Being alive in 2012 is awesome. Nowadays anybody can become a star / internet celeb. Sure everyone won’t reach mega celeb status. But they can fulfill a niche. No matter how weird. I still don’t see what’s so great about FRED Figglehorn. This guy has his own show on Nickelodeon and has made like 3 “Fred” movies. Lucas Cruikshank (Fred’s creator) was just a normal kid that posted some vids on youtube and boom he became a youtube sensation. He was able to tap into a market that had been neglected by studios such as Nickelodeon and Disney. Fred’s youtube channel was getting more views than some shows on these big tv networks. Lucas Cruikshank was able to make Fred Figglehorn a star by utilizing the 3 forces of the Long Tail. Force 1: Democratize the tools of production. The first FRED video was filmed using an inexpensive camera and edited on a personal computer. Force 2: Democratize the tools of distribution. Lucas set-up a free youtube channel and posted his videos. Force 3: Connect supply and demand. Fred became a hit with the kids because they shared his videos through word of mouth blogging and sharing links. Fred Figglehorn has gone from being at the end of the long tail to now being at the head. If he can do it anybody can. Well maybe not….But at least they have a chance
It is amazing how people can become popular via the internet. I have tried to watch one of the Fred video’s with my nephew and I really could not see what the big deal was. But the kid used his” talent” to become famous. Justin Beiber was discovered from a Youtube video so, your right anyone can be at the head of the tail.
This is a nice example of how sometimes niches become hits, or at least bigger niches, thanks to the forces of the long tail. Fred might never have gotten a break in Hollywood, but by proving himself on YouTube, all of a sudden the big boys come calling!