Consumer to Producer: How "Barbenheimer" Highlights the Power of Social Media Users
Persistent URL
Author(s)
Johnston, James
Date Issued
April 18, 2024
Abstract
Over the summer of 2023, social media experienced a spike in fan-made content, specifically for the upcoming films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, which were both released on July 21st. Across multiple platforms such as Instagram, Twitter (Now X), and TikTok, social media users took images from the films’ social media accounts and began creating collages of the two film worlds. These images often included the creator of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, and the doll, Barbie interacting with each other. It was images like these that contributed to the creation of the summer of “Barbenheimer.” Through this project, I make the argument that we saw social media user and fan content production unlike any other film releases or online product. Not only that, the creation and continuity of “Barbenheimer” showcases the success and power that users can generate through social media marketing.
Major
Communication and Media
First Reader(s)
Tompkins, Joseph F.
Other Reader(s)
Sinha Roy, Ishita
Department
Communication, Media, and Performance
Type of Publication
Senior Project Paper
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Name
James Johnston - Senior Comp.pdf
Size
41.6 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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