#askhermore. A
hashtag that engaged the public in a conversation that was long overdue. It was
simple, it was honest, and it was powerful. Some of you may be familiar with
its social media success, and others may simply recognize it without
understanding its origin. Whatever the case, it goes without question that
these three words exemplify how powerful social media can be when used
correctly; especially when coupled with engagement from powerful Hollywood
figures.
Nearly two months
ago now, award season was monopolizing social media. Everyone is familiar with
these spectacular productions and most can agree that they dominate the
public’s attention, especially through social media networks. Although the
purpose of these shows are to commemorate individuals for outstanding
performances and work, a large portion of the audience tunes in for the
pre-show; the red carpet. Those who tune in will admit to adoring the beautiful
celebrities and their exquisitely expensive garments and accessories, as they
wait to see who will be chosen for the “pressing” interview questions, the most
famous being “Who are you wearing?”. Why has the public turned the focus of
their admiration towards the segment on appearances rather than
accomplishments? Even better, why are male celebrities the only ones questioned
about their career aspirations, while women are asked to share diet secrets and
nail colour choices? Gender stereotyping is the key culprit in this scenario, a
problem that should be one of the past. And the creators of the Representation
Project, and the #askhermore campaign, agree.
The #askhermore
campaign commenced over a year ago, but seemed to only make waves this past
February. Without much explanation or
introduction, the Representation Project – an organization working towards
ending all forms of stereotyping, including gender – created this simple
hashtag, allowing the public to create a conversation. The freedom to channel
the conversation in any direction, paired with an important, relevant topic
that a large percentage of the population was already passionate about,
equalled an inevitable success. It encouraged
reporters to “snap out of it” and recognize the strength, power, and intelligence
wearing these gowns, rather than solely the makers of them. It was an inclusive
campaign with unlimited boundaries, making it all the more successful.
It is beyond
difficult to change a conversation that has been present for so many decades,
but #askhermore seemed to do just that.
This campaign was active before, during and after the award show, and
totalled over 27,000 tweets. During the award show, members of the
Representation Project were responsible for Live Tweeting their followers, and
making their mission abundantly clear. This
remarkable campaign was planned and perfectly executed and demonstrates a
wonderful example of social media being used to spread a positive, future-changing
message. The #askhermore campaign also taught users of social media engaging
your audience, and using the variety of perspectives and locations to your
advantage.
How does a hashtag
possess so much power? The secret to its success lies in the minimal effort
required to participate. The number of participants is limitless, with no one there
to filter which comments will be shared. Social media has created an
environment where all its participants are equal; the boundaries normally
placed between celebrities and fans temporarily disappear. #askhermore
encouraged participation from everyone, especially the celebrities being asked
the mind-numbingly pointless questions. Engagement from Hollywood is huge,
especially during an occasion with such high profile attendees. With the
undeniable success of this simple yet powerful hashtag, it appears that
reporters will have to go back to square one and brainstorm more thought
provoking questions than just“Who are you wearing?”
Have you seen or participated in the #askhermore
campaign? Do you think it can change the face of awards shows?
