Mediaboss Marketing

On a recent episode of her talk show, Kelly Clarkson sat down with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and it wasnt long before things got emotional. The two women talked about Arizonas recent decision to reinstate an 1864 law that effectively outlaws all abortion in the state. Clinton called the Supreme Court ruling horrifying in every way, and the topic had Clarkson getting emotional about her own difficult pregnancies.

The Civil War-era abortion law pre-dates Arizonas statehood and bans abortion at any gestational age for any reason short of saving the life of a pregnant person. Any health professionals caught aiding or assisting an abortion in the state could face two to five year mandatory prison sentences. I feared it would happen, but I hoped it wouldnt happen, Clinton told Clarkson on her talk show on Tuesday. The danger to womens lives, as well as to our right to make our own decisions about our bodies and ourselves, is so profoundtheres a kind of cruelty to it.

This had Clarkson, who shares 9-year-old daughter River Rose and 8-year-old son Remington with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, recalling her own difficult pregnancies. I have been pregnant twice, hospitalized twice, Clarkson explained. I mean, literally, I asked God this is a real thing to just take me and my son in the hospital the second time because I was like, it's the worst thing.

Clarkson started to tear up, then went on to say, To make some women go through that... Clarkson trailed off before continuing, And I'm so glad I did. I love my babies. But to make someoneyou don't realize how hard it is.

The mom of two has spoken in the past about her pregnancy struggles, telling Ellen DeGeneres in a 2013 interview that she found her pregnancy to be upsetting because she was so sick. When I ask women they're like, 'Oh ... youre going to love this.' And I'm like, 'Oh were you sick, and they're like, 'No.' And I want to like hit all of them with my car. I vomit a good dozen times a day. It's, like, bad. Like, I vomited before coming out here.

All these years later, and Clarkson is still feeling emotional about her tough pregnancies. Now imagine being forced to go through this against your will.

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Kelly Clarkson Got Emotional With Hillary Clinton About Her Difficult Pregnancies - Romper

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D Cook engaged with renowned anti-racist author and advocate Tim Wise to delve into the complexities of racial relationships, civil rights legislation, and the undercurrents of white resentment in America.

The conversation opened with Wise critiquing how figures like Donald Trump have tapped into white racial grievances, a sentiment amplified by allies like Stephen Miller and Steve Bannon. Wise illuminated the real intent behind civil rights lawsnot just to protect minorities but to safeguard everyone, including whites. He expressed concerns about efforts by figures like Miller to reinterpret these laws, potentially undermining their original purpose to favor white populations.

Davey and Wise discussed the growing sentiment of white resentment, particularly how its leveraged against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Wise pointed out the irony in how some white individuals perceive efforts to include more diverse voices as discriminatory against them. This misconception has unfortunately influenced public opinion and policy, setting back progress in racial equity.

Furthermore, the discussion ventured into the realm of media portrayal and sensationalism. Both Wise and Davey criticized mainstream media for often resorting to sensationalist narratives that lack nuance and fail to represent diverse perspectives accurately. They highlighted the medias tendency to focus disproportionately on white, middle-class demographics, neglecting the stories and voices of other communities.

The dialogue also touched on the presence and representation of white anti-racist groups like Surge. Wise noted that these groups are underreported, which skews public perception and discourages broader participation in anti-racist movements. He emphasized the importance of showcasing these efforts to inspire more inclusive activism.

Finally, the conversation tackled the broader implications of promoting a multiracial democracy and countering right-wing extremism. Wise argued that despite the vocal minority supporting MAGA ideologies, the majority of Americans do not endorse such views. He stressed the necessity of distinguishing informed conservative voices from those merely inflammatory, underscoring the urgency of understanding historical precedents like Bacons Rebellion to better navigate contemporary challenges.

Throughout the episode, both speakers reflected on the historical and ongoing struggle for racial justice, emphasizing the need for a candid and inclusive dialogue to address these deeply entrenched issues.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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Tim Wise delves into the complexities of racial relationships, civil rights legislation, and the undercurrents of white ... - KPFA - 94.1FM

Washington Almost a year after the American Psychological Association issued a landmark health advisory on social media use in adolescence, technology companies and policymakers still have made few meaningful changes, forcing society to continue to search for ways to maximize the benefits of these platforms while protecting youth from their harms.

Social media platforms know that the answer is to structurally correct harmful design features and functions. Most children and adolescents lack the experience, judgment and self-control to manage their behaviors on these platforms, which is why we see over 50% reporting at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media today, said Mitch Prinstein, PhD, APAs chief science officer. Age restrictions alone are not the answer, since kids find ways around them. And putting the responsibility solely on parents is not fair either. The developers must address the dangers inherent in these platforms and make their products safe for youth.

APA has issued a new report as a follow-up to its 2023 health advisory focusing on social media design features and functions built into these platforms that are inherently unsafe for youth. The new report points to the psychological threats these features and functions introduce and the developmental vulnerabilities they exploit.

Policies will not protect youth unless technology companies are required to reduce the risks embedded within the platforms themselves, the report says. As policymakers at every level assess their approach to this complex issue, it is important to note the limitations of frequently proposed policies, which are often misreported and fall far short of comprehensive safety solutions that will achieve meaningful change.

APA calls for comprehensive design improvements to social media platforms to inform safety standards for at least four reasons:

Addressing the role of parents, it says: More robust and easy-to-use parental controls would help some younger age groups, but as a sole strategy, this approach ignores the complexities of adolescent development, the importance of childhood autonomy and privacy, and disparities in time or resources available for monitoring across communities.

Delegating responsibility to parents, to app stores or to youth themselves does not address the vulnerabilities and harms built into the platforms, said Mary Ann McCabe, PhD, co-chair of the expert panel that put together the 2023 health advisory. That responsibility sits with the creators and purveyors of these technologiesthe platform developers themselves.

Originally posted here:
APA report calls on social media companies to take responsibility to protect youth - APA Psychology News

AirChat, a social media app that was launched Friday (April 12), became the 23rd most popular in the U.S. on Apples App Store Monday (April 15).

The app has seen thousands of downloads as well as online requests for access to it, because AirChat is currently offered on an invite-only basis, ReutersreportedMonday.

AirChat is centered on voice, with messages being delivered through voice notes and simultaneous transcriptions of those notes, according to the report.

The apps design is similar to that of other social media apps in that users can post, scroll through feeds and message other users privately, the report said.

However, it features voice notes that play automatically and can be paused, per the report.

AirChat was founded by venture capitalistNaval Ravikantand former Tinder product chiefBrian Norgard, according to the report.

It aims to differentiate itself from other social media apps by using voice, the report said.

Ravikant posted on the platform, Humans are all meant to get along with other humans, it just requires the natural voice, per the report.

PYMNTS Intelligence has found thatvoiceis the next interface set to revolutionize consumers lives.

Connected devices are rapidly entering a modern hands-free, voice-driven era, as next-generation advances are made in voice recognition technology and increasingly being brought to market across a wide variety of conversational commerce use cases, according to How Consumers Want to Live in the Voice Economy.

The report also found that 58% of consumers would use voice because it is easier and more convenient and 54% because it is faster than typing or using a touchscreen.

In another recent deployment of voice technology,Volkswagensaid in January that it integratedOpenAIs artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, ChatGPT, into the automakers IDAvoice assistant.

With this integration, Volkswagen customers can access an expanding AI database and have researched content read out to them while driving.

Voice assistantshave also made significant strides in areas such as smart home integration, educational settings and business applications. With advancements in AI paving the way, voice assistants will be able to complete increasingly complex tasks.

Read more:
AirChat Uses Voice Technology to Stand Out in Social Media Market - PYMNTS.com

By Venugopal Ganganna

Gen Z, the generation born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is a digital native force unlike any other. Theyve never known a world without the internet, and social media platforms are their primary stomping grounds. This presents a unique challenge for marketers traditional methods simply dont resonate with this discerning and tech-savvy generation. As the CEO of an AI-powered marketing agency, I see Gen Z as a game-changer, and heres why:

Gone are the days of flipping through magazines or watching prime-time commercials. Gen Z gets its information, entertainment, and even shopping done through social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are not just for connecting with friends theyre curated feeds showcasing the latest trends, brands, and influencers. This shift in behavior demands a complete overhaul of marketing strategies.

Gen Z craves authenticity. They can spot a disingenuous marketing campaign a mile away. They connect with brands that have a clear purpose, strong values, and a commitment to social responsibility. Gone are the days of heavily produced commercials with unrealistic portrayals. Gen Z responds to user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and brands that take a stand on issues they care about.

Forget celebrity endorsements. Gen Z trusts the opinions of their peers more than A-list stars. Micro-influencers with smaller, highly engaged followings are the new marketing heroes. They create relatable content that resonates with their audience and feels less like advertising and more like a genuine recommendation from a friend.

UGC is the lifeblood of social media. Gen Z trusts content created by real people more than anything a brand can produce. Savvy marketers are leveraging this by encouraging user-generated content through interactive campaigns, contests, and challenges. This UGC not only promotes the brand but also fosters a sense of community and belonging.

The rise of platforms like Snapchat and Instagram Stories highlights Gen Zs preference for short-form, disappearing content. This presents a unique opportunity for marketers to create engaging, bite-sized content that captures attention in the fleeting moments of a social media scroll.

AI marketing tools can be a game-changer for reaching Gen Z. Heres how:

The Future of Marketing: A Conversation, Not a Broadcast

Marketing to Gen Z is about building a conversation, not just broadcasting a message. Heres what this means:

Gen Z is a generation that demands more from brands. They are the informed consumers of the future, and marketers who embrace social media, prioritize authenticity, and leverage AI tools will be the ones who win their hearts (and wallets). By understanding their preferences and creating engaging experiences within the social media ecosystem, brands can redefine marketing for a new era. Its not just about selling products anymore; its about building genuine connections and becoming a trusted part of the Gen Z social experience.

(The author is Venugopal Ganganna, CEO, Langoor Digital, and the views expressed in this article are his own)

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Gen Z is turning traditional marketing on its head, making social media their primary marketplace, entertainment hub ... - CXOToday.com