Does the use of multimedia tools really enhance our message? Well of course. Think about all the ads you see on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, and even your cellphone. All these ads are different ways in which a company can advertise and get their product across to us, the consumer. We see these 'messages' that usually come in the form of a picture and we are intrigued to see more. This then leads us to following the picture to the actual website and therefore creating more web traffic and possible business for the company.
Now the question is, which form of multimedia works best? In my opinion, a photo or a personal video speak volumes about a company, person, place, etc. I want to see what the company can do or what the founder really stands for and if they are really hands on with their company.
A good example of a company that uses photos is Freeds Bakery in Las Vegas, NV. Freeds uses review sites such as yelp and tripadvisor for consumers to leave comments and complaints about the baking company. Freeds also uses photos posted on Facebook and Twitter to showcase their work, contests, holiday events, etc. Once they post on Twitter they have a link to a picture and that shows the consumer their work and allows them to see more. (The link for Freeds Twitter and Facebook accounts are posted below).
One more example of a company using multimedia tools to get their message across is the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF). The ISF is a foundation started by actor and animal/Earth rights activist Ian Somerhalder to show people how they can help save the Earth and the animals all over. Mr. Somerhalder not only is a hands on founder but does so through his Twitter account, Facebook account, and his ISF webpage. Mr. Somerhalder posts videos and tweets all the time for the world to see. Followers of Ian Somerhalder can also see that there is an ISF account for more than just our country showing that Mr. Somerhalder has many followers and many viewers to help spread his word. (To see Mr. Ian Somerhalder's impact on the Earth, animals, and his different ways of spreading his message please find his links below).
So, do multimedia tools really enhance a message? Or is it all in the consumers head? I think that just depends on the person and how in touch with today's technology they are. For me, multimedia tools such as those mentioned above, as well as a few others, are great ways to get messages across. I prefer to see the photos and videos posted by companies to showcase what they can do and who they truly are. That's just me though. :)
Freeds Bakery
https://twitter.com/freedsbakery
https://www.facebook.com/freedsbakery
Ian Somerhalder Foundation
https://www.facebook.com/ISFoundation
http://www.isfoundation.com/welcome
https://twitter.com/IS_Foundation
