Modern Communicator

Melcrum launches new network for professional communicators

It could be said that MyRagan (Ragan Communications) stole first mover advantage with launching the first online social network for professional communicators worldwide. However, being first isn't always an advantage. Shifting the paradigm for a moment, think about being the first child in the family? I for one, remember making things a lot smoother for my sister as she entered her teenage years. Most of the teething issues as my parents and I entered the next stage of our relationship were resolved for 'Babes' (family nick-name for her) as she grew up. That said, my parents were pretty liberal in their own way, often without realising it.

One such example (back to networks again) was the kerfuffle (thanks Neville) stirred up between Chris Heuer and Mark Ragan over whether the Social Media club featuring on MyRagan constituted endorsement of a commercial offering or not. Get a summary of this here. My view in short: Six of one and half a dozen of the other. Both sides could have reached a compromise, but unfortunately appeared to become entrenched on their positions.

Anyhow, I'm absolutely sure this acted as a learning experience for Robin Crumby and the team at Melcrum. No doubt they took a lot from this and have maintained or revised their network policies accordingly.

AND onto the advert bit (NO DISCLOSURE REQUIRED):

Joining me on a panel of 'Channels and New Media' experts in the 'Communicators Network' will be a handful of 'faces' from the scene. These include Neville Hobson, Debbie Weil, Philippe Borremans, David Berger (send me a link if there's a specific one), and Lee Hopkins. Some of whom I've met face to face, others, not yet.

Why not get on over there and sign up? If you're reading this, don't hesitate to make a contact request! If I don't know you, hell;

'Strangers are only friends who don't know one another yet'.

Technorati tags: myragan, ragan, communicators+network, chris+heuer, mark+ragan, social+media+club, neville+hobson, debbie+weil, philippe+borremans, david+berger, lee+hopkins

A new value model for commercial event sponsors?

Part of what I do brings me into contact with PCO's (Professional Conference Organiser's). At related industry events such as Confex, you often hear speakers talking about ROI from large scale meetings. Good conferences, like good communication often have more intangible benefits than direct financial reward. These take the form of delegate networking opportunities, and knowledge acquisition (often top down due to traditional plenary models). The direct financial benefit often goes to the organiser, through delegate fees and sponsorship.

Laurent Haug, organiser of the Lift conference in Geneva is currently exploring new business models about building greater value from the participant community through his 'LIFTLAB' ideas. This involves a whole tranche of disparate, yet related activities looking to leverage the LIFT brand value. I'm sure it'll move into consultancy, publishing, issues of entrepeneurship, and more.

One challenge with any event that once it's over, the investment is largely gone. In many respects it's like a photograph, a snapshot in time if you will. The main difference being that a photograph can be disseminated. An event only really lives on in attendees minds.

Whilst working with freelance facilitator, Penny Jackson at a BTSR (Broadcast Training and Skills Regulator) to produce some post event materials, an idea was spawned which I'd like some reader comment on:

Commercial event sponsors will often be associated with an event, perhaps funding the mid-morning coffee break, having some exhibition space, or having their logo featured on in-conference banners etc. What does this do for them? Perhaps a bit of potential customer networking (always useful), increased brand awareness etc.

What about if we used 'Wisdom of Crowds' principles to enable new thinking for a sponsor? For example, an event centred on corporate change management could be part subsidised by one of the big five consultancy firms. In return for the subsidy, the major sponsor would have the right to use ideas from workshop discussions to form part of their thinking for clients?

Is this a win-win situation? Participants get lower entry costs in return for helping shape sponsor thinking.

I've even heard of a U.S model where participants are actually paid to attend an event. In return, the organiser has the right to use generated material to produce reports or books.

For a long time now, I've believed events are just a 'moment in time'. What happens before and after is what really counts!

Technorati tags: conferences, roi, liftlab, confex, wisdomofcrowds, btsr, penny+jackson, networking

Imarco Activ-Media have been acquired

With all this talk about Social Media Press Releases, I thought i'd add my own. OK, maybe not what those who are working on S.M.P.R's had in mind, but it's the text from a press release featured on a form of social media.

My colleague, David Paul and I have been working on this deal for a few months. It promises to be an interesting future for both companies.

A completely re-vamped website for Activ-Media is on its way. The current site simply doesn't reflect who we are anymore.

So, here goes:

Communications consultancy Imarco Frontline becomes part of the Sweden’s Adera Group

On Wednesday 23rd May Imarco Frontline Limited was acquired by the Swedish based consultancy group, Adera Group AB.

The acquisition represents a strong upward move for both companies as Adera plans to expand its business in Europe, and Imarco seeks to find new markets for its fast developing professional social networking and future media activities. Both companies also have full service B2B market communication capabilities and this increased resource will be to the direct benefit of clients.

Adera and Imarco have collaborated over many years, successfully co-operating on many international client assignments. Adera is a multi-faceted consultancy group, involved in new media services, business communication and brand alignment/transformational change consultancy. It is planned that the new UK base, situated close to Europe’s most dynamic financial and business centre, will have an important impact on the group’s future expansion.

David Paul, managing director of Imarco Frontline and Rolf Jansson Chairman of the Adera Group have been close associates for over twenty years. They believe that the time is now right to join forces in order to build a new kind of business resource in Europe that engages with the new demands in business change, communication and collaboration not addressed by traditional consultancies.

Magnus Penker, CEO of the Adera Group stated ‘This acquisition puts us on track for building the group as a truly European business and we foresee further expansion in the UK over the coming months. A UK facility is vital in terms of building an international reputation, but also Imarco Frontline brings into the group some particularly strong expertise in the area of brand development Web 2.0, the development of social and collaborative platforms for business and public sector application.’

David Paul, who has been representing Adera’s Level Five brand alignment and consultancy business as senior partner in the UK since January 2006, stated, ’This is a logical move for us. My business partner, Matt O’Neill, has been instrumental in some key developments in helping clients to embrace new online communication and collaborative platforms through our Activ-Media™ division.

This is a rapidly moving business and this acquisition will help us to expand this potential further. The many resources available through Adera Group businesses will help us to deliver greater support to our clients in both the private and public sector as well as to expand our business base internationally.’

Adera Group AB is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Ends

London, 23rd May 2007

For further information:
David Paul
Imarco Frontline Limited
Siena Court, The Broadway, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1NJ
Tel: 020 7043 6050
david.paul@REMOVETHISimarco.com

Technorati tags: adera, aderagroup, imarco+frontline, level+five, magnus+penker, rolf+jansson, david+paul, matt+o'neill

My inspirational friends in Geneva

Had a great few days with David Galipeau and Laurent Haug in Geneva earlier this week.

Truly inspirational people and I'm proud to know you both.

I'm convinced we're going to do some really interesting stuff in the future!

For those who haven't come across them, Laurent organises the LIFT conference, a yearly event exploring the social impact of technology on society. David is in the process of forming a foundation (coming shortly) aimed at connecting innovators and money-men. Terrific stuff!

 

Technorati tags: laurenthaug, davidgalipeau, eighty20, lift07

Mr Paul: Shall we adopt this cost cutting management style for future board meetings?

I doubt it'll sit well with our new Swedish compatriots! Perhaps not eh?

Two new social networks for professional communicators

As Melcrum's blog says, 'you wait ages for a bus and two come along at once'.

Following the success of an event blog for English Heritage back in November 2006, Activ-Media recently entered the social network build / facilitation space with a project to help English Heritage enable community heritage workers to connect and share knowledge. It'll go live in a few months.

Since the process started, I've been wondering if one of the major communications publishers / event organisers would enter the space to enable practitioners to do the same on-line.

On Saturday, I noticed a post in my RSS feeds stating that Melcrum was preparing to launch its own network. My first thought. A very positive move indeed! One of the founders, Robin Crumby put out a request, asking people if they wanted to help initiate an interest group. How could I resist? We shall see if he takes up my offer to run something around 'New Media Communications Issues'.

Following down the post, I see that Mark Ragan of Ragan Communications  has recently launched a network of his own. After reading Neville Hobson's post comparing the two, I felt compelled to add in a comment of my own. At the time, it seemed to me that what fundamentally distinguishes the two networks is geography. Whilst a network can offer facilities to localise, will this actually happen? Experience in working on global inter-cultural dialogue projects with the British Council has taught me that participants are often drawn more to local or country specific online resources than to 'one size fits all' monster 'portals'. Maybe it's down to feeling their community is a little more specific to them? That said, these participant groups often come from politically, culturally, and socially sensitive regions. Maybe that's got something to do with it?

Having just joined the MyRagan network, it's great to see Marc Wright of Simply Communicate starting an interest group for us Brit's. I've just posted a message there to see if people want a local meetup. Something informal, just a get together. Again, let's see what comes out.

Potentially exciting times ahead for professional communicators methinks!

On Thursday, off to Geneva to see Laurent Haug, who organises the LIFT conference. I wonder if social networking will come up in that conversation? Almost certainly!

N.B Was chatting with someone a few weeks ago about the fashionability of social networks right now. We both agreed that the next step probably lies in greater inter-connectivity between networks and not the current 'walled garden' approach as propagators attempt to define their spaces.

Technorati tags: activ-media, melcrum, myragan, ragan, simply-communicate, marc+wright, robin+crumby, neville+hobson, britishcouncil, english+heritage

Events taking Blogging seriously

People who know Activ-Media are well aware that a part of what we do involves blogging events for public sector and corporate clients. A couple of examples feature here and here. Very interesting to see Corante are handling blogging for the World Healthcare Congress Europe in Barcelona.

This image is very encouraging for those involved in this new, exciting niche of blogging!

I like the fact that Corante are handling editorial management, but content is being driven by 'faces' from the industry.

The only thing i'm not so keen on is the blog design. It comes across as a bit busy, and might benefit from a few more images / multimedia enhancements to bring the event alive more.

Overall though, a tremendous initiative. I'm actually a little envious of them for getting that gig!!

Technorati tags: worldhealthcarecongress, corante, eventblogging