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Social and Digital Media · Published June 4, 2020

Ronn Torossian
Founder & Chairman, 5W

YouTube Shifts Serve as an Example of Narrative Evolution

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There’s a general rule of thumb that people can “learn just about anything” on YouTube - and the entertainment value is high, too. From educational content to silly videos, to elaborate stunts and fun commentary, there’s plenty to experience on the user-generated video sharing site. Recently, though, new and unique topics have been trending on YouTube, underscoring how the platform is both art imitating life and life imitating art. Viewers have popularized videos about how to make PPE masks, quarantine lifestyle tips, and fun ways to make it through online education. Meanwhile, reposted content from political leaders related to COVID-19 response are also jumping into the most-viewed videos lineup in a given time frame. In recent remarks to the media, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said her team was monitoring the shift in content and viewership: She said: “We certainly have seen how our users have changed…” adding that, initially, users were looking for “basic information” related to the pandemic virus. Content related to virus spread and even hand-washing became trending topics. But, as the lockdown stretched on, content creators shifted to more day-in-the-life videos. Wojcicki said, as people were spending more and more time at home, her team began to see an increase in videos related to home renovations and repairs, as well as other DIY projects, adding: “Users want to know about life under quarantine… We see a lot of interest in things like exercise at home, or how do I fix my dishwasher… my freezer… How do I give myself a haircut?” The shift in the kinds of content people are interested in consuming has coincided with a steep increase in the actual demand for YouTube content. Viewership is up, way up, since many states went into lockdown. That viewership has not waned as the type of content people are interested in has shifted. They are still engaged, but they are searching for different types of content than they were a week or two earlier. There’s a lesson here for all communicators. Giving people what they want in a narrative or creative messaging means understanding that these appetites will shift and change over time, and sometimes very quickly. Content, tone, and verbiage that was hot and/or connective yesterday may come off as stale and empty today. Part of crafting a compelling PR narrative is understanding how to initially connect while planning ahead, anticipating what people will be thinking once the narrative has been out in the marketplace for some time. Interests will change, sometimes they will sharpen, with consumers looking for more or deeper details, and sometimes they will shift entirely to a new topic within the same context. Knowing how to predict and respond to these shifts will keep a message healthy, relevant and active as audience focus changes.
Ronn Torossian

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Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W , the AI Communications Firm. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States, with senior practitioners serving corporate communications , consumer brands , technology , financial services , health and wellness , beauty , gaming , crisis communications , and public affairs . Under his leadership, 5W defined AI Communications, building brand authority across ChatGPT , Claude , Perplexity , Gemini , and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, GEO, and influencer channels. Industry Recognition 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s , Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards , Grand Stevie Most Honored PR Agency, a Ragan Top Place to Work in Communications 2026, Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year, and a PRovoke Top 50 Global PR Agency. Torossian has been recognized with the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Research Franchise 5W’s research franchise has become an industry reference for measuring brand visibility inside AI-generated answers, including the AI Visibility Index Series , The GEO Reckoning , The Missing Rung Report, and the 5W AI Power User Study , which identified a 99-point AI favorability gap. Crisis Communications Torossian is one of the world’s foremost crisis communications experts. He has counseled blue chip companies, public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, high-stakes litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. He has taught crisis communications at Harvard University . Media & Commentary Torossian appears on CNN and CNBC . He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer , and his commentary has appeared in the Wall Street Journal , Entrepreneur , Adweek , PRWeek , and O’Dwyer’s . Published Work Torossian is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. Owner and Publisher, Everything-PR Network Torossian is owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network , an independent intelligence platform covering public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across 30 publications. Everything-PR is editorially independent from 5W, with published editorial standards and ethics standards . The network is one of the most-cited sources inside ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini for PR and marketing queries. He is also an active investor and advisor, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) , and serves on nonprofit boards.

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