What is the big society anyway... and how will it affect you?

Bell Pottinger's Claire Cater and CIPR CEO Jane Wilson get to grips with the Big Society and how changes to Government policy could impact PR professionals on CIPR TV on Wednesday 2 February.

'The Big Society' is the Coalition Government's policy centre piece, claiming to be an historic transfer of power and accountability from central government to local government and communities. It impacts on the corporate, third and public sector as well as on the communities and individuals who will be affected by the radical shake-up it means in local public services.

This presents communicators in all sectors with a number of challenges, not least remaining in touch with the issues and stakeholders that inform 'The Big Society' in terms of policy development. It could also present opportunities for organisations who embrace a networked approach to delivery and to those who place a premium on local relationships and corporate social responsibility. It could present further issues in areas such as internal communications.

So now is the time to sort out the myths from the realities and explore exactly what 'The Big Society' means for the PR profession at large.

Jane Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer of the CIPR. Jane is a respected communications expert with over 15 years' experience in senior corporate communications, public relations and marketing roles in public, private and not for profit organizations.

Claire Cater runs the Brand Democracy Network across the Bell Pottinger Group and specialises in helping clients with major challenges or ambitious change programmes. She has recently developed the Big Public Forum which brings together organisations and their stakeholders to plan and co-design services and products. She has a particular expertise in social marketing/behaviour change and is currently writing The Rough Guide to Big Society.

Photo from: http://blog.evansfinch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Wordle_BigSociety_grab_600x407.jpg

To improve is to change. To be perfect is to change often.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Nothing we can do can change the past, but everything we do changes the future. 

"The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice."

George Eliot
"Energy and persistence alter all things."
Benjamin Franklin

It's a commercial of "Boxing After Dark", an HBO boxing program. True motivation and inspiration! Watch video below.

* Picture from: http://www.sanctuarymg.com/persevere/

Brian Solis Keynote - Affiliate Summit West 2011

Brian Solis, author of the bestselling book, Engage, delivered the keynote address at Affiliate Summit West 2011 on Tuesday, January 11, 2011.


More about Brian Solis:


Brian Solis is the author of Engage! The complete guide for businesses to build and measure success in the social web. Brian is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist, Solis has influenced the effects of emerging media on the convergence of marketing, communications, and publishing. 

He is principal of FutureWorks, an award-winning New Media agency in Silicon Valley, and has led interactive and social programs for Fortune 500 companies, notable celebrities, and Web 2.0 startups. BrianSolis.com is among the world's leading business and marketing online resources.

Imagine you've just accidentally hit "Reply All"

This Bridgestone Super Bowl ad wants you to imagine you've just accidentally hit "Reply All" instead of "Reply" on an email. Imagine it's one of those really personal emails that you only wanted one person to read. 

And now, imagine that everyone you've ever worked with is about to find out what you "really think."

In this spot, you'll see just how far one man is willing to go to right his "Reply All" wrongs. " 

Creative, very creative! :)

(Watch video below)

Life In A Day [Digital PR case study]

If you like the international spirit of PRWeekend, value diversity & unique cultures ... then definitely read the Digital PR case study of Life In A Day.

Life In A Day is a historic global experiment to create the world's largest user-generated feature film: a documentary, shot in a single day, by you. On July 24th, 2010, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, executive produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.

Definitely check out the campaign YouTube Channel. Promo Video is below and it is truly creative!

YouTube decided to partner with Ridley Scott and Kevin Macdonald to invite this on-line community to participate in creation of a movie presenting 24 hrs of the life of our planet. 

Note that they do not intend to reward the winning entries financially, but simply propose a chance to be featured as a co-director of the movie and meet the celebrity directors. 

Setting this engagement with the public on very simple, non-financial conditions makes it way easier to handle. (Source link)

Johanna Blakley: Social media and the end of gender [VIDEO]

Media and advertising companies still use the same old demographics to understand audiences, but they're becoming increasingly harder to track online, says media researcher Johanna Blakley. 


As social media outgrows traditional media, and women users outnumber men, Blakley explains what changes are in store for the future of media.


(Watch video below)

Dale Dougherty: We are makers [VIDEO]

America was built by makers -- curious, enthusiastic amateur inventors whose tinkering habit sparked whole new industries. At TED@MotorCity, MAKE magazine publisher Dale Dougherty says we're all makers at heart, and shows cool new tools to tinker with, like Arduinos, affordable 3D printers, even DIY satellites.

Creative Thinking, Innovation, Inspiration ... 
(Watch Video below)

Drawing upon Humor for Change - Creative Presentation [VIDEO]

New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly shares a portfolio of her wise and funny cartoons about modern life -- and talks about how humor can empower women to change the rules.

It is a creative presentation that will make you smile and think about our modern life and society. 

(Watch video below)

The Twitter Experiment - UT Dallas [case study]

Twit Works!


How Twitter became part of a class ... See in the video below. A story of a twitter experiment, a case study of the impact of social media communication.
Dr. Rankin, professor of History at UT Dallas, wanted to know how to reach more students and involve more people in class discussions both in and out of the classroom. She had heard of Twitter...