ParisLemon » U2 iLikes Facebook Over MySpace

U2 iLikes Facebook Over MySpace

I’m not really sure what to make of U2 lead singer Bono’s posting their soon to be released “Wave of Sorrow” on U2’s iLike page on Facebook – on one hand it’s a pretty good song from The Joshua Tree era, but on the other hand what is up with Bono’s LonelyGirl-like presentation where he talks to the camera then simply starts singing over the song being played in the background? Is this guerilla marketing or is Bono just doing a favor for his Elevation VC partner Marc Bodnick – who also happens to sit on the board of iLike?

Whatever the case, it’s working. They said they wanted “feedback” on the song, and so far there are well over 9,000 wall posts on it. Of course I have yet to see a single negative comment on it – if they wanted real feedback, it probably wasn’t the best idea to release it on a page that only fans of the band go to. Words like “lovely”, “beautiful”, “compassion”, and “brilliant” abound.

Maybe The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton weren’t around because they’re siding with the OpenSocial movement while Bono goes it alone on the Facebook bandwagon in the social networking war.

[UPDATE 11/17]: The CEO of iLike (who also happened to record the video) responded in the comments below to clarify a few things, check them out.

[photo under CC by flickr user Hans Vink]

Post by MG Siegler on 11/15/07
Comments

Ali Partovi

Hey this is Ali from iLike.

First, U2 did not post this video on Facebook. They posted it on iLike, which is syndicated on Facebook as well as other channels (and will soon be on Bebo, Myspace, Orkut, Hi5, etc via OpenSocial). Because of this syndication, U2 (and most other major bands) can reach more fans via iLike than any single social network (including Myspace).

Second, the recording of the video was quite impromptu. We were showing Bono how iLike allows an artist to post a message from a camera-phone directly to their fans. I did a little demo using my Nokia, and next thing I know, Bono wanted to sing his new song, and there I was with hands shaking, recording it on my Nokia. For an unrehearsed, unplanned recording on a mobile phone, I think it turned out pretty well. And a lot of fans appreciated the resulting intimacy of the video.

MG Siegler

Thanks for the clarification Ali - if my post came off sounding accusatory, that wasn't my intention, I just found it odd was all. Now, since you explained how it went down though, that is very cool - a step in the right direction towards more interaction between artists and fans in the future I'm sure.

Believe me I'm a huge U2 fan - huge - but I would have been remiss if I didn't reiterate the fact that one of iLike's board members also happens to be a partner in the Elevation firm. (As I'm sure you're well aware).

Just had to mention it, doesn't mean I like it any less or think you shouldn't have posted it. I just found it odd when i first saw it and wanted all sides out there.

Keep up the good work at iLike and I'll keep writing about it. Thanks.