Media debate: Where have all the women gone?
At the risk of being controversial, I saw Techcrunch live blogging the BBC debate. The picture struck me funny – where have all the women gone?
This isn’t a “why aren’t there more women in tech” question but a much broader question about the new media industry in general; an industry where many women are employed. Are none of them up to debating the issues around whether the BBC should open up their platform.
Am I being unfair?
[Apologies any women who were part of this debate and I haven't picked up on it]
Pinng: Online party planning site
It’s not a new thing but Pingg has just launched an online invitation and party planning site.
It’s slightly more sophisticated than evite in that it also allows you to print and send paper invites, although I do think that once you’re into sending e-vites you don’t want to do paper ones anymore, unless it’s for “something fancy” like a wedding. (Reminded of The Apprentice green card incident now)
I asked them how a site like this was going to lure people away from social networks for event planning, but they’ve told me you can pingg your event to your Facebook profile which is good. It then manages more aspects of your event, from RSVPs to registry purchases (imagine if you could register for your birthday!) than currently social networks are offering.
It strikes me as a nice mid-way service for people who want to use the internet to organise an event but don’t already use things like Facebook loads.
Can you be just a little bit interactive? Or is that just active?
Watch the Candide promo video
I went to see the ENO’s stunning production of Candide the other night. Before the performance and during half-time the digital sign which displays the opera’s words above the stage, was flashing “write a review at eno interactive” and included a URL.
I was impressed; a brilliantly updated production with a modern way of allowing user-generated reviews. Resisting the urge to get on my phone there and then to submit something (friend would not have been impressed) I logged on the next day.
The “interactive hub”, which has some great resources like podcasts, video interviews and blog diaries, had a note from the ENO’s artistic director telling me the ways they give me an opportunity “to talk with us”.
Where was the reviews section? Where was a flashing sign saying “read reviews of Candide now”. Eventually under a drop down list called “Talk to ENO” I found the write a review section.
Here were the instructions:
Berocca putting the “B” back into blogging
A couple of months ago I wrote about how to meet bloggers and recommended the London Bloggers Meetup as an interesting event to sponsor.
Well, I was pleased to see Berocca getting involved as the first phase of their “Bloggers’ relief” campaign. This cute idea centres around encouraging bloggers to use Berocca to minimise stress levels (apparently there’s some research out there which says if you blog, you’ll have a heart attack and stuff, don’t worry they’re not taking it seriously).
Anyway phase two is that anyone with a blog can order their free Bloggers’ Relief Pack which contains a stress ball, USB “stress” button, bubble wrap keyring, pen holder and a pack of Berocca.
Was thinking about the stressed blogger thing and wondered if Phil Tube is the kinda person this research had in mind? I *love* this video.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12yD8JyaVvY]
Somebody’s always listening
Gosh. That will teach me. I had a mini-rant on Twitter that I was struggling to get set up Qik. This was rather ineloquently expressed as:
This morning I logged on to see that Janefu who, judging by her profile pic, works for Qik had seen my plaintive cry and tweeted back to ask what the problem was.
Although I feel slightly silly, it’s impressive that they’re listening to conversations and responding direct to try and help out. Now, I wonder if I rant about HSBC if anyone will finally return my calls?
Moonrise: “What are you doing” meet “what are you feeling”
So having moved on from Facebook status updates and Twitter I really just can’t get enough of Moonrise, a new site which searches images, quotes and video to express how you’re currently feeling.
The images are pulled from Flickr based on the tabs attached by the people uploading them and the results are surprising, beautiful, interesting, funny, …
I use it mostly to send image cards to people, which are a lot cooler than some current e-card offerings. I sent a recently diagnosed diabetic gummie bears and a new home owner a quote.
I think they’re on to something…
How to promote your book via social media
I love this. It’s called Book Launch 2.0 [via The Longstockings] from author Dennis Cass.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxschLOAr-s]
But seriously… Just like with the MySpace/music promo trend the literary world is getting clever at self-publicity, leveraging a social media fanbase to get published with awards such as The Blooker Prize and self-publishing service Lulu.com which even provides a sales channel.
I’ve been admiring a friend’s work to promote his children’s book The Mousehunter, published by Faber and released earlier this year. The book has a website, blog, facebook group, Twitter stream and a whole lotta interactive stuff going on.
While all this activity has been off his own back, Faber seems to be quite web aware too running a seminar day for their authors on using the web and setting up their own YouTube channel amongst other things.
Twine: good Beta sign-up process
Finally got round to signing-up for Twine. Thought this drop down list was simple but smart to identify why people were signing up.
Facebook app developer wanted
I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t had a chance to blog about Media Trust which is an organisation to connect media peeps with charities.
I had a fun night recently at one of their Media Matching events (like speed dating) and am now talking with some organisations, both established and starting up, about digital comms.
There’ll be more to say here as projects get up and running but in the meantime I’m looking for a lovely developer type to build a Facebook app to help launch a new charity (v. cool premise). Email me if you or someone you know would like to hear more darika[at]grapevine-consulting.com
I promise to shout your name from the rooftops if you want a bit of publicity for it.
And, if you’re a PR get yourself down there. You don’t have to be feeling all worthy and stuff. A lot of people do it to boost their CV, get more experience etc. Lack of time shouldn’t worry you either. It could be as little as a couple of hours one-off consultancy to a catch-up over coffee every couple of months.
About:
I'm Darika Ahrens and I help brands develop marketing strategies for Social Media.
My background is in Public Relations for companies like Orange, Microsoft, Philips, HTC, Yell.com, and Estee Lauder. I've worked with and trained some of the UK's top agencies.
In 2009 the Financial Times referred to me as "a new breed of business matchmaker" due to my network of contacts and way I work creating bespoke teams to deliver projects.