Texas Bar Association recognizes power of YouTube

The State Bar of Texas has launched a contest ‘Lone Star Stories: Texans on Justice,’ inviting all Texans of all ages, lawyers and lay people alike, to submit three-minute-or-less original videos to YouTube that illustrate their vision of the promise of justice for all.

Per an article in Texas Lawyer, entrants under 18 can win a $2,500 scholarship, while those over 18 are competing for a $2,500 cash prize. The Bar will be informing teachers around the state about the contest to encourage more video entries from students.

I agree with State Bar President Gib Walton, who launched the Bar’s YouTube contest at the suggestion of Crane MetaMarketing, who sees ‘this as a new venue for the citizens of Texas to express their opinions on the justice system in Texas and to do it in a fun environment.’

YouTube, used as a community of user generated videos, is using YouTube the smart way. Contrast Texas’ approach with the Pennsylvania Bar Association whose advertising company used YouTube to run a Bar television advertisement to emphasize the good that lawyers accomplish.

No one at YouTube gives a darn what a Bar Association has to say about the wonderful things the Bar’s members do. (I am not discounting lawyers’ contributions to society) YouTube viewers want to see what other people say and Bar Associations should promote themselves and the law through what non lawyers think about the law. As Walton says ‘We know Texans have opinions, I’m looking forward to what Texans have to say.’

Update From Carolyn Elefant: I’m impressed by the Texas Bar’s initiative — and excited by the prospect of bar associations using video for another reason as well. Now that the bars realize that they can harness the power of YouTube, perhaps they can combat what they perceive as tasteless TV ads not through heavy-handed regulation but simply through a counter video campaign.