1 Commodification and the Future of TikTok Proposal
Yushan Shuai
1008877814
MDSB25
Instructor. Dr.Lewis Kaye
2024/2/8
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Abstract: TikTok, as one of the world's most popular short video platforms and a leading social
media platform, has become a powerful player in social media and digital marketing, exerting
significant influence on the commodification and marketing models of various industries. I will
write a paper to conduct an in-depth study of TikTok. The theme is to analyze this media through
the PEC/M framework, to explore the process of commodification of TikTok and its anticipated
future developments. Lastly, I will predict two potential future economic directions and analyze
how historical patterns can provide indications for these changes.
Rationale: Media has deep connections with global politics and the economy, and TikTok, as a
massive social platform, constantly influences the dynamics of societal relations. For instance,
content released by political figures on the platform can have certain political impacts, and negative
public opinion and false information can also have detrimental effects. In our course, we learned
about the PEC/M framework, which not only encourages us to study a broader range of cultural
dynamics but also to adopt a more critical view of the media. Researching this paper's topic will
enable a better understanding of the knowledge learned in class and teach me how to apply it
flexibly.
Outline:
Introduction: Brief on TikTok's history, its global standing, and its commodification strategies.
Explain the importance of analyzing TikTok's future developments, the PEC/M framework's role,
and the research objectives.
Body Paragraph
Part 1: Exploration of TikTok's commodification history and present.
- Evolution of TikTok's business model.
- Current business models: live shopping, brand collaborations, advertising.
- Current business strategies and achievements.
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- Analysis of user feedback and reviews.
Part 2: Analysis of the global PEC/M framework as it pertains to TikTok.
- Examination of TikTok's relationship with socio-cultural changes.
- Impact of international policies and regulations on TikTok.
- TikTok's development and the influence of global economic trends.
Part 3: Analysis of TikTok's potential economic development.
- TikTok's adaptation to economic changes through innovation.
- Predictions for TikTok's future strategies: improved live shopping, platform collaborations,
membership personalization.
- TikTok's potential industry impact.
Conclusion: Summary of the paper.
- Reiteration of PEC/M impacts on TikTok's commodification and future.
- Potential business models for TikTok's development.
- Personal insights and recommendations.

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References:
Boffone, T. (Ed.). (2022). TikTok cultures in the United States. Routledge, Taylor & Francis
Group.https://books-scholarsportal-info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/uri/ebooks/ebooks7/
taylorandfrancis7/2022-06-08/1/9781003280705
This article discusses the origin of the development of Tiktok and how Tiktok develops
commercialization. This article has a deep link to the topic of my thesis, Tiktok commercialization,
i.e. future development. It illustrates the PEC/M framework by showing TikTok's relationship to
politics (cultural appropriation), economics (exploitation of creators for profit), and culture (viral
trends and challenges). This reflects the global reach of media platforms and demonstrates the need
for informed critical analysis. He can help me finish this homework better.
Corner, J. (2017). Fake news, post-truth and media–political change. Media, Culture & Society,
39(7), 1100-1107. https://doi-org.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/10.1177/0163443717726743
This paper is directly linked to the PEC/M framework at a deep level, such as the instability of the
truth of social media because the economic and political forces that promote media production and
distribution are crucial to understanding this phenomenon, which can better help me complete this
paper and support my investigation goal.