Contribution. Sharing. Interests. Passion. Talent

The new faces of social media are sharing their passion and talent in forums that make the seemingly impossible possible. How do you go beyond words to express your love of something? How do you connect your contributions to those from people in over 100 countries simultaneously? How do we obfuscate technology and deliver community experiences that create engagement levels never before seen and at the same time give people a reason to stay up late, practice their potential and ultimately share this with the world?

We do it by delivering an experience that resists the urge to describe itself, and instead offer a single point of entry and action (similar to the iPod 'wheel' or the Google Search button) that allows for a common and shared experience that is immediately accessible - in this case "Create Your Own".

I give you first exhibit A - the new faces of social media - and if you click on any one of them (below) you will see what they shared just minutes or hours ago at the Jonas Brothers Vocal Booth. Forget the technology for a minute and focus on what was going through the minds of these very passionate community members from all around the world as they sang along with their favorite boy band, crush in, and hearts out.

Consider a few things as you ponder this - this wall of faces represents a very small 1-2% of the actual tens of thousands of participants who engaged in the experience. Beyond the bravery to share their version of a song sung by their heroes with their heroes and thousands of fans who are tuning in to watch the versions (many visitors now watch as many as 20 or more of the videos) they also overcame network, technology, bandwidth and hardware issues that would daunt most of the leaders in this space that are more than twice the age of our contributors here. It is one thing to soapbox, but it is indeed quite another level of sharing to sing when you are up on it.

These days we too often focus on the why or the how and not the what of social media. And when we think about the who, it would be great to focus on who really benefits from all the work, theory, technology and effort that goes into building great experiences.

These are a few of the new faces of social media. As a parent we can be proud of our children safely sharing their talent and passion with the world at large, and in my very humbled opinion they are worthy of nothing less than a standing ovation of heartfelt applause for their considerable effort and passion.

(reposted from http://bitpakkit.com )

experiences · faces · Jonas Brothers · Overlay.TV · sing · social media · technology · Video · youth

Remember when you were a kid and you were 'like, oh my God, totally in love with,' let's say Duran Duran, or for those a little younger, New Kids on the Block, and how much you thought your love for them was so real and profound it made your heart ache? How you would lay awake at night in your pink canopy bed imagining your unicorn-themed wedding to Simon Le Bon or Donnie Wahlberg, just before rolling over and giving their poster one last kiss goodnight? How when you heard any of their songs on the radio, you would go absolutely crazy with delight, and sing at the top of your lungs into your hairbrush, dancing around your room to your legions of imaginary fans? Anyone? No? You totally lie.

Anyway, fast forward to 2008 and the new kids on the block are now Jonas Brothers, and posters still exist, but do so in a virtual universe. Now, imagine that you could sing-along with the Jonas Brothers and the whole world could see it. Kinda like karaoke, but not so lame. Well, Overlay.TV, together with the Disney-owned label Hollywood Records, has made that a reality.

Fans of the Jonas Brothers can now go to their official website and get in The Jonas Brothers Overlay.TV Vocal Booth and sing-along with them to their latest hit 'Lovebug.' It's super simple too. Click on the "Create Your Own!" button to start recording your very own version of 'Lovebug' while you sing-along with the JB boys themselves at the same time. Tell your kids, your friend’s kids, kids at school, stranger’s kids, your nieces and nephews, anyone who you think is a die hard JB fan, or just someone who likes to show off their musical chops. It's loads of PG good fun and gets you that much closer to Nick, Joe and Kevin. Like OMG!!!!

· Disney · Hollywood Records · Jonas Brothers · Overlay.TV · Sing-Along · Vocal Booth

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Overlay.TV Has Been Kidznapped!!!

This just in. Overlay.TV has been kidznapped by Kidz Bop! Not really of course, but Kidz Bop is the latest partnership to develop here at Overlay.TV. Kidz Bop is this millennium's answer to the Mini Pops (remember the Mini Pops?) with, as the name implies, kids bopping around and singing along to catchy pop hits, like The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls.

The official Kidz Bop website has re-launched, with of course all of the Kidz Bop music videos, but it now also features games, webisodes, contests, and the coolest new feature that gives kids the ability to create and upload their own video creations. Overlay.TV worked with Kidz Bop to develop not only a custom player for their site, but we also gave kids the ability to upload original videos that they could add cool animations to.

It's super easy too. Kids create an account on Kidz Bop, upload an already existing video, or create a new one with their webcam, add some animation to it and save! They can make web shows, video greetings, music videos, or whatever inspires them to be creative, and share it with all their friends on Kidz Bop! Cool.

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This week on The OverView with Amber Mac: The best Election 2008 videos, 20 new Charlie Brown Webisodes on iTunes, PC finally stands up to MAC, and a lesson on the the "rule of thirds."

The OverView

Episode 5 of The Overview is here. This week we get the lowdown from Amber on the Wassup boys 8 years later, the peacock network's new jingle, how Alberta is bloody lucky, UNK's Second Season, and the production tip of the week; how to use TubeMogul to spread the word.

The OverView

No, but a player can. We have made some slight, yet significant changes to our player recently, and I thought I'd take a moment to share with you all exactly what is new and different.

1. We have branded our player. It's a subtle inclusion, but an important one. It means not only do people know it's our player, it is also a way back to our site just by clicking on it, no matter where it is embedded.

2. We have put our chat tool right in the player. Our previous version of the chat tool was as a widget that you had to add to your Overlay, until some bright idealist said "hey why not just always have it as an option in the player?" Now you can chat in any Overlay you watch, or create. Smart.

3. The player is now a study in grey. We had splashed some red in the previous version, but felt that shades of grey would make it that much more complimentary to any site it's embedded on.

4. What was previously know as the EDIT tab, is now a CREATE tab. Why? Because we want you to use your imagination and create stuff, not just edit it. And the tab to turn off the targets in an Overlay is now known as HIDE.

Et voilà! Our new and improved player. Oh and there's some stuff inside the player that ain't so bad either ...

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This week on The OverView, Amber shares some news on how to "video your vote," why we won't be getting mail from Ringo anymore, and some tips for how use audio in your videos. And oh yeah, some stuff about Overlay.TV

The OverView

MTV2's self described "best in alternative and indie music" site Subterranean, kicked off it's live blogging from the CMJ Music Marathon, by writing a bit about their booth neighbours Overlay.TV. They talked with our CMJ booth babes, Keith and Faisal, about our tool and even got them to dish on few secrets ... [MORE]

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We are pleased to announce to the hundred million plus users of MySpace that you can now showcase Overlay.TV on your MySpace profile, using the Overlay.TV MySpace application.  Host one Overlay, or create a list of Overlays that have been individually selected by you. You don’t even have to be an Overlay.TV member to use the application. Simply add the application and then add the URLs of any of Overlays you like found on Overlay.TV.If you would like to make a more personal connection to your MySpace community, then sign-up to Overlay.TV to create and post your own Overlays on your MySpace page. You know your community better than anyone else. Let your inner producer out, and soon you’ll find Overlay.TV fast becoming your favorite MySpace application. Only Overlay.TV gives you the flexibility to add rich interactive online video content to your profile just the way you want it. (more...)

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This week on The OverView (click for all episodes) Amber Mac talks about The Webby Awards, Lisa Kudrow's new gig with Lexus, and shares some tips on how to make videos with or without a tripod, and of course all the latest at Overlay.TV. And don't forget to check out the official OverView page.

The OverView