eastwikkers

New Media Nerds to Descend Upon Boston

I hope that title won’t turn any of you off, I am happy to admit that I will be part of that mob in Boston next month for the Society for New Communications Research’s Inaugural SNCR Research Symposium. 

Paul Gillin, tech journalist veteran and social media pro, will be delivering the keynote.  Paul will be discussing how the “New Influencers” are disrupting media and markets.  I’ve been thinking a lot about these new Web 2.0 gods and where they fit into the ecosystem of PR and media.  Are these new heavyweights (c’mon, you know who I’m talking about… Do you want me to recite the litany? Okay then, let’s start with one variation on the Trinity -- Om Malik, Michael Arrington, and Scoble -- and leave it at that … for now) really the Barbarians at the Gate of the stuffy, paralyzed world of “old media” or are they just repackaged media élites, as guided by their own tastes as any cigar-chomping editor in a dusty newsroom (actually, it appears that Om is also partial to cigars).

As John Gapper wrote last month in a great Financial Times piece:

“While anyone is free to launch a blog, contribute to Wikipedia or publish photographs on Flickr, a relatively small number of activists often dominate proceedings on Web 2.0 sites. Although they are unpaid, they can nonetheless achieve an elite status reminiscent of the old media's professional gatekeepers.”

So, we’ll see what Paul and other participants in the SNCR have to say about this. 

Other things I’ll be interested in hearing that day: Rob Pongsajapan of Georgetown University (my alma mater) will be moderating a panel on the “Emergence of Blogging in University Admissions and Recruiting.” 

Finally, eastwikkers alum (and a SNCR Research Fellow) Giovanni Rodriguez will be discussing his work on the 33 wikis project (started here on eastwikkers).  Can’t wait to hear what Giovanni’s got for us.

PC Forum Farewell

PC Forum 2006, “Erosion of Power: Users in Charge,” was the last PC Forum: “It had a great run, from 1977 to 2006, and we decided to end it before anyone asked us to,” says Ester Dyson’s Release 1.0 website.

Would anyone really ask for it to end? Probably not. Gatherings are good, and this prestigious gathering is even better. But it does raise the question of how many gatherings we need and what forms they should take now that blogs, wikis, webinars, video conferencing, and other technologies are allowing us to participate in larger gatherings and share our ideas at a faster pace with less cost and without the discomfort of travel.

It’s no surprise that Esther Dyson is sharing her ideas for an upcoming CNET presentation before the actual presentation. It’s easy. It’s an opportunity to get feedback and refine the ideas. Will it reduce the number of attendees?

Still, sitting at a computer doesn’t feel as effective as meeting face-to-face, forming bonds, waxing visionary over a few drinks, and this seems to be true even for young adults who grew up staring at a monitor.

Terrorism and pandemics notwithstanding, events that can bring industry luminaries together, shine a light on key trends and technologies, fuel innovation at companies, and give journalists something to write about will still be popular. But over time, many will likely disappear, and others will change formats to include more online presenters and attendees.

Hollywood Meets Silicon Valley?

Hollywood studios selling movies online… digital distribution of movies over the Internet... changing movie-viewing models… the Web emerging as a key distribution point for content...  the much talked about digital home… All newsworthy topics recently.

And folks at this week’s AlwaysOn OnHollywood (in – where else – Hollywood) conference were discussing the “convergence of tech and entertainment.” Session topics included “Is the Web the New Hollywood?” and “Consumer Generated Media” with panelists from EMI Music, Google, Yahoo! and more…. even a visit from Tom Green.

Just further proof that Web 2.0, blogging, social networking communities, etc. are very real and very relevant – and we’ll be watching.

Our favorite troublemakers at NewCommForum

I enjoyed my time at New Communications Forum this year, and the best thing was the "hallway conversation."   A few of my favorites:

The UK Phillips:   David Phillips (Leeds Metropolitan University) and Philip Young (University of Sunderland) were two of the funniest and brightest barroom conversants on nights one and two.  David (man with the mike) also participated in the Wiki 101 workshop, and posed the mightiest of the "Five Questions":  Is Marketing Dead?  The good professor examined the cadaver while debating with half a dozen PR, marketing, and tech folks who remain unconvinced.   But I am so impressed that our new U.K. professor friend is committed to making trouble in this area.

Dr. Jonas:   Jonas Luster, the new "community manager" at Socialtext (Eastwick client) is wild and wonderful.   I was amazed at his ability to weave in and out of dozens of little stories and lecturettes on brain science, social computing, and neurologically-driven dating rituals.  Jonas, who has a Ph.D. in social psychology, is our favorite kind of troublemaker:  opinionated, passionate, personal.  Make an appointment with the doctor today (he does house calls, I bet).

Tom Foremski:  it is always good talking with Tom, the biggest troublemaker of them all.  Tom thinks everything -- marketing, journalism, and PR -- is going to "hell in a handbasket."  Cheerful guy.  We chatted in the parking lot about the new world we're living in, a great bargain called Yahoo! Music, and my three-year old son's fixation on The White Stripes (supported in part by Yahoo! Music).

PR Peers:  I got to speak with Phil Gomes (Edelman) and connected briefly with Jeremy Pepper (Weber Shandwick) and the Voce guys (Mike Manuel and Matthew Podboy).  And it was nice to spend time with former Eastwick colleague Tony Obregon, who is now toiling at a small outfit called Cohn & Wolfe.  Tony -- who on good days bears an uncanny resemblance to a Hollywood star -- has an excellent blog on research.  I highly recommend it.

For a few weeks, our peers have been talking about starting a local meet-up for Bay Area PR people.  At some point, all the great troublemakers will take part in this.  You'll be hearing more soon.