An Interview With Dominican Republic's Young New Media Advocate

How did you get involved in Social Media?

Long story short: I was fortunate enough to been enrolled on Social Media, since I started blogging at age 12. The reason I became an active blogger that young is because I was a huge fan of japanese rock music. The only source of information I had back then was the information provided by other overseas fans who blogged about this in English. I used to read all this information and then publish it in Spanish for those Latin American and Spanish fans who wanted to be up-to-date with their favorite bands and other music events in Japan.

Since then, I’ve been a very active user of the Web tools and connected everything when I began my studies in communications. I’ve been taking courses involving Web Marketing and learning how to provide content on the Web. The more I studied about this, the more I got convinced that I wanted to make Web Marketing and Public Relations a part of my career.

 

How does Social Media play a role in DR?

Dominican Republic has always been a pioneer when it comes to communications. Even though we’re talking about a developing country, the social media and the new communication technologies have made a big impact in the society, especially when it comes to Internet access on mobile devices and social networking services such as Facebook. Unfortunately, this is a reality that only occurs in the main cities and among the people belonging to the middle and upper social classes.

However, marketing and advertising through social media hasn’t gained a wide developing  just yet. Like it happened first on the US, marketers are trying to use traditional methods on the new media, leaving behind tons of possibilities and more efficient ways to reach the public.

 

What are you working on currently (in web 2.0)?

Besides private projects on afterimage, I’m working on a Web 2.0 convention organized by FUNGLODE. It’s going to be a set of conferences focused on Web 2.0 and its relation to many areas, directed to Dominican Social Media users, with the participation of important key speakers. Since we’re just starting to work on this, we can’t provide much details about it, but I can assure you that it is going to be a revolutionary event, both for the Dominican Republic and the rest of the region. 

 

Is there a large use in DR for social media?

Frankly, it’s not as large as it should be. As I said before, there’s a good use of socia media, but only for personal matters. Most of the people in the Dominican Republic are failing to achieve the productiveness and professional use that the web media can offer. 

This has to be further developed, and society has to learn how to use the new media in an appropriate way for their own profit. A lot of people limit themselves when it comes to the Web due to the lack of accessibility in some of the areas of the Dominican Republic, but they forget that the traditional media is capturing all this content on the Web and providing that information through their own channels.

 

You enjoy writing; what do you write?

I have been publishing some articles about the use of social media. Some of them are very entertaining, such as one that was called “I’m in Facebook, therefore I exist”. Unfortunately, all of my work is in Spanish, but I’m working on some publications in English.

The most fulfilling work I have done in terms of writing is waiting to be published in a few months on one of the best magazines in Latin America for political and international affairs. I’m very happy about this and can’t wait to have the printed issue on my hands.

Can you point to anything published that you are fond of?

I really enjoy the books by David Meerman Scott. I think he’s on of the most brilliant modern marketers and really knows what he is talking about. He’s very clever on how to provide content through the social media and he’s changing the minds of a lot of people through his books, conferences and seminars.

What do you see the future like as far as social media?

I don’t like to think about this, since I enjoy every time social media surprises me (in a good way). But, I strongly believe that will continue to change our communication habits. For example, I think that mobile phones will change to be only Internet portable devices, where you e-mail or twitter instead of SMS and you could call for free using the internet access (and services like skype). If we’re going to be charged per KB or an unlimited plan? That depends on how many phone companies want to take advantage of us!

 

What are your hobbies when not on web?

I’m dying to learn how to play tennis, but unfortunately it’s very difficult when you’re dividing your time between two different continents and traveling to other countries throughout the year. However, I enjoy going out with friends, especially in Santo Domingo, where there’s always a new restaurant or place to go; I’m also very fond of traveling, meeting new people and, of course, my role in traditional media.


Rui, can be contacted via his website.