PINFO

On Business Blogging and Character: Panasonic Redux

A few days ago I wrote about Panasonic's odd new weblog "DefPerception," which attempts to engage video technology enthusiasts on high-definition video topics, especially Panasonic products in that field. This is a "character blog," in which authorship is attributed to a fictional character: video geek "Tosh Bilowski." As I've said before, I'm not opposed to character blogs. Honestly so far I've only seen one done well: "Crabby Old Lady," the occasional alter ego of blogger Ronni Bennett in "Time Goes By." Still, I do think the concept can be effective and beneficial, and it could be used more widely – as long as it's done with good motives, and with care. ...That said, I found Panasonic's approach to publishing a character blog rather odd and suspicious, as well as highly counterproductive. In short, I think they tried to do a character blog for all the wrong reasons. Now, I am glad they tried blogging, and do I hope they try again. However, I think they would have been much better off with a real human blogger than this bland, banal "Tosh Bilowski" golem. Anyway, today Jan Crittenden Livingston from Panasonic responded to me via e-mail. Here's what she had to say – and here's why her response indicates that Panasonic really has a great deal to learn about weblogs...