walk on: exploring the digital experience

Healthcare and Social Media Experimentation

I had the pleasure of having a conversation with David Brazeal of Journamarketing.com regarding social media and healthcare organizations. Part of my responsibilities at Aurora Healthcare include strategy and execution for implementing social media inside and outside of the organization. It's an exciting challenge to move a large organization forward. We'll be experimenting actively as we find our way. 

David and I follow each other on twitter and that's what spawned the conversation. I shared my thoughts on how we can engage our caregivers internally to get the organization on board with social media and then prepare to roll things out externally. 

Check out the post and audio over on David's site. 

The Age of Conversation is Coming

The Age of Conversation 2 is coming soon. 237 authors have submitted their contributions and the final review and book building is underway. I was fortunate enough to participate in the first Age of Conversation with 100 authors and am excited to be apart of this second experience. The new book will feature a variety of topics that will feature thoughts from all the authors below. The other wonderful thing? All the proceeds go to Variety, The Children's Charity.

 

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 LeDrew, Brad Shorr, 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, Chris Brown, Connie Bensen, Connie Reece, Corentin Monot, Craig Wilson, Daniel Honigman, Dan Schawbel, Dan Sitter, Daria Radota Rasmussen, Darren Herman, Dave Davison, David Armano, David Berkowitz, 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, Eric Peterson, Eric Nehrlich, Ernie Mosteller, Faris Yakob, Fernanda Romano, Francis Anderson, Gareth Kay, Gary Cohen, Gaurav Mishra, Gavin Heaton, Geert Desager, George Jenkins, G.L. Hoffman, Gianandrea Facchini, Gordon Whitehead, Greg Verdino, Gretel Going & Kathryn Fleming, Hillel Cooperman, Hugh Weber, J. Erik Potter, James Gordon-Macintosh, Jamey Shiels, Jasmin Tragas, Jason Oke, Jay Ehret, Jeanne Dininni, Jeff De Cagna, Jeff Gwynne & Todd Cabral, Jeff Noble, Jeff Wallace, Jennifer Warwick, Jenny Meade, Jeremy Fuksa, Jeremy Heilpern, Jeroen Verkroost, Jessica Hagy, Joanna Young, Joe Pulizzi, John Herrington, John Moore, John Rosen, John Todor, Jon Burg, Jon Swanson, Jonathan Trenn, Jordan Behan, Julie Fleischer, Justin Foster, Karl Turley, Kate Trgovac, Katie Chatfield, Katie Konrath, Kenny Lauer, Keri Willenborg, Kevin Jessop, Kristin Gorski, Lewis Green, Lois Kelly, Lori Magno, Louise Manning, Luc Debaisieux, Mario Vellandi, Mark Blair, Mark Earls, Mark Goren, Mark Hancock, Mark Lewis, Mark McGuinness, Matt Dickman, Matt J. McDonald, Matt Moore, Michael Karnjanaprakorn, Michelle Lamar, Mike Arauz, Mike McAllen, Mike Sansone, Mitch Joel, Neil Perkin, Nettie Hartsock, Nick Rice, Oleksandr Skorokhod, Ozgur Alaz, Paul Chaney, Paul Hebert, Paul Isakson, 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, 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 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, Tim Brunelle, Tim Connor, Tim Jackson, 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,Consumer Generated Content,Variety The Childrens Charity

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

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

Bum Rush the Charts: Age of Conversation

The Age of Conversation Bum Rush is ON! Purchase your copy today at Amazon. We need you to help push the book to the top of the charts.

The book is a collection of over 100 authors who contributed their thoughts and insights regarding this Age of Conversation that we find ourselves in. Each of the contributions is a 500 words or less and provide valuable information on how we interact in today's conversation driven world.

And if you need another reason to buy the book, all of the proceeds go to charity to support the children of Variety. Purchase the book today.

 

Technorati Tags: Age of Conversation,Jamey Shiels,Social Media,New marketing

Join The Conversation

I'm about to dive into Joe Jaffe's new book Join the Conversation. I'm participating in Jaffe's concept to Use New Media to Prove New Media (UNM2PNM). As part of the program, I received a free copy of the book in return for my open and honest review of the content. A fair offer from an author that is willing to experiment with his own product and brand to prove a point...and generate conversation. 

I've skimmed the table of contents and am looking forward to the read. Flipping through the pages, I'm encouraged to see what appears to be case studies, applicable examples and materials that can be taken and put into action. The idea of a business book that provides information and tools that can be put to use is intriguing.

So between work, kids, home projects and all other things related to life, I'm going to try to knock this out and provide my review of the book.

 

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Joe Jaffe,Join the Conversation,Digital Marketing

Age of Conversation Returns

The Age of Conversation is returning for another round. I was honored to participate as an author. It was a unique experience for me personally and professionally that allowed me to participate in a community of thought leaders.

I'm happy to say, Drew and Gavin have decided to go it again. This time around, they've added a unique twist. You now have two ways to participate:  Be a contributing author and vote on the theme of this years book.

Drew's provided further details. Check it out and join the conversation. 

Technorati Tags: Jamey Shiels,Age of Conversation,Join the Conversation,New Marketing

Who Needs Conversation

I've been struggling this past week to find focus and inspiration to write something. I was sitting down to read a book and enjoy a copy of coffee from newly opened Nervosa in downtown Milwaukee when it found me.

I'm finally reading the Cluetrain Manifesto. I'm sorry that as a digital marketer that it has taken me this long to get to it. On the bottom of page 8, Christopher Locke makes the following statement:

"But this whole gamut of conversation, from infinite jest to point-specific expertise: who needs it?

Companies need it. Without it they cannot innovate, build consensus or go to market. Markets need it. Without it they don't know what works and what doesn't"

BAM! Right in the face. In the context of The Age of Conversation and my attempt to explore expressive branding it's all right there. All the conversation the book has created and the experience of taking those learnings to applications in my work, personally and with clients; the statement is simple, powerful and pure truth.

To express your brand you need to engage in conversation. You cannot innovate, you cannot grow, you can not understand what works and what doesn't. In this digital age, it is a requirement to converse.

AOC - Conversation and the Crumbling Wall Between Journalism and PR

David Brazeal provides an insightful reflection on the opportunity for Journalism and PR in this Age of Conversation. He outlines how you can take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to use creative, credible storytelling to earn the trust of your audience. Now is the time to win back and establish your credibility by disclosing your point of view and telling honest stories in engaging ways to interested people. Buy the book and read David's content in detail.

When we consider our brand and how we express ourselves, we can learn from David's insights. We want to be perceived as honest and credible. Our stories, activities and ways we express ourselves are quickly researched online. The immediate access to information forces us to be truthful. The beauty is, that in truth, we establish credibility and a strong foundation for who we are as a brand.

If brand marketers want individuals to adopt their product and use it as an expressive tool, to become a loyal user, they need to build an honest, credible story to drive adoption. The approach David outlines is not limited to PR and Journalism. Individuals and corporations could learn a thing or two.

AOC - Conversation Bottleneck

Do you know how many blogs are created every day? Do you know how many blogs are written in English? Do you know how to avoid Groupthink in consuming your content? Cam can tell you.

Cam Beck's contribution to The Age of Conversation is entitled 'Getting Past the Conversation Bottleneck'. Cam challenges us to commit to the blogs we read and commit to developing a relationship with the content. It's an interesting look at the amount of content that is out there and making sure we take the risk of reaching out and getting past the conversation bottleneck.

From an expressive branding standpoint, we consume content that we think will help define who we are, improve our understanding of how we think (or hope) others perceive us. Cam challenges individuals to avoid the groupthink prison and to stir the pot and to find new information to help us learn, engage and grow and ultimately express our brand differently.

See why Cam thinks that a little chaos goes a long way.