It’s hard when you’re always afraid, you just recover when another belief is betrayed

Next week, Hill & Knowlton ‘s paired up with the Empire Club for a special panel discussion on the relationship between Social Media & Corporate Trust.

One of the brilliant benefits of working at H&K is the ability to tap into the roster of creative colleagues in our offices worldwide, and to learn from our clients, many of whom operate in interesting industries, both in hyper-local or international contexts.

This event reflects the depth and breadth of experience among H&K’ers and our highly-regarded star staffers client-side.  Although we often emphasise our role as trusted advisors and communications experts, we couldn’t deliver results commensurate with our high standards without intelligent, innovative and inspiring clients.  In this case, we are honoured to host a timely panel on social media and corporate trust with an inspiring client on the world stage.

Recent online public relations and reputational meltdowns, from Motrin Moms on Twitter to Domino’s Pizza’s starring role on YouTube, social media is exerting its power at an increasing rate with unprecedented speed.  Speaking with Suzanne Fallender, Intel‘s Manager of Corporate Responsibility (Global Programs & Performance), Peter Aceto, ING DIRECT Canada‘s President & CEO, and Canadian Business‘ Senior Writer and Editorial Board Member Tom Watson, our Director of H&K’s National Corporate Communications Practice and social media enthusiast Boyd Neil will moderate a discussion about employees, stakeholders and investors’ trust and the impact of social media on their perceptions.

Suzanne’s professional experience in corporate responsibility portfolios spans over a decade and her insights into the wide swath of international challenges across environmental health & safety, HR, legal and stakeholder relations will certainly resonate with all attendees.  For more information on the work of Intel, scan the Intel Corporate Responsibility blog , one of many social media tools part of Intel’s larger strategy for improved internal and external communications

Peter’s role as the senior leader of ING DIRECT Canada has proved extremely successful, highlighted by improved customer feedback, streamlined business model and a strong team executing the company vision. His experience working on the ING DIRECT USA executive committee was beneficial to many organizations serving underprivileged children around the world, as he championed the ING DIRECT philanthropic activities.

Thomas’ recent nomination for two National Magazine Awards, of which one was a feature on the ABCP fiasco-themed Facebook group,  reflects his understanding of the social media space, and its impact on coporate reputation.  His writing, which has appeared in The Hamilton Spectator, the Financial Post and now Canadian Business, spans business, finance, politics and technology.  An avid blogger, Thomas’ business-themed Double Take blog features posts that may not appear in the print version of CB.

More information can be found on the Empire Club site here.

We hope to see you on May 7th at the Royal York to enjoy what will be a unique conversation about trust & social media among four industries’ finest communicators.

“All I ask is that you play the part of the Egyptian Philharmonic Orchestra”

Consider myself especially lucky to have worked with this insanely gifted, handsome, talented multi-instrumentalist. JP’s dedicated to the *craft* of music, the creative process & the pursuit of art as a viable honourable career continues to inspire me.  So proud of you, JP!


John Pointer Live at Zach Scott Theater – Kashmir from John Pointer on Vimeo.

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis; When I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this

Will be blogging about the thought-provoking sessions at this week’s Politics Online Conference over the weekend, but wanted to whip up a quick post about a video that’s been circulating on political blogs.

Regardless of your views on the conflict in Israel, this YouTube video, featured on yesterday’s RealPolitix (highly recommended for non-partisan-tech-related-political news), called ‘Operation Cast Lead’ is a phenomenal example of the capabilities of online videos for awareness-raising, advocacy, lobbying and message-dissemination.

This simple, but extremely powerful 5 ½ minute clip uses simple narrative & archived news clips (old hat) – but in a first-person-shooter-video-game style to speak the language of a younger online audience & demonstrate the real effects of the conflict with a great deal of statistics and facts about the ongoing impact on civilians.

I encourage you to check it out either on YouTube, or on the RealPolitix site, where you can also read an accompanying positive pro-Israel write-up (best quote from the post “It is not an understatement to say that you can learn more from this video than you can from most of the media coverage.”):

No better time to be reminded of the power of gaming & visualization/advocacy/community than a couple days before pundit-izing on panels at the Canadian Gaming Summit.  If any Torontoians are geeking out this weekend, @me on Twitter & maybe we can sync up a study date – I’d love a fresh set of eyes for some PPTz :)

Quietly turning the backdoor key, stepping outside she is free

A coworker was far too kind deeming me a ‘truant blogger’ this week.  It’s like working out, the longer you wait…the harder it is to get back into the swing of things… & there’s a reason, I swear….too many amazing events, projects & people…

To say that this year’s SXSW was anything less than fantabrillamazesomeriffic would not do it justice.  So lucky to hang out with Sloane, Colin, Erica, Hugh, Rayanne, Martin, Alison, Mike D, Frank, Alissa’n'Ron, Peg, Lucia, Stef & Nikki‘n’Chris & a gaggle of other ridiculously talented gifted peeps.  Tweeted & Twitpic‘ed every run.  Snagged Dirty Projectors setlist for Amanda, Weezer tour poster for Justobyn, office supplies for Sharon & lil’Mimobot nerdery for yours truly.  So that’s 10 days summed up right there.  Easy peasey.  Let’s look to the future, shall we?

Julie Germany & her amazing crew at George Washington University’s IPDI have been so kind in extending an invitation to attend their annual Politics Online conference, which begins tomorrow.   Very honoured to have been asked, especially excited to reconnect with those fine minds who shared their 2008 election stories with me in November & extremely psyched to check out Sameer‘s new DC digs & hear all about the World Bank.  Will Tweet the sessions I attend & post links to shared presos, sites, etc. to the blahg, with a better upload lag than SXSW.

One of the many conference highlights will be (I’m amazing at predictions, trust me;) Silona’s sharing of League of Technical Voters’ latest undertaking – Citability.org.  The site went live today.  Check out this demo:

Closer to home, ChangeCamp is growing! May 16th – Son Of Change Camp: This Time It’s Federal – Ottawa City Hall.  Register here & please remember to bring a donation for the Ottawa foodbank.

Closer to MY home, The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy is proudly hosting the book launch for ‘Parliamentary Democracy In Crisis’, a collection of essays about this winter’s meltdown on the Hill at Massey College on May 11th. Register here & please sign in soon (it’s a tiny tiny venue & we can only accomodate 60 or so…)

I’m plugged out.  More substantive eAdvocacy, digital campaign commentary  After Ms. Meegs Goes to Washington.