2009 (Digital) Resolutions

Alpacas. The new LOL cats?

Alpacas. The new LOL cats?

Kerry has started a meme to share resolutions for social media and digital blah in 2009. Ordinarily I probably just wouldn’t do it but then that’s already…

My 1st Resolution: Enjoy doing more of the fun stuff on the web and less o’ the work side

My 2nd Resolution: Give up explaining why I use Twitter to non-users. Like with everything else just try it yourself and decide

My 3rd Resolution: Bother to show my friends more of the cool/useful stuff on the web. This will help with my 1st Resolution

My 4th Resolution: Express my opinion more even if it’s *shock horror* a tad negative. As a PR you can get a little paranoid that a) you are creating a problem for another PR b) will never work in this town again

My 5th Resolution: Trim out people in my communities who are unpleasant about PRs. Yes, we make mistakes but there should still be space for people to mess up without all this stoopid ‘naming and shaming’. Personal attacks on, quite often, junior people just starting out in their careers and following instructions, are rubbish. This includes PRs who are quick to cannibalise each other.

Could I suggest we spend 2009 victimising call centre support staff instead? Let’s face it everyone gets fed up with customer service, we’ll never find out their real names and we might  get some vouchers from ranting.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In line with 1st Resolution going to tag some non-marketers to see what they’re planning. Over to you Jess, Stuart, Steve, Leila and Ferdy

Free marketing and PR resources online

Sharing is caring

Sharing is caring

Something I like about working  in this industry is that PR & Marketing agencies, who traditionally are a tad competitive and protective about IP, suddenly get great at sharing knowledge when it comes to social media.

The concept Wikinomics explains the business benefits of mass collaboration and if you’re one of the agencies still not open to the idea of sharing anything at all, then read it.  Here’s a round-up of some of my favourite resources on the web. In the spirit of sharing what’s your favourites?

  • Nixon McInnes eBooks: Currently  7 chapters in their series “A marketers guide to Social Media”
  • iCrossing eBooks: 2006′s “What is Social Media” is still relevant for newbies and they recently added “Brands in Networks”
  • e-consultancy: Not an agency but my ultimate go-to destination for useful information
  • TED: Again, not an agency, but worth mentioning. The inspiring talks covering technology, entertainment and design are of interest for anyone in business or education

I’d also like to include a couple of my clients who have created some useful resources themselves.

FRUKT, the music and branding experts, recently began a series of talks called the ‘FRUKT Sessions’. The slidecasts from their 2nd event are here and I’d love to hear your feedback.

Don’t forget Attentio’s free blog topic trend tool, Trendpedia, and they now have a series of whitepapers about social media and industry specific trends.

Sackboy craft fans on Flickr

Too cute. Knitted Sackboy

Too cute. Knitted Sackboy

Sony PS3′s latest game, Little Big Planet, has naturally been a big hit with gamers but the main character Sackboy has also become an object of inspiration to crafters.

This Sackboy  group on Flickr is collecting pictures of different versions of the little guy rendered in wool, paper and ink.

*Tips hat to www.craftycrafty.tv for setting the group up*

[Sackboy group on Flickr]

UPDATE: Spotted on El Mundo Tech that clever old knitting mag Simply Knitting has created an unofficial pattern for would-be Sackboy knitters. It’s described as ‘the Grand Theft Auto of knitting’. Love it.