Popularity of Transmedia

Transmedia is gaining popularity

There is even a TEDxTransmedia in 2013

Transmedia storytelling (also known as transmedia narrative or multiplatform storytelling) is the technique of telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies. It is not to be confused with traditional cross-platform media franchises, sequels or adaptations. From a production standpoint, it involves creating content that engages an audience using various techniques to permeate their daily lives. In order to achieve this engagement, a transmedia production will develop stories across multiple forms of media in order to deliver unique pieces of content in each channel. Importantly, these pieces of content are not only linked together (overtly or subtly), but are in narrative synchronization with each other. (Wiki)

Transmedia storytelling from Robin Low

In terms of digital media, I feel that the understanding Transmedia and the trends is very important and definitely a must in any movie franchise. When telling a story of several parts, after launching a successful book, understanding Transmedia can develop a fan base, crowdsourcing fan fiction and co-creating a rich world where fan can identify with is more important than merchandizing and making money, giving parts of a story away.

Imagine "Lord of the Rings", "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" if you sold the merchandizing after book 1, how much of your story and brand will you have lost.

-- Robin Low