Russell Brand Provides Politicians With Platform to Engage the Disengaged
 |
Rising revolutionary Russell Brand has single-handedly
landed two interviews that may prove incredibly important to the U.K election.
The semi-formal conversations have been exclusively released on YouTube and are
clocking up views in their hundreds and thousands.
He has provided a platform for politicians to speak to, what
is assumed to be, the most centralised convergence of non-voters; an untapped
market and a chance to blood the apathetic.
Brand has three million likes on his Facebook page, over one
million Youtube subscribers and ranks a shocking 2nd in the
Independent’s 10 most politically influential people in the UK, only falling behind David Cameron, the
current Prime Minister. He has successfully adapted his success to social media
making him a model of modern popularity. He also ranks 4th on the list of the world’s most influentialthinkers and is now, therefore, a necessary component in any successful
political campaign, whether through refute or alliance.
With his loud and
critical political opinions there must have been a pretty high level of
discomfort when shaking hands before the interviews. Only days before he hooked
up with Ed Miliband he referred to him as “sort of wonky, but wonky in loads of
ways, like he embodies wonkiness”, but let’s be fair, it could have been a lot
worse; in terms of Russell political hit list, Miliband ranks safely far down.
 |
In the most recent
interview with Natalie Bennett and Caroline Lucas they touched upon the role of
social media in today’s society.
Natalie Bennett suggested social media be used
to set up a “people’s constitutional convention”, or, national discussions
based on reforming modern politics, in a bid to have everybody “Feed into the
process” Russell highlighted the pageantry of politics and parliament, alluding
to the over formality being used as tool to keep us underclasses a little
confused and intimidated, thus less likely to challenge it. He replied to
Bennett’s point with “It’s almost like politics is conducted under this ludicrous
pretence that we don’t live in this social media driven communicative world.”
That’s not to say politicians are ignoring social media, we have previously
posted the main party’s social media expenditure, it was high. All seem to use
it to market their campaigns, but when it comes to hearing the voice of the
public, social media’s functionality and potential are being plainly ignored.
It seems that Brand and the Greens feel social media could contain almost all
we need for policy and national discussion.
Imagine, one day
manifestos for Facebook, or question time on Twitter, campaigns on Pintrest and elections through Instagram. Who knows! But we do know the roar from social
media can’t be ignored for long. Before long, it has to go both ways, not just with end of advertising in mind, but a tool for engagement and eager ears.
Ever wondered what would happen if you gave a half-crazed, semi-concussed, unstoppable maverick a platform to write about social media? Follow him @LeoAtSMF
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info http://socialmediacambridge.co.uk/.
Russell Brand Provides Politicians With Platform to Engage the Disengaged
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.