Music focused social networking destination Buzznet, a service that we noted May 24 as being the biggest social network many may never have heard of, is taking their message and brand on the road.
Buzznet has hired 21 year-old blogger Audrey Kitching, “a fashion trendsetter, model and e-scene queen” as a traveling reporter to cover the 9 week, 45 city Vans Warped Tour 2007.
Kitching will send video and written dispatches that will include backstage interviews with bands and live discussions with the fans. Kitching will be traveling in a custom Buzznet PT cruiser (see photo), giving Buzznet exposure to millions of music fans and fellow highway travelers; although I’d note looking at the car that it may also blind fellow highway travelers as well.
It’s a clever idea in an age where social networking sites are a dime-a-dozen. Being there no longer cuts through, being seen is the key for any startup. I’m told that Kitching will be free to report events as she sees them, so this isn’t a case of Wal-mart style astroturfing. Although some will not be in the target demographic for this style of promotion, it’s not hard to appreciate this as being a smart marketing move by Buzznet.
Kitching’s travels can be followed on Buzznet here. Previous TechCrunch Buzznet coverage here.
Good idea, move it across the country with a hot girl as the spokesperson. In this day and age you’ve got to do something different to get a new social network noticed. Could they have gotten something nicer than a PT Cruiser though?
what buzznet needs is some artistes to break into the mainstream music scene using them as a platform. That’s how myspace really caught on.
I’m skeptical to how well this will work. When I go to a concert the last thing I think about is the social network that was being pimped at the show. The strongest way to get consumers is while they’re sitting in front of their computer.
That being said… If buzznet gave a free mp3 from the band playing upon sign up I’d be very tempted to check them out and nab a sweet tune while playing with their social net. It works in two ways; I’m attracted by the music, and I know that people on the site are probably the sort that are into the same tunes I am.
A fashion trend-setter and a model with pink hair and a PT Cruiser? In 2007?
Rad.
Not that I’m normally a stickler for these sorts of things, but you seem to have an issue with correct grammar. Where did you learn to write?
“Being there no longer cuts through, being seen is the key for any startup.”
This is not correct comma usage. Reading this may help: http://owl.engl...ar/g_comma.html
Good luck.
This site has many similarities to the My Opera Community provided by the makers of the Opera browser (see http://my.opera.com/community/ ) . It is more than just a photo site, however, since you also receive a blog along with user groups and forums. Not to mention that every user gets 500 MB of storage for any type of file. (!)
The service has every feature buzznet has, but it is completely free without any ads. (Yes. I said every single feature — see http://www.tech...rofile-buzznet/ for a list of them.
)
For example, every user has a unique URL for their page, which is also used for their blog and anything else related to that person. RSS feeds can be had for any blog post or forum feed, along with posted photos as well. And the mobile photo posting is enhanced by mobile blogging too. (A great pairing with Opera Mini.
) Tagging and private messaging are a great features I use all of the time. Their are already a number of custom designs available, and anyone can upload their own custom CSS to change the look of their personal page. Photos are by default reduced in size, but the option to keep the originals is also given.
All in all, the service has the features that buzznet has plus many more, but it is more mature and has already turned into a large social network of about 1 million users. It’s main purpose of course is to spread the Opera Browser, but it still has a slew of features that have made it something great and I am proud to be a member.
Note: I’m not an Opera employee, just a huge fan.
By the way, check out http://my.opera.../RBDGroup/blog/ for an example of what can be done with the site. RBD’s not my favorite band, but you can still get a good idea.
I think this is extremely inventive. Engaging the real world outside of cyberspace brings a tactile sense to buzznet. If her reporting acumen is equally engaging then perhaps buzznet has touched on something unique to an all to cluttered social networking environment. But a PT Cruiser?! Hopefully they plugged Chrysler in exchange for the Cruiser.
Would you go out 40 year old pink haired Jenny Craig with full of meat, complaint, buys collections hello kitty dolls, wears nose ring, cussing religion alot?
As religious sheep… I can’t hardly surivive with annoying brain. If I ever chat, date with wrong person, and met her as real life. I would drink the whole beer, jump into ocean, and swim far far away.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that a guy on the right?
http://alibaron...mepage-featured|The_Warped_Tour_s_Pink_Paradise
I hate to be bias.
Believe it or not; It’s still correct, because quotation mark is being used, as blogger writes: “Being there no longer cuts through, being seen is the key for any startup.”, which makes sense in some English state.
:/
Duncan
Social networks ARE a dime a dozen. I predict that anyone who has an online forum for their group or organization will also have a social network, it’s so easy to plug and play now.
If you’re interested in creating your own social network (something Techcrunch could even do) there’s a list of Social Networking White Label sites (sites you can rebrand) here:
http://www.web-...king-platforms/
Nice Idea ,
There is a chance that in the end , this Audrey Kitching will be more popular then the Buzznet website.
Sounds like a nice idea, its always good to try something that has never been tried before and see how it goes. That could be true in this case.
One chick in a PT Cruiser?
Gimme 5 chicks in a Winnebago with a live cam.
this is great guerilla marketing
I agree with Heri. This has picked up significant blog chatter and CGM. If only I would have thought of it:(
“When luck joins in the game, cleverness scores double.”
Any form of art is a form of power, it has impact, it can affect change–it can not only move us, it makes us move.
Oh man, what kind of crap is that, “affect change”? As in puke?
It’s a good idea.
I guess people need a reminder of their cyber life while their out living their physical life. Does that make sense?
A hot girl in a pink car just might do that.
“One chick in a PT Cruiser? Gimme 5 chicks in a Winnebago with a live cam.”
bdb: we found something to agree on.
why not a prius?