Award Shows and Social Media EngagementSMU SMC

Award shows and social media engagement have not always gone together. But today as Twitter’s reactions to these classic award shows have become just as entertaining as the show itself, the public, pop culture icons, and companies are tuning in more. It’s currently award show season and tonight’s Academy Awards are the peak of Hollywood glitz and glamour. However, there is now far more to the show than just what is broadcasted on TV. Social media is as big of a star during award season as George Clooney and Brad Pitt are.It is just as intriguing to watch Twitter as the show itself during a huge award show like The GRAMMY’s or The Academy Awards because you see reactions from friends and typical Twitter personalities, as well as a play-by-play from your favorite stars that are actually in attendance at the show. Social media engagement peaks during award show times as people are tweeting their excitement or outrage over winners or giving commentary on an opening number. Everyone has an opinion and even companies are capitalizing on the social media attention during award shows. In 2014 when Arby’s tweeted at Pharrell Williams making a joke about the hat he wore to the Grammys, their social media engagement sky rocketed as the tweet has received over 78,000 retweets.

Social media has given award shows new life as it has allowed the audience to be closer than ever before to the action and spectacle. From stars walking the red carpet to an overly-passionate acceptance speech, people will not miss a moment of the drama. With social media, we know that the more interaction and engagement with the public, the better. Seemingly archaic award shows are capitalizing on this engagement by actively promoting their show on social media as well as giving live updates throughout the program. This encourages people to watch Twitter along with the show itself.

Award season is the perfect time to brush up on pop culture knowledge and engage in the conversation surrounding the spectacle Hollywood puts on every year. Only now this conversation is happening on Twitter with the stars and corporations instead of between friends on the couch.

For more information check out these links:

https://www.ama.org/publications/eNewsletters/Marketing-News-Weekly/Pages/how-to-capitalize-on-awards-season-with-social.aspx

https://twitter.com/theacademy?lang=en