I first heard of the story while watching Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly on America's Newsroom the other morning. I didn't have time to finish watching it because I had to leave for class, but when I got back later that day I watched the seven minute clip of her singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables and was fighting back tears.
Boyle is a 47-year-old, dowdy-looking, single woman from Scotland who lives alone with her cat in the small town of Blackburn. Before her appearance on BGT, the only people who knew she possessed such a great talent were members of her church. Now, all of America has fallen in love with her voice - and Susan herself.
The judge's and audience members' reactions to Boyle's performance are what really struck a cord with me. To see them go from doubt and judgment to sheer admiration within the first 10 seconds of the song was truly touching. We live in a world where beauty and youth are placed on a pedestal. On the surface, it seemed that Boyle possessed neither of these things. However, her charming personality and undeniable talent proved us all wrong.
The story of Susan Boyle has spread like wildfire. The mainstream media of television and newspapers have covered the story. But what has really turned Boyle into a celebrity is the power of YouTube, Twitter and the blogosphere. Social media has an uncanny ability to cause an overnight sensation. Whether it's Susan Boyle or any of the numerous whirlwind celebrity stories we have seen recently. Technology and the way we communicate is changing at such a rapid pace it can seem like a daunting task to keep up with it all.
It will be important for professionals in marketing, advertising and public relations to keep an eye out on how the social media is shaping how we get out information. To become, and remain, successful in any of these areas the power of the internet must be taken into account and utilized to its greatest potential.
Just look where it got Susan Boyle.
This NYT article links the youtube vid
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/arts/television/18boyle.html?em
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