Fandom | Jotup

From Deadheads on bulletin boards to Taylor Swift ‘stans’: a short history of how fandoms shaped the internet

Retrieved on:

Thursday, February 15, 2024

In this series, our academics dive into fan cultures: how they developed, how they operate, and how they shape the world today.

Key Points:

In this series, our academics dive into fan cultures: how they developed, how they operate, and how they shape the world today.
Here is a brief history of how fan cultures shaped – and were shaped by – the internet.

Early adopters

As early as the 1970s, fans were participating in digital spaces.
In the 1990s, science-fiction fans established online repositories, using Usenet groups for fannish discussion and fan-fiction distribution.
The public nature of Twitter (now X) allowed fans to come together in large groups to start trends and campaign.

The public and the private

Fans move between private and public spaces online, negotiating different identities.
On platforms like Tumblr and LiveJournal, fans often choose a pseudonym, whereas Facebook enforces a real-name policy.
Private spaces allow for personal conversations, while fans embrace public channels for sharing fan works and campaigning, for example, for voting or fundraising.

Fan migrations

Tumblr became the place for “"fuckyeah” fansites, sharing fan works and communicating via GIFs.
While the launch of Meta’s Threads provided a possible replacement for stan participation, some fans were hesitant to migrate across.
On Twitter/X, fans expressed they were weary of the new platform, because they did not want their fan activities to be connected to their “real life”.

Transformations

Fans are known for their creative productivity, transforming and remixing their favourite cultural objects in fan-art, fan-fiction, videos, zines and music remixes. Technological advancements made creative production easier to master, and the public and networked nature of platforms has allowed fan works to be circulated to a much wider audience. Audio from fan-edits often become trending TikTok sounds.

How fans shape brands

Some brands have started to act like fans online, learning from fans’ behaviours to form an affiliation with these engaged audiences.
On TikTok, brands are participating in fan-based trends, tapping into community-specific knowledge and jokes.
Brands are also adopting fan language and tone in their captions and comments.
In my ongoing PhD research, I’ve found fans are working as social media managers for brands, leveraging their expertise to connect with fan audiences.

Kate Pattison does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Bilibili New Year's Eve Gala Fuses East & West in Visionary Cultural Spectacle

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Within 24 hours of broadcasting, the Gala had accumulated nearly 400,000 bullet chats, and total views surpassed 100 million.

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Within 24 hours of broadcasting, the Gala had accumulated nearly 400,000 bullet chats, and total views surpassed 100 million.
By incorporating renowned intellectual properties (IPs) into the Gala, Bilibili created cultural resonance that echoed deeply through shared memories while spotlighting Chinese culture on a global stage.
Through this dazzling cultural spectacle, Bilibili aspires to bring global youth together and foster connections worldwide.
By integrating celebrities from both East and West, the Gala highlighted Bilibili's role in connecting young people worldwide who share common passions.

AMERICAN WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS WITH NETCAPITAL FOR CAPITAL RAISE

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Genz, Family, News, Fandom, Friends, Hip hop music, Pleasure, Music, Investment, Generation Z

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American Weekend Entertainment, an innovative creator platform that enables GenZ fans of pop culture to curate and syndicate authentic multimedia content is proud to announce the launch of their RegCF round on Netcapital (Nasdaq: NCPL, NCPLW) The offering can be accessed at: https://netcapital.com/companies/aweinc

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Created by and for Generation Z, the platform covers a broad spectrum of music genres, including pop, rock, and Hip Hop.
"We are delighted to announce the launch of our capital raise on the Netcapital platform to drive further business growth and development" said Mel Adler, CEO of American Weekend Entertainment.
I highly recommend them to any early-stage company seeking growth capital."
Netcapital.com is an SEC-registered funding portal empowering private companies to raise capital online, enabling investors from around the world to invest conveniently with just a few clicks.

Fanbase Social Media Crosses $4.5 Million Dollars in Latest Crowdfunding Raise

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Human, Legislation, Equity, JOBS, Be You, Social media, Ecosystem, Creativity, Barack Obama, Video game, Online shopping, Fandom

Fanbase utilizes Startengine for Equity Crowdfunding to reinforce Fanbase's unwavering commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity in the realm of social media, especially for historically marginalized communities.

Key Points:

Fanbase utilizes Startengine for Equity Crowdfunding to reinforce Fanbase's unwavering commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity in the realm of social media, especially for historically marginalized communities.
Isaac's mission is to enable users to freely reach the entire social audience & democratize social media for all.
Fanbase Social Media extends an open invitation to all to join them in their mission to reshape the social media landscape, champion diversity, and ensure that every voice is heard.
To learn more about Fanbase Social Media, please visit their website at https://www.fanbase.app/ .

The Pop Insider Unveils This Year's Must-Have Gifts for Every Pop-Culture Fan

Retrieved on:

Thursday, October 12, 2023

FA, New York Comic Con, Javits Center, Marvel, FC Kramatorsk, Booth, Use, Fandom, Pop, Tourism

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pop Insider, the multimedia publication that highlights the latest and greatest licensed merchandise, has revealed its picks for the must-have pop-culture gifts for superfans of all ages in its fifth annual Holiday Gift Guide. The Pop Insider's Holiday Gift Guide contains must-have merch from mega franchises like Marvel and Pokémon to niche favorites like Yellowstone and horror films, so it's easy to find something for every fan on your shopping list. The guide is broken down into categories including apparel and accessories, collectibles, home goods, games and puzzles and more. Its launch coincides with the first day of New York Comic Con, where fans can find print copies of The Pop Insider at Booth 1829, or view the full gift guide online at thepopinsider.com.

Key Points:

The Pop Insider's Holiday Gift Guide contains must-have merch from mega franchises like Marvel and Pokémon to niche favorites like Yellowstone and horror films, so it's easy to find something for every fan on your shopping list.
The guide is broken down into categories including apparel and accessories, collectibles, home goods, games and puzzles and more.
Its launch coincides with the first day of New York Comic Con, where fans can find print copies of The Pop Insider at Booth 1829, or view the full gift guide online at thepopinsider.com .
"The only thing better than finding the perfect piece of merch that encapsulates everything you love about your favorite fandom is when someone else finds it for you," says Marissa Silva, editor-in-chief of The Pop Insider.

MarketCast Transforms Brand Research with the Launch of Brand Tracking+

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Marketing, CMOS, LOS, Research, MarketCast, Smart TV, Fandom, Retail, Mobile phone, Heavy equipment, Social

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data driven insights and research company MarketCast today launched MarketCast Brand Tracking+™, an innovative new research solution that aims to transform how traditional brand research is conducted by the world's top brands. Through the fusion of consumer data, ad performance data, and an industry-first Brand Fandom framework, MarketCast Brand Tracking+ will help marketers better understand how their brand performance is shifting and its direct impact on the businesses' bottom line.

Key Points:

Fusing big data with traditional research methodologies to help brands identify, grow, and nurture Brand Fandom
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Data driven insights and research company MarketCast today launched MarketCast Brand Tracking+™, an innovative new research solution that aims to transform how traditional brand research is conducted by the world's top brands.
Today, practically every major brand conducts brand health research, representing billions of dollars in annual marketing spending.
At its core, MarketCast Brand Tracking+ features an innovative Brand Fandom research model and scoring methodology that identifies the key drivers of Brand Fandom.
MarketCast Brand Tracking+ focuses on three core drivers of brand fandom, including:
1) Brand Presence in the market.

Plenty of Fish Finds Singles Embracing Their Cringe

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Generation Z, Fandom, Hobby, Gen, OnePoll, POF (dating website), Plenty, Movement, Judgement, Tourism, Auction

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New insights from dating app Plenty of Fish reveal that 74% of Gen Z and millennial singles agree that embracing their cringe will help them find their cringe counterpart, indicating that when it comes to dating, singles are feeling more comfortable being upfront about who they really are - with less fear of judgment.

Key Points:

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- New insights from dating app Plenty of Fish reveal that 74% of Gen Z and millennial singles agree that embracing their cringe will help them find their cringe counterpart, indicating that when it comes to dating, singles are feeling more comfortable being upfront about who they really are - with less fear of judgment.
To build on this movement and help singles date better, Plenty of Fish commissioned a survey conducted by OnePoll, exploring what modern singles consider cringe when it comes to dating.
Across the board, singles agree that bad manners are considered cringe while dating - and not in a good way.
In a study commissioned by Plenty of Fish, 2,000 single or casually dating Gen Z and millennial Americans were polled in August 2023 by OnePoll.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Launches National Brand Campaign "It Takes Little to be Big" to Transform Mentorship Across America

Retrieved on:

Thursday, September 14, 2023

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States, has launched a bold new brand campaign "It Takes Little to Be Big," to challenge the myths and shift perceptions of mentoring and why now, more than ever, mentorship is critical to the success of kids today.

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This tapestry of stories will serve as a testament to the significant impact and universality of mentorship moments.
"Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters is transforming what mentorship looks like in our country and calling on people in communities everywhere to join us in this movement and be part of something big.
BBBSA has also partnered with industry leaders to amplify the campaign and encourage the support of volunteers as well as donors.
In addition, thanks to strong partnerships with Macy's, Express, and Merrell, the campaign will be amplified through their owned properties and partnership activations.

LEARFIELD Announces Closing of Recapitalization Transaction and Equity Investment, Positioning the Company for Continued Growth

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

LEARFIELD (or the “Company”), a leading media and technology company powering college athletics, today announced that it has closed on a comprehensive deleveraging transaction with its lenders and equity partners.

Key Points:

LEARFIELD (or the “Company”), a leading media and technology company powering college athletics, today announced that it has closed on a comprehensive deleveraging transaction with its lenders and equity partners.
The Company’s prior equity holders will retain an equity stake in the Company.
We’re just getting started.”
This transaction is the latest transformative initiative implemented by the Company to evolve media and technology in college athletics and position partners for growth.
Latham & Watkins LLP and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP served as legal advisors to certain of the Company’s current equity holders.

The Toy Foundation™ Reveals the 2023 Toy of the Year® Awards Finalists

Retrieved on:

Monday, August 21, 2023

NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An animated game to create movie magic, an activity table to drop musical beets, and an 8-foot inflatable obstacle course to spark endless outdoor fun are among the inventive finalists for the prestigious Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards. Today, The Toy Foundation™ (TTF) announced the top 122 toys, games, and properties across 17 product categories (listed below) that are advancing the world of play.

Key Points:

As the kickoff to Toy Fair®, the TOTY Awards are the biggest night of the year for toys, where the industry gathers to recognize innovation across every category of play.
The Toy of the Year and People's Choice winners will be announced on November 20, in time to create peak holiday shopping buzz.
Twenty-seven professionals are recognized as finalists for uniquely advancing the toy industry across sustainability; diversity, equity, and inclusion; packaging design; and PR/marketing.
"This year's TOTY Awards finalists are an unmatched lineup of toys, games, and professionals that represent the best of the best in the toy industry," said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation.