Over the past decade, social media has become the most popular platform for promoting brands, clients, and products. Constant change in social media has resulted in the urgency for new Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relation strategies and tactics. The baby Boomer generation was known to pick up a newspaper or magazine to receive information on the latest news and trends. Today, Millennials gain most of their information from their fingertips.
Social media is a wide range of online applications and media platforms that allow the creation and exchange of user generated content (Kaplan, 2010). The advancement of cell phones to smartphones, desktops to laptops, laptops to tablets, and websites to mobile apps, has depreciated the value of hard news and replaced it with the want for immediate gratification (Mangold, 2009). The public expects to access information in seconds rather than daily. The rising demand for information in seconds has created a multitude of social media platforms, including: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Flickr, blogs and many more increasing in popularity and competition constantly.
Being raised in a conservative Catholic family, one of the most important values instilled was tradition. This value quite frequently comes into conflict with the not-so traditional ideals of the millennial generation. The only form of church “social media” was the old-school stock-paper weekly newsletter that was distributed to churchgoers as they exited Mass. Unfortunately, the few newsletters that were accepted were in turn used as a plate to pile on as many of the warm, highly coveted end-of-mass donuts that were served by volunteers immediately after every Sunday morning service. Absolutely an incentive to get out of bed at 8:45 on a Sunday.
What day is it? GAME DAY. As the first games kick off, Sports Illustrated Group kicked off its newest website devoted to college football, SI’s Campus Rush. However, don’t expect to just find stats and replays of the action. SI’s Campus Rush aims to capture not just the news from the field, but the real culture and excitement found on college campuses across the country during game day.
Did you do it? Did you put your phone down? Realistically, no because you are probably reading this article on your smartphone. However, if you were alone sitting in a room full of people, could you sit there contently watching your surroundings? Or would you feel the need to reconnect yourself with the world so you do not feel “alone” in that room full of strangers?
Watch out ladies, your men are quickly catching up to your perfectly filtered Instagram posts, stream of consciousness tweets, and connections on LinkedIn. According to several Pew Research Center surveys, women have historically been more avid users of social media, but it’s 2015, people! And the social media gender gap might be starting to close.
What is social media these days? What will it actually do for my business? Here are the reasons why you need to implement in your business Social Media TODAY!
Social media marketing is a relatively new concept in the business world today. As our technology continues to grow, the need for social media and digital communication follows close behind. For some business executives, this concept may be complicated and thought to be unnecessary, but it is shown that the benefits of using social media marketing has profound and positive effects on companies all over the world. Here you will learn the benefits for your company if you implement social media today! Continue reading →
The past four years at SMU have been the best and worst of my life so far. I have made friends and enemies. I have aced classes and failed some. I have changed my major three times and finally found a career that I want to pursue. I am ready to graduate but at the same time, I am not. What happens now? Should I stay in Dallas or adventure to a new city? I do not know what the future holds for me as I begin my job search but I do know that through the good and bad experiences, SMU has pushed me to be the best I can be. Continue reading →
These past three years at SMU have been life changing. I have laughed, I have cried, I have complained, and I have rejoiced. Overall, my experiences as a student have been overwhelmingly positive and impactful. There are simply no better words to use other than, life changing.
The last few weeks of school have been difficult. The idea of saying goodbye to SMU and entering the “real world” is incredibly overwhelming. What’s next? Who knows?…It’s the uncertainty that’s getting to me.
As I left my last class, ever, as an undergraduate student, my mind couldn’t help but race back to my first day at SMU. I remember the weather, the class, down to what I was wearing. And somehow in-between I earned a college degree. Bam. Time to graduate.
I sat in my car on the corner of Hillcrest and University, my eyes filling up with tears, because I knew that once I drove off campus I would never be driving back for the same reason. I would never be racing to get to class on time, scurrying in to listen to Dr. Duhe lecture about “the unchangeable core” or Professor Lee talk about rock and roll. As the light turned green and I drove away, I knew that that chapter of my life had officially come to an end.
Even though graduation marks the beginning of perhaps the most exciting part of my life, I can’t help but think of it as bitter sweet. But that’s the magic of life, I suppose. One door closes and another one opens. Even though you don’t know what’s waiting on the other side you have to have faith, faith that God has a plan and it will all work out. I’m leaning a lot on faith right now. Because to be honest I’m slightly afraid, afraid of the uncertainty heading my way. But I must not leave out that I am excited, I am excited to see what’s next. What’s next? Who knows? But I have the chance to make it great.
SMU has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and the confidence to go out and do something. Now I just have to do it…
Breathe in, breathe out. It all sounds so simple, but taking a few moments each day to reflect and relax can make all the difference in how you deal with life’s speed bumps. Whether you find yourself juggling your heavy collegiate course load to entering into your first entry-level job, learning the art of de-stressing can let your mind rest easy in today’s hustle-bustle world.
Tired of city life? Looking for something new and refreshing from the constant hustle and bustle? Want to be more green and sustainable in your living habits? Then Kalu Yala may be the place for you! A new town built to deliver a 21st century quality of life in the new global economy, Kalu Yala will serve as a model for an environmentally sustainable community and should be used as a teaching tool for the world on how to live smarter. Continue reading →
Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas, is a spring festival held annually since 1891. It all began with a celebration to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto, with a parade called, “Battle of Flowers.” The first parade had horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and floats carrying children dressed as flowers.
Fiesta in San Antonio
A Fiesta Float floating down the River Walk in downtown San Antonio
To this day, around April, 21st, the Battle of Flowers parade takes place, and it is the largest parade in all of the Fiesta celebrations; schools have the day off and it is truly a San Antonio tradition. Battle of Flowers kicks off the ten day long festivities through out the city.
Traditional Fiesta attire consists of large hats and colorful, goofy attire
Cascarones stands can be found everywhere during the festivities
Other Fiesta traditions include, The Order of the Alamo, The Texas Cavaliers, The Pilgrimage to the Alamo, The Texas Cavaliers River Parade, El Rey Feo, The Fiesta Flambeau Parade, St. Mary’s Oyster Bake, and Night in Old San Antonio. More detailed information about each event can be found on the official fiesta website, fiesta-sa.org.Vive Fiesta! and Viva San Antonio!
Every since my semester in Copenhagen I have been obsessed with anything and everything that has to do with Europe. Travel blogs are now the closest thing I have for comparison as I count down the days, and pennies, until the next flight leaves. My new favorite: Flying The Nest. Continue reading →
IKEA has been at the forefront of Scandinavian design since its founding in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad As of 2014, IKEA owns 351 stores in 46 countries and is one of the world’s largest furniture retailers. Now, the Swedish company is taking its designs to the next step with wireless charging in their furniture. Continue reading →
The phrase “festival season” might as well be patented by now by all the big name sponsors and production companies of musical festivals.No matter what city you’re in (or in proximity to), there is sure to be a couple music festivals close by.Across the world, music festivals can be found on every continent and in practically every genre. Continue reading →
The golden rule states, “treat others the way you would like to be treated.”
However, on Thursday ESPN was quick to suspend reporter Britt McHenry after her angry outburst to a towing company worker–a viral video seen by millions on the internet.
Palm Beach Designer, Lilly Pulitzer, is Coming to a Target Near You
Lilly Pulitzer will be launching a limited edition line for Target on Sunday, April 19th. The line consists of patio furniture, plates, glasses, umbrellas, bathing suits, dresses, sandals and clothing, for both women and girls, totaling 250 pieces according to CNN.
Her iconic bright, colorful, and big patterned designs are just what the doctor called for in anticipation for summer and it will only be available until May 31st (if it doesn’t sell out before then).
Target has successfully partnered with other high-end designers in the past such as Alexander McQueen, Jason Wu, and Prabal Gurung. In 2011, Missoni joined Target and everything was gone in a matter of hours. Every featured designer has created craze amongst “Le Tarjay” lovers and Lilly Pulitzer’s line is expected to be no different.
Will you be first in line on Sunday at your local Target? The Lilly Pulitzer line will go on sale nation wide during the “early morning hours” on Sunday according to a spokeswoman from Target.
Below are some pictures from the collection. Enjoy!
“Who do you think did it?” This is the question of the age when talking about Serial, and one that may or may not ever be conclusively answered.Nonetheless, fans of the podcast, Serial, are still following the story and hope for a that one final piece of evidence that proves it all. Continue reading →
SMU Hosts So You Think You Can Dance 2015 Auditions
So You Think You Can Dance: Miranda Gonzalez
SMU’s Dallas Hall lawn was buzzing with excitement and energy this past Saturday, Feb. 14. Hundreds of dancers lined up before dawn for a chance to become America’s next favorite dancer on the Fox dancing reality TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. “I’ve been here since 4am!” said Miranda Gonzalez, an 18 year-old from San Antonio. Gonzalez has been dancing since she was five years old. “I don’t care if I make it to Hollywood or not; I’m just excited to be here and experience this.”
The dancers exuded excitement as they danced and warmed up waiting in line. Frappes, tendues, piques, plies— One young man was using a tree as a ballet bar, others sprawled on the floor doing the splits. People singing, cheering, laughing and chanting, “So You Think You Can Dance? Hey! So You Think You can Dance? Hey!”
Two lines were formed separating street dancers from stage dancers. The groups danced and engaged in dance offs as the local media filmed and interviewed them. The energy was contagious. Shortly after, host Cat Deeley arrived. Camera crews scurried to get their best shot of Deeley, pumping up the crowd and dancing with the young dancers.
“Are you ready Dallas?” yelled Deeley as she jogged down the long line. Deeley then joined the young man doing tendues on the tree. They pointed their toes and plied in perfect unison. The line began to advance into the auditorium around 9:30am— The talent was clear and the passion was felt and as they say, break a leg, dancers.
A disagreement over the color of a dress is ruining friendships and breaking up families. Is it blue and black or white and gold? A bride posted a picture of the dress her mother wore to her wedding and after posting it on Pintrest, the dress magically changed colors.
Picture of dress breaking up families and friendships.
According to an article by the New York Times, within a half-hour, the post attracted some 500 likes and shares. The photo soon migrated to Buzzfeed, Facebook and Twitter, immediately setting off a social-media frenzy that few were able to resist.
As the arguments escalated, even scientists were boggled and couldn’t agree as to what was happening. Taylor Swift even Tweeted about the dress, “I don’t understand this odd dress debate and I feel like it’s a trick somehow. PS it’s OBVIOUSLY BLUE AND BLACK.”
Theories about why the dress looks different to different people began to arise. One article even said if you saw it blue and black it was because you were depressed. This is completely false and the one thing scientist finally agreed upon was that this was a very rare and unusual illusions.
Why is this happening with the Blue and Black (No! White and Gold) Dress?
What color do you see it? And why does the crazy person next to you see it differently? Here is the scientific explanation thanks to Business Insider:
Your retina contains cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors convert light rays into nerve signals, which are then processed by nerve cells in the inner retina, sent to the brain, and translated as images.
The two types of photoreceptor cells are known as rods and cones. Rods are responsible for peripheral and night vision. They detect brightness and shades of gray. Cones are responsible for day vision and color perception.
Humans have a low concentration of rod receptors and a high concentration of cone receptors, which is why we can’t see as well at night but can detect colors.
We have three types of cones, each tuned to pick up green, red, or blue wavelengths of light. When light hits our eyes, the receptors turn these colors into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. Our brains determine the color that we see by blending the signals that each receptor senses.
We have the fewest number of blue cones, therefore, if you don’t have very many blue cones, you may see it as white, or if you have plenty of blue cones, you may see more blue. In person, the dress is clearly blue and black. The lighting of the image, which has a bluish tint, appears to be what is throwing people’s brains off. It makes the blue part look white and black part look gold. The picture of this dress seems to have tints that hit the sweet spot that’s confusing to a lot of people.
So there you have it! You aren’t crazy, and your friend isn’t crazy either. Agree to disagree.
Whether it be school, work, $$, family, friends, kids etc… stress is stressful and stress management varies from him, to her, to them. But, stress does not have to control you. Stress is in the mind of the beholder and that is the common denominator amongst all. According to Psychology Today, “…If you want to handle stress more effectively, don’t label all stress as bad. Try to look at stress with a positive mindset and you will, in fact, be better able to cope with it.”
When stressed, there are two critical things to keep in mind, 1) You have a choice and 2) Its temporary. The secret is in the attitude; don’t take the little things for granted and focus on the positive.
Choice.
Yes, no; up, down. When it comes to stress, there is a choice to either succumb to it and let it take over your life, or take it as a positive. How? Stress could be a motivator; a fire under the butt.
Temporary.
The only guarantee that life guarantees is no guarantees. Although we never know what could go right (or wrong) the good news is it’s not forever. You’re up then you’re down, that’s the circle of life.
Don’t stress too much about stress.
Sometimes you get caught up in everyday life and its battles and forget to stop and smell the roses. If you haven’t realized life has its ups and downs and everything is temporary, even life itself. In the midst of the chaos there is good. Focus on the good and the little things that make you happy. Surely, stress is less stressful when one is cheery.
Therefor, the number one lesson of the week: everything in moderation, including moderation. Have that second glass of wine (or third or fourth or fifth…). Eat that chocolate chip cookie. When worried and stressed, instead of obsessing over it, take a deep breath and remind yourself that life is good and everything is temporary. Savor the moment, take control, and lastly, indulge in the things and people you love.
Over the past decade, social media has become the most popular platform for promoting brands, clients, and products. Constant change in social media has resulted in the urgency for new Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relation strategies and tactics. The baby Boomer generation was known to pick up a newspaper or magazine to receive information on the latest news and trends. Today, Millennials gain most of their information from their fingertips.
