Upcoming Events

If I had a private jet and a loaded bank account, I would definitely be checking out these upcoming industry events.

Social Fresh
April 19, 2010, St. Louis, MO
The social media conference for marketers, focus on case studies and what social media can really do for business bottom lines.
The sessions and speakers will strongly reflect all Social Fresh flagship events with big brands and real social media success stories, all specifically for marketing professionals. More case studies, less concept.

New Comm Forum
April 20-23, 2010, San Mateo, CA
The premier conference for unlocking the power of social media and new communications tools and technologies to enhance your digital marketing strategies


FITC 2010: The Design and Technology Fest
April 25-27, 2010, Toronto, ON:
FITC Toronto is an information blitz of over 70 presentations, demonstrations and panel discussions covering the Creative, Technical and Business aspects of Flash and digital media.

Twitter Sells Out

According to the Financial Times, Twitter has just announced they are now playing in Google's digital marketing world. Twitter is closely following Google's game plan of slowly building a user base, before gently introducing a system of advertising that seeks to match commercial messaging with individuals' interests. The new strategy is called "Promoted Tweets".

It will allow brands to place a short message at the top of the list of search results when users of the microblogging website look for information about a particular product, company or news event. To read more about Twitters digital strategy click here.

Ok, I get it, the world is driven by money - but come on, is this really necessary. One of the most appealing features about Twitter is its brevity. Now that this ball is going, there is no telling where it will go. Twitter considered yourself warned.

Meet my new man, TED

When a stranger recently introduced me to TED.com, I had no idea he was playing matchmaker. TED.com rocks. It blows YouTube out of the water. Short for Technology. Entertainment, Design, TED is devoted to "ideas worth spreading". Its kinda like wikipedia, but in video.

Instead of watching kittens on a treadmill, you can watch real experts talk about just about any subject imaginable. Imagine that, using the internet to actually learn something other than how to best take care of your crops in Farmville. Life changing I know. I can't recommend it enough. What subject matter will you watch?

Eat, Tweet, Repeat

Don't get me wrong, I love social media and many (not all) of the things it has to offer. But sometimes, and this has happened more than once now, I fall completely out of love with everything about it.
The thought of someone tweeting, or creeping facebook, or watching youtube videos, and so on, I just can't take it.
But then other times I can't get enough I tweet 5 times an hour, and find many other ways to engage. Others can attest to this, but when I am in this state, I become obsessed!

Is this just me or is there a reasonable explanation to this? Perhaps social media, like many other things is like pizza. You order the pizza from your favourite place with your favourite toppings, and you eat a few slices and it tastes great. But then, even though you are full you go back for one more, and that puts you over the edge. The very smell, sight or thought of that pizza makes you feel nauseated. But then you digest a little, and the pizza doesn't look that bad anymore, and after a little bit- you go back for more.

Maybe I am just digesting social media. Taking a healthy break to realize I got a good thing going on. Who knows really. At the end of the day, I think it is safe to say that there is more love than hate and I almost always go back for another slice.

Apple Revolution

I like Apple, and I sure do like Revolutions. So naturally I would combine two of my favourite things. Throw on some Beatles, a mild tribute to Apple's "Think Different" campaign and some great moments that have happened in recent history, and there you have it folks - An Apple Revolution!!!!

What keeps us social is inspiration. So, get inspired and create some magic!!!!!!!!!

Social Since 1505.

Social media, it only took you 500 years.


Ever wonder where the word “social” originated from? I do. What occupies a significant portion of our day, ok, of our hour, has been in the making since 1505.

 The word “social” originated in 1505 and is derived from the latin word socius meaning “united, living with others.”

Socius also means follower, which by no surprise is related to the word sequi, meaning “to follow” - Hrm. Followers and following, sound familiar anyone? 

In 1695 “social” meant pertaining to society as a natural condition of human life. 



What does social mean to you in 2010? Better yet, what did it mean to you 10, 15 years ago for those of you that can remember?

Enjoy the Scenery, While It Lasts! - The Changing Landscape of What We Know...

The video was produced by information design consultancy XPLANE for The Economist Media Convergence Forum in New York.

Top Five Reads for Social Media Strategists

So here's a little trivia for you. Sometimes I just crave a book. I think I just like the feeling. I know its hard, but remember the days when "notebooks" meant paper binded together, and "on line" meant your cursive writing stayed within the lines given on the page. Does anyone even know what cursive writing is anymore? Which begs the question does anyone read books anymore?

Oh technology, as much as I embrace you, I hate you :) So, I guess we have a healthy relationship. ANYHOW what I am getting at is that I went "on line" to look for a good read on social media strategies and to my surprise there is an overwhelming amount of material out there! It was refreshing to say the least. After picking through the #$%!, I've come up with my list of the Top Five Reads for Social Media Strategists.

1. Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
First off, just have to say Chris Brogan has one of the best blogs out there right now. He's brilliant.
Trust Agents is a new breed of influencers who can yield a great deal of influence in today’s Web 2.0 world.

2. Six Pixels of Separation. Everyone is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone. by Mitch Joel
You want strategies and tactics on how this all works. This book is FULL of case studies.

3. Putting the Public Back in Public Relations: How Social Media is Reinventing the Aging Business of PR by Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge
It's Brian Solis. Really. Need I say more?

4. Yes We Did! An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand (Voices That Matter Series)
The Obama campaign was revolutionary in more ways than one. But if your serious about social media and its potential, this is definatley worth your time.

5. Readers choice, what is your recommendation????

Best Buy Knows Where Its At- The Future is Digital- The Future is Now

Public Relations and the FBI: Part One -The Press Release




This is part one of an on-going look on the role of public relations within the FBI and how social media is changing the game. The more I research, the more I realize the integral relationship between PR practitioners, the media and high profile cases, and its quite fascinating. 
 
Lets start by looking at Press Releases.
The FBI's 
Press Releases certainly extend beyond the traditional Who, What, Where, When, Why and How here. They are very specific to the limitations to the case. The wrong information, released at the wrong time in the wrong tone has the power to cause a suspect to strike out against another victim. While at the same time, if the media does not cover a suspects doings, they could very well take their crime to a heightened level to gain attention.


In general terms, Press Releases are designed around several purposes when writing for the FBI.

1. To announce a development in the case

2. To provide public safety information

3. To educate the public

4. To solicit information about the offender

5. To correct misinformation about the case

6. To encourage someone who may know the offender to come forward




Case Example:
Take the infamous BTK case for example. The BTK killer loved the media attention and communicated on a regular basis during his killing spree between 1974 and 1988. Despite disappearing in 1988, he resurfaced in 2004 by sending a new communication to the media. The FBI’s BAU (Behavioural Analysis Unit) then put forth a proactive media strategy that they utilized throughout the case up until his capture. This strategy involved using the lieutenant in charge of the investigation to provide written press releases at critical times, which resulted in 15 press releases during the course of the investigation.

This established a two way relationship with BTK and the media which eventually led to his demise. In a communication to the media, he slipped up and revealed information that led to his identification. It is thought by many that this proactive media strategy created a perceived relationship between BTK and the lieutenant and it is this relationship that weakened his sense of control, throwing him off his game, and led to a mishap in his methods that led to his capture.

Lesson learnt here: Never underestimate the power of the press release. Furthermore, never underestimate the importance of the right words, at the right time, at the right place. 


Case Study: Public Relations and the FBI: How Social Media is Changing the Game

My friends over at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and I say friends because Criminal Minds has become my alternate reality, call PR folks like you and I ... POI’s [Public Information Officers]. Its no Secret Agent, but I’ll take it. 


Being a creature of curiosity, I have taken it upon myself to delve into the lives of these POI’s. I expected doing PR for the FBI would be interesting, but I never realized that POI’s have the power to advance or retract a case. They are just as important and critical to the case as the Secret Agents themselves. 



What begs the question here is How has social media changed the playing field for the FBI ? Does it work for them? Or has it complicated matters beyond no end? 



Before I dare attempt to answer that, lets take a journey on how we got here, on how traditional methods of PR have been employed with the Bureau and the guidelines to follow for each. 


Stop 1: The Press Release

SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK: The Triple Treat

SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK
With Social Media Week starting in about a week, I am getting a little excited yet furious that I will be unable to attend any events. Sorry Toronto, but your lineup falls far from the tree. 
These are my top 3 events of choice to attend.
NEW YORK CITY

This was a tough one. It’s NYC. The centre of ALL the action. If I had the funds to get there I would be at every panel across the board. With SO many great panels and presentations, if I had to pick just one, it would be “Digital Culture NYC: Breaking Down the Walls” hosted by MoMa. If anyone knows how to shake things up, its NYC, and what better way to recognize that than by turning your attention inward and recognizing the role NYC has had in the social shakeup we all love oh so very much.

LONDON

Hands down, the “Tuttle Club”. The Tuttle Club is a social media cafe in London setting the bar high for the changing landscape of our typical “coffee” setup. The Way I See It: Starbucks better watch out!
BERLIN

Well, as much as we love to put it all out there and be connected and open with one another, always remember what your mama told ya, SAFETY FIRST ! That’s why my pick for Berlin is “Private In Social- Let’s Talk About Privacy” Really, I bet 1 out of 10 people understand what we are really signing up for everytime we tweet or post a pic on facebook. What you put out there doesn’t always come across the way you intend, or to whom for that matter. But hey, if you always wanted a Big Brother than skip this event :)

Go to http://socialmediaweek.org/ to find out about many other AMAZING events. What’s you number one pick?

PR Industry Bulletproof to Recession

For those of you that have it in your head that when times get tough it's us PR people that get a lovely visit from George Clooney to tell us our jobs are no longer needed... think again! Sorry ladies!
Truth of the matter is, that the recent recession has boosted the demand and reputation of Public Relations ... for the better!
According to The Economist corporate demand has never been higher.

” In contrast to other forms of marketing and media, spending on PR has increased over the past couple years. By 2013, PR spending in America will surpass $8 billion,

Why you ask? I'll tell you.
* PR is often cheaper than mass advertising campaigns
* Its impact, in the media or online, can be more easily measured
* Lead runners in the changing media landscape
* Social Media compatible
* Significant Increase in companies that need HELP

Click here to read the full story from The Economist

Photo Courtesy Paramount Pictures

Welcome to Social Surplus!

Social Surplus is a blogspot with minor rules and major focus... Social MEDIA!

It really is just a place to talk about whats new, whats hot and whats not in our digital world and anything else that inspires us to take action "online".

Social media is our social revolution, so speak up and take part in its future and reflect on its past... but most of all, have some fun and don't forget to take a moment or two out of your day to get some fresh air, and smell the roses...we still are human beings people!