Friday, January 30, 2009

Social Networking Communications: Lesson Learned

A recent incident between FedEx and one of the largest global PR agencies demonstrates the need to apply basic communications principles in the evolving social-networking environment. Communication through these “social communities” has now evolved into normal everyday discourse among superiors, employees, clients, partners and prospects.

This new dimension of social communications presents a dynamic challenge for professionals. They must realize that this form of communication is now equivalent to a client call or a prospect meeting. The medium of communication is no longer important. All that matters is WHAT is being said. With the instantaneous transfer of information online, people must realize that the golden rule is now more relevant than ever: “Think before you speak, be careful of what you say and how you say it.”

To learn more about the incident, click to read the article here.

Friday, January 23, 2009

A Brand Called YOU!




The January PRSAGA luncheon featured Jerry Wilson, longtime senior executive at The Coca-Cola Company and author of Managing Brand YOU. He advised attendees to think about their own personal brand by outlining the seven steps individuals should undergo to brand themselves. Explaining great brands have "inner essence," Wilson noted Tiger Woods and Bono are more than icons; they have become brands for who they are and what they represent. PRSAGA President Mike Neumeier (Arketi Group) recognized Jim Brams (KEF Media) as Chapter Champion and honored Felicia Joy Browder, APR (Ms. CEO Media) as the chapter's newest APR. Attendees included Nancy Schubert (IBM), Keith Bowermaster (Fresenius Medical Care), Saudia Muwwakkit (MLK Jr. National Historic Site) and Ray Crockett (Coca-Cola). For more information about PRSAGeorgia, visit http://www.prsageorgia.org/.


(Amy Leefe, Arketi Group, reporting)

Bean Counters To Tech Executives: "Get Involved in Legislation!"

TER members packed the room Tuesday to hear some of Atlanta's top accounting, tax and legal professionals discuss accounting and tax regulations' impact on technology companies. Moderated by Grant Collingsworth (Morris, Manning & Martin), the panelists - Wayne Reid and Seth McDaniel (Frazier & Deeter), and Terresa Tarpley and Bruce Wynn (Morris, Manning & Martin) - urged TER members to get involved in tax proposals by telling legislators what they support and oppose. Not a bad take-away for inauguration week. Price Harding (CarterBaldwin) took the reigns of TER as the 2009 President. Executives attending the breakfast event included Randall Tolbert (Preparis), David Funderburke (VersionOne), Jody Kelly (Dialog Medical), Mike Martin (Hotel Effectiveness) and Bill Leonard (Wm. Leonard & Co.). For more information about TER, visit http://www.ter-atlanta.com.

(Mike Neumeier, Arketi Group, reporting)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Feeling Patriotic Today


The historic moment of the inauguration of our 44th president was not lost on those of us busy working here at Arketi. A group of us broke early for lunch today to watch the once in a lifetime event as President Obama assumed the leadership of our country. All agreed that this peaceful transfer of powers is what makes our country so very special.

As a group with diverse political ideas and views, it’s safe to say we all wish President Obama the very best.
How some of us at Arketi felt today:

I felt incredibly proud watching the inauguration of the first African-American president in our country’s history. To borrow a quote from an observer of the festivities: “This is America happening. It was prophesied by the Rev. Martin Luther King that we would have a day when everyone would come together. This is that day.” -- Mousa


I confess I found myself surprisingly moved – more so than I had expected – and profoundly aware of the huge burden of hopes and expectations which Obama now shoulders, not just for the US, but for the world. -- Rory


Today’s inauguration was such a surreal experience. The magnitude of this historic event hasn’t hit me yet, but I know that I just witnessed my generation’s “walking-on-the-moon” moment. -- Annette


I felt lucky to witness such a great moment in history and to be able to tell the story to future generations who may not realize the profound impact of just how far we’ve come as a nation. Although many people (the media in particular) would argue that America has dug itself a hole into a dark and dismal economic future, today provided a more optimistic and hopeful point of view for Americans everywhere. The positive tone was refreshing-- a nice change of tone from the recent news broadcasts. -- Ashley
Optimistic. The inauguration gave me feelings of confidence and heightened excitement that good times can come. As Americans in a struggling environment, we need to have positive thoughts about the outlook of our nation. Obama mentioned the troubles we are facing but more importantly he dwelled on the strengths of our country and our people. His speech was real and honest and in then end left me with feelings of hope and optimism about brighter days to come. -- Amy
My thoughts ranged from extreme pride to an overwhelming sense of gratitude to all the people before us, including my ancestors, who made this day possible. It is amazing to witness how President Obama has inspired Americans to want more and expect more from our country and each other. Now, we act! -- Jackie
I felt very proud of being an American. -- Sami

Friday, January 16, 2009

Speed Networking, Technology Style

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Marketing Society held their third annual marketing speed networking event Thursday morning at the Centergy Building. The event featured nearly 60 technology marketing executives engaged in one-to-one mini meetings where attendees had a chance to present their personal “value proposition” and meet other local technology professionals. Spotted at the event were Stein Soelberg (Cbeyond), Micky Long (Arketi Group), Sherrie George (LexisNexis) and Katie Barlow (JWT Communications). For more information, visit www.tagonline.org.

(Star VanderHaar, Arketi Group, reporting)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Pew Internet Releases Adults and Social Networks report

Two interesting BtoB observations about this report are:

  • Personal use of social networks seems to be more prevalent than professional use of networks
  • Users that do use social networks for professional and personal reasons often maintain multiple profiles, generally on different sites

Today, the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project releases a new data memo titled Adults and Social Network Websites that looks at how adults use sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. Among the main findings of the report:


The share of adult internet users who have a profile on an online social network site has more than quadrupled in the past four years -- from 8% in 2005 to 35% now, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project's December 2008 tracking survey.

While media coverage and policy attention focus heavily on how children and young adults use social network sites, adults still make up the bulk of the users of these websites. Adults make up a larger portion of the US population than teens, which is why the 35% number represents a larger number of users than the 65% of online teens who also use online social networks.


Still, younger online adults are much more likely than their older counterparts to use social networks, with 75% of adults 18-24 using these networks, compared to just 7% of adults 65 and older. At its core, use of online social networks is still a phenomenon of the young.

Overall, personal use of social networks seems to be more prevalent than professional use of networks, both in the orientation of the networks that adults choose to use as well as the reasons they give for using the applications. Most adults, like teens, are using online social networks to connect with people they already know.

When users do use social networks for professional and personal reasons, they will often maintain multiple profiles, generally on different sites.

Most, but not all adult social network users are privacy conscious; 60% of adult social network
users restrict access to their profiles so that only their friends can see it, and 58% of adult social network users restrict access to certain content within their profile.


For the full report please visit:http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/272/report_display.asp

About the Pew Internet & American Life Project: The Pew Internet Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center, a nonprofit "fact tank"that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. Pew Internet explores the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life. Support for the project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project's Web site:http://www.pewinternet.org