Twestival: a new use of twitter

Twitter seems to be a new platform for use in PR industry.Everyone has
emphasized its significance because it provides a new way of communication,
however, is it possible to explore the charity use of Twitter?

Yes, the Twestival, or Twitter-Festival. It is a series of global events organized by
volunteers on Twitter, aiming to bring Twitter users offline for a good cause. This
idea inspired by an event which took place in London in September 2008. A group
of London Twitter users gathered people on Twitter to collect donations for a
non-for-profit organization. The number of participants was far more than the
organizers expected at the end.

The success in London encouraged more and more Twitter users from other
cities to get involved. Therefore, the organizers extended it into a large scale
event: by establishing and connecting local communities on Twitter to build a
worldwide network. Subsequently, Twistival Local and Twestival Global were
brought into existence.

Twefestival was remarkably successful. The first Twestival Global on 2009
raised over 250$k in one day to benefit charity: water, a non-for-profit organization
devoted to get access drinking water for least-developed countries.Now, the team is working on Twestival Global 2010.

While there are so many people are discussing the influence of Twitter in
communication technology and social media, this profound meaning project
indicates another possibility of Twitter. Many organizations have acknowledged
the opportunities presented by social media,but it is not merely a tool of
instant communication or a platform for commercial publicity.

By giving insight into this case, Twestival expanded the use of social media, I mean,
collaborated on charity business. This cooperation is not only a new experience
for Twitter users,but also for all PR practitioners. On the other hand, this event provided
a new way for us to look at social media: the interaction of people is not only limited
on the Internet, it may transform into a real life.Whereas we already know that Twitter
is a much more open space than other social networks, as to PR practitioners, how can
we innovated by this characteristic than apply it to other aspects? The potential
of social media is worth exploring further for us.