Every once in a while in life we get a chance to be involved in something magical. For me that opportunity came just under a year ago when I heard about the plight of 5 year old Mia Pruder. Mia suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy and secondary mitochrondrial depletion syndrome, she spends more time in the hospital than at home but more important than any of that she’s a die-hard fan of Justin Bieber. In April I told the story about Mia’s dream to meet the Biebs and wrote about the campaign that I helped to spearhead last February. Although Justin made contact with Mia on April 7 it wasn’t until May 24 that Mia was officially invited to his concert in Ottawa.
I guess what makes Mia’s story so special is that her dream is coming true as we enter the holiday season, a season where stories like this are even more special and more magical.
Looking back over the year that has passed there are two key stories that we’ve heard of where dreams came true that involved Justin. First, of course, was Ottawa’s own Hélène Campbell’s A Lung Story; Justin helped her raise awareness to the importance of organ donation and together they opened the doors so that the dreams of millions of others could come true. Of course today’s story is about 5 year old Mia. This will be her happy ending, her prognosis isn’t great and although a fighter it’s uncertain how much of a future she has but to her none of that matters tonight. To many Justin may just be some cocky young Canadian entertainer who caught a lucky break but to Mia, Hélène and millions of others that may benefit from the campaigns he supports he’s a hero.
Both of these stories were successful thanks to the combination of two key ingredients: social media and a whole lot of heart. Sure it took persistence and there were no immediate results but both campaigns caught Justin’s attention and both campaigns ended in success.
Campaigns similar to this are run everyday on social media, most fail. The reason they fail is because, unlike Justin, the majority of celebrities on social media, if they actually manage their own presence, just don’t get it. It actually goes beyond celebs, it applies to organizations, corporations and even more so politicians. Why can’t more of these be more like Justin? Is it really that difficult? I’m a computer technician that has no background in marketing whatsoever but I’m considered a top consultant and, dare I say, expert on the subject matter of social media and internet marketing. Perhaps Justin can take a page from another musician turned Social Media expert, Dave Carroll, and teach others how to do it right.
So Justin on the off chance you are reading this on your bus outside Scotiabank Place before you meet the thousands of adoring fans tonight I just want to say thank you. Thank you for doing it right and making a difference. Who knows maybe some day we’ll hear the story about someone who donated their organs after hearing Hélène’s story through Justin and maybe the recipient goes on to do something amazing…
To Mia, I wish you an amazing night. May tonight be just as magical as you imagine in your dreams and may it live in your memories forever.
To everyone who helped take up Mia’s campaign give yourselves a pat on the back. I offered my advice and you asked questions and then listened to my answers and have all become social media superstars. It’s thanks to all of you that Mia’s dream is coming true tonight, congratulations on a job well done.
For more on Mia’s story visit her Facebook page: Biebs for Mia
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- Dave Carroll’s unlikely Tech Connection (blogs.ottawacitizen.com)
