Trafcom News

The next generation of magazine or employee publication?

I love this demo of the next generation of Sports Illustrated magazine on a tablet. Watching it, I could foresee all kinds of print publications migrating to this  format, which seamlessly blends text, audio and video. Even employee communications could take on this exciting new way of communicating.

What do you think? When will this type of publication be coming to a screen near you?

Hat tip to Dave Williams, who sent me the link.

UPDATE: More on this developing topic, as major U.S. publishers plan their own multimedia platform to rival the gray text-laden Kindle.

The best of my Twitter finds this week

I’m not the first person to notice that the time I spend following  blogs, and writing posts for my own blog, has fallen off the rails since I’ve embraced Twitter as a communications tool. A few months back I posted a short item about the ephemeral nature of Twitter. Yet, Twitter does lead me to some very interesting content, so I thought I would try to package some of this stuff into the occasional blog post and share it with you. Here’s some of the best of my Twitter finds this week:

Jeremiah Owyang writes: “Is blogging evolving into life streams?” after top Edelman blogger Steve Rubel abandons his TypePad blog for a Posterous stream. Is this the way of the future?

A new study reports that non-profits eclipse other businesses in social media use. (via @webvideodave)

Seth Godin writes about the paradox of the middle of the market. (via @knealemann)

Of course there was lots of iPhone-related content:

• New mini power projector for iPhone & iPod touch. (via @webinarwisdom and @presentationzen)
• iPhone app tip: Digital Biz Cards from Snap Dat (via @webinarwisdom and @loubortone)
• Techcrunch reviews the 3GS iPhone and its video capability. This review leads me to two questions: Does the new iPhone spell trouble for the Flip camera; how long will I hold out before I trade up to a 3GS phone?

More on Twitter:

• How to Manage Twitter better as your use increases: 10 Tips (via @Twitter_Tips)
• Twitter Guide Book... great tutorials, video and tips/techniques (via @webinarwisdom)

And from elsewhere on the Web,  I love this New York Times piece about a subway rider who takes a stand when fellow passengers insist on making everyone else listen to their tunes. I may try this trick on the GO train one day.

If you're not already following me on Twitter, please do. (I am most likely to follow back if you have a bio and a link.)

Video version of my Webinar: How to use new media to make the most of your event

Ask and you shall receive. Several people have asked to view the Webinar I conducted earlier this week, called “How to use new media to make the most of your event.” I put this online seminar together last year to answer many of the questions I was hearing about conference podcasting, event promotion/marketing and so on. It’s designed for people who organize not only big conferences, but all-employee meetings, sales meetings and customer events too.

In this 28-minute video version of the Webinar,  you’ll learn about using the power of multimedia (including audio, video and social media tools like Twitter and Facebook) to maximize your organization’s investment in your event.




NOTE: This does not include the Q&A from the Webinar.

I welcome your comments!

Using new media to make the most of your event

I’m looking forward to be presenting this Webinar again: How to use new media tools to make the most of your event. I put this online seminar together last year to answer many of the questions I was hearing about conference podcasting, event promotion/marketing and so on. It’s designed for people who organize not only big conferences, but all-employee meetings, sales meetings and customer events too.
 
In this 45-minute Webinar on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 2 p.m. Eastern time, we'll talk about:

• How to attract more attendees
• How to maximize the value of presentations, speeches and interviews at your meeting
• How to create audio and video content at your event so as to market your next event
• Using social networks to build a community around your event
• Gaining maximum communications value with minimal hassle

If you’re interested in this free Webinar, please send an email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com and I will forward the registration instructions.

Using YouTube for good and evil

OK, evil is an overstatement. Within an hour today, I spotted two amazing uses of video to communicate. In the first case, some very smart people used cleverly made YouTube videos to help preserve funding for zoos, aquaria and botanical gardens in New York. Well done! (Thanks to B.L. Ochman for highlighting this on her blog.) Are you hungry? You won’t be after the second example. Here we have two not-so-bright Domino’s employees showing us one disgusting way to make a sandwich. (And I always thought the white dough was the part that would kill you.) Video, used right, can be a powerful medium. Unfortunately, video – and distribution via YouTube – in the hands of people incapable of seeing consequences beyond the next five minutes can lead to trouble. I wouldn’t want to be the PR person for Domino’s right now. UPDATE:More on the Domino's case from Consumerist.
ANOTHER UPDATE: I really like Shel Holtz's blog post on this topic.
Final UPDATE: Nice post from Neville Hobson.

Free Webinar: Using new media to make the most of your event

I’m excited to be presenting this Webinar again: How to use new media tools to make the most of your event. I put this online seminar together to answer some of the questions I was hearing about conference podcasting, event promotion/marketing and so on. It’s designed for people who organize not only big conferences, but all-employee meetings, sales meetings and customer events too.
 
In this 45-minute Webinar on Friday, February 20, 2009, at 2 p.m. Eastern time, we'll talk about:

• How to attract more attendees
• How to maximize the value of presentations, speeches and interviews at your meeting
• How to create audio and video content at your event so as to market your next event
• Using social networks to build a community around your event
• Gaining maximum communications value with minimal hassle

If you’re interested in this free Webinar, please send an email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com and I will forward the registration instructions.

The best podcasts? Plus top three tips for multimedia success in 2009

Check out my Trafcom News Podcast show number 80, in which you'll discover suggestions for finding podcasts to add to your playlist, as well as three tips for successful multimedia projects in the coming year.

Are you going to the New Media Expo?

About 2,000 people are expected to gather in Las Vegas August 14 to 16 for the New Media Expo, billed as a “hands-on, exciting, ‘how-to’ event with practical conference sessions about how to produce high-quality online audio and video content, grow a loyal audience,”  and much more.

Although I’ve been working in multimedia for a few years, this will be my first visit to the Expo. I’m really looking forward to it, except for the part about it being in Vegas in, um, AUGUST. If you’re going to be at the Expo, let me know.

Online video is no longer "too out there"

The next time someone tells me that online video is too cutting-edge for them, I'll point out that the Pope is now using this medium. OK, I'm pretty sure that he didn't set up the Qik account himself, but still.

You can read the whole story here. Tip of the mitre to http://twitter.com/patphelan via http://twitter.com/jangles.

In case you missed it

Before the year is out, be sure to check out the "Share 2007" holiday greeting from Mitch Joel and the team at Twist Image in Montreal. It's an eclectic and very well executed collection of some of the best videos of the year.