The latter track is likely where I will be spending the majority of my time.

There are several questions I am in search of opinions. Among them:

• Why is there an abundance of social media experts/divisions flooding PR agencies vs PR professionals being re-trained to understand how to use social media as part of their tool set?

• Why isn’t social media being absorbed into PR if PR pro’s recognize it as a function of PR?  And why isn’t that message being passed along to clients who are paying separate line items for those new social media divisions?

• What do these professionals think needs to be done to fundamentally change the way PR is perceived and practiced?

• With is the NEW definition of what PR is now that it’s taken on more of an integrated marketing function?

• Is the term Public Relations even still relevant to describe those practitioners who are practicing the art of PR from the point of view of driving business metrics, not press hits and re-tweets?

• If the broader industry at large does not recognize the value that PR can bring, why would launching a campaign to separate PR from Publicity really infuse trust and integrity back into the profession?

• Why are we so focused on PR’ing our need for better PR of PR that we’re not focused instead on spotlighting and attacking the problems and fixing them at the root?

Our industry is broken.

And I’m not the only one that feels that way and senses the impending doom facing the “PR” industry as it becomes replaced with more evolved practices with new names like Integrated Communications.  As anyone who has read this blog knows, I have been wrestling with calling what I do as PR because the title just doesn’t cut it. And the diminished respect left for the industry by the broader business community only pushes me further away.

Every time I engage in these discussions with “PR” professionals that I think “get it” they repeatedly tell me that they don’t like to use the term PR but they don’t have a word to replace it.  Which, to me, gets to the real root of the problem.  We don’t know what PR is anymore.  There is still no new definition. Which is why I’m so fascinated by PRSA’s upcoming campaign aimed at raising the visibility of PR’s Value.

This approach to me seems to match the outdated way of thinking about PR.  How is conducting a PR campaign to “raise visibility” going to change what’s really wrong?  Are CEO’s going to encounter it and suddenly think- you’re right! I get it now!?  Or will changing the practice of PR industry-wide and having it properly represented by informed and educated professionals be the way to raise visibility into the increased value PR can bring?  I believe the term is leading by example and that’s something no campaign can replace.

(btw- You’d think that a communications conference that wants to promote blogging and internet chatter about the conference would have ample free wi-fi. Not so much.  Good thing I have a Boingo account.)

—————————-
RECURRING WEEKLY:
—————————-

Tuesday’s with Exectec
7:30 PM @ D’Amore’s Pizza Connection on Westwood
1136 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024

ThursdayLunch
12PM @ Santa Monica/ 3rd
Santa Monica Promenade

OCTOBER EVENTS
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Tuesday, October 13th
MOTM Orange County
7:00-10:00pm
The Center Club
650 Town Center Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Paul Mobley will be interviewing our own Kurt Daradics! Come find out what it was like to take finals at TechCrunch 50 this year, winning the hearts and minds of the crowd, press, and judges with CitySourced, a mobile app that is set to change communities across the country.

—————————-

Wednesday, October 14th
Digital LA - Action Sports Entertainment Panel
8:00-midnight
The Parlor
1519 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

Digital LA and the SoCal Action Sports Network are teaming up to present:
“Entertainment + Sports: Marketing & Developing Content with Athletes, Video Games, TV, and Movies to reach ages 16-25″

To be discussed:
- What’s the hook for creating content that will attract young males 16-25?
- Do you need to attach an athlete or sports celebrity to your property?
- How do you promote your brand online? Niches sites, reach, offline events, etc.?
- How to use social networking to get fans to spread the word virally
- What are keys to distribution to help you reach the elusive young male audience.

Scheduled speakers include:
- Jason Mayhem Miller, MMA pro athlete, active social media user and Star of MTV’s Bully Beatdown, http://TwitPWR.com/tEU Recently spoke at 140tc Twitter conference. @MayhemMiller

- Tracy Williams, Activision, Global Director of Marketing. Activision makes Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk Ride, and dozens of other top-selling titles http://activision.com

- Gene Pao, FUEL TV, VP of New Media and International Development. The FUEL TV cable station screens the best of action sports and music via videos, webcasts, photos, blogs, news and more. http://fuel.tv @FUELTV

- KP Anderson, E! Soup, executive producer and head writer for cable TV’s “Soup” franchise, which includes “The Soup” on E!, “Sports Soup” and “Web Soup.” @ikpanderson

AGENDA
7-8: Check-in and Networking
8-9:30 Panel, Q&A

$15 ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED via Paypal ($20 at the door)

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Thursday, October 15-17th
BlogWorld & New Media Expo
Vegas Baby!
Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall)
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV

The 3rd Annual BlogWorld & New Media Expo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center October 15 - 17.

The first and only industry-wide tradeshow, conference, and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of new media. From blogs to podcasts to Internet Radio and TV, to microblogging to social networking.

The conference features more than 60 seminars, panel discussions and keynotes from iconic personalities on the leading-edge of online media technology and internet-savvy business.

BlogWorld appeals to new media content creators of all types from hobbyist to professional and to entrepreneurs and corporate executives seeking to understand and navigate the blogosphere.
Join us for our next online/entertainment panel, focusing on Webisodes. We’ll discuss
- Original Series: the creation, funding, pitching, packaging, and marketing of original web series
- Branded Entertainment: developing webisodes series for specific advertisers, including working with shifting timelines, budget/talent, brand integration and marketing and distribution.

———-

Thursday, October 15th
South Bay Tech Group
5:30-7:30pm
Shade Hotel Bar
1221 N Valley Drive
Manhattan Beach, CA

South Bay Tech Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Shade in Manhattan Beach to network with fellow South Bay residents and technology entreprenuers who live and/or work in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo area.

———-

Thursday, October 15th
A Masquerade Mindshare
8:00pm-1:00am
Lot 613
613 Imperial St.
Los Angeles, CA

Mark Milian / Technology Writer, Los Angeles Times
How Google Wave Could Change The Way We Work

Justine Limpus Parish / Fashion Illustrator, Art Director, Designer, Educator and Published Author
My Life in Fashion & Costume…in 10 Minutes

Brett Levine / President, LiveSpark, Inc.
New Technology as the Medium

Max Baptist / Founder & CEO, D-Dub Software
Entrepreneurship with as Much Balls as Talent

Open bar (8pm-10:30pm), music and a number of installations on display from the great brains from Mindshare Labs!

———-

Thursday, October 15th
ThinkLA’s Thirsty Thursday
6:30-9:30pm
Beechwood
822 West Washington Blvd.
Venice CA 90292

LA’s answer to the Ad Club…Meet up with thinkLA for a free-to-attend networking mixer organized by AdZoo!

———-

Monday-Thursday, October 19th-22nd
DigitalHollywood Fall
Loews Hotel
Santa Monica, California

Includes Variety Entertainment Technology Summit on the 19th from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Also includes EPPS Online’s one-day PR and communications conference focusing on the convergence of: Technology, Image, Communication and Control. Learn new strategies, tactics and technologies that are transforming the PR and communications communities. EPPS Members: $100 until Sept.30; $150 after Non-EPPS members: $150 until Sept. 30; $200 after.

Conference Dates:
Monday, October 19th - Pre-Event Sessions and Workshops
Tuesday, October 20th - All Day Sessions and Exhibits
Wednesday, October 21st - All Day Sessions and Exhibits
Thursday, October 22nd - All Day Sessions

———-

Monday, October 19th
Tubefilter’s Hollywood Web Television Meetup
7:00pm - 11:55pm
Busby’s East
5364 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

With nearly 3,500 of web television’s top creators, producers, studio executives, agents, managers, technologists, and distributors on its roster, Tubefilter’s Hollywood Web Television Meetup brings together the most dynamic group of professionals in the online entertainment industry. Each month’s event features presentations from influential web television creators, talent, and industry executives who are leading the charge in shaping the future of our industry.

What’s up this month? We’re Going LIVE!

With the proliferation of live content online, thanks to networks like UStream, Justin.tv, Stickam, and Livestream, it’s no wonder so many web television creators are producing high-quality live content. Live broadcasts are an event in themselves, providing a level of interactivity, buzz, and community building that you just don’t get from on-demand programming.

Going LIVE!, is an in-depth look into the creation, production, and distribution of live web television programming online. We’ll be treated to first hand accounts from the creators and talent behind some of the biggest and best live productions online.

This month we’re breaking up the format with a limited-seating panel starting promptly at 7:30 pm, followed by our infamous networking mixer, which starts at 8:45 pm. Plus, stay tuned for a very exciting announcement from the Tubefilter Team.

Panelists:
Hailey Bright (Co-Host, Coin-Op TV Live)
Brian Gramo (Founder theStream.tv)
Tyler Crowley (Executive Producer, Mahalo Daily)
Bismarck Lepe (Founder, Ooyala)
Drew Baldwin (Drew Baldwin, Producer, The Streamy Awards)

Evening Program:
7:00pm - Doors Open (pre-seating)
7:30pm - Panel (limited seating, Panel Ticket required)
8:45pm - Networking Mixer

Tickets to the panel are $15/ $9 for the mixer.

———-

Tuesday, October 20th
Digital LA - Horror & Entertainment Panel @ Magic Castle
7:00-11:30pm
The Magic Castle
7001 Franklin Ave
Los Angeles, CA

Scheduled Speakers include:
- KW Low, DreadCentral.com, Founder, http://dreadcentral.com @DreadCentral
- Sean Redlitz, FEARnet, Editor-In-Chief, http://fearnet.com @FEARnet
- Drew Daywalt, Director, MWG’s horror web series, Camera Obscura
- moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA

Agenda:
- 7-8p: Check in and Networking at the Magic Castle main bar
- 8-9p: Panel and Q&A at the Inner Circle ballroom
- After 9pm: Explore the Magic Castle on your own - if u dare! There are 3 magic show rooms thruout the castle with repeating showtimes for u to explore: The Palace of Mystery, the Parlour of Prestidigitation, and the Close-Up Gallery.

Dress accordingly by the Magic Castle dress code: jacket and tie for guys, cocktail dress for ladies.

———-

Tuesday, October 20th
Social Media Club LA – Games Go Social
7:00-9:00pm
the Rubicon Project
1925 S Bundy Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Ian Swanson, Co-founder and CEO of Sometrics
http://sometrics.com

———-

Wednesday, October 21st
Digital LA - Digital Drinks @ MyHouse
7:00-10:00pm
MyHouse
7080 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

Both Yelp and CitySearch fans give My House 4.5 stars! CitySearch loves that “this sprawling 10,000-square-foot pad is bringing the idea of the “house party” to the club-seeking masses. Disguised as a state-of-the-art home,
- the kitchen doubles as the main bar (yes, that’s a stainless steel refrigerator the bartender’s pulling from),
- the enormous living room is a sunken lounge (which becomes an after-hours dance floor) and
- the second floor bedroom is the unofficial VIP area (king size bed with black leather headboard, faux mink duvet and skull table lamps included).
- There’s also the outdoor patio with fireplaces, cabana-like booths and even a Jacuzzi for those adventurous–or drunk–enough to splash things up.”

$10 REGISTRATION in ADVANCE via Paypal REQUIRED ($20 day of)

———-

Wednesday, October 21st
Tech Supper Club: Social Media for Hollywood,  Media and Brands
4:00-9:00pm
Transmersive
1813 Centinela
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(in media park near Olympic and Bundy)

Workshop 4:00-5:30:   Using Twitter for Consumer Marketing Campaigns and Business Lead Generation
Presenter: Steve Weed, Principal, Landau Design

Steve Weed will teach you the exact strategies they use to attract ideal clients via. Learn how to put this tool to work growing your business in only a  few minutes per day. This workshop is for both those that are new to Twitter and those that have been using Twitter. You will learn tips, tricks, and tools to enhance your Twitter experience and efficiency with a focus on entertainment and consumer marketing.

Networking Dinner: 6:00-7:30 and open bar

Presenting Speakers 7:30-9:00:
* Van Vandegrift, Executive Producer, matrixx
* Damon Berger, Director of Digital Marketing, 20th Century Fox

Van will show examples and share insights on how social media is being used by Sony PIctures Entertainment for the marketing and promotion of its upcoming feature film Planet 51. He will include strategies for developing brand partnerships such as their partnership with Dippin’ Dots and Sega; and developing integrated marketing campaigns.

Damon will discuss trends and strategies for movie marketing using broadband, social media, and mobile platforms; and how marketing campaigns can lead to a blockbuster hit.

Get tickets
$70.00    Networking dinner, workshop, panel program
$60.00   Networking dinner, program
$30.00    Program only, excludes dinner
$25.00   Workshop before program

———-

Wednesday, October 21st
PowerPoint Karaoke, Bloblive and Corporate Espionage Night
7:00-10:00pm
V Lounge
2020 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Bloblive, Scrum Club & the LA Geek Dinner will be hosting a very special evening of idea sharing and Powerpoint Karaoke with hosts Heathervescent, founder of the LA Geek Dinner and Erick Brownstein, MC of Bloblive. Winning prize packages will go to the best ideas and best PPT karaoke performances. $5 donation requested.

———-

Wednesday, October 21st
The Quality of Life Forum
7:00pm – 8:15pm
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

The format of the event is akin to the approach used in programs like “Inside the Actor’s Studio” and “Charlie Rose.”  The conversations between the moderator Kit Cooper and featured guests are relaxed and easygoing without the air of anyone claiming to be experts.  The talks focus on what are the perspectives and practices of the interviewee that contribute to his/her quality of life.  The session will include Q&A with the audience

Guest for the 21st is Mark Thornton, author of Meditation in a New York Minute, executive coach, expert on how meditation can create competitive advantage for leaders and individuals, former COO of JP Morgan London.  Consults with leading organizations like McKinsey and Harvard Law School on how to improve performance through deployment of meditation practices.

Attendance is free but space is limited to 125. Email: QOLF_Registration@qualityoflifeproject.org

———-

Thursday, October 22nd
Digital LA in the OC: Digital Drinks
7:00-9:00pm
Sutra Lounge
1870 Harbor Blvd
Costa Mesa, CA

$12 ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED

———-

Monday, October 26th
The Perfect Pitch
The Ritz-Carlton
4375 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Hundreds of influential entrepreneurs and investors will converge for a day of learning and dealmaking. Powerful speakers and panelists will show you what it takes to build a successful startup in 2009.

Morning Keynote by the one and only Sir Richard Branson and impressive line up of speakers/panels.

Speakers

Register

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Tuesday, October 27th
Social Media Club Orange Country Mixer
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Blue Beet Cafe
107 21st Pl
Newport Beach, CA

———-

Tuesday, October 27th
Girls in Tech presents Social Fashion Beauty Summit
7:00-11:00pm
LIVE! On Sunset
West Hollywood, CA

We will be featuring a panel with some of the most influential people in the Internet, Fashion, and Beauty industries, followed by a cocktail party. A portion of ticket sales is going to Dress For Success, a non-profit that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

———-

Tuesday, October 27th – Wednesday, October 28th
140 Characters Conference (#140conf)
The Kodak Theater
6801 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6136.

Schedule

At the #140conf events, we look at twitter as a platform and as a language we speak. Over time it will neither be the only platform nor the only language. #140conf is not an event about  microblogging or the place where people share twitter “tips and techniques” but rather where we explore the effects of the emerging real-time Internet on Business.

The original scope of #140conf was to explore “the effects of twitter on: Celebrity, “The Media”, Advertising and (maybe) Politics.” Over time the scope expanded to include Sports, Music, The Arts, Sciences and more. Given the location of #140conf:LA, this event will have a special focus on the use of twitter in the Entertainment Industry.

The schedule for the upcoming event will be unique and fast paced. Individual talks are set to: 10 minutes; “Featured talks” 15 and 20 minutes and the various panel discussions are set for 15 and 20 minutes.

———-

Wednesday, October 28th
Media Mixer LA
5:00pm - 9:30pm
H Wood
1738 N. Orange Dr
Los Angeles, CA

Mashable and Demand Media are joining forces to host Media Mixer LA, the official after party of the 140Conf LA (http://lax.140conf.com/) , on Wednesday October 28th at the H.Wood. Join the Mashable and Demand Media teams along with the 140Conf LA attendees, the local Los Angeles tech and social media scene and guests of our media partner, New Media Vault for an evening of networking. The event is free, but RSVP needed.

———-

Wednesday, October 28th
LA3D PANEL + BOWLING MAYHEM
8:00-10:00pm
Lucky Strike
6801 Hollywood Blvd
Ste. 143
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Los Angeles 3D was created with the intent of generating a space for the top 3D artists in the Los Angeles area.

Join the LA3D crew on a night of Bowling, Food, Beer and panelists.

———-

Thursday, October 29th
eMarketing In Real Estate - The Deal Forum
9:00am - 5:00pm
Santa Ana Elks Lodge
212 South Elk Lane
Santa Ana, CA

Real estate professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, and others are welcome to an excellent day of learning, networking and deal making opportunities.

The Deal Forum will feature a unique Real Estate Marketplace moderated by the Orange Coast Exchangors chapter of the National Council of Exchangors. Attendees should bring property flyers. The Deal Forum keynote will given by Pierre Zarokian, President of Submit Express.com. The presentation will focus on online real estate marketing, social media, and search engine optimization.

Expected speakers from the Media include:

Tina Borgatta,
Editor of the OC Metro Magazine.

Jon Lansner,
Columnist and Blogger at the OC Register.

Linda Pliagas,
Publisher of the Realty 411 Magazine.

Other expected speakers include:

Rick Calvert,
Founder of the Blog World Expo.

John Claycomb,
President of Quick Ad Flyers.

Jim Harlan,
President, Realty Investment Association of CA (RIAOC).

Michael Sawari,
CEO, National Real Estate Investment Club (NREI Club).

$50 - Early Bird
$70 - At Door (cash only, no checks or credit cards on the day of the event).

———-

Thursday, October 29th
OMMA Mobile
8:00am - 5:00pm
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California, USA 90067

OMMA Mobile comes to the west coast with speakers and panelists who will explore how mobile platforms are helping brands reorient and re-think direct relationships with consumers. We will look at how mobile advertising and peer-to-peer mobile communications are already changing the way L.A’s hometown entertainment industry relates to audiences…and how audiences relate to entertainment. And we go to the bottom of the purchase funnel to see how the cell phone is already influencing the consumer in that last yard to the cash register. Finally, amidst all of these changes, are interactive ad agencies and the interactive ad network infrastructures of the Web really what we need to drive this unique new opportunity?

———-

Thursday, October 29th
Startups Uncensored & October Mixer
6:00-8:00pm
Santa Monica Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

This month’s Startups Uncensored will be on the “Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs.” It will be an open and frank town-hall conversation about what it takes to build a successful business and how to distinguish yourself as an entrepreneur.

We are joined this month by Jason Calacanis, CEO of Mahalo, co-founder of Weblogs Inc. and publisher of the Sillcon Alley Reporter. Jason is one of the best-known Internet CEOs and hosts the popular show “This Week in Startups.” You can also follow Jason on twitter @Jason.

The event is free and is followed by a reception and mixer at the Docstoc Offices in Santa Monica by the 3rd Street Promenade.

———-

Friday, October 30th
OMMA Video
8:00am - 5:00pm
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California, USA 90067

Here is what you should expect to gain from attending OMMA Video:

* Hear from the top names in the online advertising industry as they share the secrets of connecting with consumers using online video
* Gain valuable knowledge and insights into emerging video markets and trends
* Discover today’s best practices for online marketing and advertising using video
* Network with VIPs, brand marketers and agency executives
* Raise your skills and awareness in highly-specialized sessions on delivery, research, content creation, management, emerging platforms, and so much more
* Plus access to our Mini Trade Show. Tour the trade show floor to learn about the latest innovations from companies you know and trust while networking with experts in your industy. A Full Conference Pass also includes an invitation to the cocktail party sponsored by Vibrant Media, following the last session.

———-

What ensues simultaneously are two entirely different scenarios.  One side of the screen shows him getting the girl and the other side shows him, well, not getting the girl.  Guess which side of the screen had Reality labeled on it.

At the same time I’ve been reading a book called Sway, subtitled “The irresistible pull of irrational behavior.” It’s a deep dive into “hidden psychological forces that derail our logical thinking and sabotage our decision-making.”  There are many fascinating examples of the ways we ignore evidence that directly contradicts what we want to believe to be true.

In the instance of Tom, he was so blinded by the potential of getting what he deeply wanted that he ignored the evidence to the contrary, let his expectations get the better of him, and ended up even more heart broken.

We’ve all been there - had an image of how we saw things going only to see them turn out the opposite way. It’s easy to ignore evidence of a reality because we’re so caught up in what we think the reality is or should be.  Not only does this apply in love, it also applies in business.

When you’re drinking your own corporate kool-aid every day it’s easy to fall into creating your own expected realities (how you’re perceived by the public, or what your customers love about you) but if you’re ignoring the evidence that’s out there it can lead to poor business decisions.

A section in Sway discusses how one of the problems with making an official diagnosis on something is that “there’s then pressure to make everything fit with that diagnosis (despite new evidence,) so that once that diagnosis has been made, all the behaviors and decisions become confirmatory.”

I’ve worked with companies who have been so convinced of the value they bring to their customers they invested heavily in creating products and collateral and marketing campaigns around their expectations of how the market would react.  Rarely though was there a deep dive check-in with customers to confirm that the company’s perceived value matched what the customers believed.

It was no surprise when fancy marketing spiels and created-in-a-vacuum messaging fell flat because it didn’t resonate. It wasn’t speaking the same language as its potential customers. It was based on the company’s expectation of how they thought the customer viewed the company and not from the reality of the customer.

When working in PR agencies I saw the Expectations vs Reality scene play out countless times.  Each side had their expectations of how things were going to go and sometimes the versions just did not match.

I’ve seen clients come in the door we knew we shouldn’t have worked with.  We knew what they wanted was unrealistic or that they wouldn’t be the partner we needed to be to bring the success we wanted.  But we’d want to win the business because it was a big brand account, or we wanted to beat a rival agency, or we thought we could work with them and “change them.”

We’d formed our diagnosis of why it was going to work because we wanted to win, despite the evidence that we should have just walked away.  It always ended badly.  If we’d been living in reality and and thinking logically maybe we wouldn’t have been swayed away from our better judgment and could have saved ourselves a lot of lost time and unnecessary frustration.

So the next time you’re in a business situation and you feel yourself being swayed away from your logical thinking, check in with yourself and see which movie you’re living in – an expectation you’re creating based on what you want or a reality based on the evidence and what your gut tells you.

The topic I’m digging into (surprise, surprise) is: Can Marketing & PR Co-Exist Without Competing?

Here’s my formal description:

The business demands of public relations professionals are rapidly expanding but most are ill-prepared to think beyond the media-box and use the art of communications and a holistic approach to truly drive sales and grow business. We’ll discuss how PR needs are evolving and what professionals must learn to not be left behind.

1. Does PR need to be re-defined now that it’s crossing into marketing territory?
2. Where did the PR industry veer off track and just become about media relations?
3. What is Public Relations vs. Publicity?
4. How does Social Media fit within broader PR practices?
5. What areas of marketing and PR now overlap and how can they co-exist without competing?
6. How are executive’s attitudes changing about the roles of PR and marketing?
7. What can we do as an industry to better prepare future leaders?
8. How can PR be used to meet business goals and support sales/business development?
9. Are PR agencies prepared to represent PR’s evolving responsibilities? If not them, then who?
10. What strategies/thoughts/approaches work? What doesn’t?

Anyone who reads this blog knows this is a topic I am extremely passionate about.  SXSWi brings together some of our industries most progressive and active minds.  I’d welcome the opportunity to pile in one room and have a true thought leadership discussion that examines how we move forward instead of re-hashing the past.

If you’re so inclined, give it a thumbs up and leave a comment.

Thanks in advance and see you in Austin regardless!

Happy August everyone and see you out and about.

- Nicole

—————————-
RECURRING WEEKLY:
—————————-

Tuesday’s with Exectec
7:30 PM @ D’Amore’s Pizza Connection on Westwood
1136 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024

ThursdayLunch
12PM @ Santa Monica/ 3rd
Santa Monica Promenade

AUGUST EVENTS
—————————-

ITVFest through August 6th

The Independent Television Festival is a festival for independently produced, original and innovative television pilots and webseries.

The only festival for independently produced television pilots in Los Angeles, ITVFest prides itself on being for and about the pilotmakers.

In July 2006 ITVFest opened for business with the mission of altering the way the industry views television production by exploring the creativity that goes into independent production. In the inaugural year, the festival welcomed almost five thousand interested industry audience members, giving them the opportunity to experience the finest in independent television.

With the support of institutions like Comcast, Current TV, Brightcove and FX and the talent of pilotmakers from all over the world, ITVFest proved that the world of successful independent production is not merely limited to the silver screen. ITVFest, in fact, quickly became a viable platform in which directors, writers and producers can showcase their original visions for the small screen.

At ITVFest, creative people can not only showcase their work, but also gain notoriety and opportunity through their independent television efforts. Winners of the third ITVFest also walked home with $5,000 in production support each.

Now in its fourth year, ITVFest stands poised to once again serve as catalyst for change in the ever-evolving television industry. Creativity is paramount at ITVFest, and being based in Los Angeles, the hub of television production, the festival provides the people who need to see your work the opportunity to do so.

Check out the schedule and buy tickets here.

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Monday, August 3rd
ITVFest Web TV Day After Party
8:00-midnight
Libertine
8210 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA

Come join Tubefilter and Blip.tv for the Official ITVFest Web TV Day After Party at Hollywood Hotspot Libertine.

In addition to free beer and networking with the winners and distribution executives from the ITVFest, the party will feature a special presentation from Dina Kaplan, Co-founder and COO of Blip.tv, the world’s largest distributor of shows made for the web.

Free beer provided by Stella Artois (Sweet!  I like free beer.)

Fee is $7.

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Wednesday, August 5th
Digital LA - Webisodes Panel: Money and Marketing
XIV (patio)
7:00-11:00pm
8117 Sunset Blvd (at Cres. Hts)
Los Angeles, CA

Agenda
- 7-8p: check-in/networking
- 8-9:15: panel with Q&A
- 9:15-11: networking

Join us for our next online/entertainment panel, focusing on Webisodes. We’ll discuss
- Original Series: the creation, funding, pitching, packaging, and marketing of original web series
- Branded Entertainment: developing webisodes series for specific advertisers, including working with shifting timelines, budget/talent, brand integration and marketing and distribution.

Speakers include:
- Stacy Nagata, NBC Universal Digital Entertainment, VP of Digital Strategy and Operation
- David Beebe, Disney/ABC Television Digital Media Group, Executive Producer and Director, Video Production
- Morgan Barclay, created sponsorship packages for Married on MySpace series, MySpace Video team
- Brian Williamson, RedLever, Director, creative development; marketing at Maxim Digital
- Jonah Minton, Digital Entertainment Producer/Consultant, formerly of MySpace Video and NBC Universal Digital Entertainment
- Brady Brim-DeForest, Tubefilter, Co-Founder
- Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA, Founder, Entertainment integrated marketing & strategic alliances, MySpace/ Fox Interactive Media, Sony Pictures Digital, McKinsey

$18 ADVANCE REGISTRATION via Paypal REQUIRED by Aug 4. Space limited!

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Friday, August 7th
#Hyatt4Good Tweetup Tour - Los Angeles
6:00-8:00pm
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza at X Bar
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA

100% of all tickets purchased during the #Hyatt4Good TWeetup Tour will be donated to our Summer of Social Good Charity Fund (summerofsocialgood.com).

Ticket prices are $10, $20 or enter-your-own-price.

Four Critical Causes, Four Charities, One World: The Summer of Social Good is an online charitable campaign to raise funds online through the power of Social Media and the Internet. Now is the time to act by spreading awareness and donating to one fund that benefits four major organizations who affect policies that have profound impacts on the world. Please help out @WWF_Climate, @OxfamAmerica, @HumaneSociety and @LiveSTRONG.

For more information, visit the site.

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Saturday, August 8th  (SAN DIEGO)
Cool As Ever Tech
12:00-6:00pm
Del Mar Racetrack’s Seaside Tropical Cabana
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA

Think Del Mar isn’t your scene? Think again! Cool As Ever Tech (#coolasever) is bringing together Southern California’s web/tech elite (that’s you!) for an unparalleled interactive event August 8, 2009 from noon to 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the expansive Seaside Tropical Cabana will be the stage for all your Qiks, phone pics and OH’s (in case you didn’t read that correctly, we’ll be taking over the very VIP area at Del Mar, no cheap seats for us). Located trackside on the home stretch, we’ll be on an elevated platform for catching all the live racing action and have exclusive bar and catering. You’ll eat, drink and tweet like a celebrity while taking in the excitement of the Del Mar horse races.

Expect real-time Twitter walls and gadgets, goodies, and giveaways that will make the geek in you scream with delight! Plus, TechZulu will be live-streaming the event so the world can see you at your poshest.

Tickets are FREE thanks to Quicken and TurboTax!

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Monday, August 10th
Digital LA - VFX Animation 3D for Movies and Games Panel @ uWink
7:00-10:00pm
uWink
6801 Hollywood Boulevard #411
Los Angeles, CA

Agenda:
7-8: Check-in, Networking, Cash bar/appetizers
8-9:30: Panel and Q&A.
9:30-10: More networking

Digital LA is teaming up with LA3D to discuss VFX, CGI animation, and 3D with our panel of industry experts. We’ll discuss:
- Increase in 3D movies and projects, why 3D now, 3D distribution and tech
- Motion capture, facial sensors and other techy techniques to animate
- How effects differ for movies and video games
- Cool things we saw at SIGGRAPH, the wk before in New Orleans

Four of last year’s Top 10 movies were animated features. This year’s 3D animated films like G-Force, Ice Age 3, Up, and Monsters vs. Aliens, own the box office opening weekend. Upcoming 3D releases Toy Story, and the highly anticipated James Cameron’s Avatar (sneak-peeked at Comic-Con) will transport audiences to another world.

Scheduled Panelists and their experience include:
- Francis L Camacho (Digital Domain, Rhythm & Hues; 2012, Benjamin Button, Orphanage)
- Rommel S. Calderon (Look Effects Inc., Super78, Yu & Co., Rhythm & Hues, Motion Theory, Elastic/a52 Studios, Zoic Studios)
- David R. Chartier (Psyop, Ant Farm, Activision cinematic lead for James Bond, Quantum of Solace, Spider-Man 3 and Ultimate Spider-Man. )
- Martin Benjamin Hall (The Bourne Identity, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Men in Black II. Compositing on Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)
- Moderators: Kevin Winston (Digital LA) and Fede Ponce (LA3D)

ADVANCE REGISTRATION via Paypal Required $15 by Aug 9.

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Tuesday, August 11th
LAVA’s Annual VC Breakfast
7:00-9:00am
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Come meet LAVA’s newest VC board member firms and their representative. Find out what they are looking to invest in. Find out what does it take to secure Venture Capital for your company. Learn about the hottest trends and the mistakes NOT to make.

LAVA’s board is represented by partners from several premier Venture Capital Firms: Redpoint Ventures, Greycroft Partners, Stone Canyon Venture Partners, Vicente Capital Partners, Mission Ventures, Miramar Venture Partners and Rincon Venture Partners.

Moderator: Scott Alderton, Partner, Stubbs Alderton, & Markiles LLP

Current Confirmed Panelists

* Greg Martin, General Partner, Redpoint Ventures
* Rick Smith, Managing Director, Crosscut Ventures
* John Greathouse, Venture Partner, Rincon Venture Partners
* Ted Alexander, Managing Partner, Mission Ventures

Buy tickets here.

Guests: $50 (onsite $70)
LAVA Annual Members: No Charge
LAVA Associate Members: $35 (onsite $45)
Students (with valid ID): $20 (onsite $30)

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Wednesday, August 12th
DealMaker LA Presents- Return of the Angels: How angel investing is changing, and what it means for entrepreneurs
6:00-9:00PM
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
11355 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Angel investors are the new black. In a down market, with venture activity slowing, many entrepreneurs are looking to angels for salvation. But they may be in for a rude awakening – angels are not exempt from economic pressures, and their outlook, strategies, and requirements are changing.
In this Strategy Series, we’ll discuss:

* How are angels coping with the economy? How are they changing their investment strategies and what does that mean for startups?
* New demands of angels: what they’re asking for, how to approach them now vs. before
* Do you have a better chance today for angel than for VC? What are the ramifications of both that you need to consider?
* What types of startups and business models are angels flocking to today? They say a downturn is opportunistic - so where are the opportunities?
* What are the different levels of angels? How to they work together, and how are deal structures morphing?

Speakers:
Rob Hayes, Partner, First Round Capital (connect on linkedin) *Silicon Valley Seed-Stage Investor
Scott Sangster, CEO, Organic Startup (connect on linkedin)
Dan Gould, VP Technology Fox Interactive Media

Event is invite-only and tickets are $60. Go here to apply to attend.

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Wednesday, August 12th
Digital LA - Digital Disneyland Panel + G-Force Movie & Experience
El Capitain Theatre
6838 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

Agenda:
- 7-8p Check-in and Networking (downstairs of ElCap)
- 8-9p Panel and Q&A
- 9:30 G-Force movie in 3D in El Capitan main theater
~11p G-Force Interactive Experience at H&H

Summer’s here - time to hit the theme parks! Mark your calendar for a special panel to discuss Disneyland’s innovative use of online campaigns to increase traffic both online and at the park. Disneyland.com’s site has moved beyond online park hours, ride listings, maps, and vacation bookings. New cutting edge tools include branding campaigns, Disneyland virtual worlds and communities, and online-offline incentive programs with at-park codes redeemable online at http://disneyland.com

Schedule speaker:
- Terry Dobson, Disney Parks & Resorts Online, creative lead of advanced projects
- Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA, founder

After our panel, we’ll head upstairs for a screening of the #1 movie G-Force in 3D at the El Capitan Theatre at 9:30p. After the movie ends around 11p, we will head across the street to the G-Force Interactive Experience (formerly the Virgin Megastore). This interactive exhibit features fun movie-themed games and areas to immerse fans in the movie’s world.

Registrations in advance required.

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Thursday, August 13th
Digital LA - Entertainment News Goes Social Panel
7:00-10:00pm
Writers Guild of America
7000 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA

Agenda:
7-8: Check-in, Networking, light wine and cheese snacks
8-9:30: Panel and Q&A
9:30-10: Even more networking

Extra extra read all about it!…online, your iPhone, Blackberry, tweets, etc! Join us for our panel discussion on how industry news sources are using online, especially social media, to report entertainment news. We’ll discuss the use of online sites, industry blogs, and Facebook and Twitter in getting entertainment news to younger online consumers, and using social tools to create communities, and make news go viral.

Our scheduled speakers include:
- Andrew Wallenstein, Hollywood Reporter, Editor, Digital Media THR.com @THR
- Abe Burns, Variety.com, Director, Online Marketing @variety
- Andrew D. Nystrom, LA Times.com, Sr. Producer, Social + Emerging Media @latimesnystrom
- Kate Aurthur, Los Angeles Times, Television Editor @KateAurthur
- Alexia Tsotsis, LA Weekly, tech/business lifestyle reporter @alexiatsotsis
- Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA Founder

$20 ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED via Paypal by Aug 12 (increases to $30 on day-of Aug 13)

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Thursday, August 13th
ThinkLA Presents: Schmooze Cruise 2009 presented by Mojiva
6:00-10:00pm
The “Entertainer” Yacht
Fisherman’s Village 13755 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey CA 90292

thinkLA is a non-profit corporation, founded to promote Los Angeles as a leading center of creativity and innovation in media, marketing, and advertising.

Who Should Attend: Junior-level to industry veterans looking to network and schmooze.

Registration closes on 8/10/09 at 5:00 PM PDT.
(Event may sell out prior to registration deadline)

Members: $40
Non-Members: $60

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Saturday, August 15th
The Black Card Circle Foundation Black Tie Charity Event in Santa Barbara
6:00pm - 11:00pm
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta Del Sol
Santa Barbara, CA

This event is * cocktail attire * in an indoor and outdoor setting.

6:00pm - 7:00pm Champagne in the live Butterfly Pavilion
7:15pm - 7:45pm Outdoor Choral Concert across the Bridge
8:00pm - 11:00pm Networking reception, appetizers, cocktails, raffle and silent auction; introduction of BCCF’s beneficiary charities: Autism Speaks and Touch of Love.

This charity event in Santa Barbara supports the Black Card Circle Foundation’s efforts in raising awareness and funds for Microlending in impoverished communities as well as Autism education and awareness services.

Tickets to the Black Card Circle Foundation “A Midsummer Night’s Cocktail Benefit” are available *now* for $150 or $500 for VIP at Live Nation

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Tuesday, August 18th
Digital LA - iPhone Apps Show-n-tell @ Apple Store
7:00-8:00pm
Apple Store
1248 Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA

You love the new iPhone 3Gs! And u always find yourself trading your fave apps at our events and with friends, right?

Join us to show-n-tell your fave apps at this FREE informal meet-up at the rear theater of the Apple Store at Third Street Promenade. No formal panel cuz YOU are the speaker tonite! Be prepared to get up on stage for 1 minute to share your favorite 3 iPhone apps and why.

Space limited to 50 due to venue size. If ur not on our list, well u can always go shopping at the store

TO ATTEND PLEASE:
- Write your favorite 3 iPhone apps you’d like to share on the Wall of this event- and WHY they r ur fave
- At least one of your fave apps must be ENTERTAINMENT related (movies, music, games, etc.)
- We will review all the wall postings a few days before the event and select 50 people somewhat randomly and somewhat based on their apps (to avoid duplicates).
- We’re gonna start right at 7-8 because the Apple theater is used for other events after us, so if u can’t make it on time, please don’t write on the wall
- If u RSVP to this event without posting ur fave 3 apps and why on this Wall, it doesn’t count!

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Thursday, August 20th
Mindshare
7:00pm-1:00am
Location TBC

*No tickets sold at the door. Early bird price is $30.

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Thursday, August 20th
SheSays LA
7:00-9:00pm
Wiredrive
4216 3/4 Glencoe Ave.
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

A round table exploration of blogs, tweets and social networking sites with digital divas from PR and advertising.

This event is free to women who are involved with or interested in digital marketing and advertising. Spaces are limited. Please RSVP by August 17th.

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Tuesday, August 25th
Eastside Los Angeles NetSquared Group
7:00-9:00pm
Location TBA

Every month, the NetSquared community comes together offline at Net Tuesday events to mix, swap stories and ideas, build new relationships, and collaborate. These gatherings provide a chance for all those interested in the intersection of social technologies and social change, whether you’re part of a nonprofit organization or a for-profit organization, a funder or a consultant, a developer or an entrepreneur.

WHY AN EASTSIDE GROUP? Due to the realities of the traffic flows in our fair city (or lack thereof), this “Eastside” group is an attempt to gather folks who are doing great work east of roughly Western Blvd. We know the true divider is the LA River but we’d like to keep it broader. Yes, West-siders are always welcome!

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Wednesday, August 26th
Media Leaders Roof Deck Event
7:00-10:00pm
Shade Hotel
1221 N Valley Drive
Manhattan Beach, CA

We are a boutique group of about 120 select influencers that come together to discuss, exchange and thrive on meeting new people and making lasting connections. Bring your business cards to take part in a cutting edge junction of leaders in PR, media, marketing, advertising and tech while discussing current events and new ideas

Registration is $10.

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Thursday, August 27th
WITI Los Angeles: Regional Network Event
6:00-9:00pm
Shanghai Red’s
13813 Fiji Way
Marina Del Rey, California 90292

Pre-Registration fees:
* $25.00 for WITI members
* $40.00 for non-members

Founded in 1989, WITI is the nation’s leading trade association for professional, tech-savvy women committed to using technology, resources and connections to advance women worldwide. With a global network of smart, talented women and a market reach exceeding 2 million, WITI has established powerful strategic alliances and programs to provide connections, resources, and opportunities within a supportive environment of women committed to helping each other. WITI’s mission is to empower women worldwide to achieve unimagined possibilities and transformations through technology, leadership and economic prosperity.

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When I read the first blog post about the big #fail I felt sympathy for the PR team and for Nikon, both who truly had the intent of providing a fun experience for a key audience.  This is a perfect example of a big brand trying to connect with its audience but missing the mark by just-this-much.

Instead of re-capping the tweet-by-tweet play, here are the highlights:
1.    Nikon wants to strengthen ties with the mommy blogger community, an obvious synergy.
2.    They decide to host a party for said important bloggers/attendees at BlogHer.
3.    Select invitees arrive at Nikon’s party with baby in arms.
4.    Select invitees are turned away because the venue has a no-baby policy, which allowed for no last-minute flexibility on Nikon’s part.
5.    Outrage ensues and the hashtag #Nikonhatesbabies is quickly born and spread.
6.    Nikon is skewered publicly and the original intent of building good will with the BlogHer audience is overshadowed by tweets, posts and WOM of     Nikon’s out-of-touch approach.

The event was well intentioned and Nikon likely spent a ton of money with high hopes of connecting with mommy bloggers and walking away with a legion of new fans to point to for ROI when reporting back to the CMO to justify event costs.  Instead, it turned into a bit of a flare-up.

My bet is that plenty of the party’s attendees had a good experience, all aside, and the vocal frustration of said mommy blogger/s to get inside of the party is testament to the desire to see what Nikon had to offer.  Was Nikon’s brand tarnished to ever-lasting effect? No.  Did it have a marketing/pr #fail? Yes. One small hiccup derailed what could have been reported to corporate as a wholly positive experience, instead turning it into one that will require a re-cap and a what-went-wrong meeting.

That’s OK. It happens. It’s not ideal and I’m sure everyone will now always make sure a BlogHer venue allows children. We’re all people trying to do our jobs and, I guarantee, at the end of the day, it wasn’t ultimately a fail for the brand. My money is on Nikon, that they did make solid relationships that will pay off long after the story of the #nikonhatesbabies story fades into the Digg trash heap.

Instead of skewering them for missing the mark, let’s take a look at what we can learn from the experience and then move on with our lives.

1.    Audience: Nikon knew whom they wanted to reach and they knew they’d find them at BlogHer.  The idea to throw an event makes sense but they didn’t fully evaluate the possible actions of their audience and plan accordingly.  Unfortunately for Nikon, the venue they chose didn’t allow for on-the-fly flexibility.  Which is why it’s always good to fully evaluate…

2.    Environment: Nikon knew that BlogHer was teeming with mommy bloggers full of opinions and reach, but Nikon missed the one crucial detail of the BlogHer environment that might impact their event if they’d paid more attention the psychology of their audience — children are encouraged. For any influencers who bring their children and expect to be catered to on-and off-site with anything BlogHer related, you better treat her like the blogging princess she is; free to move about with child in-tow.  It’s easy to fault Nikon, but I also see how it happened. Which is why it’s always good to have a…

3.    Contingency Plan: When throwing any event with bloggers, especially ones who are vocal and love to discuss the scandals of the days and evenings before (Note: I’ve attended and I’ve seen pictures be sent and women be shunned overnight,) you better walk through every possible scenario.  Granted this requires having a solid understanding of #1 and #2 because when you don’t you end up with…

4.    Damage Control: I’m sure the mommy bloggers who were offended will make those Nikon PR people work overtime to gain their attention back but I truly believe that Nikon made new connections with party attendees, many who likely rolled their eyes at the whole ordeal.  It’s easy for the PR teams and corporate to get freaked out by these bursts on twitter and the blogosphere but I highly doubt those mommy bloggers will boycott Nikon forever.  The #nikonhatesbabies creator herself even retracted later saying it was meant to be “tongue in cheek.”  (Also something that missed the mark.)

At the end of the day you have to assess the overall damage and if it’s a minor temper tantrum online (deserved or not) it’s going to happen.  Welcome to the new world.  Luckily the new world also means people are more tolerant to mis-fires like this.  And if anyone’s forgiving to a little chick (like Nikon wading into mommy-blogger territory,) trying something new, it’s mom’s – who recognize the spirit behind the stumble. Which is another big #fail on Nikon’s part – missing the…

5. Emotional Connection: Public Relations is about communicating.  About connecting with various publics that drive your business.  As PR moves more into the realm of marketing, it has to wade into new territory, which is the psychology and sociology of people.  This is integral to sales, which PR is at the end of the day.  Nikon had a captive audience of vocal women immersed in an environment focused solely on empowering them as women, as mother’s, as entrepreneurs, as friends, among so many things.

Nikon could have delved a little deeper than trying-to-make-friends-with-new-influencers and paid more attention to creating an emotional connection through the experience that would then lead to friends-with-new-influencers.  They could have created an event that embraced and complimented the environment it was taking part of (BlogHer) by including child participation, maybe even a photo shoot with mom.  A bonding experience she’ll never forget, captured forever thanks to Nikon…

Emotions are powerful things and it’s what’s at the heart of sales.  Answering pain points, encouraging the things that make us happy, reminding us of something we miss…whatever it may be, establishing a connection that creates authentic loyalty for your brand is an arduous process. The sooner you learn to focus the development of your communications and marketing plans around that, the fuller you’ll find your evangelist (and sales) pipeline.

Take aways:
1)    Know your audience and what motivates them.
2)    Understand the environment and culture.
3)    Always poke holes in events and campaigns before launching; identify contingency plans to avoid mis-fires.
4)     Always address potential initial damage but don’t forget to take a step back and look at the big picture (as in the collective opinion about the experience, not just the ones that said it the loudest.)
5)    When creating an experience for a consumer, whatever it may be, don’t forget to think about it from an emotional point of view. What emotion do you want encourage and have associated with your brand? Once you know that, see step #1 to determine what it will take to get there.

I knew where this was going.

“Well,” I asked him, “what are your business goals? What is it that you want this agency to accomplish for you through PR? And, what are they currently doing?”

What followed was a conversation that I have been hearing increasingly the past year.

ValleyCEO’s company is a start-up. Like a lot of start-ups they have some money, a decent leadership team (albeit a bit young,) a compelling product that’s timely with its target market and an impressive list of brand name customers. There is definitely meat on the bones.  The agency is getting them results. There is a steady stream of briefings, speaking opps are being pitched, articles are being written and the CEO is presenting at an upcoming conference (no idea if it’s a pay for play kind of thing.) Yet he’s feeling unsatisfied.

Some of the highlights…

I thought I knew what I wanted

“You wanted ‘awareness,’” I said to ValleyCEO. “That’s what you’re getting.  The press hits and speaking opps are raising awareness but, it’s not getting traction and that’s what your PR team should be delivering you.”

He then tells me he asked for “Thought Leadership.” I told him thought leadership isn’t created from being quoted in articles and speaking on panels.

I asked him if his agency had talked about doing a white paper around his start-up’s industry. Something that dove deep into the market challenges, potentials, etc.  I asked if they’d recommended a local panel or event around said topic? Or a Webinar? Or an Op-ed? A video? Why only deliver the message through the media filter where it ends up in the journos words and not theirs? Was the agency sending the CEO relevant industry articles to comment and join the discussion? Were they doing joint briefings with customers or case studies? What about a road show?

The answer to everything was no and it only re-enforced his feelings that the agency likely isn’t equipped to be the kind of partner they really need- one who is going to approach the communications strategy with an end goal of building business, not awareness.

The PR goals don’t match the business goals

“What is it your business needs help with right now, especially on the sales side?”

“Shortening the sales cycle.”

“Have you told the agency this?”

“No.”

“Why not? How else do you expect them to develop a program that actually helps you the way you need in your business?  Public Relations is just as much about customer acquisition and retention as it is the corporate reputation and traditional “PR” aspects.”

“You’re right,” he said.

“Doesn’t really matter though,” I replied. “If you told them the goal was to shorten the sales cycle they’d probably have no idea how to use their current tool set to provide the traction that you need. Have they ever asked to sit down with your sales team?”  Again, no.

I then recommended he share this goal with his agency and then let them have some sessions with the sales and BD folks to learn more about where the common break down points are in the cycle.  Once you identify the hurdles you figure out the ways that PR (i.e. Communications) can assist.  Maybe a number of customers are getting hung up on the same issue that turns out to be a non-issue but it takes the sales team awhile to convince the prospect of it.  What can the PR team do here to help get the message out – either directly through the sales team, corporate channels or the broader public – to proactively address?

This, to me, is the Achilles heel of the entire PR agency industry.  The workers are not trained to think about PR from a business perspective – only one around generating awareness (this made all to clear in that horrific NY Times article the other week. Disgraceful.)

I want someone who is going to push back

The client-vendor relationship is a odd one at times.  ValleyCEO also told me that he doesn’t like how his agency always says yes to everything, a complaint I’ve heard echoed in the past weeks by some friend’s working at PR agencies.  As one said to me, “We like to say we’re not Yes Men but that’s all we say.”

I shared with him that it’s a delicate balance when you’re an agency struggling to keep dollars coming in.  You may want to push back on the client but the fear of them actually not liking the push back and taking their business elsewhere is too strong.  So yes, it is.  To everything.

But, ValleyCEO wants his agency to do their job and be his counsel but, they aren’t, and in not doing so they’re losing the respect (and likely the account) of my friend.

In summary…

This all may be a little rambling but I wanted to share and if I didn’t type it up now, Lord knows when I would have.

PR Agencies, if they are going to survive and thrive, need to quickly learn to start asking different questions when working with a client, especially a new one.  When determining goals the questions shouldn’t be centered around how many press hits they’re going for, or number of interviews (although that’s all fine too,) instead they should be focused on what the business needs are.

• What are the quarterly goals and metrics?

• What support is needed for the sales and business development teams?

• What support does the customer service team need?

• What is the desired overall brand image of the company? (Note: this is not about spin. This is about creating the company you want to grow up to be from the inside-out.)

• What does the product road-map look like?

And on and on and on… and lastly: What can we do to support all these needs through the art of communications?

These types of questions will help any agency better understand what kinds of programs they should really be creating.  And it will impress the companies who will be thrilled that the PR team is interested in their BUSINESS.

Come on people, it’s time to get smarter. Do it or start losing business.  It’s really pretty much that simple.

Congratulations! The knowledge you learned in school will serve as an excellent starting point for you as you enter the workforce, which will be wholly different than what you were taught in school. My bet is that you are totally unprepared to approach your new craft with a holistic business perspective that is going to help add integrity toward our industry. It’s not your fault, you most likely weren’t instructed to approach the art of Communications from that kind of perspective. Those were two different schools on your campus (business vs. communication/journalism) and rarely do the two intersect, which is sad. But fear not, it’s definitely not too late to set yourself on the right path to becoming a professional who uses communications (or public relations, whichever you prefer) to impact the bottom line of a business, not just as an awareness tool.

1. Read Brian Solis’ book. The theory taught in most colleges is outdated. Brian is one of the foremost thinkers in our field and he is helping lead the charge to change our industry for the better. This book will give you insights into how you should start processing PR’s impact on a business and its audiences.

2. Follow-through. Yeah, yeah. This is one of those what-everyone-else-says points but, it is crucial. I meet a lot of students that are smart and want to learn but their follow-thru sucks. You’re graduating and entering the work force. It’s time to start acting like a professional and not like a college student, bending the rules with their professor when turning in a paper a day late. Understand that the second you start interviewing and, once you land your first full-time job is the second your professional reputation begins. Unless, it’s preceded by…

3. Your Digital profile. You should watch it. I’m all for loose language and presenting myself authentically but pay attention to what you say and what’s posted. Whenever I meet a potential candidate I get my Google on – and I’ll dig deep. Because what’s out there about you presents a profile when looked at in it’s entirety. And it gives me a good sense of what kind of contribution, or distraction, you might bring to my office.

4. Read. A lot. Read everything you can and I don’t mean PR Week. I mean, keep up on the news that is relevant to an industry you are interested in. For me, it’s technology and business, so I am constantly reading magazines and websites to look for: reporting trends; industry concerns that I can turn into proactive communications to the market, customers or partners; journalists or industry pundits I’d like to know. I read anything and everything that’s going to feed my role as the communicator for my company and the bridge to the outside. I read a lot of books too. Books about interactive, experiential and guerilla marketing; public relations; leadership; customer service – you name it. You are entering a creative industry, you need to constantly be fueling it.

5. Don’t get impatient. OK, you may have two internships under your belt and have run a “PR program” for some company but it doesn’t make you equipped to do my job. I see a lot of impatience in the industry with people entering the work force. There’s a reason that the 10,000 hour rule is valid. Practice makes perfect and you’re just getting started. Despite the outward appearance that Public Relations is easy and even-a-monkey-can-do-it, PR is an art and there are nuances to the craft that will take you years and years to learn. So focus on learning, listen to your managers because they really want to help you, and be a sponge. Which means…

6. Try out other departments. The practice of public relations/communications touches all aspects of the company. I never understood this as completely until I worked in house. Go spend some time in the customer service department and learn how to apply common complaints, or praise, into communications strategies to help retain and acquire customers. Hang out with the sales team and learn how they competitively position the company and sell the products; all knowledge that will feed the ideas of how to communicate value through various outlets (collateral, the blog, etc.) You can work in virtually any department at a company and walk away with the information you gained to become a smarter public relations professional.

7. The PR world is tiny. This is the most important rule you can learn. I will illustrate with three examples:

1. My first job was at a PR agency in Silicon Valley during the boom. There I met Josh Morgan, a young manager at the time. I left the agency and went to another a year later to run software PR for Apple. A year after starting, I heard that a guy named Josh Morgan was joining Apple in-house to run their Education PR. Josh stayed there for awhile and we got to work together and get to know one another better. While I was still at the agency, Josh left and started a PR firm and went to a start-up. A year after I had left the agency I received a call from the HR person in the Sacramento office doing a reference check on Josh. He’d left the start-up and the Bay Area and was now applying to work at said agency. I gave a positive endorsement because my experience with Josh and his professionalism had always been just that. Eventually I started my own PR shop based out of NY and by then Josh had left the agency and started his own. I turned to him often for help as I figured out the whole freelance thing. To this day he’s still a support, a mentor, contributes to my blog and is also a advocate for change in the industry. He’s seen me grow from a total PR noob into the professional I am today.

(I had forgotten about Josh going to work at the second agency I reference above. I was reminded of it when he wrote this great companion piece to this post. Only illustrates my point more.)

2. When I was working at the agency on Apple, I encountered a woman named Colette Ballou. She worked at our office for a hot minute before moving to France and getting married. She stayed in touch with one of the guys on my team and he would occasionally update me on her whereabouts. Two years later I had moved to NY and one of my best friends had moved to Paris. We were IM’ing one day and she told me about this new PR agency in France she was hoping to work for part-time to help start their blogger relations program. She told me the owner was an American who’d fallen in love and moved to Paris (much like my friend.) The agency she’d started was
Ballou PR. My friend went to work with her and loved every minute of it and spoke highly of Colette’s skill as a PR professional. Cut to three years later and I am now in house at my company. We’re expanding internationally. Our new GM of International, who joined us from leading the International charge at a massive social network, tells me there’s a PR agency he’d like to hire to handle our PanEuro PR efforts. The agency is Ballou PR.

3. While working at Apple’s PR agency I worked directly with the company’s head of product PR. He left after a year and went to Sony and then later to MTV. Separately, while at the agency, MTV called one day about a position in NY. I went through a gauntlet of interviews and made it to the final round but the other guy won (which worked out for the best.) I stayed in touch with the recruiter in the two years that followed because I thought there might be another opp in the future. On a visit to NY for a client, I went to MTV to touch base with the recruiter about other possible positions. He mentioned that they’d just hired a new VP of Communications. Turns out it was the head of product PR I’d worked with in SV years before. He’d just left Sony. The recruiter and I called him on the spot and my old Apple pal and me were re-connected. Cut to one year later when I’ve now moved to NY and am trying my hand at running a freelance shop out of my house (a new experience.) I receive an email from my Apple pal. “I’ve got a friend at MTV who is looking for a PR person for a start-up in LA. I figured you’re from California and that’s close enough. Interested?” I was and it resulted in a well-paying retainer client for almost two years, and a source for more business based on my work and the positive word of mouth from my reputation.

What do these three stories illustrate? Your reputation is crucial and it will follow you everywhere because the PR world is a tiny, tiny, incestuous thing. Always strive to do your job with integrity. If you find you have no passion for PR or what you are doing it will show and people will remember it. And they will judge you later for it. Your reputation is your strongest currency. Don’t waste it.

…And that’s my quick hit list for advice to graduating seniors. If you have specific questions, go ahead and leave them in the comments section so everyone can get in on the reply.

Two events of note: Twiistup 6 is bigger and badder than ever in Universal City at the end of the month and Fortune Brainstorm Tech gets out of SV and comes to LA.  Awesome line-up with serious power hitters.  Serious reg fee too - $3,500. It ain’t cheap to hang with Diller, ya dig?

Have a great month and see you out and about…

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RECURRING WEEKLY:
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Tuesday’s with Exectec
7:30 PM @ D’Amore’s Pizza Connection on Westwood
1136 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024

ThursdayLunch
12PM @ Santa Monica/ 3rd
Santa Monica Promenade

JULY EVENTS

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Tuesday, July 7th & Wednesday, July 8th
NATPE LATV Fest 2009
Hyatt Regency
7522 W Sunset Blvd
Century City, CA

The LATV Fest is a two day conference based in Los Angeles dedicated to bringing together creative TV and digital content producers with development executives, agents, advertising and brand executives, software solutions and technology and equipment providers. Through a series of networking events, panel discussions, newsmaker addresses from some of the most creative minds in the business, technology demonstrations, never-before-seen screenings of content and one-of-a kind pitch opportunities the NATPE LATV Fest will provide an opportunity to share solutions for adapting and succeeding in the present and future media landscape.

Highlights of the fest include intimate workshops with top-level consultants, one-on-one face time with industry decision makers resulting in genuine opportunities for success.

Events to include:

* Showcase Lounge and Demo Area
* Industry Leader addresses
* Two great speakers at lunch!
Wednesday, July 8 - Greg Berlanti
Thursday, July 9, - Steve Levitan (Click here and view a sneak peek at his new ABC show, Modern Family.)
* Insightful sessions on digital production and distribution
* Workshops and Clinics with legal, business and pitch consultants
* NextTV Competition & Screenings recognizing the best in web series
* Pitch Pit – the only place where any paid attendee is guaranteed 10-minute meetings with the decision makers from talent agencies, broadcast, cable, Internet and On-Demand networks, studios and production companies
* Schmooze opportunities including networking events, parties and meal gatherings
* Wrap up day 1 and celebrate with producers, cast and executives of The Biggest Loser, recipients of the 2009 Innovator Award at a reception and presentation on Wednesday, July 8 at 6:30 pm.

Registration on-site.

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Wednesday, July 8th
Scrum Club & User Experience Design
Blankspaces
5405 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

Scrum provides us with a great framework for building our Scrum team, implementing the core agile practices and getting the inspect and adapt process started. But Scrum doesn’t provide much for the specific disciplines like programming, testing and User Experience. That’s where our coaches Mike Vincent and Patrick Neeman come in.

Join us as we explore how User Experience Design integrates with the Scrum process. We’ll see first hand how each type of activity fits into the Scrum cycles, and how our User Experience researchers, designers and artists integrate into a Scrum team.

We’ll lay a little foundation with a clear explanation of the core Scrum strategies and how typical User Experience activities map to the Scrum framework. Then we’ll get hands-on and gain experience by running a few live agile cycles to design the interface for an on-line version of Corporate Espionage!

By the end of the evening, you’ll have gained valuable insights into how to integrate User Experience activities into the Scrum process that you can take back and apply to your projects immediately.

Tickets are $15 per person. Free street parking is available about a block away. All funds raised from tickets go to support hands-on opportunities for members to try Scrum on practice projects for non-profits in the community and build leadership skills. We have a limited number of “scholarship tickets” available to university students and volunteers. Please contact amanda@scrumclub.org to get a student registration code or offer to volunteer at the event. We reimburse parking for our volunteers.

5:45 - Doors open. Check-in and informal networking. Dinner and refreshments provided.
6:45 - 7:00 Welcome and Announcements, Club Business, Introductions
7:00 - 8:30 Speaker Presentation and Q&A
8:30 - 8:45 Closing Comments

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Friday, July 10th
Digital LA - Digital Drinks @ Boulevard 3
7:00-10:00pm
Boulevard 3
6523 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

$10 ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY July 9

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Monday, July 13th
SMCLA: Citizen Journalism: Social Media’s Effect on News
7:00-9:00pm
Mahalo Offices
902 Colorado Ave
Santa Monica, CA

More and more people are turning to social media as the first place they look for breaking news. Pictures and videos from newsworthy events make it to the web via mobile phones and hand held devices and first hand accounts are micro blogged in 140 characters or less before any traditional news outlet is able to cover the story. What does this mean for: a.) the traditional media and b.) the public at-large who may find themselves in a position to report the next big story…

Panelists include:
LA Times, David Sarno
LAist, Andy Sternberg

(additional panelists to be announced)

Moderator: Alexia Tsotsis, LA Weekly

Tickets are $10.

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Wednesday, July 15th
ThinkLA Summer Mixer
6:00-10:00pm
Wokcano Santa Monica
1413 5th Street
Santa Monica CA 90401

Registration closes on 7/13/09 at 5:00 PM PDT. Event may sell out prior to registration deadline.

Members: $25
Non-Members: $40

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Thursday, July 16th
BusinessWire Presents: Communicating Through Social Media: How to Build Relationships to Reach Your Audience
8:00-9:30am
The Olympic Collection Center
11301 W. Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064

With the popularity of social network sites and technology becoming more portable, flexible and available in today’s world, we are reminded of the importance of new media every day. Join Business Wire LA for a panel discussion on how companies can effectively use new and social media tools to connect with their clients in new and engaging ways. What should companies be using and why?

What are the new tools and platforms that are making their way into the spotlight? How have these tools impacted traditional media?

Karen Kovacs North, Director of the Annenberg Program on Online Communities at the University of Southern California, will moderate a panel of experts in emerging media, including:

• Siobhan O’Neill, Account Supervisor, Edelman Digital;
  
• Nick Mendoza, Senior Account Supervisor, Zeno Group;
  
• Nicole Jordan, Director, Integrated Communications, Rubicon Project;
  
• and social media blogger Julia Scott.

This event is free for all attendees.

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Thursday, July 16th
Whuffaoke Crew-Los Angeles
6:00-11:00pm
Location TBA (likely Westside)

Whuffaoke madness hits LA! We’ll be spending the day doing stuff like visiting Blankspaces (coworking space) and doing impromptu signings. Then we’ll settle in somewhere to strike up the karaoke.

What’s Whuffaoke or Bust?

It’s a karaoke-infused roadtrip across America, starting in San Francisco, California, and ending in Montreal, Quebec. The goal is to bring music, whuffie and conversation on how to change the world along with us. We are Tara Hunt, Tony Bacigalupo, Emma Persky, Alex Hillman and Ridley the Pug.
Website: http://www.whuffaoke.com

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Thursday, July 16th
DealMaker LA Strategy Series & Mixer: Content Monetization: 3 Models that Work
6:00-9:00pm
Zune L.A.
Los Angeles CA

From video to music and games to news, everyone and their mother is looking for better ways to monetize online content…and it’s starting to pay off.

New monetization models are taking shape as consumers rapidly embrace virtual currencies, micropayments, free to play, premium content…and more. Whether you’re in Hong Kong or L.A., these revamped models are opening up a whole new way of looking at content monetization.

But its not as simple as it sounds… Before you make any moves, you need to understand which model is right for your audience, how consumers behave within the new models, and the key tactics required for successful implementation.

In this Strategy Series, you’ll get to sit down with executives and entrepreneurs who are leveraging new monetization models and kicking butt along the way. What key lessons did they learn through the process, what strategies made the difference, and what do you need to know before you jump in?

Speakers:
Keith Richman, CEO, Break.com
Paul Yanover, Executive Vice-President & General Manager, Disney Online
Larry Fitzgibbon, EVP, Demand Brands/ Demand Media
Ro Choy, Chief Revenue Officer, RockYou

Moderator:Jason Nazar, CEO, Doctstoc

Ticket Price (Mixer only): $35
Member Price: $25
Door Price: $45
Member Door Price: $35

Ticket Price (Strategy Series + Mixer): $60
Member Price: $40
Door Price: $70
Member Door Price: $50

Registration closes 7/15/09 at 3:00PM

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Thursday, July 16th
Hollywood Web Television Meetup
7:00-11:55pm
Busby’s East (Mid Wilshire)
5364 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

With nearly 3,500 of web television’s top creators, producers, studio executives, agents, managers, technologists, and distributors on its roster, Tubefilter’s Hollywood Web Television Meetup brings together the most dynamic group of professionals in the online entertainment industry.

Each month’s event features presentations from influential web television creators, talent, and industry executives who are leading the charge in shaping the future of our industry.

Speakers at the Meetup:

Alex Albrecht has been in the web game for over six years. While working as co-host of TechTV’s The Screen Savers, he met Kevin Rose and founded one of the most successful web television partnerships and created the most popular running web series of all time: Diggnation. He also starred in the cult classic cooking show Ctrl+Alt+Chicken, created The Totally Rad Show and took home a Streamy Award for Project Lore which he also created. Alex was also honored by the Producers Guild of America making the Digital 25: Visionaries, Innovators and Producers of 2009 list. If all that wasn’t enough Albrecht is in pre-production on a super secret sci-fi web comedy due out around December ‘09 (shhh!).

Hayden Black created, wrote, produced and starred in Goodnight Burbank, and did the same for Abigail’s Teen Diary, and now he’s doing the same again for The Cabonauts, the first original US commission from Dailymotion, co-starring a wealth of iconic actors and actresses from sci-fi TV and movies. With views in the multi-millions, awards and Webby nominations (Best Comedy ‘08), and rave reviews from the press (”A web sensation” - LA Times, “Black runs circles around the competition” - Wall St. Journal), Black has now retired from public life and will only be communicated with via Facebook.

Tickets are $9

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Thursday, July 16th
Mindshare
7:00pm-1:00am
The Firehouse
710 S. Santa Fe
(Enter via alley)
Los Angeles, CA

*Tickets are $30 and will not be sold at the door.

Program line-up:

Eileen Luders / Post Doctoral Neurology Researcher, UCLA
How to Build a Bigger Brain

Paul Carey / Pres, Marketing Specialists, Inc.
Stereographics 101: Digital 3D in the Home

Rob Spruijt / Artist & Neurologist, Art Center
Where Dreams and Movies Intersect

Tyler Emmett / Cinematographer, 180 South
Conquering the Useless: the Journey to Make 180 South

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Thursday, July 16th
The Black Card Circle Foundation Charity Dinner and Mixer Event
6:00-11:00pm
Wokcano Restaurant
1413 5th Street
Santa Monica, CA

Join the Black Card Circle Foundation and friends on Thursday evening, July 16th at 6:00pm at Wokcano Santa Monica for innovative Asian Fusion cuisine! Some of our favorites? The Dynamite Roll (Alice Wang) & the Beef Pepper Steak (Frank Centofanti).

Enjoy great ambiance inside the two-story restaurant and outside on the heated terrace, live music, a D.J., and networking with dynamic professionals and artists. This event is promoted courtesy of Jeffrey R. Gund’s InfoList and Mr. Kerry Moy.

There is no cover charge.

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Monday, July 20th
Girls in Tech & WITI Summer Mixer
7:00-9:00-m
Wokcano - Santa Monica
1413 5th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Tickets are $10.

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Monday, July 20th
Mobile Monday - Future of Mobile Film & Television
6:30-9:00pm
Sony PIctures
10202 W. Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

This months Mobile Monday Panel will cover the future of mobile television & film: Is there a mobile future in Hollywood? How is money being made from studio’s to advertisers? Is advertising the answer? What about the consumer experience - android, iPhone, smartphones… who’s keeping up and who’s not?
Panelists Include:

-Daniel Tibbets, EVP & Studio Chief, GoTV Networks, Producer of HBO
hit series, ROME
-Assaf Tarnopolsky, VP - Mobile Programming & Digital Product
Development, Sony Pictures
-Shashi Fernando, CEO, Saffron Digital
-Neil Patel, Director, Digital & Non-Traditional
Services,TBWA\Chiat\Day
-Jamie Shortill, Senior Director,WME Entertainment, LLC

Moderator: Debra Kaufman, Chief Editor & Founder, MobilizedTV

Members $20/ Non-members $25. Seating limited.

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Tuesday, July 21st
Social Media Club Orange County: Government 2.0
7:00pm - 9:00pm
OCTA Room 103/104
600 South Main Street
Orange, CA

The social web is changing the way government and non-profits interact with their respective communities and constituents. Come learn how Orange County government is embracing social media and social computing technologies to reach citizens, share information with the public and creating a more transparent relationship.

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Tuesday, July 21st
Ignite LA & the LA Geek Dinner
6:30 Geek Dinner starts
8:00-9:30 Ignite talks
Cinespace
6356 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California

LA Geek Dinner kicks off the inaugural LA Ignite with Brady Forrest and Dan Gould.

About Ignite
If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers.

Ignite site: http://ignite.oreilly.com/

About the LA Geek Dinner
The Geek Dinners are a monthly gathers of Internet and technology lovers in Los Angeles. Anyone who has an interest and passion for technology, the internet, internet technologies, software or you just know you’re a geek is welcome.

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Wednesday, July 22nd-24th
Fortune Brainstorm Tech
7:00-10:00pm
The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa.
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue,
Pasadena, California 91106

FORTUNE Brainstorm: TECH convenes the world’s top technology and media thinkers, doers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and visionaries. Our goal is to tap into the collective brainpower of the smartest people we know to explore the trends that are changing the future of business. The main focus: the way emerging technologies and tech entrepreneurs are solving problems and creating opportunities. This will be a collaborative conversation - smart, informed thinking about the challenges facing business and society – that will provide context and color to Fortune’s technology and business coverage throughout the year.

At this year’s Brainstorm Tech, we will focus on how technology companies, content creators and other institutions can thrive in the recession, and help lead the way to a new era of global prosperity.

The agenda is based on 4 content pillars:

- Renewal and Recovery

- The 21st Century Consumer

- Technology and Social Transformation

-    Business Innovation

The registration fee of $3,500 includes the complete program, scheduled meals, and conference materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and hotel charges.

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Thursday, July 23rd
ThinkLA/ AdZoo Mixer
6:30-9:30pm
117 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach CA 90266

Meet up with thinkLA for a free-to-attend networking mixer organized by AdZoo!  Thirsty Thursdays are casual events (no name tags) that give people the chance to mix, mingle and make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

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Thursday, July 23rd
LA’s Largest Mixer
5:00-9:00pm
Shrine Auditorium- Expo Center
700 W. 32nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Join Los Angeles County chambers and business organizations plus hundreds of exhibitors for the ultimate business networking event! Mix and mingle with business people representing hundreds of industries and companies in and around Los Angeles County. L.A.’s Largest Mixer is a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers of commerce and business organizations can make your business grow.

List of participating companies

Tickets are $20

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Saturday, July 25th
Digital LA - San Diego Comic-Con @ IVY Hotel
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Ivy Hotel
600 F Street
San Diego, CA

Hey Digital LA peeps! We’re heading down to the annual San Diego Comic-Con! It’s where LA’s studios promote comics-based and action/sci-fi/fantasy movies, TV shows and games to thousands of core fans, and get/set the pulse on pop-culture. This year sold-out show is gonna be HUGE with more than 120,000 attendees packing the Convention Hall and movie-panel Hall H! Movie and TV studios are finalizing their celebrity-studded panels and sneak preview clips. We’ll update panel highlights here as they are announced on the Comic-Con site.

Take a break right after the exhibit hall closes on Saturday, and head to our relaxing poolside cocktails at the roof top bar Eden at the hip Ivy Hotel in the Gas Lamp Quarter (6th and F St, 600 F St in San Diego). A few blocks east of Horton plaza.

FREE with your Comic-Con badge (and without it too) just show up. Look for us Sat 5-7p, before they clear the area to turn it into a nightclub (no readmission). Cash bar, appetizer menu available.

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Tuesday, July 28th
OMMA AdNets
8:00-5:30pm
5:30-8:00pm (cocktail party)
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, California, USA 90067
OMMA AdNets will help agencies, marketers and publishers target the key issues they must engage with their clients and partners to navigate an eco-system that has changed the way digital advertising is assembled, sold, priced and measured.

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Tuesday, July 28th
Eastside Los Angeles NetSquared Group
7:00-9:00pm
HMS Bounty
3357 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Every month, the NetSquared community comes together offline at Net Tuesday events to mix, swap stories and ideas, build new relationships, and collaborate. These gatherings provide a chance for all those interested in the intersection of social technologies and social change, whether you’re part of a nonprofit organization or a for-profit organization, a funder or a consultant, a developer or an entrepreneur.

WHY AN EASTSIDE GROUP? Due to the realities of the traffic flows in our fair city (or lack thereof), this “Eastside” group is an attempt to gather folks who are doing great work east of roughly Western Blvd. We know the true divider is the LA River but we’d like to keep it broader. Yes, West-siders are always welcome!

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Wednesday, July 29th
Media Leaders LA
7:00-10:00pm
Twelve+Highland
304 12th St.
Manhattan Beach, CA

INTRODUCING: MEDIA LEADERS, a monthly experiential mixing event in Manhattan Beach.

Media Leaders is a boutique experiential think tank group with only 100 select influencers that come together to discuss, exchange and thrive on meeting new people and making lasting connections. Bring your business cards to take part in a cutting edge junction of leaders in PR, media, marketing, advertising and tech while discussing current events and new ideas

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Wednesday, July 29th
iHollywood Forum’s Digital Media Summit
9:00am-7:00pm
UCLA
Covel Commons
Los Angeles, CA

Technology is transforming the entertainment business. But the basic underpinnings of the business – film, television, music, video, games – remain largely the same. The Digital Media Summit looks at each major industry segment and asks simple but vital questions: what is the cutting edge and near future for this business? What must studios do to retain their audience? How will the new business be monetized? What is the impact on Hollywood of the greatest economic and social upheaval since the Great Depression?

The goal is to stimulate both conversation and dealmaking. The people who consider the basic questions we pose are the people building Hollywood’s future.

Digital Media Summit is aimed at “C”-level and other top executives who make key decisions about digital media at their companies. The audience closely maps the titles and industries of the speakers.

Basic Rates:
Ticket: $95 - Admission to show only.
Lunch: $20
Cocktail Party: $30

Deluxe Rate:
Ticket: $200 - Includes lunch, cocktail party, parking and attendee list.

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Wednesday, July 29th
New Media Vault – Hosted by: TubeFilter, Stella Media & LA Mixers
7:00-10:00pm
The Crocker Club
453 S Spring St.
Los Angeles, 90013

This month we’re getting prepped for two days of Twiistup excitement. Two times a year, Twiistup brings together Los Angele’s technology, media and entertainment communities, but unlike Twiistup traditional conferences, Twiistup mixes it up with tunes, video, beverages, swag and the unexpected.

In celebration, New Media Vault will be giving away two copies of The Write Environment DVD from creator’s Tim Kring (Heros & Crossing Jordan) and Damon Lindelof (Lost). Both copies are signed by the writers.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest New Media Vault Events? Make sure to follow @tubefilter and @lamixers as well!

About the New Media Vault
New Media Vault is the only new media networking event in Downtown Los Angeles. This monthly event draws over 300 people from all levels of the new media world: with top industry leaders in attendance, your company will have the chance to get face time with financiers, talent, celebrities, producers, directors, designers, agents, managers, lawyers, and industry award winners.

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Thursday, July 30th- Friday, July 31st
Twiistup 6
Universal Hilton at Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA

Join us for the biggest Twiistup ever. Twiistup has expanded with a two-day stage program that brings together innovators in technology and media. The classic open-bar evening mixer will continue, but attendees are encouraged to attend the full conference to experience this unique program.

Sessions Include:
» Pitches and Q&A sessions from the 10 Showoff companies
» Incubators and Early Stage investing
» Bridging the online/mainstream divide
» Technology and Music
» Investing and Marketing based on the 7 Deadly Sins
» Startup Ecosystems
» Opportunities and Challenges of User Generated Content
» Monetizing Social Media
…and more as additional presenters sign on.

Check out confirmed speakers and register here.

Also of note, Twiistup 6 early-bird tickets just went on sale.  You’d be smart to snatch some up.  They make good bargain tools as the always-sold-out-event gets closer.  This time around there’s a two-day conference schedule attached that’s focused on innovation and entrepreneurship — sounds like an area SoCal excels at.  So, save the date (July 30th and 31st at the Universal Hilton) and get your shop on.

And one small house-keeping item…if you’d like to get this event listing mailed to you when it goes live, and hear about opportunities in LA (press looking for sources, potential partner and promotion opps, and who knows what else) then join the LATechConnect FB group. I started it almost two years ago under the “SoCal Tech Geek” name, before I knew what was doing with it.  Since then, a purpose has emerged so the name is changing.

That’s it.  Have a lovely June and see you out and about!  - Nicole

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RECURRING WEEKLY:
—————————-

Tuesday’s with Exectec
7:30 PM @ D’Amore’s Pizza Connection on Westwood
1136 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
ThursdayLunch
12PM @ Santa Monica/ 3rd
Santa Monica Promenade

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JUNE EVENTS
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Wednesday, June 10th
DealMaker Media LA Presents: Partnering with the Big Dogs: Walk Softly & Carry a Big Stick
6:00-9:30pm
Manatt Phelps and Phillips
11355 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Big and powerful companies have something you don’t: time. While the dream of scoring an outrageously successful partnership with a market goliath is enticing, the odds are, it ain’t gonna happen. From unequal bargaining power to rights of first refusal, partnership land mines are one of the most misunderstood and underrated topics in the startup world.
Time is money, and these days, every cent counts. What facts and advice do you need to forge partnerships that work, instead of those that are work?

In this Strategy Series, we’ll discuss:
* PR Glow vs. Terms of the Deal: One fades, the other remains…how can you ensure that you don’t get “stuck” in a bad deal?
* Beware Right of First Refusal: How it can mess with your business, opportunities for funding, exits, etc.
* Avoiding Beauracracy: How do you structure the deal so the big and powerful don’t slow you down?
* Changing Incentives: Is a successful partnership a Catch 22? How can you mitigate risks in the agreement?

Speakers:
Christina Glorioso, VP, Marketing Partnerships, MTV Networks
Kara Nortman, SVP of Publishing, Citysearch (linkedin)
David O. Sacks, CEO, Geni/Yammer (linkedin)
Dmitry Shapiro, CEO, Veoh (linkedin)

Moderator:
James Citron, CEO, Mogreet (linkedin)

Ticket Price (Mixer only): $35
Member Price: $25
Door Price: $45
Member Door Price: $35

Ticket Price (Strategy Series + Mixer): $60
Member Price: $40
Door Price: $70
Member Door Price: $50

Registration closes 6/9/09 at 3:00PM

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Monday, June 15th
GIT LA, Stila & Bloblive present - “An Open Mic Night for Entrepreneurs”
6:30-9:30pm
V Lounge
2020 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA

If you’ve got an idea - in the dream, innovation or well-established stage - and you want some feedback and a bit of the limelight - June 15th is your night. (For more info about bloblive - and presenting your idea on stage - check out http://www.bloblive.com).

Bloblive MC’d by Erick Brownstein and streamed live online (feedback coming in through Twitter)

Stila Cosmetics is giving away gift bags to the first 100 attendees! So get their early!

Tickets $10; $15 at the door

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Monday, June 15th
Digital LA Presents: Widgets and Apps for Entertainment Panel
7:00-10:00pm
Rush Street
9546 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA

Schedule
7-8: Check in and Networking
8-9:30: Panel and Q&A
9:30 -10: Even more networking

This panel discussion on Widgets and Apps for Entertainment will look at how these tools help movies and TV shows go viral by engaging fans and getting them to help spread the word. And iPhone apps are all the rage in mobile, ranging from movie trailers to celebrity news to IMDB Mobile.

Our scheduled industry experts include:
- Peggy Fry, Clearspring, SVP Media Services
- Richard Stewart, Director Joystick Interactive; former Manager of Online and Digital Creative for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (led concept of two award winning interactive widgets for blu-ray DVDs Nightmare Before Christmas and Wall-E)
- Jayson Oertel, Earthbound Media Group, Vice President, Entertainment Marketing. EMG just launched the ‘I Love You Beth Cooper’ movie site and widget at http://iloveyoubethcoopermovie.com
- Kurt Heim, Kaloopy Media, President

Discussion will include:
- What are the keys to making a widget or app go viral?
- What are your goals for your widget/app? Awareness ( image, trailer, asset distribution); Branding; Engage/Entertain; Functional (Countdown, Calendar, Movie Times); Social - connect with Friends
- Customized widgets/apps - What kind of customization works?
- How to create and submit an iPhone app
- Favorite iPhone apps for entertainment - what’s hot?

ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Space limited - this event will sell out… $18 via Paypal by June 14.

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Tuesday, June 16th
OC Venture Group Presents: $ink or $wim How to Tap Silicon Valley VCs in Today’s Tough Times
7:30-9:00am
Pacific Club Newport Beach
4110 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach 92660

Raising venture capital is hard enough in the best markets, but how can entrepreneurs raise a VC round when even most VCs are having trouble raising money? To share their insights on how to open the wallets of today’s risk-averse VCs, OCVG is bringing together some of Silicon Valley’s sharpest minds.

Panelists:
Barry Eggers, Managing Director, Lightspeed Venture Partners
Prashant Shah, Managing Director, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners
Hildy Shandell, Venture Partner, Opus Capital
Moderator:  Ellen Bancroft, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

No cost for OCVG members / $50 for non-members / $60 for walk-up registration

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Wednesday, June 17th
LINC Networking for Interactive & Entrepreneurial Companies in L.A.
7:00-9:00pm
Organic Panificio
4211 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

LINC events are where industry professionals at interactive and entrepreneurial companies get together for an evening of business networking and fun conversation in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.

Attendees represent the following industries:
* Digital Media & E-Commerce
* Interactive Entertainment & Video Games
* Software & Electronics
* Mobile & Telecommunications
* Advertising & Public Relations

And it’s free.

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Thursday, June 18th
South Bay Tech Group
5:30-7:30pm
Shade Hotel
1221 N Valley Drive
Manhattan Beach, CA

Monthly casual networking meeting with technology and online media entreprenuers who live and/or work in the South Bay. 112 members in the group and we usually have a turnout of 25-30 people show up each month. No cover charge and this event is not sponsored so please bring a few bucks to pay for your own drinks.

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Thursday, June 18th
Mindshare
7:00p-1:00a
The Firehouse
Corner of S. Santa Fe and 7th Street (Downtown LA)

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Tuesday, June 23rd
LA .Net Geek Dinner
7:30-10:30pm
Tavern On Main
123 Main St, El Segundo, CA

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Tuesday, June 23rd
Social Media Club Orange County
7:00-10:00pm
Coworking Fullerton
122 N Harbor Blvd Suite 110
Fullerton, CA

SMC OC’s second meeting is focused on Twitter for Business. We’re putting together a great panel of speakers to come talk about Twitter for business.

This is just the beginning for monthly SMC Orange County events and exciting opportunities to get involved. Future events will include expert speakers, valuable social media discussion time, and of course good drinks and conversation! So book your calenders and spread the word! Getting a diverse group of talented professionals will keep conversations interesting and expand knowledge across multiple industries.

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Wednesday, June 24th
Scrum and User Experience Design
5:45-9:00pm
Gorilla Nation/Atomic Online, 1st Floor
5140 W Goldleaf Cir
Los Angeles, CA

5:45 – 6:45 Check-in and informal networking.
6:45 - 7:00 Welcome and Announcements, Club Business, Introductions
7:00 - 8:30 Speaker Presentation and Q&A
8:30 - 8:45 Closing Comments

Join us as we explore how User Experience Design integrates with the Scrum process. We’ll see first hand how each type of activity fits into the Scrum cycles, and how our User Experience researchers, designers and artists integrate into a Scrum team.

We’ll lay a little foundation with a clear explanation of the core Scrum strategies and how typical User Experience activities map to the Scrum framework. Then we’ll get hands-on and gain experience by running a few live agile cycles to design the interface for an on-line version of Corporate Espionage!

Tickets are $15.

(All funds raised from tickets go to support hands-on opportunities for members to try Scrum on practice projects for non-profits in the community and build leadership skills. We have a limited number of “scholarship tickets” available to university students and volunteers.)

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Thursday, June 25th
SheSays LA Presents: Care for your Cause
7:00-9:00pm
The Miller Group Advertising
1516 S. Bundy Drive; Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90025

You are committed to a cause and want to help the world. So how do you get people to join you?

Technology is making it easier than ever to make individuals connect. Join our panel as thy discuss how to spread the word to activate legions of do-gooders.

SPEAKERS
Wendy Cohen - Participant media
Sarah Ingersoll - Meaningful media
Olivia Kuhn-Lloyd - Intent.com
Renne Miller - Miller Group

SheSays was founded in March 2007 in the UK with the aim to help women further their careers in digital advertising through informative debates and a bespoke mentoring scheme.

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Wednesday, June 24th - Friday, June 26th
Social Networking Conference 2009
SLS Hotel
465 S. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Check out the full agenda.

24th: 2-6pm
25th:  8:30am-5:00pm (Mixer from 9:00-11:00pm)
26th: 9:00am-5:00pm (After party from 9:00-11:00pm)

The annual Mobile and Enterprise Social Networking event is for social networking executives that have an interest in learning about new technologies, business social networking, marketing strategies, business management, venture capital, networks and mobile telecom .

Attending will be:
# Enterprise Social networking business executives
# Social networking business executives
# Software & mobile technology executives
# Venture Capitalists
# New Business Development Executives from Fortune 1000 firms
# Mobile device and PDA manifacturers
# Mobile telecommunication executives
# Mobile/Wireless marketing executives
# Social media business executives
# Internet personals industry business executives
# Media executives
# Mobile payment processing executives
# Affiliate managers
# Affiliates and portal webmasters of social networking related sites.