Teen Celebrity

Stardom, Business, and Identity Politics

Convergence Culture• Interdependency of communication

systems

• Mixing media : the way we see, think about and use media

“…where grassroots and corporate media collide, where the power of the media producer and the power of the consumer interact in unpredictable ways.” (Jenkins)

Crossover Appeals for Industries• Connecting different media texts, and or transmedia

extensions via star-recognition– Using star-generating vehicle as constant– Often limiting the future range of performers

• Positioning the spectator/understanding the audience celebrity loyalty– Allowing for clear marketing strategies– Elevating stars to primary point of identification

Limiting Industry ResearchFans of an existing star have already been defined:• Age• Gender• Socio-economic group• Sexual orientation• Consumption history or preferences

Looking like a Teen• Identification and flexibility in reading

different texts on different platforms• Female viewers 12-17 “Star” demographic– Bringing the male demo – Bringing disposable income bringing

commitment

Motivating and Facilitating Sharing• Technology changes possibilities• From cease-and-desist to spread-the-word

TV, Movies, Self-Promotion

Stars adept at traversing different realms of media production: brand/show/interview/participant/twitter/film/market lines/ icon…

Diverse Viewers – Diverse MarketingEvangelizing, Translating, Incorporating:• “Lead Users”• “Retro-Curators”• “Pop Cosmopolitans”

All is well, that sells well…If all media outlets function for a star in gaining audience members, retaining fans, then all media formats are… equal? Less hierarchical then in previous times?

Super-System is a “go”With viewer aid, star vehicle and corporate vertical integration:• Blockbuster economy re-centered on star/pop culture figure convergence of product and intertextuality of performer

• Media literate teens generate momentum for machinery aid in conglomeration process and beget it

• De-centralization and de-regulation aid in diverse use of stars in the system

Star Linking• It is recognition and comfort that create

the human-commodity that is the celebrity

• Actors function as part of and often today generate their own “sales pitch” for an upcoming program, movie, piece of merchandise, line of apparel, book series…

• If media platforms and their hierarchical order of value become questionable, so does stardom hierarchy