When sharing on Facebook, Twitter or Google+, I tend to stick with simple text-based posts. These short blurbs are typically easy to read, digest or reshare at the whim of my followers, and are, in my opinion, the most hassle-free type of content to quickly dish out.
DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, however, seems to feel differently. According to Reuters, Katzenberg believes that the future of social media “moves from text-based communication to video and audio-based, making it more intuitive and instinctual.” This tidbit comes after his recent visits to Silicon Valley where he’s been talking up a new DreamWorks initiative in collaboration with Intel, one slated to work in tandem with social media.
This is the sort of out-of-the-box thinking that excites me, as social media is still a very young form of communication many are only just now learning to monetize. While some might argue that the history of social media proves there will never be a perfect social network, this doesn’t
mean we can’t still work towards it, right? The presence of a more connected and social world offers limitless opportunities for several creative thinkers to iterate on current ideas, while innovating and introducing new ones.
Katzenberg’s proposed vision of the social future peaks my interest and leaves me wondering, what exactly could this new “intuitive and instinctual initiative” be? Is it an application of some kind that enables users to share and spread video and audio content more freely in real-time? Perhaps it’s a new social network promoting more creative expression? The project has my curiosity on edge, and I’m looking forward to seeing what will come of it — not to mention the many inspired and potential ventures that could spawn from its launch.
What do you think? Is the future of social media indeed in video and audio-based posts? What could the new DreamWorks initiative be? Weigh in below.


















There is definitive yes to question of this article from my side. At http://Weavly.com, we're currently working on giving people new ways of expressing themselves by using the media resources they’re surrounded by. And we're blown away by the creativity our first Beta users show in getting their ideas, messages and feelings across.
Texts and pictures will always be there. But sometimes it's better to say it in a movie, a mashup or an audio remix. Especially if you want your viewers to focus or reach them on several levels at once. And if the tools for doing so are easy to handle and available for everyone. I'm convinced that using video and audio material for expressing yourself will soon feel as natural as retweeting an awesome quote on Twitter.
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LikeIt's already happened I think. As someone who works in social media, I find that the most engaging posts I make are ones that offer content. Whilst text based updates still occur, they aren't as visually engaging. People don't want to go online and read. Reading is boring. Watching, listening or looking at something interesting is much more powerful. And I think this trend will continue to a point where we no longer type status updates at all.
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LikePictures and Video certainly have an impact on engagement levels - please see http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-pictures-engagement-2011-11?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allfacebook+%28Facebook+Blog%29&t=1320823535
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LikeI'm quite sure we're going to see a Max Headroom type direct broadcast (, in our case live streaming ) future where anybody with a smartphone can be an Edison Carter.
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LikeMichael Asperger Ha! Nice.
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LikeI don't think the future of social media will solely be based on just video and audio based posts... I think that content will always play a large role. I'd say much of social media even right now is based on being able to integrate the efforts of video, audio and content into one place. I'm also a strong believer in pushing for a holistic social media strategy where it's not just one path over the other, rather how to ensure that all paths are incorporated to create valuable engagement as well as a strong ROI. I think the future of social media is going to be based on truly being able to "measure" your efforts.
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LikeSuttida Yangsuttida You mean like Google+, right? ;P
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LikeYou apparently haven't seen tout
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LikeCody Littlewoodtout No, I haven't! But I'm taking a peek now.
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LikeCody Littlewoodtout Ah, we've already covered it on The Next Web. :)
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