Videoblogging as an online news phenomenon : an exploratory study

This study explores the emergence of videoblogging as an online news phenomenon and investigates how this new technology is being adopted as a innovative mode of news diffusion. Rogers\u27 diffusion of innovations theoretical framework is being used to analyze the characteristics of this innovation and that of its adopters with particular reference to online news diffusion. Findings indicate that the early adopters tend to be predominantly young male adults located in the higher income regions of the world. Video content posted is predominantly related to arts and entertainment with a substantial minority related to current affairs and politics. While the majority of videos posted are produced by videobloggers themselves, a substantial minority of videos consist of images shot from television screens, extracted from other digital sources, or downloaded from other websites. Based on these findings, the impact of videoblogging in the online media environment is also discussed

Corporate brand management in a charity context: the internal communications challenge

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this paper was to investigate the practical issues and challenges faced when managing a corporate brand internally within a charity context from perspectives of both senior managers and grassroots volunteers. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive exploratory approach was adopted, where emphasis was placed on giving voice to participants considered as knowledge agents. Data collection methods included a combination of interviews and participatory observation. In-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with seven volunteers (including five branch chairs and one trustee) and five senior managers (chief executive officer [CEO], head of fundraising, national and regional directors and head of information and helplines). Participatory observations included visits in five branches as well as participation in two volunteer-targeted events. Findings Findings from this study revealed the complexities of managing a charity brand internally with several issues and challenges relating to internal communications. Also, three major themes emerged from insights gathered from both senior managers and volunteers, which are as follows: (1) internal brand clarity, (2) internal relational communications and (3) internal brand presence. Originality/value The key contribution of the paper lies in exploring the challenges of managing a corporate brand internally from both the perspectives of senior management and volunteers within a unique charity context. The study adds insights on the issues and tension faced by charities in managing their brands internally and provides a series of practical recommendations that might help charities in strengthening their brands from inside

Exploring Consumer Engagement in Gamified Health and Fitness Mobile Apps

This paper explores how Generation Y engages with gamified health and fitness mobile apps focussing on the popular Nike+ and Fitbit apps. An interpretative approach was adopted whereby ten in-depth interviews were carried out to explore this phenomenon from the perspective of the user. Findings suggest that consumers enjoy receiving intrinsic rewards but these only hold value when players understand the behaviour or activity for why they are being rewarded. It was also found that consumers would welcome social media integration in the gamified apps only if a purpose is clearly identified. Finally, competitive elements, such as leaderboards, points and status, are most likely to enhance consumer engagement but brands need to create opportunities for constructive competition

Exploring Visual Brand-Related Electronic Word-of-Mouth on Instagram

The aim of this study was to explore the possible drivers of visual brandrelated electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on Instagram. While eWOM has been the subject of growing interest in the literature, there has been limited research that has focused solely on the visual aspect of eWOM messages. A qualitative approach was adopted whereby data collection methods involved eight in-depth interviews (including photo elicitation techniques) with regular users of Instagram – a photo-sharing social media platform that has risen in popularity during recent years. This study found that there were both content-focused antecedents (presentation of focal point, authenticity, source attractiveness and colour) and source-focused antecedents (status, online homophily and character narrative) to visual eWOM which could potentially be linked to consumer engagement mediated by normative influence. Implications for brand owners are discussed and recommendations are made as to how brands could better influence consumer engagement on such visually dominant social media platforms

Exploring Choice overload in Online Travel Booking

When searching for their holidays online, consumers are frequently presented with thousands of options that require a large amount of cognitive effort to digest. This often results in consumers feeling overwhelmed, causing them to experience choice overload. This study explored and identified the moderators and outcomes of choice overload that could be specific to an online travel booking experience. A qualitative methodology was adopted to tap deeper into the experiential aspect of the online booking process from the perspective of the consumer. Indepth interviews were carried out with eleven participants who had prior experience in making online holiday bookings. Findings suggested that there were both intrinsic and extrinsic moderators that affected choice overload in an online travel booking context. There also seemed to be different forms of outcomes of choice overload in the online environment. In light of these findings, marketing implications for online travel booking operators are discussed

Experimenting with ZMET: Issues and adaptions

This paper is aimed at academic researchers considering the adoption of the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET) as a qualitative data collection method. It is meant to warn about the practical difficulties and challenges that the inexperienced ZMET researcher might face on the field. It argues that while the use of ZMET can allow for a deeper exploration of issues with participants, there could be potential challenges and issues that a novice ZMET researcher could face. Several recommendations are provided on potential adaptions to the technique based on the author’s own experience

Exploring charity brand relationships in a healthcare context.

The brand relationship paradigm (Heding et al. 2009) has been applied extensively in the commercial consumer-brand context (Breazale and Fournier 2012) but there has been scant attention to the study of corporate brand relationships (Abratt and Kleyn 2010) and more specifically in the charity domain where there has been a growing interest in charity branding during recent years. Therefore, this study consisted of exploring brand relationships within a particular charity context in the UK whereby the host organisation was a national healthcare charity providing different types of services to people living with arthritis. The conceptual framework guiding this study was drawn from both corporate branding and brand relationship theory with a view to apply new approaches to the study of the charity brand. Due to the exploratory nature of this investigation, an inductive research methodology was adopted where data collection involved qualitative interviews with twenty-two participants including three extensive biographical interviews. Findings suggest the importance for charities to better understand the salient aspects of their corporate brand that effect brand-beneficiary relationships. Six aspects have been identified from the perspectives of beneficiaries and were labelled as follows: brand clarity, brand personality, brand communication, brand presence, brand experience, and brand ethics. Morever, brand relationship were investigated from an interpersonal relationship metaphor perspective (Hinde 1997, Fournier 1998, Saledin 2012) resulting in the identification of four brand relationship roles (Mentor, Befriender, Entertainer, Enabler) and one desired brand relationship role (Medical Expert) from the perspectives of beneficiaries. This study therefore contributes to academic knowledge by providing new insights and perspectives on brand relationships between a healthcare charity brand and its beneficiaries. In addition, practical managerial recommendations are suggested to assist the host charity in its branding efforts

Endophilin regulates JNK activation through its interaction with the germinal center kinase-like kinase

The endophilin family of proteins function in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Here, we have identified and cloned the rat germinal center kinase-like kinase (rGLK), a member of the GCK (germinal center kinase) family of e-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activating enzymes, as a novel endophilin I-binding partner. The interaction occurs both in vitro and in cells and is mediated by the Src homology 3 domain of endophilin I and a region of rGLK containing the endophilin consensus-binding sequence PPRPPPPR. Overlay analysis of rat brain extracts demonstrates that endophilin I is a major Src homology 3 domain-binding partner for rGLK. Overexpression of full-length endophilin I activates rGLK-mediated JNK activation, whereas N- and C-terminal fragments of endophilin I block JNK activation. Thus, endophilin I appears to have a novel function in JNK activation