Whether it’s in blogs or networks like Facebook, the interactive online communities that we have come to know as social media are quickly gaining the attention and dollars of many organizations’ communications departments. For other organizations, determining where to start and which tools make most sense can be overwhelming.

To understand social media’s role in the context of real, day-to-day communication and relationship-building with target audiences, we’ve assembled a panel of communicators and social media experts to share distinct perspectives, insight and lessons learned.

In addition to sharing best practices and answering your questions, panelists will delve into questions including:

• How can I engage and build relationships with my target audiences through social media?
  
  
• What ethical considerations must I make before getting involved in online communication?
  
  
• How do I marry traditional communication strategies with those emerging in the world of social media?

What level of investment in time and dollars should I make in social media?

Panel:

• John Bell, Managing Director of 360° Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
  

• Mike Haines, Director of Sales, Southeast, Facebook
  

• David Santucci, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Georgia Aquarium

Moderator:

Kaye Sweetser, Ph.D., APR, University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication

Day and Date: Thursday, September 4

Time:
Registration – 11:30 a.m.
Lunch & Program – Noon

Location:
Maggiano's Buckhead
3368 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.816.9650
www.maggianos.com

Cost (Member): $37

Cost (Non-Member): $49

Parking Cost: Free

Registration Deadline: Noon, Tuesday, September 2

See luncheon details here.

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*September Pre-Luncheon Session:

What’s Your Social Media Score?

Social networks, blogs, search engines and new Web 2.0 applications are changing marketing and communications and challenging the status quo. With all of the hype and pressure to jump into social media right now, many companies are finding out (too late) that they just aren’t ready for this new frontier.

Join John Bell, managing director of Ogilvy Public Relations’ 360-degree Digital Influence practice, as he explains how to determine where your company lies on the social media continuum and if you are prepared to employ social media in an overall marketing/communications mix. John will also outline practical steps for getting started in social media and share examples from companies who have led the way in this new form of communication.

Specifically, John will discuss:

• Why social media and word of mouth are important
• The basic trends in social media & word of mouth
• 10 best-practice learnings from deploying social media-based programs
• What are the ways to monitor social media “conversations” across digital channels
• What are the ingredients of “digital influence” (i.e. what makes some individuals influential)
• Basic outreach and ethics guidelines
• How search and social media are intertwined

Panel:

John Bell, Managing Director of 360° Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

John Bell and his team of Digital Influence Strategists integrates the power of social media – social networks, blogs, Web 2.0 applications – with digital marketing to produce measureable results. He has developed strategy and executed award-winning programs for clients including BP, Lenovo, Unilever, Intel, Select Comfort and Snap-on. John also serves on the board of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and is a professor at Johns Hopkins University where he teaches graduate courses in Digital Influence.

Day and Date: Thursday, September 4

Time:
Registration – 9:15 a.m.
Seminar – 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Location:
Maggiano's Buckhead
3368 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.816.9650
www.maggianos.com

Cost (Member): $17

Cost (Non-Member): $27

Parking Cost: Free

Registration Deadline: Noon, Tuesday, September 2

See pre-luncheon details here.

*Standard late fees will be applied to each event (Luncheons: $10 late fee/$15 walk-in fee; Seminars: $5 late fee/$10 walk-in fee)

Contact: Denise Grant
denise.grant@prsageorgia.org
www.prsageorgia.org