New Media Nouveaux Conference is an Overwhelming Success

The New Media Nouveaux Conference has been a magnificent catalyst for conversation.

Geoff Livingston gave an insightful introduction to new media - citing case studies from his upcoming book, Now Is Gone.

He started by mentioning the impact that social media has on today’s society. Being in the Northern Virginia area, the audience is intimately aware of the change that viral video had on the fall Senatorial campaign. George Allen was literally the front runner for the US presidential seat - however, after the “mecaca” disaster, his career is over, the Virginia senatorial race was radically changed (I know I changed my vote because of the incident), and ultimately the shift of power in Congress changed from Republican to Democrat. So yes, this stuff matters.

The main focus of Geoff’s talk was how pervasive social media is on our society and how it enforces a culture of transparency and honesty. It is an opportunity to engage your “community” (Geoff doesn’t believe in the word “audience” because it gives the perception of a one sided conversation), get immediate feedback and implement innovative business strategies immediately.

He referenced GM as the first fortune 500 blog and how the CEO responds in video format to comments posted on the blog.

Southwest airlines also demonstrates how the comments of a corporate blog can change the course of a business plan. After Southwest posted a blog about how they were planning on changing their strategy and move to assigned seating, they received over 700 comments against this change. Southwest listened to their consumers, took them seriously and created more brand loyalty because of their response.

Businesses Who Are Using New Media

The first panel, led by Jen Sterling from Hinge (an award winning professional services branding firm) focused on the business impact of using new media.

Jill Stelfox, CEO and Cofounder of Defywire told the story of how her 13 year old son has had an influence on how her company uses new media. Defywire focuses on software and technology to keep children safe in school crises. After producing several videos on how to keep children safe (ex: how to prepare your kindergardener for their first day of school). The initial marketing strategy was to produce these videos to DVDs and distribute via mail. Instead, at the suggestion of Jill’s son, the videos were put on YouTube and as a result, Defywire has built a strong viral message that has spun new product lines and increased business.

Kim Hart from The Washington Post gave insight on how the traditional media relies on new media. Let it be known - this is straight from the horse’s mouth - the press release is dead. It does not work. Journalists are so busy, they do not have time to read a story with spin. Instead, a quick e-mail (literally a sentence or so long) with a link to a new story is the best way to peak this journalist’s interest. She also gave insight as to how the success of a story may not be a “traditional article on page D4 in the business section.” Now that more people are on blogs and the participation level is increasing exponentially, a company may very well have more success with a short blog post that can create viral buzz than they would in print.

Pamela Sorrensen, an active blogger on DC’s social scene showed how you can turn your passion into a profitable platform. Her blog was created after friends requested updates of her intense social life. She constantly attends parties and events, rubbing shoulders with the who’s who in the area. Her blog allows her to share her pithy posts without sending individual e-mails. Now her fans come to her and her readership is such that she can earn money from advertisements.

Strategists - How to Use Social Media

Ok, so I wasn’t able to live blog this portion because I was the moderator. The panel consisted of Alice Marshall from Presto Vivace, Qui Diaz from Ogilvy PR, and Jennifer Cortner from EFX Media.

This was an interactive discussion of not only the panel, but the audience (wait - I mean community) as well. We discussed strategies for how to blog, whether or not to use Facebook or Myspace, how the government is using wikis, why del.icio.us is a great tool, how you can use videos and podcasts to promote your business, and the all important question - how to avoid burnout.

At the end of the fast paced discussion, Success in the City founder Cynthia De Lorenzi came up with the brilliant idea of creating a regional networking event digging deeper into each social media initiative. Be sure to check the calendar at successinthecity.org to learn when these events are happening.

What’s coming Next?

So this is the big question - what’s going to happen in the future. Although no one has a crystal ball, New Media Nouveaux featured the next best thing - a panel of experts who have their collective fingers on the pulses of the social media industry.

Sean Gorman from FortiusOne is the innovator of GeoCommons, a Web 2.o tool that allows users to create interactive visual maps.

Here are his definitions of the evolution of the Web:

• Web 1.o - Read - Brochure like websites with a one-sided point of view
• Web 2.0 - Read & Write - People can respond to information through comments and links.
• Web 3.0 - Read, Write & Execute - Driven by massive amounts of data. Most of this data is housed in the government level. Governments are notoriously slow in investing in technology - so this is a large roadblock to overcome. One example is how you can househunt. In web 1.0 you would view pictures online and research crime statistics, schools, and community resources on individual websites. Web 2.0 allows you to blog with individuals who live in communities and get feedback on their lifestyle. In web 3.0, Sean predicts applications that will allow you to enter all of your preferences for a community in one location. Then, the program will go out, automatically aggregate your requests and arrange the data in an intuitive manner.

He referenced the movie Minority Report is an example of where we can look to. For example, if you walk in front of a billboard, it will create a customized campaign based on your past purchase history. Technology will be more than mobile, it will be an integral part of every person’s daily life (even more so than today).

Aaron Brazell is the Director of Technology at B5 Media and his professional blog, Technosailor is highly regarded in the industry. Aaron referenced an experience that demonstrates the influence bloggers have.

A friend ordered a laptop and realized that he made a mistake on which shipping option he chose. HP gave him the run-around and pointed him into walls and dead ends. Aaron took matters into his own hands and wrote a blog post called “HP Gives Consumer Middle Finger“. The post ended up on the front page of Digg, the negative comments from the community flooded in and as a result, Aaron’s friends issues were suddenly resolved.

In Aaron’s opinion, Web 3.0 is “becoming untethered from your computer. Right now I’m tied to a 17″ monitor. With the introduction of the iPhone (although I will never own one) it will force competitors to innovate and create new mobile devices.” He also referenced smart homes, where you can walk into a room, say “it’s cold in here” and the smart network automatically interprets and executes the function of turning up the heat.

Place your bets now - Aaron gave predictions of Sink & Swim companies to watch for.

Companies that will sink:

• Yahoo! - especially because of their recent corporate challenges (losing their CEO)
• Myspace - the developers are growing up and becoming more mature. The application is also too widespread with little niche value.
• Mahalo - A search engine that harnesses the power of humans. Aaron believes this technology is “very 1998″.

Companies that will swim:

• Facebook - especially since they just opened their application to development - new plugins are going to create an ultrarich content.
• Concept Share - allows you to put graphic images, videos, etc. that allow you make comments and collaborate. Estimates this company will be acquired by Google.
• Twitter - While I agree that the concept of “micro-blogging” is a new wave, I think Pounce will outpace Twitter - especially since Pounce allows you to upload files, links, images, etc.

Brian Williams is the CEO of Viget Labs, a full-service web consulting, design and consulting firm who touts clients like Brittney Spears and Kenny Chesney.

Brian pointed out how younger audiences are less concerned about privacy issues as older generations. As more data is collected on individual users (ex: Amazon.com and their recommendation system) more customization will occur.

One member of the audience (damnit - I mean community - I’ll get it eventually) posed this question - What advantage does the US have in this industry, are we a leader? Brian’s response: “We are a country built around innovation and entrepreneurship. Look at YouTube - this is a new age of kids in their garages and new applications can be built with the collaborative brainpower of few individuals. You’re not limited by resources - people who we have yet to hear from are going to be the superstars.”

Lessons Learned

One of the biggest lessons I learned from this conference is how varied social media strategies can be. While a blog may be the best strategy for one company, a viral video initiative may be what works for another. It was also apparent just how new all this new media is. Even the experts are on their toes trying to keep up with the constantly changing technology.

I can’t wait for the next event, which closing keynoter Toby Bloomberg called, “one of the best social media events I’ve attended.”

I’d agree. Cheers to a great event and all the excellent panel experts.

- Posted by Andrea Morris of Write Ideas Marketing 

Live Blogging From the New Media Nouveaux Conference

I’m sitting at the New Media Nouveaux conference in Tyson’s Corner, VA - ready to learn more about the crazy world of blogging and new media culture.

The conference is sponsored by Success In the City, founded by Cynthia De Lorenzi - an influential networking organization geared to C-level executive women.

Up as our opening and closing keynoters, we have Geoff Livingston, from the Buzz Bin whom The Washington Post called a blogging “guru.” Later this afternoon we’ll hear from blogger extraordinaire Toby Bloomberg from the Diva’s Marketing Blog - ranked in the top 2,000 blogs in the world by Technorati.

I’ll be moderating a “Specialists” panel later this afternoon on specific techniques, tips and tools on using blogs, wikis, social networking, social bookmarking, vlogs and podcasts. Jen Sterling will be leading the “Businesses” panel discussing why social media is important. (The picture is of myself and Jen) And Jody Roth will be moderating the “Futurists” panel to explore what’s coming next and how we can keep ahead of the rapidly moving social media curve.

We’ll also be having a working lunch where each table will discuss various topics of new media and participants will share their ideas and lessons learned.

It’s sure to be a fun-filled day. Stay tuned for more.

Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last

 Women care about muscularity when choosing a sexual partner, so says a UCLA study detailed in Salon that found that women are more likely to turn to musclemen for trysts and average Joes for long term relationships or matrimony. 

Researchers said women view muscle bound men as dominant and unpredictable, less muscle men as trust worthy and dependable. In the study, which will be published next month in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, USA Today reports that 61 percent of women said their short term relationships were with more muscular men.

On the one hand, muscles make men more sexy to women, on the other hand, it makes women more suspicious about their romantic intentions, says David Frederick, the study’s author. And there is some biological basis behind it. The article in Salon says that evolutionary scientists have long maintained that secondary sexual characteristics, such as large muscles in men, are cues to genes that increase the viability of offspring or their reproductive success.

I don’t really get it.  Musclemen have never done it for me and I certainly don’t want little musclemen running around. I’ll take a trustworthy and dependable Average Joe any day and the one I have in my life is anything but average.

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Michele Capots has been writing for various newspapers and magazines for the last 10 years. Her favorite color is purple. Currently she works in public relations for Livingston Communications.

The Diet

I dread lunchtime. Recently, I opted for a dairy and caffeine-free life for two weeks, and I’ve been miserable ever since.

A list of what dairy free means exactly can be found here, but what it means to me is I don’t get my strawberry banana yogurt, Zone bar or Diet Cokes every day. It means my lunch has become bland and not exciting.

When listing the items I can’t have like that, it doesn’t sound like such a big deal. But it is. Cheese, ice cream, milk — and anything made with them — are off limits. What we like to eat becomes such a part of us, even the vices. Food is not only a necessity, but our comfort, our friend. I don’t know which has been harder – giving up the dairy or the Diet Coke.

I think about the Diet Coke every morning, to the point that I can almost taste it in my mouth. And apparently I’m not the only one. Plenty of people struggle with giving up Diet Coke.

My significant other and I embarked on this journey because we both have weak stomachs. The idea is to see that if we take away all of the things that aggravate it, what it would feel like. But so far, the only thing we both feel are headaches. But I have a little incentive.

The next time I drink a Diet Coke I will be in Whitefish, Montana, at the base of Glacier National Park. It feels like an eternity, but I hope that should definitely be enough incentive to pull me though.

In the meantime, if I could just find something to eat for lunch …

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Michele Capots has been writing for various newspapers and magazines for the last 10 years. Her favorite color is purple. Currently, she works in public relations for Livingston Communications. Be sure to also check her out in the Buzz Bin. 

Tune in to AM 570 for a Diva Discussion on Social Media

This morning, two of your illustrious divas, Andrea Morris and myself along with Geoff Livingston,  Success in the City’s Publicist  who is in many ways responsible for the creation of this blog and Jim Ishikawa, VP of Marketing for FortiusOne are gathering together for an interactive discussion on our upcoming conference – New Media Nouveau and how social media is changing the business landscape.

 

Tune in to WTNT 570 at 8am to hear our discussion and if you’d like, send e-mail to Cynthia@patriot.net if you have burning question we can answer.

The Divine DMV Experience - “NOT”

Why, why, why is going to do anything at or with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) a dreaded, intimidating and miserable experience?  Just thinking about it gets my palms sweating and my heart racing.  No diva should be forced to cope with the indignities of the DMV.   

As I write this I am sitting at an undisclosed (for fear of retribution) DMV location in Virginia. It is early morning and there are 200 people, in lines, sitting in chairs, checking the paper number clutched in their hand or standing at a counter with a clerk. We all know that they stand before one of the most powerful people they have the misfortune to come across in their daily lives.  Two beefy guards with guns stand at attention eyeing the crowd suspiciously for the first sign that one of the sheeples has begun to crack under the pressure of suspenseful long waits and certain rejection.  It just might be me, so I’m attempting to look cool, calm and relaxed while writing this blog to cover the anxiety and steam building inside. 

I’m here today because I just sold one of my cars (well maybe, depending on the outcome of today). Unfortunately, a clerk in the office that Titles cars in Richmond entered the wrong mileage on the car Title when it was paid it off.  The mileage should have been 38,000 and not the 190,000 someone typed in error.   

When I stood in the first DMV line to get my –here’s your number, go over there and sit down and wait to be called when it’s your turn instructions - the “welcome” clerk said “Oh Honey, you’re not going to get this fixed here, you’re going to have to go to Richmond and have them pull the microfilm, good luck!”  That is not a good sign if you ask me.

 Most people are not aware or are loath to admit that the most powerful person we cross in our daily lives is a governmental or county clerk.  This is the individual who knows the rules and can wield them like the judges gavel, BLAM!  Oops, I ust peeked up over my laptop and I see a clerk eyeing me right now, she’s smug and thinking she hopes she gets my number.  Stay calm, give a friendly smile; I’m doomed I tell you, I’m doomed! 

Oh my gawd, I’ve been here an hour and I’m finally at the counter.  I’ve explained my problem and we now have three clerks huddled, clucking and head bobbing negatively.  My Clerk is dispatched to a Back Office.  I have no idea who or what is in the Back Office and I’m pretty sure that I don’t want to know.  One of the advisory clerks keeps saying I need to go back to the bank where the car was paid off and the registration information was submitted to Richmond, even though they admit it is obviously a DMV mistake. Of course, yesterdays call to the banks clerk was the expected “not our problem, you have to go to the DMV.”  

As expected, things have now gone down hill! The Clerk has returned with the Super Clerk, the one that holds Clerk Super Powers!  She sees my laptop open on the counter top and immediately stakes her claim to her superiority over me and my assigned clerk.  “That laptop is not acceptable here, put it away!”  I sheepishly asked, “May I have save what I was working on!” 

 We all know by now that whenever The Super Clerk appears on scene you know that the news is NOT good!  She tells me that The Title is the “official” document and whether or not the information is true or correct “The Title” will supersede facts in evidence.  See, when you talk like that you know you’ve lost.   

Super Clerk, tells me that it would take 2-hours (I’m not sure what that is in government time) to research what the actual mileage submission was.  I should not be optimistic that the problem can be resolved, but if a DMV clerk made the mistake they would correct it and if the bank made the mistake we need lawyers, affidavits, a few sworn oaths and probably a drop of blood or two…..to be continued   

—

Cynthia de Lorenzi

Double Diva Delight at Union Station

Inspired by Andrea’s conversation of working wherever we want, today I hooked up with Andrea Morris at Union Station in Washington, DC. We both agreed that it was prime time for some great people watching and a bit of blogging.

It’s amazing how much you can get done out of the office. Today we completed a major project, did some sensational strategery (I can say that ’cause I’m from Texas) and planned for our upcoming radio show Business Destiny that you can check out this Saturday morning at 8am on WTNT 570 AM. (shameless plug)

I think I’m digging mobile collaboration.

The Shopping Experience

Every time I go to a different city, I want to shop. Off-the-beaten path items that are unique, boutiques with items that you can’t find anywhere else, gets me every time. Truthfully, I think I like saying, ‘I got this in New York,’ ‘Oh this, a little something I picked up in LA.’

Last weekend I was in Boston, shopping for my best friend’s upcoming wedding. The adorable little shops on Charles Street at the foot of Beacon Hill, were divine. I’d been on Newbury Street plenty of times but had never spent the time in Beacon Hill. I loved it.

An article discussed the results of a recent survey revealing that shopping is one of the top reasons people visit Boston, even above sightseeing and museums. I can see why. Still, I sought the Top 10 Places for Shopaholics. According to MSNBC.com, LA, New York, Paris, London, Bangkok, Marrakesh and Hong Kong were a few.

I think my favorite shopping city is New York. It’s a shopping experience. Here at home, it’s Georgetown, for the exact same reason. The boutiques that are hidden off M Street, as well as the designer stores, have a certain feel to it. It’s not just going shopping, it’s the experience of shopping.

Where is that place for you? 

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Michele Capots has been writing for various newspapers and magazines for the last 10 years. Her favorite color is purple. Currently, she works in public relations for Livingston Communications. Be sure to also check her out in the Buzz Bin.

The Art of Networking Is A Science

The art of networking is a science. There are some people who can get in the groove and work the crowd in just the right way. I am not usually one of those people. Getting me there is the hardest part, but once I’m there, I’m usually successful.

At my old firm, the idea of networking meant going to a zillion different networking events with the instruction of walking away with 10 cards. It sort of defeats the purpose because at that point, you’re just looking for those 10 cards. But I digress.

The Washington Business Journal ran a recent cover story called ‘Quiet in the Chamber’ about the Chambers of Commerce losing people at a steady rate to, among other business organizations, online organizations. The article quotes McLean resident Sharon Jones as saying “we’re in a new world of Web meetings and blogs and it’s an important way for people to meet. People are busy, traffic is awful and our free time is limited.”

Although I couldn’t agree more, there are times I prefer the face to face contact. Although one option Jones suggests is www.meetup.com, a starting base for business networks that occasionally meets in person. Still, I think I prefer the 7 a.m. breakfast meetings where I can personally mingle with like-minded individuals. For me, as a PR person, it’s about the people.

What kind of networking do you prefer?

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Michele Capots has been writing for various newspapers and magazines for the last 10 years. Her favorite color is purple. Currently, she works in public relations for Livingston Communications. Be sure to also check her out in the Buzz Bin.

Using Social Media To Get Your Audience To Fall Madly In Love with You, Your Message & Your Business

Are you confused when it comes to blogs, wikis, youtube and the thousands of other types of New Media? It’s OK - we all are. It’s no understatement to say that marketing is experiencing a revolution - Social Media.

Lucky for you Success in the City is here to bring you up to date with New Media Nouveaux - a conference focused on how to use social media to “get your audience to fall in love with you, your message and your business.” As Cynthia de Lorenzi, Founder and Supreme Diva of Success in the City puts it,

“New Media is not rocket science, but with so many types of new media, strategies and resources, it can be difficult to find the right method for differentiation of any message. New Media Nouveaux cuts through the clutter.”

Here’s a peek at the all-star line-up:

• Jill Stelfox, CEO of DefyWire
• Jenifer Cortner, CEO of EFX Media
• Sean Gorman, CEO of FortiusOne
• Jen Sterling, CEO of Hinge
• Alice Marshall, CEO of Presto Vivace
• Angela Drummond, CEO of Silo Smashers
• Brian Williams, CEO of Viget Labs
• Aaron Brazell (Technosailor), director of new media services at B5 Media
• Andrea Morris, LComm Consultant & principal at Write Ideas Marketing
• Jody Ruth, director, Washington, DC office of Redstones
• Qui Viaz, Ogilvy

New Media Nouveaux will be held Friday July 13th from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Tower Club, 8000 Towers Crescent Drive Vienna, Virginia. Early Registration: $195.  After July 1, registration increases to $295

Sign up early as this is sure to sell out soon. For a complete brochure and registration form you can visit http://www.pivotalbrands.com/clients/nmn/NMN-brochure.pdf.See you there!