Comments on: If Obama Talked to the Pope About Social Media… http://www.crttbuzzbin.com/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/ Musings and analysis on marketing, buzz and communications. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:07:22 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michael Hackmer http://www.crttbuzzbin.com/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-42840 Michael Hackmer Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:51:14 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/blog/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/#comment-42840 The Church sure can use a better social media program. If you think about social media and technology around traditional media (newspaper, tv, radio, etc) - we can see how not embracing social media is reducing their ability to reach their audience (esp. newspaper). Now take a traditional and slow-to-move organization that has existed for centuries in the Church, and you can begin to fathom just how big of an opportunity the Church is missing. What's more, there are so many people and groups out there already helping to spread the Church's message. My old RA from Catholic University, Gene Monterastelli, for example, has the APeX Ministries (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8346141300). There are counselors, activity groups, etc. If the Church could somehow tap into that more directly, promote it, and get-the-word-out through social media, we could indeed see a very different kind of social engagement from Catholics than ever before. Lastly, about Obama, social media has helped his candidacy. But he talks in the attached video about "institutional players" not meaning as much because of people being empowered politically through social networks. His statement is absurd. Obama is part of a political institution, and to suggest that people are empowered over lobbyists or that their support is more important than a governor of a state or others in Democratic Party is insane. How many bloggers does Obama have introduce him at political events? They may have an influence in keeping his costs down as he points out (I'm sure Hires would love it if I created a social network touting root beer and reduced their marketing budget), but that does not lead to breaking the political establishment...(no free root beer for me)... The only way to do that is vote for someone who is not part of an institution to begin with... The Church sure can use a better social media program. If you think about social media and technology around traditional media (newspaper, tv, radio, etc) – we can see how not embracing social media is reducing their ability to reach their audience (esp. newspaper). Now take a traditional and slow-to-move organization that has existed for centuries in the Church, and you can begin to fathom just how big of an opportunity the Church is missing.

What’s more, there are so many people and groups out there already helping to spread the Church’s message. My old RA from Catholic University, Gene Monterastelli, for example, has the APeX Ministries (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8346141300). There are counselors, activity groups, etc. If the Church could somehow tap into that more directly, promote it, and get-the-word-out through social media, we could indeed see a very different kind of social engagement from Catholics than ever before.

Lastly, about Obama, social media has helped his candidacy. But he talks in the attached video about “institutional players” not meaning as much because of people being empowered politically through social networks. His statement is absurd. Obama is part of a political institution, and to suggest that people are empowered over lobbyists or that their support is more important than a governor of a state or others in Democratic Party is insane. How many bloggers does Obama have introduce him at political events? They may have an influence in keeping his costs down as he points out (I’m sure Hires would love it if I created a social network touting root beer and reduced their marketing budget), but that does not lead to breaking the political establishment…(no free root beer for me)… The only way to do that is vote for someone who is not part of an institution to begin with…

]]> By: Kyle http://www.crttbuzzbin.com/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-42689 Kyle Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:17:34 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/blog/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/#comment-42689 Geoff, not sure if you are aware but Fr. Sean O'Malley, Cardinal up in Boston, has had a blog for some time now (www.cardinalseansblog.org/) and has actually talked to the Pope on two occasions about blogging. I still disagree a bit with folks' take on Obama's social media prowess, as I've blogged about most likely ad naueseum at this point. However I do think that religions use of social media, like any large organization, could be a very powerful tool for community engagement. /kff Geoff, not sure if you are aware but Fr. Sean O’Malley, Cardinal up in Boston, has had a blog for some time now (www.cardinalseansblog.org/) and has actually talked to the Pope on two occasions about blogging.

I still disagree a bit with folks’ take on Obama’s social media prowess, as I’ve blogged about most likely ad naueseum at this point. However I do think that religions use of social media, like any large organization, could be a very powerful tool for community engagement.

/kff

]]> By: Maria Reyes-McDavis http://www.crttbuzzbin.com/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/comment-page-1/#comment-42324 Maria Reyes-McDavis Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:11:15 +0000 http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/blog/2008/04/14/if-obama-talked-to-the-pope-about-social-media/#comment-42324 This is a great piece of information about the power and nature of social media. Obama's social media campaign is one to watch to really understand the tremendous potential of social media. Thanks! Maria :-) This is a great piece of information about the power and nature of social media. Obama’s social media campaign is one to watch to really understand the tremendous potential of social media.

Thanks!
Maria :-)

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