It seems like every charity is taking to social media to become the next Ice Bucket Challenge. But when does it become too much?
Writing for The Guardian, Hadley Freeman explains that while she gritted her teeth through the #NoMakeUpSelfie craze and of course, the #IceBucketChallenge, the latest trend in celebrity “slacktivism” is just too much for her.
It’s organized by UNICEF, and called the #WakeUpCall selfie.
In this social media campaign, celebrities take a photo of themselves, sometimes a video, when they wake up first thing in the morning. The point is to start a “Wake Up Call” for Syria.
When you post the #WakeUpCall selfie, you are tasked with making a donation, posting your photo with the caption Text SYRIA To 70007 to donate, and nominate three others.
In her words:
A photo of Jeremy Clarkson in bed first thing in the morning does not make me want to give to Unicef’s Syria emergency appeal.
I generally love these kinds of campaigns – it gets media attention, hopefully raises lots of money and increases awareness on a specific issue. It seems like a win-win for everyone – right?
However, I tend to also agree with Freeman when she writes:
The charity celebrity selfie I would like to see is one in which (Elle) Macpherson and (Nicky) Hilton point to a map and show they know where Syria is.
My favorite is a photo from Amanda Palmer:
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post-shower, sans eyebrows, plethora of zits. #WAKEUPCALL Text SYRIA to 70007 (to give £5) or http://wwwwakeupcall.org.uk
Another social media/selfie/celebrity charity fundraising campaign that seems to be catching on is #FeelingNuts – a campaign to raise awareness for testicular cancer. See Hugh Jackman’s tweet and photo:
I accept #feelingnuts raising awareness for testicular cancer. I nominate @ActuallyNPH @michaelstrahan @rickygervais pic.twitter.com/zl1lce9Rfr
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) October 1, 2014
And William Shatner:
What do you think of celebrity charity campaigns on social media? Effective or awful?
Comments 2
What Will Be The Next Ice Bucket Challenge? http://t.co/wgRlJVte2F
It seems like every charity wants to be the next Ice Bucket Challenge. But when does it become too much? http://t.co/KhWoMvI5Uf