and music. Very cool indeed.
~ John Carson, Senior Digital Media Specialist, GCI Canada