I wrote a few months ago, “Websites/blogs and print media have been trying to emulate each other lately: websites more and more resemble print magazines – rich in regularly updated content that is designed similarly to how we browse and read magazines,” Pinterest-like and magazine-like blogs are extremely popular, which is a great tribute to the power of visuals.
But this time I’m not going to write about images and videos per se, but rather about online magazines that resemble blogs. In all honesty, I am not sure what the difference is. However, online magazines or blogs or even vlogs, whatever you call them, really can change our lives for the better. In Bostjan’s words, they are taking over the role of generating public awareness. It says a lot about an online medium that can change people’s perception about somebody or an issue or a region, etc.
I stumbled upon a curated video magazine, Stocktown. I was immediately impressed by the way it looked, the reason good enough to make me stay on the page and browse deeper. The Images are really impressive and colorful and they are not even pics. This is a video magazine for “culture in motion”, launched a year ago in Sweden. It’s curated and provided by a set of people from around the world passionate about videos, showcasing clips from the global street culture.
Their goal is to share and spread public awareness about global, undiscovered, alternative and subcultural, even underground, video productions.
“A spot where you can dig into the latest from for example the urban dance scene in South Africa, and check out videos from every corner of the world, and last but not least, where you can keep an eye on the future of the street,” says the magazine’s editor Heather Ferrigan. The vlog, blog, or magazine (whatever you prefer) basically provides visual storytelling – it is a phenomenal place full of great content.
I was really impressed and curious so I contacted the editorial staff. Their take is that videos “mirror culture and society”. Heather told me: “Video productions are also important from an anthropological point of view, as an artifact, that says a lot about time, aesthetics, medium, and used technology. From a cultural point of view, videos provide an insight to taste and trends.” What’s even more impressive in today’s Americanized media landscape is that they raise awareness about other non-western, undiscovered movements or cultures. Heather explains: “Our ambition is to perhaps provide opportunities for global video productions and talented filmmakers to be showcased to a much broader international audience.”
So, what can other bloggers, personal or branded, learn from Stocktown.com?
- Have a clear overall message.
- Know your objectives.
- Utilize the best images and videos you can.
- Have a strong editorial policy.
What’s your take on blogs generating public awareness about issues round the world? Do you know any other great example? Please do share.
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