Mikko Villi

Mobile Visual Communication

Abstract In this article I will elucidate the concept of photo messaging, and examine camera phones in the context of communication and photography. Camera functions are nowadays a popular add-on to the mobile (cellular) phone. Users can send photographs directly from the phone as photo messages. Findings suggest that the ubiquitous camera phone, and photo messaging, may substantially change the ways in which people use personal photography. The imaging capacity of mobile phones is becoming a potential part of perpetual visual contact. Thus taking and sending photographs on a camera phone represents a new resource for visual communication.

Co-creation of what? Modes of audience community collaboration in media work

This article explores processes of co-creation in the media industry, particularly in the context of magazine media brands. We discuss the content and practices of creative collaboration between editorial teams and online audience communities. Based on two empirical case studies using analytical interviews and focus group discussions, we introduce a new model and framework for analysing co-creative processes. The model of co-creative collaboration is focused on three areas of media work: production, marketing and development. We conclude that co-creative processes between editorial teams and audience communities have a definite impact on the future of media work and media management. Importantly, the work of editorial teams is transformed from content production through creating platform concepts to coordinating, managing and nurturing audience communities.

Audience community as a strategic resource in media work: Emerging practices

This article discusses the role of the online audience community as a strategic resource for media work. It opens up a current perspective on the audience community, which has received scarce attention in research both conceptually and empirically. The article provides an empirical analysis of the various ways in which the audience community can serve as a resource in the work of journalists. The conclusion is that the audience community can have wide-ranging strategic significance and implications for media work and media brands. In particular, observing and connecting with the audience community can help journalists acquire deeper knowledge and understanding of the audience, as well as strengthen commitment and engagement among the audience with the media brand. As a consequence of collaborating with the audience community, new journalistic roles and tasks are emerging.

Recommend, Tweet, Share: User-Distributed Content (UDC) and the Convergence of News Media and Social Networks

The paper explores how the participatory audience disseminates the online content produced by news media. Here, user-distributed content (UDC) acts as a conceptual framework. The concept of UDC refers to the process by which the mass media converge with the online social networks through the intentional use of social media features and platforms in order to expand the number of content delivery channels and maximize visibility online. The focus of the paper is both on the news media’s internal use (social plugins) and external use (Facebook pages, Twitter accounts) of social media tools and platforms in content distribution. The study draws on the examination of fifteen news media in seven countries. The data consists of almost 50,000 news items and the communicative activity surrounding them. The three main findings of the study are: (1) the audience shares online news content actively by using social plugins, (2) the activity of the news media in social media (especially on Facebook and Twitter) impacts the activity of the audience, and (3) the news media are more active on Twitter than on Facebook, despite the fact that the audience is often more active on Facebook. The study suggests that practices related to UDC should be more strongly incorporated into the management strategies of news media as peer-communication among the audience has a growing significance in the consumption and distribution of online media content.