Episode 26: Religion Online
Listen (23 min, 16 seconds)In this weeks episode we dive head first into the sticky topic of religion online. We look into the phenomenon of religion online to see what exactly it is that religions are doing to promote their brands and how they hope to appeal to a wider range of potential believers online. In the past, finding the local church standing outside a shopping center handing out flyers was not an uncommon sight but now as the Internet grows in South Africa it is easier and more efficient to evangelize online. While it has been a slow start for religious organisations, the competition for Google keywords is heating up. This growth in adwords related to terms such as "Jesus" shows that people are turning to the Internet for answers and religions are looking online to try provide those answers for them.
Firstly. we're joing by Diaan Mynhardt from the Atheist Nation, an online social network of Atheists online. Second, we speak to Ryan Hogarth of the Church of Scientology to discuss the latest Wikipedia/Scientology saga and how it has affected their church. Third and finally, Andrew Butterworth from the GodFirst Church provides us some insight into how he is promoting his church online to current congregants and attempts to evangelise new followers.
In our Agency of the week segment we're joined by American entrepreneur and web developer, Howard Mann to hear about his business, book and trip to South Africa. Our Top Ten this week looks at the "ten best Afrikaans sayings" and is read by Erich Viedge. Finally, this week we start a new "Tips & Tricks" section with Diane Charlton from Acceleration Media to give us tips on how to buy online media space.
Guests:
Diaan Mynhardt:
Diaan is a freelance graphic designer and programmer with a passion for websites and user interfaces. He runs the website Atheist Nation.
Ryan Hogarth:
Ryan is the President of the Church in Johannesburg, which is the continental Church for Africa. He has been a Scientologist his whole life and have worked full time in the public affairs office since 1993.
Andrew Butterworth:
Andrew Butterworth runs the Montecasino service of the GodFirst Church. They are the creators of the "God loves sex. Jozi loves sex. Let’s talk" campaign that has attracted so much attention in Johannesburg.
Diane Charlton:
Diane is the General Manager of Accerleration Media, a strategic online media planning and buying company that is solely focused on helping companies make the most of the online marketing channels
Howard Mann:
Howard Mann is the president of Brickyard Partners Inc., a leading strategy, marketing and innovation consultancy based in New York City, and a founder of Sideshow Digital, an award-winning interactive creative agency.
Erich Viedge:
Erich is a Management and Marketing Consultant with a history as a Journalist.
Links:
Atheist Nation: http://www.atheistnation.co.za/
Scientology SA: http://www.scientology.org.za/
Godfirst Church: http://www.godfirst.co.za/
Acceleration Media: http://www.accelerationmedia.co.za/
Brickyard Partners: http://brickyardpartners.com/
Erich Viedge: http://www.pepper.co.za/
Cape Town Daily Photo: http://www.capetowndailyphoto.com
Jarred Cinman: http://jarredcinman.com
Saul Kropman: http://saulk.co.za
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