If you
thought today's young YouTube celebrities have only virtual contact
with their fans, think again. They have taken on something new: real
life. A lastminute message on Twitter, internet or Facebook can bring
hundreds, even thousands of teens out to a designated venue within hours
to see their "vlogging" — video blogging — idols in the flesh. Teenager
Leena waited in line in Paris last month to see France's number two
YouTube comic, known as Norman. "I feel like cry ing," she gushed. "I've
seen every one of his videos! It's going to be weird seeing him live,"
said 13year-old Eugenie, who has already attended several YouTube
Meetups, as the encounters are known.
'Meetups' may have started as low-key bids to boost a YouTuber's reputation, but in many places including Britain and the US they have morphed into professionally organized, commercially driven events showcasing these new power brokers.
As elsewhere, France's "Gen eration Z" — kids born after 1995 whose world is dominated by digital props — have quickly embraced the trend. "Tomorrow I'll be at FNAC Saint-Lazare in Paris to sign autographs. Everyone come!" read a message from 27year-old Norman — full name Norman Thauvaud — posted on Facebook, the Generation Z bible, citing a well-known book, CD and electronic equipment store in the capital. His "Mister Average" persona delivers short posts on teen topics like dating, family or swear ing that score eight to 12 million views. He has 5.6 million subscribers and when he announces an event — even with 24 hours notice — hundreds of fans turn out.
YouTube's own staggering statistics have helped catapult vloggers like Norman to cult status. The site has over a billion users and 300 hours of videos are uploaded every minute, according to its press site. Mobile devices — like the smartphones used non-stop by Generation Z — account for half of YouTube's global views.
'Meetups' may have started as low-key bids to boost a YouTuber's reputation, but in many places including Britain and the US they have morphed into professionally organized, commercially driven events showcasing these new power brokers.
As elsewhere, France's "Gen eration Z" — kids born after 1995 whose world is dominated by digital props — have quickly embraced the trend. "Tomorrow I'll be at FNAC Saint-Lazare in Paris to sign autographs. Everyone come!" read a message from 27year-old Norman — full name Norman Thauvaud — posted on Facebook, the Generation Z bible, citing a well-known book, CD and electronic equipment store in the capital. His "Mister Average" persona delivers short posts on teen topics like dating, family or swear ing that score eight to 12 million views. He has 5.6 million subscribers and when he announces an event — even with 24 hours notice — hundreds of fans turn out.
YouTube's own staggering statistics have helped catapult vloggers like Norman to cult status. The site has over a billion users and 300 hours of videos are uploaded every minute, according to its press site. Mobile devices — like the smartphones used non-stop by Generation Z — account for half of YouTube's global views.
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