The Long Tail article really opened up my eyes to really notice what is going on with the world. Although there has been an emergence of new networks and movies most individuals devote their time to just a few. I completely agree that the media draws us into the most popular TV shows, radio stations, movies, and more because all marketers care about is supply and demand. What marketers do is strive to maximize profits by making one commodity appeal to as many consumers as possible for as long as possible.
The consequence of having an increasing number of TV channels, movies, or radio channels is then these markets are competing with each other and must spend a greater amount of money of marketing to get their shows, movies, or channels noticed. However, as this article discusses how peoples like to go beyond the mainstream and unless they take the time to further their research then they will never know what they actually like.
I myself have been the type of person who sticks to the usual such as typical shows and radio stations and it can be difficult for me to step outside of my comfort zone. However, when I do, I find out more about myself and realize that when I actually take the time to give it a chance I usually end up enjoying it.
However, he argues that things are changing due to the digital revolution because when TV programs, films, and music is digitized it doesn’t cost to store it and the distribution costs are relatively cheap. With that being said, we live in a society with wide variety of products that we have the ability discover and develop our acquired tastes which will not always be the popular hits.
I can be the same way; when I like something like a TV show or a radio station or a genre of music, I tend to stick with it. I have watched Friends in its entirety at least 10 times. I just always go back to that TV show. But all the other TV shows that I have watched, I normally do not re-watch. Friends and The Office I could watch over and over.
ReplyDeleteAlso to touch on your marketing comments. It is their job to market and make money off of products. As a marketing major, that is what I am learning to do. But I hope to work for a company that markets products that we (society) needs and not wants. Of course, that will be different to everyone because not everyone agrees on what we "need." But should we be frowning on marketing companies that make society think they need something or should we be frown on society for falling for it? Just raising some interesting thoughts.