Will the tabloids have to get ‘nicer’?
When my Fiance told me Lance Armstrong was Twittering from on ‘the Tour’ I was really impressed. ‘Really!?’ I said ‘from the actual tour?’ at my surprise he said ‘errr, yeah…why?’ ‘Well’ I said ‘surely it must affect his time if he has to steer with just one hand…’
Sometimes I don’t engage my brain before my mouth engages itself.
Twittering like Lance
Anyway, after I got over the mickey taking I decided to do a little research on him to see what all the fuss was about. According to one interview he gave, he says he started using Twitter to prove to the press that he was just a regular guy and that by being more open he could quell the speculation that he was “up to no good” (be being quiet). There was also a rumour of an ‘interview blacklist‘, whether that’s true or not (he claims it isn’t) it got me thinking about how social media and its seemingly direct access to celebrities, could be the downfall of the tabloids!
By Twittering himself, Lance Armstrong is controlling his own brand and what others find out about him. There’s little-to-no chance of him being mis-quoted as his comments are out there for the world to see (and refer back to) and he can interact easily with people who try to engage him. He is successfully appearing more open by posting pics of team meetings and videos at different stages throughout the tour, responding to followers questions and probably most importantly, raising awareness of Livestrong.
Although I have to say, I think my initial take on his Twittering was a pretty good one, just imagine…(fake tweet alert) :
The tabloids nemesis
There have been many instances of Twitter ‘breaking stories’ (from plane crashes, to bank robberies to Michael Jackson kicking the bucket) and recently I have noticed more frequent instances of celebrities standing up for themselves through social networking outlets. With the introduction of Verified Accounts it seems like fans have a directline to people they admire and if they believe the person they are following is telling the truth then who are they more likely to believe? A tabloid report or a story straight from the horses mouth? For example, much as I hate to use this example, Katie Price recently fought back on Twitter over interviews with OK! magazine.
no ok mag made it up I HAVE DONE NO INTERVIEWS OR COMMENTS 10:05 PM May 24th
Wher I read that I thought ‘Really….I wonder‘ but had I been a Jordan fan, perhaps I would have been swayed by what she said.
Another example is Lindsay Lohan who recently used Twitter to defend herself over claims that her brand of tanning lotion is a rip off of another well-known brand.
Leave it to @perezhilton to put out FALSE information. No formula was stolen for Sevin Nyne. It’s a woman looking for a payday. That’s it!10:17 PM Jul 7th
With each celebrity being able to reach out to fans easily and defend themselves almost instantly, will tabloids have to be more careful than before over what they report? Will they have to be more friendly and kind in order to receive a piece of news that could otherwise easily have been Twittered? Maybe sweet talking and wooing the celebrity into holding back information in favour of them getting it in their papers first..?
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