Dear Colleague:

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."   – M. Gandhi

While I have read this quote many times, the message couldn't seem more fresh in 2009. President Obama urges us to act, to serve our country in a time of need, when our economic future is bleak. Our team has been inspired by our new President's call, and so we have decided to act.

We have taken on a pro-bono client: The Wellness Community of Greater Boston (TWC). The nonprofit provided support for cancer patients in the Boston area for more than 15 years, offering educational workshops, exercise programs and other classes for those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones. Our ranks have been effected by cancer and know the extraordinary value that this organization provides.

On February 1, the organization had to close their doors, but if we can help it, not forever. We will be using our skills in marketing and social media to reach out and spread the word, and help them to reopen. One of our first steps, has been creating a social networking community on Ning so the participants and staff have a place to communicate.

This is a crucial time to remember the non-profit organizations who you care about.

With gratitude,
Catherine

If you would like to donate to the Wellness Community, follow this link: www.twcgreaterboston.org/id34.html

Fast Forward, Social Media

Weber Media Partners leapt onto the social media bandwagon in October 2007, with our blog, Impressions through Media. Like many of our colleagues, we wondered where it would take us, and how it might effect our long-term thinking about using social media as part of our external marketing communications. Since then, we've developed presences on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, del.ici.ous – and are in the process of developing a series of short videos which will be accessible from our website, and YouTube.

The software programs of the Internet's early days (late 80's and early 90's), broadcasted – pushed information out. Users didn't interact with company websites, weren't given the opportunity to provide feedback, or ask questions. As the web has evolved from 1.0 to Web 2.0, users interact freely, initiate conversations and join existing ones. People talk about everything under the sun. Proactive business people and non-profits have decided to meet people where they're talking. Blogger, Peter Kim, has a great list of social media marketing examples and how companies are using them.

In the past couple of years, Web 2.0 has experienced rapid growth. People, places, and a wealth of information are increasingly accessible and searchable.

Where's social media going? The short answer—forward, fast! Let's take a look at Barack Obama's campaign, inauguration, and first days in office.

White House 2.0

A lot has been written about the web strategy utilized by Barack Obama's campaign, and the role it played in the 2008 Presidential Election, by creating a new level of "transparency, accountability, and participation." Barack Obama took online campaigning to a new level with an e-campaign which included an interactive website, text-messaging, YouTube views, and a Facebook profile. The campaign recognized the ways in which technology could be a transformative force, and seized the opportunity.

Immediately after the election, Obama's transition team used the website, www.change.gov, to provide information and updates about the steps leading up to Inauguration Day. The President's Inauguration Committee also launched www.pic2009.org, the official website for Obama's inauguration which included blog, press room, schedule and volunteer opportunities. Emails were sent from Barack Obama to keep the public up-to-date. Some included short videos.

A short time after Barack Obama was sworn in, the new Administration launched a redesigned WhiteHouse.gov, with a whole new look and feel. Macon Phillips, the Director of New Media for the White House describes the site this way: "Millions of Americans have powered President Obama's journey to the White House, many taking advantage of the internet to play a role in shaping our country’s future. WhiteHouse.gov is just the beginning of the new administration's efforts to expand and deepen this online engagement."

The new media efforts will also center around communication, transparency, and participation with: a briefing room, a blog (RSS feed), and sign-up for e-mail updates from the President and his administration, policy priority pages, and the publishing of all non-emergency legislation to the website for five days, allowing the public to review and comment before the President signs it.

WhiteHouse.gov includes commenting via a form, inviting suggestions from the public for the site. Videos and slideshows invite interaction and participation in ways never used by any President before.

At Weber Media Partners, we are excited about the new media directions President Obama and his administration have embraced. We firmly believe social media has become an integral part of marketing communications for businesses, non-profits, government agencies, as well as the myriad causes people care about. The goals for marketing haven't changed – the way we'll go about it has.

We know change doesn’t happen overnight. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about ways to get started.

Selected Posts from our blog, Impressions through Media

What is that Thing, Called Ning?
Email Newsletters: Too Young to Retire
The Blogger's New Groove
That one simple question: Do you know the answer?


To make sure you don't miss any of our posts, subscribe to Impressions through Media by email or RSS Feed.

Upcoming Events
February - April 2009

What’s Your Marketing Stimulus Plan?
An exclusive CMO Roundtable produced by AMA Boston
February 24 2008 | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Refreshments: Appetizers from Legal Seafoods with a cash bar
Exchange Conference Center 212 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA

MITX Social Media Series
How Digital Wired the 2008 Presidential Elections and is Changing the World of Politics
Thursday, February 26 | 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Fidelity, 245 Summer Street, Fl 14, Boston MA

Marketing Sherpa Email Summit '09
March 15-17, 2009
Miami, FL

Search Engine Strategies 2009 Conference & Expo
March 23-26, 2009
Hilton, NY

Direct Marketing Association
Social Media Smarts: An Introduction to the Social Web, Tools and Strategies
April 22, 2009
Chicago, IL