Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study the presentation strategy and message design process of Out-Of-Home media by fan clubs to support Thai main Y series actors. The scope of study covers the fan clubs of two Thai main Y series actors: Suppasit Mew Jongcheveevat and Kanawut Gulf Traipipattanapong. This qualitative research collects data through in-dept interviews to study seven people who are passionate fans of Mew Suppasit and Gulf Kanawut. The two methods used to select the fans are purposive sampling and snowball sampling. It is obligatory that the selected fans have official Twitter accounts and are responsible for the presentation strategy, message design process and fundraising. The qualitative data obtained from in-depth interviews are processed using In Vivo Coding. The research findings suggest that the first process of communication through Out-Of-Home media is setting an objective. Before designing the presentation, media and objectives were taken into consideration. Then, the media selection process followed. Fans reasons for selecting Out-Of-Home media depended on these factors: receiver, media characteristics and commercial value. The fans determined their presentation strategy by primarily taking into consideration media and their attractiveness. Then, fans carried out fundraising to pay for Out-Of-Home advertising. There were two ways to raise funds: accepting donations and merchandising. Certain fan club members were responsible for managing funds, of which there were two types: reserve and non-reserve. After the fund targets were met, the media design process was carried out. The persons that were in charge of designing the message could be categorized into two groups: internal members and external members. The message design process was either dependent on a media agency or was not at all. Decision making on message design was either collective or individual. Afterwards, Out-Of-Home media started running ads. Overall, there are several differences among fans that follow Thai Y series duos/couples and those that follow an individual actor. The significant differences the researcher found between fans that do not have a Ban (home) and other fan groups lie in message design and decision making.