Harnessing the Power of Social Media in Government & Public Interest

December 11 2008 | 11:30am - 3:00pm details

Internet technologies like social networking, user-generated content, blogging, message boards and online communities have changed the way government, institutions and non-profits communicate with their constituencies. The successful adoption of these technologies by Barack Obama’s campaign* serves notice as a turning point in the mainstream use and validation that times have changed.

Todd Marks, Founder of Mindgrub, was part of a group of the internet industry’s leading experts and practitioners that was asked to speak at the summit held at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C, and share their insights and real world experiences relating to emerging technologies and social media.

During the seminar, attendee's learned how to prepare Government Agencies or institutions to harness the power of social media.

Discussion topics included:

• What it will mean for government agencies and how to embrace this successfully
• How institutions and non-profits harness the power of the groundswell to further their cause
• Practical tips, best practices and things to avoid

Preliminary Agenda:

• Registration and Lunch
• State of Social Media, presented by Michael Chin, VP of Marketing, KickApps
• Change and Social Media - A Primer, presented by Alan Wolk, Creative Strategist, The Toad Stool
• Social Media and Education, presented by Mario Armstrong, National Public Radio Technology Columnist
• Voice of America - Case Study, presented by Todd Marks, President, Mindgrub Technologies
• Panel Discussion - Best practices & Tips, panel included Sandy Carter Vice President, SOA & WebSphere Strategy, Channels and Marketing, IBM :: Rebecca McMenamin, Project Manager, Voice of America :: Mario Armstrong, National Public Radio Technology Columnist :: Craig Stoltz, Stoltz Digital Strategy Group.
• Networking Reception and light hors d'oeuvres (starts at 3 p.m.)

* During his 21-month campaign, Obama built a list of 3.1 million contributors and over 10 million supporters who helped power his victories over Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican John McCain. In addition to helping raise a staggering $660 million, the campaign's Web effort reinforced his message and themes, responded to political attacks and created volunteer social networks that served as the basis for his field operation.

Obama's team is determining how best to convert his army of online activists into a viral lobbying and communications machine. Staffers are reluctant to discuss specifics, but Obama clearly is poised to become the first truly "wired" president of the digital age. - BETH FOUHY, Associated Press