Eric Cedo - Getting Social

Social Media + Oscars = And The Winner Is..."James Franco"

About 70% of Oscar viewers tune in annually to see what the stars are wearing. About 20% view to see who actually wins the Oscar for "Best Cinematographer", "Best Visual Effects" and "Best Animated Short". The other 10% watch because they are married to someone from the first two categories of viewers.

Regardless the reason for watching the 83rd Annual Academy Awards one thing is clear, viewers were tweeting in masses. Social media chatter and the Oscars now go together like Charlie Sheen and Coke induced diatribes.

And the most buzzed about celebrity? James Franco, followed by Anne Hathaway according to Mashable. In total it is estimated the Oscars were mentioned in nearly 1.27 million tweets and 1.9 million Facebook status posts.

And the Oscar for highest trending movie during the Oscars goes to 'The "F"ighter':

 

 

Susan Boyle + YouTube + TV Shows = New Model for Stardom

If you haven't seen Susan Boyle...you will...soon. The 47 year old singing sensation shocked the world with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent. The shocking thing wasn't her voice, which by the way is AMAZING. What was shocking was the package the voice came in. A humble villager with a less than "made for TV" face and wardrobe. She stunned the judges, stunned Britain and will soon be stunning the world.

What's even more stunning is the rate at which her celebrity is spreading. She's currently (as of 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 21, 2009) the number one trending topic on Twitter, her video has been viewed over 40 million times in only 10 days and she's clearly on her way to greater things. (Simon Cowell is already trying to figure out her first album deal).

This forumla of talent + TV Show exposure (no matter how limited it may be or where on the globe it occurs) + YouTube (and really social media in general) appears to be the new formula for instant stardom. The entertainment industry has for decades "created" celebrities with little or no talent but with a nice look and a commercial vibe. Social Media is changing all of this. Viral celebs are often average (or even below average) Joes and Janes. Some are amazingly talented (Susan Boyle). Some are simply the right fit for the right audience with the right medium (Fred). In either case expect celebreties to be "created" by you and I with the power of social media. Hollywood's celebrity "creation" days are either over or just got a heck of alot easier.