More Disney Fun with Social Media (pics included!)

[alissafalco]

No more obsessive than your needs to continually defend '74. Creepy.

LOL thanks for the good laugh.

 

[emcclay]

By the looks of a few pictures, people are getting paid to Instagram at the park? I'm sorry but if that is the case I'm really at a loss for words.

 

[asianway]

Tumblr is a social media site for photos. The Disney Parks Blog, which links to this Looking Glass site, is social media. Obviously, one member of this new endeavor is heavily involved in blogs and social media involving Disney, another one's bio states that his clients have included Disney. Etc.



I don't want to make this about Tom because: 1.) I like him and; 2.) that's not what this is about, it's about what is Disney's whole purpose here.

As a shareholder and guest who knows how cheap the company is in so many ways, I'd love to know how much they're spending on this latest social media endeavor and frankly where is the ROI to shareholders. Can it even be quantified? Plenty of talented people take great pics at WDW, especially in the era of digital photography and PhotoShop. There's none of that loading the Nikon with a 36-roll of Kodak and snapping. It's a whole ldt easier for anyone to take a great shot today when you can try for 90 minutes until you get it exactly as you desire.



Ah, but many will work for 'free' when it comes to Disney. Or simply for a free week at the Grand Flo or BW or BLT.

I'm very interested in what the deal was here and hope Tom chimes in. If not, I'll contact him in private and make fun of his socks until he drops a post in.

When all logical explanations fail, default to fraud & graft.

 

[invader]

Whats your point?? Did you even read what I had to say? I said I was sure they did get royalties. Go troll somewhere else.

I honestly don't think you know what a troll even is.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Uhm. It's a Tumblr. Lots and lots of companies have them.

Your clear aversion to social media isn't going to change the fact that it is currently one of the most important ways that millions of corporations connect with their customers.

What exactly is the issue here? Since when has Disney not paid photographers to take pictures of their parks?

At least it's not a bunch of the same stock pictures we always get.

 

[WDWYankee15]

By the looks of a few pictures, people are getting paid to Instagram at the park? I'm sorry but if that is the case I'm really at a loss for words.

I take lots of pictures when I am at the parks and could take more if Disney wants to pay for me to take a trip! God Bless!

 

[ScoutN]

My thoughts on those who live by and defend Social Media to the ends of the Star Wars Galaxies.

 

[marni1971]

I took about 4000 last trip. I'm sure one or two must be worth something.

 

[janoimagine]

I shot over 100GB or raw files and video last trip alone ... where's my 5 minutes?

Serioulsy though ... is this really 100% Disney sponsored? I find it hard to believe that Tom is taking money or perks for his shots without disclosing it ... Maybe he could explain the purpose of the project?


@WDWFigment

 

[bferrara16]

I think the sites kinda cool. Interesting pictures about a place I like to go. Don't really care about all the ulterior motives being cooked up as causes for it. Don't see what the big deal is.

 

[mgf]

Social media is about influence. It is reasonable then to assume that Disney has decided to exert influence by consolidating social media "personalities" - many who developed followings independently - onto its own sites rather than be meaningfully engaged with fans. This is about message control and blurring the lines of independence.

Look at a company like Southwest to see the difference. They actively engage happy and angry customers and do not filter their social media pages with moderators. When was the last time Disney openly acknowledged a "wrong" or responded to legitimate customer concerns?

 

[mgf]

I think the sites kinda cool. Interesting pictures about a place I like to go. Don't really care about all the ulterior motives being cooked up as causes for it. Don't see what the big deal is.

Not picking on you, but I think this highlights the issue. Disney has not made clear whether these are fans, employees, consultants, etc. (Even high information fans cannot figure it out.) The casual guest just associates all content as being "Disney." Not everyone has a problem with this approach but some do.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't see the fuss...

tumblr has been around a long long time. There is tons of 'Disney' content on tumblr.. Disney apparently thought it was worth to experiment with a company sanctioned feed.

Disney has tons of photographers on their own staff.. what better to do then to get a bunch of non-employees to give you their work for your product for what is probably pennies vs what they would pay for an actual freelancer or employee?

What's the purpose? A company presence in tumblr... a format that (like most other microblogging sites) is under heavy pressure from facebook stuff.. but is still popular.

I bet the deal with the photographers is still an individualized thing. Why pay good money for someone who will leap just to get exposure... And as for how much money.. I'm sure its just peanuts.

Remember.. it's tumblr... that means Disney doesn't pay for any of the bandwidth, hosting, or operation. It's only costs are if it wants to pay contributors and any administrative overhead.. which they probably just put on the shoulders of existing people.

Making a mountain out of molehill here...

 

[flynnibus]

Not picking on you, but I think this highlights the issue. Disney has not made clear whether these are fans, employees, consultants, etc.

Why does it matter? People are going there for the photos. When you see a photo on the company website or in company videos... you aren't getting disclaimers on if the photographer was a freelancer or employee. It doesn't matter to the subject.

 

[bferrara16]

Not picking on you, but I think this highlights the issue. Disney has not made clear whether these are fans, employees, consultants, etc. (Even high information fans cannot figure it out.) The casual guest just associates all content as being "Disney." Not everyone has a problem with this approach but some do.

I don't feel picked on. Don't see the need to even make that clear, as you say. At the end of the day, they are pictures on a Disney website. People can read more into it if they choose, I guess. I just don't see an agenda. (To show that I understand what could be perceived as bad form- it's not like these are "reviews" or "critics" meant to be unbiased opinions - take them for what they are: pictures).

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disney-parks-photo-project.855203/

There's already a thread about this. But to answer your question, I hope they were paid for their work product. And, actually, I think it's you who has no idea what social media is...

I tell ya, he is an evil spirit. He's got to be at least 300lbs and lives near an Arby's by his parent's house, I mean, it's not like he's well traveled or has ever had any work published right? Right?

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Tumblr is social media. Disney is on Tumblr.

xoxoxo

Just wait until the sweatshirt moms get involved on Disney's Pinterest page!


~ExpoI'dKnowI'veDoneCompanyLayoutsOnTumblrSeeker40~

 

[wiigirl]

I take lots of pictures when I am at the parks and could take more if Disney wants to pay for me to take a trip! God Bless!

Lol...me too!

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Not picking on you, but I think this highlights the issue. Disney has not made clear whether these are fans, employees, consultants, etc. (Even high information fans cannot figure it out.) The casual guest just associates all content as being "Disney." Not everyone has a problem with this approach but some do.

Can't speak to the selection process, but there are extensive bios on the photographers on the Tumblr.

 

[WDW1974]

Uhm. It's a Tumblr. Lots and lots of companies have them.

Your clear aversion to social media isn't going to change the fact that it is currently one of the most important ways that millions of corporations connect with their customers.

What exactly is the issue here? Since when has Disney not paid photographers to take pictures of their parks?

At least it's not a bunch of the same stock pictures we always get.

I've stated what some issues are here ... and I'm sure others could come up with different ones. The point of putting this thread up was to get some answers as to what the point of this latest 'experiment' is and how it came to be, how people were 'selected' etc. I don't believe my questions were written in a foreign language or worded poorly. I asked basic questions because I don't know the answers and would like to.

And I've never said a word about people getting paid for photos being a bad thing. I'd just like to know if they are and does that make them CMs (the Mongello question) or contractors and how this whole initiative came about.

This is a Disney forum. This is a Disney topic. It's current and it's newsworthy. ... If you don't like it, then go update your FB status or start a thread on your favorite character meals at WDW.