Freshman Marsha Cohen hits YouTube jackpot on national TV
 Marsha Cohen posts a news video on YouTube from her Fredonia residence hall. |
Marsha Cohen has created videos for YouTube, but it was her storyline as an aspiring journalist that landed the SUNY Fredonia student on “Anderson,” the nationally syndicated show hosted by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
And brought assorted perks and prizes, courtesy of YouTube.
Though she’s only a freshman, Cohen’s four videos made quite an impression at YouTube. “I’ve watched a lot of your videos; they’re great. It’s really inspiring to see how many people are commenting on the news and taking part in the dialogue happening,” Benn Relles, head of Creative Development at YouTube, announced on the program.
And Relles backed up that praise by inviting Cohen to spend an entire day at YouTube’s Next Lab facilities in New York City, where she’ll be able to work with YouTube talent and pick up tips on shooting, editing and marketing.
“Oh my gosh, you’ve got to be kidding,” Cohen, who is also a student athlete, beamed, first waving her hands in the air and then hugging a friend sitting behind her.
But that wasn’t all. YouTube will also give Cohen, a Communications-Journalism major with a minor in Political Science, camera equipment valued at $1,000 to help her make more videos.
“At YouTube, we believe in helping new creators,” Rennes said.
Cover news events that people are talking about, Relles advised her, “so when something big happens, people will go to your channel to hear what you have to say about it.” Relles also stressed the value of hooking viewers during the first 10 to 15 seconds of a video, “so they’ll know what they’re going to get in the video and they stick with it.”
Cohen, who identified Cooper as her “biggest inspiration” and plans to pursue a career in international news, addresses current events in her videos. Cooper stressed to Mason the importance of being original and developing her own voice.
“It’s obvious how passionate you are about (current events). I think that’s really contagious in your videos,” Relles said.
The Cooper program that included Cohen’s appearance aired March 5.
