#meerkatting

[luke-and-leia-the-cats-not-jedi]

Ladies and gentlemen, she’s done it again…

[dottiesnark]

Couple of meerkats here.

[devon711heaven]

He has no thoughts

[luke-and-leia-the-cats-not-jedi]

Luke doin’ a meerkat!

[cheeksandsqueakshamsters]

Hamsters love to “meerkat” but funny to see Mo do it in the hammock. It’s like she heard something I don’t. Did anyone ever watch Meerkat Manor? Loved that show. #meerkatting #sheephamster #floofyhamster #floofy #rexhamster #adorbs #goldenhamster #rusthamster #ethicalbreeder #hamstercare #syrianhamster #cheeksandsqueakshams #hamsterbreeder #syrianhamsterbreeder #losangeleshamsterbreeder #orangecountyhamsterbreeder #syrianhamstersofinstagram #babyhamsters #hamstersofinstagram #syrianhamster (at Orange County, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK9KIQjAb3V/?igshid=1v5srl1cpv0b9

[drex-swift]

When Nola at the animal shelter I volunteer at is Olivia.

[kittehkats]

betterphoto.com

[theatre2point0]

Do you Meerkat or will you Periscope?

Meerkatting... say what?  Or what will they think of next!  According to this article on the newest app sensation:

Live streaming video from a smartphone may soon be known as "meerkatting" thanks to a new app that allows anyone with an iPhone to become a roving reporter.

It’s a free application that allows you to piggyback on Twitter’s network and live stream video.  Apparently Meerkat sends out a Tweet with a link and once you click on it you can live stream the Tweeter’s feed.

Until Twitter shut it down, Meerkat also was able to access your social network on Twitter.  According to this Buzzfeed article, you now have to build your own network on Meerkat but the live streaming video is still capable.

Twitter reportedly purchased another live streaming app, Periscope, that is still in beta testing.  But once they launch it may be hard for Meerkat to compete with Periscope.

Still, no matter who comes out on top, whichever you choose to do (Meerkat or Periscope), this could be a game changer for content marketing!  As Barry Hessenius of Barry’s Blog points out:

As we compete in the limitless world of communication, trying to distinguish our brands, our offerings, our wares, the ability to live stream dress rehearsals, museum curations, bits of performance pieces, fundraising events, informal pitches, day to day life in our organizations and more - all as part of our strategy to win over new audiences, media attention, donors and supporters - seems a natural fit; easy to do, cost effective (cheap), limitless creative applications and all built on an ever growing platform already part of our arsenal of tools (or one that would perhaps not be so hard to develop).

So what do you think?  Will you be meerkatting from backstage at your next show?  How can we put this to use to create awareness and buzz, sell last minute tickets, or put new butts in our seats?  Let’s get creative and get our networks working in new ways to pass our message on!

And let’s just play devil’s advocate.  What about when our audience starts to meerkat?  Do we allow or encourage the practice within our sacred halls? What about a tour of an art show or a public art installation?  Should we encourage cast members to live stream part of a dress rehearsal?  How do we remain in control?