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AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
STORYTELLING FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Dr. Pamela Rutledge
Media Psychology Research Center
pamelarutledge@gmail.com
@pamelarutledge
TURBOCHARGE
SOCIAL IMPACT
TRANSMEDIA
STORYTELLING
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
REACH | IMMERSION | BUY-IN | SUSTAINABILITY
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
DEFINE TRANSMEDIA
WHY TRANSMEDIA IS A
CRITICAL STRATEGY TODAY
CASE STUDIES
1
2
3
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
TRANSMEDIA
is a fancy word for a
simple concept:
telling stories across
multiple platforms
Tim Kring
Screenwriter and Producer
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
TRANSMEDIA STORYTELLING:
Each platform adds
something unique
Multiple points of entry
creates participation
and motivation
Henry Jenkins, PhD
Media Scholar
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
We want
value for our
attention
We
expect to
be heard
We
believe
our
actions
matter
We expect
to
participate
We expect a
fast
response
We expect
respect
We expect
authenticity
We want to
connect
with others
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
We are
storytelling
animals
Fueled by
emotion, instinct
and social
connection
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Our lives are full of stories
that travel across media,
whether intentional or not
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Whole is less than sum of the parts. Media becomes redundant
and less satisfying.
Whole is more than sum of the parts by creating a larger
‘storyworld,’ enhancing sense of immersion and motivating
audience to seek out other parts.
Traditional vs. Transmedia Models
Source: http://www.tstoryteller.com/transmedia-storytelling
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Main Story Anchor: Novel
Transmedia Story: The Three Little Pigs
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Main Story Anchor: Novel
Pig 1: Website Wolf: Website
Pig 2: Twitter
Dialogue
Pig 3: Cooking
Blog
Pig 3: Fan Page
Transmedia Story: The Three Little Pigs
Main
Website
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Main Story Anchor: Novel
Pig 1: Website
Pig 1: Anime
Super Pig
Wolf: Website
Offline Events
Pig 2: Twitter
Dialogue
Pig 3: Cooking
Blog
Pig 3: YouTube
Videos
Pig 3:
Cookbook
Pig 3: Fan Page
Transmedia Story: The Three Little Pigs
Sequels/
Spin-offs
Pig 2: Pinterest
Board
Wolf: Vine
Main
Website
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
East Los High
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Anchor: Hulu Videos
Website
@eastloshighshow Facebook
Transmedia Story: East Lost High
Character Vlogs
School Newspaper
Instagram
Tumblr
Links to Resources
Dance Videos
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
East Los High
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
East Los High
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Strong story based on Sabido Methodology
–  Dramatic theory for characters and structure (Brewer)
–  Emotional and realistic content
–  Archetypal characters (Jung)
–  Social Learning Theory: Transitional characters model
realistic change (Bandura)
–  Frequency allows creation of parasocial relationships
(intimacy at a distance, Horton & Wohl)
•  Narrative stays true across media
–  Enhances suspension of disbelief (Bruner)
What Makes East Los High Work?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Multiple pathways
–  Reaches broader audience
–  Gives fans places to explore, i..e. “rabbit holes”
–  Provides additional content beyond show
–  Teaches socially relevant skills, such as dance
–  Integrates prosocial information in context of storylines
–  Allows fans to connect, contribute and ask questions
–  Highly social component reinforces shifting norms
•  Immersion enhances narrative
transportation
–  Increases persuasiveness of messages (Green & Brock)
How Does Transmedia Contribute?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Anchor: Book
PBS Special
@half
Facebook
Game
Gift Ideas
Transmedia Story: Half the Sky
Mobile Games
Educating Women
Facebook Page
Celebrity
Participation
Curriculum &
Screenings
Website
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Strong, well-publicized anchor medium
•  Use of authority and social proof
–  Celebrities, Heads of State
•  Consistent Calls to Action
–  Enhance agency in audience
–  Provides avenues for immediate action
•  Personal stories
–  Create emotional engagement and
–  Visceral experience of those in need
What Makes Half the Sky Work?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Multiple platforms expands audience across
many social groups
–  PBS, Facebook games, music give-aways, school
curriculum, sponsored video screenings
•  Higher level narrative is consistent across all media
•  Interactivity and individual stories humanize larger
narrative
•  Creates structure to support momentum over time
–  30 Songs in 30 Days
How Does Transmedia Contribute?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Anchor: Website
Stores
@TOMS
Facebook
TOMS Channel
Transmedia Story: TOMS Shoes
Shoe Drops
Fan Created Content
Style Your
Sole Parties
Day Without Shoes
@BlakeMykowskie
Google+
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Simple, compelling and believable origins
story
•  Simplification of larger problem (poverty) to
human level (children with no shoes)
•  Equate consumer behavior with positive
social outcome
•  Early entrant new business model 1 for 1
•  Group affiliation, social identity
What Makes TOMS Work?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
•  Multiple platforms expands audience across
many social groups
•  Fans immediately engaged and appropriated
story
•  Highly sharable media, growing community
•  Linked offline and online actions
•  Provides audience with feedback about results of
their actions
•  Maintains authenticity
•  Continually reinforces identity
How Does Transmedia Contribute?
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Transmedia Bridges Online with Offline
Source: tstoryteller.com
Online content
creates conversations
and promote real
world events
Offline strategy
creates online
conversations and
encourages action
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
StoryWorld
Actionable
Content
Issue
Awareness
Engagement Action Change
Sustainable Change
Source: Adapted from Lina Srivastava http://transmedia-activism.com/
Issue
Adoption
StoryWorld
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
Intentional Transmedia Strategy
ü  Extends REACH by broadening potential audiences
ü  Enhances narrative IMMERSION expanding story experience
ü  Increases persuasion, diminishes resistance
ü  Turns audience into actors & stakeholders for BUY-IN
ü  Creates community of advocates and stakeholders
ü  Builds SUSTAINABILITY through adaptable structure
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONVENTION ★ WASHINGTON DC ★ AUGUST 7-10-2014!
STORYTELLING FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
Dr. Pamela Rutledge
Media Psychology Research Center
pamelarutledge@gmail.com
@pamelarutledge
TURBOCHARGE
SOCIAL IMPACT
TRANSMEDIASTORYTELLING
THANKYOU