"I'm the kind of guy who likes sitting on his ass watching television," Steve Molks, Entertainment Jounalist. 

Yesterday we were lucky enough to have Steve Molks from 'MolksTvTalk' as a guest lecturer. 

Well. 

If there was any denying that Twitter has revitalised and irrevocably altered the journalism industry, there isn't anymore. 

Molks conducted a quick 'show of your hands poll' about where the now very small number of students in our lecture absorbed their news from; newspapers, online news sources and social media mediums. 

When asked who ascertained their news from newspapers, only two girls raised their hands. I'm proud to admit that I was one of these. 

But when Molks said 'well, what about online newspapers?' there was an overwhelming divide, with almost every person sitting in the room raising their hand. Wow. The internet's effects on the journalism industry are evident - even just by collection information from a JOUR1111 lecture. 

I am a proud newspaper buyer - The Australian. Everyday. 

It compliments my morning coffee perfectly - and I find it a great source of information. 

I am also proud to admit that I am a subscriber to the Economist. I know it's nerdy, and I do get mocked relentlessly but it provides an incredible, weekly, up-to-date world scope magazine, or 'weekly newspaper' as it's more aptly named. I've never found another magazine which is quite as filled with news and perspective. Brilliance. 

And speaking of the Economist, what an interesting publication. Firstly, it's no-byline policy. I find this fascinating. Concurrently and consequently, I also love the message that it sends. 

NOTHING - NOT EVEN THE NAME OF A REPORTER - IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE NEWS ITSELF. 

To be, this upholds and operates with intrinsic news values. This is news in its truest form - news for news, not for reporters benefit. 

Another interesting thing about The Economist is its advertising campaigns. For example: 

David Abbott, creator of the campaign about 20 years ago, envisioned 'a campaign of words rather than pictures'. It's a newspaper filled with words - so this is a rather accurate advertising ploy. 

The underlying thought of the ad campaign is that 'if you're an Economist reader, you're smarter and intellectually above the average passer-by.' 

One of the newer Economist ads: offering you an invitation to the elitist club - for only £3.00.  

Another one of the advertisements is The Economist's trademark red background, with Thunderbirds character 'Brains' in the lower righthand corner. 

"And [you're] not just smarter [than the average person], but more successful, more interesting and witty, and - whisper it - better paid. Thus if you are like Brains, you will know what it's an advert for, even without a logo," BBC, 2004. 

The Economist campaign need not even make any reference to the newspaper title 

Brand Marketing Manager, Jacqui Kean, says that one of the most crucial aspects of the campaign is the audience having to 'decode' its meaning. People talking about the ads, the ads creating controversy - and it works. Just look at me - I'm blogging about it. 

"This means the advert is saying something about the product, but also giving a reward to people who work it out, so they feel as if they are in a virtual club of Economist readers," says Kean.

Sean Brierley, Advertising Handbook author, believes the Economist's ads are "the ultimate aspirational campaign", appealing to the inner snob in all of us. 

"What is fascinating about the Economist's campaign is that it has never emphasised the quality of the editorial product, but it has always concentrated on the self-image of the readers. Intuitively, I would say that this is indicative of the fact that though many people buy it, not many read it." 

"It is a badge brand - one that executives like to be seen with, but are hardly ever seen reading. This is not to say that the Economistis not an excellent publication, but its marketing/advertising reflects the fact that the self-image and self-esteem of the readers is more important to the brand's success than the quality of the product."

Regardless, in the 20 years since Abbott floated the campaign, sales have risen from 70,000 to 500,000. Now try and argue that the campaign isn't successful. 

The campaign directly correlates to the self-image of the reader. Being seen with The Economist makes you seem smart, gives you free entry to the executive club, puts you above and beyond majority of society, it is designed to 'massage the ego of consumers'. Sales alone show that it does just that. 

You can read more here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3746752.stm

ANYWAY, back to Steve Molk (sorry, all The Economist advertisements got me really excited...).

Twitter and online insta-share mediums have revitalised and changed the journalism industry. 

"Twitter can spread news easily, and that's why so many journalists love it," Molks said, before following on with real life examples. 

Molks told us of cricketer Michael Clarke and his 'secret fairytale wedding' to Kyly Boldy. 

Clarke releases five photos of his wedding on twitter: no press conference, no interviews and no exclusive. Simply the tree photos below and a status stating:

"Happiest guy in the world. Married @KylyBoldy yesterday in front of our gorgeous families. Couldn't be happier!" 

But it got the information out there - in fact it went viral, and all from his own Twitter update. 

I think Kyly looks beautiful. She had input in the the design of her dress, which was done along side her 'good friend' Alex Perry. Just, wow. 

Kyly Boldy: wedding day. 

In fact, the irony of this was that when Molks stated 'Michael Clarke married his girlfriend' the girl in front of me whispers to her friend "what? when!?" Clearly Twitter doesn't reach as large an audience as conventional mediums, but it does reach enough to encourage other online articles to surface. 

Read here: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/lara-bingle-reacts-to-ex-michael-clarkes-secret-wedding-to-kyly-boldy/story-e6frewz0-1226358860569

One of the major benefits of Twitter for journalists, according to Molks, is that right now we can start earning the trust of our sources. 

We have the option for direct online contact with politicians, entertainment industry and sporting industry professionals. All with the simple click of a 'follow' button. 

MolksTVTalk "I don't fall into the traditional entertainment reporter" stereotype