Some thoughts on mesh

I wonder if your opinion of mesh 2007 (Canada’s Web 2.0 conference) depends upon your degree of immersion in social media and Web 2.0 goodness. If you’re already a fan of RSS, blogs, wikis and podcasts, and understand their power, what can you learn from mesh? We get the big picture; this stuff is not new: that newspapers are no longer breaking news, that the TV and music industries are being shaken by online media, that the Web can effect social change.

Hmm. Maybe we just needed more case studies. I liked hearing Loren Feldman talk about how he sees his own position in the entertainment world. He knows that CSI is not threatened by 1938 Media. I enjoyed Michael Arrington sharing his thoughts about Tech Crunch and about why he gets his knickers in a knot when he can’t break a story first. As for Austin Hill and Tom Williams – wow. We were all moved hearing the passion in their voices as they talked about using Web 2.0 to advance social causes for the common good.

To me, the value of mesh was mostly in the informal conversations during the breaks – meeting new people, renewing friendships, sharing ideas, even commiserating about people who aren’t yet drinking the Web 2.0 Kool-Aid.

Day 2 rocked. Richard Edelman believes this is the “best of times” for PR. “We used to be the tail of the dog; now we’re at the table, sometimes even driving the strategy,” he said. He talked about the tradeoff between control and credibility; too much control means less cred. When asked about ghost blogging, he rejected the notion: “You need a real voice.” Answering a question about spin, he answered, “I don’t want to be a spin meister. I want to be an adviser, a conscience, an idea generator.” He summed up his philosophy with three final points:
1. Make your stories visual.
2. Don’t be defeated by setbacks. If you’re not falling, you’re not trying hard enough (he compared this to skiing.)
2. Don’t let clients say, “Here’s your little box.” Be bold!

Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster resembles a Zen master in his opinion and demeanor. His company has been profitable since 1999 and he sees no need to ramp up user fees to increase revenue: “We’re making enough money for all our needs.” How refreshing is that? And when he talked about listening to users, we believed him. The needs of the community truly drive his organization, which has no meetings and no sales and marketing staff.

Others more erudite than I have written about mesh07. Check them out.

Comments

[Gloria Hildebrandt]

I see another pearl of wisdom in this blog, Donna. "If you're not falling, you're not trying hard enough" resonates with me. Years ago, my father, a successful business owner, said to me "If you never lose money, you're not taking enough risk." This was in the context of not getting invoices paid. Playing it safe is not the way to get ahead, it seems. You have to try things, even -- especially -- scary things, and learn the lessons from failure.
Thanks for reminding me of this.

[Rob Hyndman]

Donna, thanks for this and thanks for coming and joining us. Jim Buckmaster should start a cult - what a remarkable guy :)

[Leesa Barnes]

Donna, it was great catching up with you and thanks for letting me pick on you during the Podcasting 101 session. I value your input.

[Tom Keefe]

Donna,
Thank you for this post. I followed the link to Austin Hill and Tom Williams, and have some new sources for inspiration related to advocacy. (I hope to be involved with the IABC advocacy initiative--tell you more about it in New Orleans, if you're going.)