How do you expand and promote a media outlet that is already everywhere, reporting everything of interest, from people all over the world? It is a difficult task but there is definitely room for progress with promising results for some of Vice's branches of media. The two branches that interest me the most are Munchies and Noisey.
I truly cannot find room for improvement within this sector, but I do think there are additional avenues that Noisey could pursue to increase their viewers and engagement on this platform. Since Noisey circulates so much up and coming music, it would be really interesting to see them collaborate playlists or features with streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music due to their instant viral nature. If they were to experiment within this, the groundswell wold immediately inform them whether this was a successful endeavor or not. 
Likewise, Munchies is similarly flawless as Noisey. It incorporates viral news stories on booming cultural trends within the culinary and restaurant industry. Since some of these sub branches of Vice are more niche driven to their audience, it is important to open these stories up for further engagement and reception to the public. Their presence on Instagram is phenomenal, if only they simply asked the groundswell what they were looking for rather than taking a shot in the dark hoping it will be consumable and appealing.
One of Vice's main competitors is Vox mass media company, which is also a massive conglomerate of media in the United States.
On Google trends, we can see that Vice has an inherent advantage as well as more interest over time compared to Vox. Vice has an average of 50% interest compared to the 10% interest that Vox is retaining.
On the other hand, Social Searcher offers a completely different comparison between the two media outlets.
(VICE)
Vice's analytics are actually below those of Vox's which is very interesting to me. There is a major, national following of Vox as well as it being a mainstream outlet. Here are Vox's analytics.
(VOX)
These figures show me that Vice as well as its branches are lacking in groundswell engagement because honestly, Vice to me has so much more to offer than Vox. But Vox offers what mainstream media consumers want and it shows within their analytics and outreach. Vice needs to offer an outlet where its viewers, followers and consumers can insert their own input of what the company needs to be more inclusive of (content wise). Vice clearly has the audience to push them into unparalleled success compared to news outlets like Vox, but they haven't tapped into the groundswell enough to separate a niche audience into an engaged and motivated audience. I personally love Vice, and I will continue to follow their branches of media, but until they energize the groundswell, they will only be a niche outlet for specific demographics and geographies.
Hi Dan I always really enjoy reading your thoughts on the various aspects of these companies. I think you have a really elegant way of talking about something you enjoy using in a constructive way. After reading your blog, I wonder if there are any unique forms of groundswell technology you think would be the most useful. I think that because you mention Spotify, I wonder if there is a podcast or blog that could be useful? What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteHi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI love how you were able to still come up with different avenues of growth in what seems like a very socially mature and engaging community Vice has with their groundswell. Would you consider any other magazine as competitors to Vice or perhaps just similar in terms of outreach that Vice Has?
Hi, Dan, I like your analysis. Through the comparation with Vox, you mentioned Vice's value and what need to be improve such as the audiences' insights. It is interesting that you explained the noisy could increase the number of reviewers.
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