walk on: exploring the digital experience

Can You Dance Like Matt?

The following video is making the rounds online. It's a guy named Matt who has traveled around the world and danced. Danced in 39 countries and filmed it all. According to his web site , "In 2006, Matt took a 6 month trip through 39 countries on all 7 continents. In that time, he danced a great deal."

The interesting thing is that the trip was sponsored by Stride Gum. Not to promote their brand, not to pimp their gum around the world but to demonstrate the power of an individual connecting with others in the same way around the world.

This video simply makes me feel good. It makes me feel hopeful and optimistic about why people connect and that at the heart of it all, we're all in this together.

When was the last time you danced.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Dancing Matt,Stride Gum

Social Media Mistakes According to Jaffe

During a recent integrated advertising conference, Joseph Jaffe has provided an interesting perspective on Social Media mistakes made by some of the top marketers: Sprint, Sony, T-mobile, Target and Starbucks. Jaffe has been challenging corporations and individuals to harness the power of social media and new opportunities for one to one communication. I think it's a challenge to all of us, to bring our brands to the conversation. This age of conversation is an open door for brands to change the game and truly interact with consumers. Are you up for the challenge?

Head over to AdAge for the Video.

Technorati Tags: Joe Jaffe,Social Media,Branding,Jamey Shiels

Social Media as a Career

I've come across several very interesting posts that have begun to track the emergence of Social Media as a legitimate position in the communications departments of many organizations. These organizations are taking up the challenge that is being presented by consumers and the use of new media tools and committing themselves to the conversation.

Several of the brands that I work with are beginning to embrace social media and the opportunity to engage with consumers and build relationships. It's an exciting time to be a part of digital communications.

Here's a few links for review if your organizations is considering developing a full time position for a Social Media Director/Strategist.

Social Media Headhunter with Jim Durbin.

Social Media Strategist is a Real Job by Des Walsh

Social Media Today article by Romain Pechard

Groundswell Thoughts from Josh Bernoff

Technorati Tags: Social Media,New Media,Communication Strategy,Jamey Shiels

Social Media in Your Flavor

Lee Lefever of CommonCraft has put together another excellent video to explain something that can be complicated and confusing. Below is an excellent video that explains social media in a context that I can totally understand...ice cream.

I appreciate how they show the value to the individual as well as the company. The use of social media by brands doesn't need to be complex and overwhelming. Give people the tools and the opportunity and they will interact with you and their brand if they are motivated to do so.

CommonCrafts product is explanation. They use video and paper to make complex ideas easy to understand. The paperworks format sets a visual stage that supports the simple explanation. You're not distracted by special effects and fancy transitions. You can focus your attention on what they're trying to explain.

For those curious about social media or looking for a way to explain it to your brand friends, enjoy the show and check out more from CommonCraft.

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Lee Lefever,CommonCraft,Social Media,Branding

Leading with Insight

Matthew Milan at Critical Mass posted a very interesting presentation to slideshare call Leading with Insight. It is a thought provoking look on how critical it is to be insightful and use it as means to inspire and lead. The presentation gives clear instructions on how approach things in a manner that is thoughtful and creative. Can you and your brand use insight as a guiding principal to identify solutions and provide solutions that are truly amazing?

I would have liked to be in the room when this presentation was delivered. 

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Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Leading with Insight,Matthwe Milan,Critical Mass

Social Media Takeaways from Avenue A Razorfish

Shiv Singh of Avenue A/Razorfish hosted a client summit this past week and posted seven key takeaways related to social media. They are great highlights that can be considered within all the conversations digital agencies have with their clients who are exploring the social media space. I've outlined the seven below. The details are over at the GOING SOCIAL NOW and I encourage you to read his synopsis of each.

1. Social Media has gone mainstream and there's no doubt about it.

2. User Generated Content enhances a company's reputation.

3. We're still just beginning to understand user behavior.

4. Social Media is not just in the browser.

5. Internal Social Media can be taken outside.

6. Its all about integrated marketing across platforms and devices. 

7. Social Media can be used to target brand new audiences.

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Shiv Sing,Avenue A Razorfish,Social Media

Shift in Education: Classroom to Social Networking

David Armano was live twittering the ID Strategy Conference yesterday and sent out an interesting quote that has been rolling around in my head for a few days. I think the quote can be attributed to John Seeley Brown 

"We're moving from authority based teaching to peer based learning. This is THE shift in education. Classroom > social networking " 

I have children in grade school so education is a big deal for me and my family. I also work in the digital environment and see how we have unprecedented access to information that can provide tremendous value as a learning tool. The opportunity to learn new things by having access to the knowledge of others is growing every day.

The education system can reinvent itself around a model of shared knowledge and learning from one another within the classroom as well as through connections made through social networks. The challenge will be for today's leaders to realize and seize the opportunity.

David provides his thought as well over at Logic and Emotion.

What do you think? Can we change the way education works to harness the power of social networks and reinvent the classroom?

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,David Armano,Education,Social Networks,Learning

Exploring the Edge of Social Media

Developing a campaign for a CPG Brand. More information coming soon.

Age of Conversation 2 - In the Works

A little over a year ago, I had the opportunity to join in a collective project with over 100 bloggers. The goal was for each of us to write a brief piece focusing on the developing online conversation. It was an amazing project that benefited charity while providing value to its readers.

Well, the gang is at it again. The Age of Conversation 2008 is in the works. This time over 250 authors will be contributing thought pieces on one of the following topics. I was personally drawn to Life in the Conversation Lane and submitted my piece last week for review and entry into the final book.

• Age of Conversation Manifestos
• Keeping Secrets in the Age of Conversation
• Moving from Conversation to Action
• The Accidental Marketer
• A New Brand of Creative
• My Marketing Tragedy
• Business Model Evolution
• Life in the Conversation Lane

More information will be on its way shortly. In the meantime, check out the list of bloggers below and visit Ryan Barrett's blog for a teaser from several of the authors.

Adam Crowe, Adrian Ho, Aki Spicer, Alex Henault, Amy Jussel, Andrew Odom, Andy Nulman, Andy Sernovitz, Andy Whitlock, Angela Maiers, Ann Handley, Anna Farmery, Armando Alves, Arun Rajagopal, Asi Sharabi, Becky Carroll, Becky McCray, Bernie Scheffler, Bill Gammell, Bob Carlton, Bob LeDrew, Brad Shorr, Bradley Spitzer, Brandon Murphy, Branislav Peric, Brent Dixon, Brett Macfarlane, Brian Reich, C.C. Chapman, Cam Beck, Casper Willer, Cathleen Rittereiser, Cathryn Hrudicka, Cedric Giorgi, Charles Sipe, Chris Kieff, Chris Cree, Chris Wilson, Christina Kerley (CK), C.B. Whittemore, Clay Parker Jones, Chris Brown, Colin McKay, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Cord Silverstein, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Goldstein, Dan Schawbel, Dana VanDen Heuvel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Darryl Patterson, Dave Davison, Dave Origano, David Armano, David Bausola, David Berkowitz, David Brazeal, David Koopmans, David Meerman Scott, David Petherick, David Reich, David Weinfeld, David Zinger, Deanna Gernert, Deborah Brown, Dennis Price, Derrick Kwa, Dino Demopoulos, Doug Haslam, Doug Meacham, Doug Mitchell, Douglas Hanna, Douglas Karr, Drew McLellan, Duane Brown, Dustin Jacobsen, Dylan Viner, Ed Brenegar, Ed Cotton, Efrain Mendicuti, Ellen Weber, Emily Reed, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, G. Kofi Annan, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Graham Hill, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, J.C. Hutchins, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, Joe Talbott, John Herrington, John Jantsch, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Flowers, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kris Hoet, Krishna De, Kristin Gorski, Laura Fitton, Laurence Helene Borei, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Barnes-Johnston, Louise Mangan, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Marcus Brown, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Mark McSpadden, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Hawkins, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Monica Wright, Nathan Gilliatt, Nathan Snell, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, Paul Marobella, Paul McEnany, Paul Tedesco, Paul Williams, Pet Campbell, Pete Deutschman, Peter Corbett, Phil Gerbyshak, Phil Lewis, Phil Soden, Piet Wulleman, Rachel Steiner, Sreeraj Menon, Reginald Adkins, Richard Huntington, Rishi Desai, Beeker Northam, Rob Mortimer, Robert Hruzek, Roberta Rosenberg, Robyn McMaster, Roger von Oech, Rohit Bhargava, Ron Shevlin, Ryan Barrett, Ryan Karpeles, Ryan Rasmussen, Sam Huleatt, Sandy Renshaw, Scott Goodson, Scott Monty, Scott Townsend, Scott White, Sean Howard, Sean Scott, Seni Thomas, Seth Gaffney, Shama Hyder, Sheila Scarborough, Sheryl Steadman, Simon Payn, Sonia Simone, Spike Jones, Stanley Johnson, Stephen Collins, Stephen Cribbett, Stephen Landau, Stephen Smith, Steve Bannister, Steve Hardy, Steve Portigal, Steve Roesler, Steven Verbruggen, Steve Woodruff, Sue Edworthy, Susan Bird, Susan Gunelius, Susan Heywood, Tammy Lenski, Terrell Meek, Thomas Clifford, Thomas Knoll, Tiffany Kenyon, Tim Brunelle, Tim Buesing, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, Tim Longhurst, Tim Mannveille, Tim Tyler, Timothy Johnson, Tinu Abayomi-Paul, Toby Bloomberg, Todd Andrlik, Troy Rutter, Troy Worman, Uwe Hook, Valeria Maltoni, Vandana Ahuja, Vanessa DiMauro, Veronique Rabuteau, Wayne Buckhanan, William Azaroff, Yves Van Landeghem

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Age of Conversation,New Media,New Marketing

Gen Y Guide to Web 2.0 at Work

I've been out of the loop for a while, cranking with work and family. I've been able to consume content but haven't had a chance to spend time thinking and working on anything to post. I'm going to work on getting back on track and posting regularly.

I'm in the process of working on developing strategies for social networks for a client. I've been doing a lot of research and working out tactics. Somewhat related to social networks was this piece I came across from Sacha Chua, via Beth Kanter, via Gavin. It's an interesting look into Gen Y and a recommendation on how to leverage their skills and familiarity with Web 2.0 tools to make a name for themselves.

 

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Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Generation Y,Web 2.0,Social Media