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#SelfieKid And The Culture Of Creating Shared Experiences
February 6, 2018
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If you take a selfie with Justin Timberlake in the middle of his Super Bowl 52 Halftime show and you don't share it socially, did it even happen?
It was fun to watch the creation of what would be a variety of memes pop up Sunday night. You knew the Internet was going to have a good time with #selfiekid.
Even some of the most nimble brands were smart enough to jump in the dialogue:
That #satisfying moment when you become the top meme of 2018. #selfiekid
— SNICKERS(r) (@SNICKERS) February 5, 2018We often see people "phone-shaming" others for taking their phones out during live events.
But if we're paying attention to what's really going on - social media has magnified self-expression and our need to create shared experiences
It's never about not being in the moment.
In much of what we do and where we go - we're looking for how we can share experiences - occasions to post, tweet and snap so friends and family can be part of what we're doing.
"Selfies" give people the visual opportunity to tell a story with few to no words at all.
Just look at these shared experiences from some of your colleagues.
We all have an inner #selfiekid:
Corey Taylor (right), Lead Singer Stone Sour & Slipknot grabbed WRIF/Detroit Afternoon Host, Meltdown's phone (left).
Amber Stone, Morning Host WWFW/Fort Wayne, captured Ed Sheeran.
Josh Michaels, Morning Host WQLK/Richmond, ran into Kelsea Ballerini.
Julia Lepidi, Nights WDZH/Detroit, with Bruno Mars.
Kris, of Tony and Kris WIVK/Knoxville, way back in 1990 on stage with Randy Owen and Alabama - taken with a "real camera."
Nationally Syndicated Show, Big D and Bubba, grabbing one with Luke Bryan.
Sam Hunt was happy to snap a selfie with Ellen Tailor.
Chadd Callahan, Dir. / Digital & Social Cumulus Media/Detroit ran into All Time Low.
Miss Sarah, Middays WQSM/Fayetteville, with Clay Aiken.
Brian Figula, Program Dir. KIOT/San Francisco, with Andy Taylor, Duran Duran.
Amy Senne, Operations Manager Leighton Broadcasting, with Garth Brooks.
Selfies with co-workers!
Blaine Fowler, Lauren Crocker and Matthew Laurinec of The Blaine Fowler Morning Show, WDVD/Detroit.And these shared experiences don't always have to be music celebs, our "selfie-ness" comes out for all kinds of people we like or that intrigue us.
Remember Ken Bone?
Here he is with Blaine Stewart, WTKR/WGNT/Norfolk.
Another "culture celeb," Jiffpom - one of the most popular dogs of Instagram with Tyler, Nights KRBE/Houston.
Paige Nienaber, CPR Promotions, with Senator John McCain.
Average Joe, Morning Host WLDB/Milwaukee caught CNN's Anderson Cooper.
Steve Mills running into Chris Tucker outside Cumulus Media/Atlanta.
Joe Cicero, Mornings WZSR/Rockford, with John Spinello, Inventor of the board game, Operation.
Jack Shell, Afternoon Host WFMS/Indianapolis, with legendary coach, Mike Ditka.
JJ Kincaid, Mornings KPTT/Denver, with his hero, Kevin Smith.And sometimes it's not with a person, but something.
Jim Raimo, Program Dir. WMAS/Springfield with Herbie The Love Bug.
Buzz Jackson, Program Dir. KIIM/Tucson with the Batmobile!When we really observe, listen and learn, we understand people view brands as gateways to new experiences they can share -sometimes in the form of selfies, and often (as much as it may bother you) in real time.
Sharing is basic human behavior and natural to us - only amplified today by the deeper connections social media has given us.
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