With Twitter now embedded in Apple's mobile devices, there has been an Increase in Twitter's new subscriber sign-ups by 300% over its typical daily rate

Mobile use of Twitter has increased more than 60 percent since Twitter partnered with Apple and the newest iPhone in April. The Twitter CEO, Ev Williams, reported that "the microblogging service has 145 million registered users, up almost 40 percent from the number it had four months ago". As written in an article, Twitter Has 145M Users, Mobile Use Up 62 Percent, Williams also said, "16 percent of all new users to Twitter start using the service via a mobile device now, compared with five percent before". One factor causing the rise in Twitter usage is the fact that there is now a Twitter for iPhone application that was once called Tweetie. This official Twitter for iPhone application helps users feel more comfortable tweeting because users don't have to rely on third-party Twitter applications. An employee from the Terrapin Technology Store explains how he uses Twitter more often because it is extra accessible on his Smartphone. He stated that "many people come into the Technology store asking about the ability to Tweet from an ipad and he has even seen people tweeting as they played with the technology in the store".  Twitter recently launched a new application for the iPad so with that application, the Tweet option embedded in IOS5, and the official Twitter for iPhone application, the company is now handling 250 million tweets per day which is a significant increase from the 90 million Tweets only one year before. In Jeff Bullas's article, What is Increasing Twitter Sign Ups by 300 Percent?, he writes "this integration into the native Apple menu has consequently provided exposure for Twitter to Apple’s 200 million plus mobile customers that it never had before with IOS5 now launched".  In addition to Twitter's increase in number of general customers, the Twitter application is proven to have increased how often people Tweet. This can be seen by the results of a Journalism 150 class poll that was taken which asked if having an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad changed how often you use Twitter. The result was that 52 percent of the class feels that having one of the above technologies has increased their usage of Twitter, 43 percent have not used Twitter more often, and 4 percent do not own any of the technologies. Since everyone in the class was given an iPad touch if needed and are required to Tweet for class, this may have impacted the results because a majority of the students should have an Apple product that integrates Twitter. However, this proves that the majority of the class is using Twitter more due to the fact that they have a mobile device that integrates Twitter. 


Now that Twitter is integrated into so many aspects of mobile devices, 50% of Twitter users are now active every day whereas only 30% of users were active every day in January 2011. This is because people can tweet things that are happening on the go and can let the Twitter world know their thoughts the second they happen. This is revolutionizing how people share information. For example, a news reporter from the Baltimore Sun admitted that having Twitter on his iPhone is changing how he does his job. He can now tweet the news as it is happening without having to be in front of a computer screen. In addition, he can tweet photos and videos of the action by using applications like Qik video and other editing applications. It puts the power of communication in the palm of your hand and tweeting becomes as easy as texting a friend or making a phone call. This is changing printed news because now the information is already shared on Twitter and the printed papers need to share the information from a new angle or more detailed way. The reporter said that Twitter is like a rough draft of an article and it can be scary to take part in because one doesn't have all of the editors approving every word that he writes. 


The audioboo interview below describes the impact that the Twitter button embedded in the Apple mobile device is having on iPhone Twitter users. The interviewee, Paige Hymson states that the Twitter button made it "so easy to use" and "everyone who takes pictures all the time can tweet their photos and share them with their friends and family".  It also allows you to add your location which helps people to keep track of each other's whereabouts.

Overall, the embedding of Twitter on Apple devices is changing how and how often information is being shared. In general, people are tweeting more because of the fact that their twitter accounts are so accessible to them and even just a few screen touches away.

Qik video: Advertising and Technology

         With my growing interest in Advertising and the affects technology has on the industry, I decided to interview my Advertising in America Professor. Professor Zanot has worked in the industry a long time and noticed a change in advertising from the past to present. When questioned about how advertising on Twitter and Facebook is changing the work of the ad agencies and the field as a whole  Zanot said, "Twitter and Facebook allow companies to advertise with a much lower cost then paying for the help from agencies and the expensive time slots on media like television".  The interview concentrates on the internet as a whole.
http://qik.com/video/45890909

            In addition, Zanot explains how websites like Youtube revolutionized how companies can advertise. When asked about the Superbowl commercials that are so popular, Zanot emphasized how the most popular commercials can get placed on Youtube within minutes, turning viral. He showed us a plethora of examples of this in class and it proves that it can be worth it for companies to pay millions of dollars for a 30 second time slot if the commercial gets enough hits after on Youtube. When any form of video has millions of hits, it acts as a free form of advertising.

           Overall, I felt that interviewing a professional in the advertising industry would really put the changes from the new introduction of technology into the world of advertising into prospective. He has been involved in the field for over thirty years and notices the affect of technology that a newcomer in the field wouldn't notice.

Public Radio Thrives in Washington D.C.

listen to ‘Public radio importance in DC’ on Audioboo

    
 Washington has an advantage in many areas ranging from government and politics to public radio. It is key to understand why our country's capital has an advantage when it comes to public radio. It has a clear advantage in comparison to many other stations because of its high population density and the fact D.C. stations market on the national level due to their proximity to the nation's capital. Listeners assume they are able to get their national new most up to date because of the radio station's locations. WTOP is an example of a public radio station in Washington D.C. that constantly proves itself to be important for the local metropolitan area. Their news reporters are able to report breaking news quicker than other radio stations because of their close proximity to our nation's government. As stated in the Audioboo above, public radio in D.C. keeps the interest of the locals by reporting everyday news concerning the area but they thrive, in comparison to other stations, because of their diverse range of listeners.
         Secondly, how the funding is distributed is necessary to understand because one would assume public radio is funded by the government since the word public is in its title. However, as stated in the Audioboo, the United States government only funds about six percent of the funds for radio station. They make up for the money that is not provided to them by advertising, events, and fundraisers. Funding is important for the radio stations because without adequate funds, a public radio station will cease to exist.

listen to ‘Public radio Funding in DC’ on Audioboo

Audioboo: Smith School of Business Here I Come?

         Secondly, I have many friends in the business school and they have encouraged me throughout the application process on how to study for certain tests and the importance of going to my TA's for help. Since many people are already admitted to the business school they update me on the advantages, hard classes, and best professors.  My friends work very hard in classes like Accounting and it helps me to aspire to get into the prestigious business school. I found a current student, Ivy Stein, in the school and interviewed her about what it is like to be in the Smith School of Business and how she got accepted from the start of her college career.

listen to ‘Student in Business ’ on Audioboo

Ivy talks about the welcoming environment of the business school and the sense of community that it provides to her. She was fortunate to get into the business school when she applied to the University of Maryland.

Audioboo: Accounting is the Language of Business

           I am currently applying to the Smith School of Business at the end of next semester. I hope to major in management or something of that sort. However, in order to apply, all students must take a mandatory accounting course, BMGT220. I am currently taking it and my teacher was kind enough to allow me to interview him about the importance of accounting within the business school. He is very passionate about the fact that all business students should understand accounting before entering the real world. Accounting teaches us how to journalize entries, take inventory, and much more. I questioned my teacher, Professor Basu, about the importance of accounting and here is how he responded:

listen to ‘Accounting and Business’ on Audioboo
.

Basu basically explains that accounting is the language of business and stresses the importance of financial statements.

Ethnic Radio in Washington D.C.

Radio plays an important role in society, informing and entertaining people on a daily basis. Radio is facing some present day challenges because of the introduction of new technology and other forms of entertainment. However, the radio continues to try and serve the publics needs. The United State’s public consists of people from all cultures who speak various languages and come from a plethora of countries to join our melting pot. Therefore, there needs to be radio stations that broadcast in different languages to cater to the cities with the highest concentration of the many ethnic communities.

Ethnic radio is becoming more and more prevalent in our country because of the increase in immigration from countries like Mexico, Cuba, places in Asia, and others. Specifically Spanish radio is increasing in popularity due to the all of the legal and illegal immigrants from various Spanish-speaking countries that are coming to America, searching for better occupations and lifestyles. Spanish people are working in our businesses, going to our schools, and are apart of our community as a whole. Therefore, they deserve their own radio stations that they can relate to and that can bring their culture together even though they now live in America. In addition, Music tends to bring people together as a community so people of all ethnicities can enjoy the fast-paced music that blasts from the Spanish radio station. Personally, I enjoy listening to Latin music as I work out at the gym. Ethnic radio is just one way to help immigrants assimilate into our culture because it keeps everything from seeming unfamiliar.

Specifically, Ethnic radio is popular in the Washington DC area. El Zol is a popular Spanish speaking radio station. It promotes events that bring people of the same culture together and shares information that pertains to Spanish-speaking individuals. For example, I went to their website and they have a whole section on events and concerts that Spanish-speaking people would enjoy. The website is all in Spanish but I was able to understand some of what it was saying. According to the District of Columbia QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau, there are about 9.1 percent of people reporting an Hispanic or Latino origin which is a fairly high number. 

Overall, ethnic radio stations tell a lot about out society as a whole. They show that our nation is accepting of other cultures and they reflect the changing immigration patterns. For example, if there is ever an influx of French speaking people, a French radio station will most likely emerge in Washington D.C. because it is a major metropolitan area. However, ethnic radio stations also prove that our country continues to have a slight divide between cultures because not everyone who lives in America knows English or wants to part from their original roots. Radio is such an important aspect of our lives, providing us entertainment in our cars, at the gym, in the work place, and such that ethnic radio is key for people from other cultures. I am curious if the future will bring about more ethnic radio stations because of the growing population or if radio will become less relevant due to the increase of other technologies and the amount of stations will be limiting. 

Randolph Hearst's influence on the newspaper business

            Randolph Hearst is famous for transforming journalism and the newspaper business in the twentieth century.  He went to Harvard University and immersed himself in journalism, acting as the business manager of the Harvard Lampoon. His career began when he was the “Proprietor” of the San Francisco Examiner that his dad received for him as payment for a gambling bet. His father was a self-made m     multimillionaire, miner, and rancher and his family’s wealth helped him to see the world and gain the experiences that influenced his work. Eventually, Hearst turned his newspaper into a combination of investigative reporting and sensationalism. He was known for having the best journalists working for him like Stephen Crane and Mark Twain. He purchased the New York Journal as his second publication and at one point he owned about 28 newspapers and 18 magazines (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAhearst.htm) At one point nearly one of four people got a Hearst publication. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives but he lost when he ran for mayor. He did not support the country’s involvement in the First World War and he attacked the formation of the League of Nations. In addition, he also owned several radio stations and movie companies, influencing the entertainment industry as a whole. Hearst died in 1951 and he believed that Hearst inspired the movie Citizen Kane.

Overall, Hearst changed the newspaper business forever because of the mass amount of newspapers he sold and because of his passion and approach to the business. He worked really long hours and put all of his energy in to his newspaper. He changed the way newspapers were printed because he bought the most modern equipment. According to an article found on manythings.org (http://www.manythings.org/voa/people/William_Randolph_Hearst.html),” Mr. Hearst believed in doing whatever it took to get readers.  His newspaper policy was:  make the news complete; print all the news; shorten it if necessary, but get it in.  That became the policy in newsrooms across America.” Although affected by the Great Depression when he lost most personal control of his newspapers and other forms of communication, Hearst was still known for influencing the newspaper business. Specifically, he influenced journalism by introducing banner headlines and creative illustrations to newspapers. Although many reporters did not adapt his overly biased reporting technique, many adapted his formats and mindset. I think many of the tabloids that exaggerate the lives of celebrities relate to how Hearst used to report. However, he is most well known for being partially blamed for initiating the Spanish-American War in 1898 in order to help increase sales of his newspapers. He was blamed for the start of the war because of his distorted exaggerated reporting and campaigning for an aggressive foreign policy. His newspapers had accused Spain of sinking the American battleship Maine and killing two hundred fifty sailors. He made his news sound even greater than it was and this became known as yellow journalism. He had huge political influence because of how large his newspaper organization was and he became a voice for working people and the poor.