Instead of the usual “go to the website and talk about what I find there” approach I have taken for the first 5 networks I have talked about, I am going to look elsewhere to see what Comedy Central is doing in the realm of social media. I looked on Smart Brief to see what what I could find.
Smart Brief listed pages of press releases by and about Comedy Central. The first release I clicked on taught me something very interesting, not just about Comedy Central, but about all of the networks I have researched so far. Part of the release’s boiler talked a little bit about the company that owns the network, Viacom. The article listed some of the other networks owned by Viacom, including CMT and Nickelodeon. I did a little more research and found out that Viacom also owns BET. This explains a lot. All of the Viacom networks have been the ones that have effectively used social media on their website, while the only network not owned by Viacom (Food Network) has been the only one lacking. This means that Viacom, being the entertainment conglomerate that it is, probably holds its networks to a certain standard in communication and media.
I next went to the Viacom website to see what I could find there. Because it was the subject of the class lecture today, the Investor Relations tab immediately caught my eye. I was a little surprised to find that there was NOT a video annual report, though there was a lot of downloadable information (all in PDF). They do provide excellent contact information, which I have learned is crucial to an effective website.
Back to Comedy Central, the most interesting thing I found on their website in terms of social media is an application that allows viewers to upload their own stand up comedy videos for the chance to be aired on television. I think this is a great way to drive traffic to your website. If someone sees one of the videos on TV and is interested in commenting or seeing more, they have to go to the website.
On a partially related note, I would like to wish a happy 10th birthday to one of my favorite Nickelodeon characters, Spongebob Squarepants. I remember way back when the show first started (when, you might remember, the Nickelodeon website was not equipped with so much social media…)
July 15, 2009 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Comedy Central, Investor Relations, Smart Brief, Social Media, Viacom | 1 Comment »
I have spent many a rainy afternoon watching hours upon hours of food network, and absolutely love trying out many of the recipes I watch my favorite chefs make on their shows. Unfortunately, those recipes are about all you can find on the Food Network website.
Of corse, I began my research on the main website for the network, and to my disappointment, there was not one link on the home page to a blog, webcast, or anything of the sort. The closest thing to social media in sight is a poll (asking “What is your favorite food to throw on the grill?” to which I answered chicken.)
After scrutinizing every link on the page, I actually did find one line that linked to “Bob’s Blog.” The blog itself is not bad. It seems to be a weekly recap of a few shows, and includes videos, links, and a place to email Bob himself. The main problem is that there should be more of these.
I next went to some of the individual chefs’ pages on the Food Network site to see if they linked to blogs: they did not. Most chefs had links to their personal websites where they had a FAQ page, or a place to email the chef. For example, the “Ask Bobby” page on Bobby Flay’s website, where he personally answeres viewer questions. Sandra Lee had a press kit on her website, but it just showcases all of her magazine appearances.
One blog that did impress me was Duff Goldman’s, of Ace of Cakes (one of my favorite shows.) On his blog (which is actually written by Mary Alice, one of the decorators in the show,but is featured right in the middle of his show’s website,) includes videos from episodes, links to competitions, and upcoming events. Since Ace of Cakes is such a hip and contemporaty show, I think this is really appropriate.
As a last ditch effort to find some sort of social media usage by Food Network, I googled it. I got a few blogs of Food Network fanatics, but nothing from the network itself. Nothing on SmartBrief either.
Overall, I am a little suprised that Food Network is so behind in social media. To me, recipes are something that require a lot of discussion, and I don’t see the network offering a place for that. I hope in the future I don’t have any comments or suggestions about the shows I watch or the recipes I cook, because I wouldn’t know what to do with them.
July 10, 2009 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Ace of Cakes, blogs, Bobby Flay, Food Network, Sandra Lee, Smart Brief | 2 Comments »
