By Lance Concannon, UK social media lead at Text 100

Speak to any senior corporate comms exec about the barriers that prevent them from using social media more in their organisation, and I guarantee that the issue of ‘risk’ will usually come close to the top of the list. This raises a couple of questions; what exactly are the risks posed by social media, and how can we negate, or at least mitigate, them?

What if people say bad things about our brand?

People often think that creating social media channels for the brand will add fuel to the fire of criticism, but that really doesn’t make any sense. Almost all brands have detractors, and social media makes it easier than ever for those detractors to share their opinions online and there’s not a lot you can do to stop that. (more…)

The SMWF team are excited to announce that the fourth annual SMWF Europe event will be taking place on 27^th and 28^th March at Olympia in London. This year’s show is your chance to experience a packed agenda of interactive workshops, combined with unique networking opportunities, a bustling exhibition space and much more…

New for 2012 we have introduced an updated show format, delivering 6 individual conference tracks, each examining the latest strategies and cutting edge technologies across specifically focussed areas of social media marketing. (more…)

We are pleased to have partnered with both the K West & The Hilton London Olympia to offer all SMWF visitors a discounted room rate for the 26th, 27th & 28th March 2012.

Only a limited number of rooms are available at each hotel, and the rate is only available until 24th February so book today to make sure you have somewhere to stay! (more…)

By Christer Holloman author of ‘The Social Media MBA’ 

For how much longer will we call ‘smartphones’ just that and not simply ‘phones’? ‘Smart phones’ will be the de facto standard in a not too distance future (it’s already the case in certain clusters), the long name will eventually be made redundant. The same will now happen to the words ‘Social Media’. (more…)

Following a landmark year for location based services, mobile marketers are looking towards 2012 as the year when location based technology will pervade many of the services available on users’ handsets.

Last year Foursquare reported that over 15 million users and 600,000 businesses had joined the platform, resulting in over a billion check-ins. Location technology is firmly on the radar for many leading brands, and makes up a key part of the agenda at SMWF Europe in London in March. (more…)

As the big day approaches, the internet, if it was a biscuit, would be largely royal wedding flavoured. And having finally gotten over the crushing disappointment at not receiving an invite, SMWF blog is beginning to get caught up in the party atmosphere.

According to Bing, the number of blogs about the wedding has more than doubled since the start of the month to 102.9m, with the number of wedding related stories published every day souring to a staggering seven million… every day!

With around 45% of the related Twitter noise coming directly out of the US, Nielsen reports that the wedding has made up 0.3% of total US news coverage since details of the engagement were released, with the level immediately after the announcement closer to 3%. (more…)

A big thank you to those that attended the Social Media World Forum in London

Special thank you to all the speakers at the event, sponsors, exhibitors & media partners – have a look down the shots and see if you can spot yourself!!

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Guest blog from Demand Media, silver sponsor of SMWF Europe and in the comScore Top 30 Global Network of Premium Online Brands .

Thank you for attending the Social Media World Forum and for joining our discussion panel “Examining the Social Shopper” where you met our VP of European Sales & Business Development, Stephanie Himoff. We really enjoyed meeting with you and learning about your business! In the discussion, our VP shared real-life examples of leading brands that increased conversions with basic social media tools.

Optimizing the Social Mix
One of the things we love about the Demand Media Social Solutions group is the opportunity to work with thought leaders at brands and agencies. Via a variety of meetings, conversations and exchanges recently, it’s become clear that marketers are evolving their perspectives on social media. (more…)

LEWIS PR COO Paul Charles will be chairing the SMWF “Social Media for crisis management” panel at 16:50, on day one of the event on 29 March.

The session will cover some of the recent catastrophes to have hit the news, and will involve some of the people who were, for better or worse, caught in the middle and forced to make their social media strategy work to deal with the situation.

Aurelie Valtat, for instance, covered last week in this blog, ran the EuroControl air traffic hub social media information feed single handed, keeping virtually all of Europe, passengers, airlines and worried relatives, up to date with the latest developments surrounding the Icelandic volcano crisis and what it meant for air traffic.

This is sure to be a fascinating panel discussion, and you’re almost certain to be in need of a stiff drink after hearing so many tales of social media heroism. Fortunately, Paul and the LEWIS PR team will be heading to the SMWF bar at the end of the session to continue the discussion with a few drinks on them.

For more  information about LEWIS PR click HERE, and to register for the event click here

The Official SMWF Social Soiree – In Association with EURO RSCG LONDON
Integrated Communication Sponsor

Get your party shoes on! The countdown to the SMWF Soiree has started; and this year the SMWF team along with party EURO RSCG London are organising the Social Media Bash of the year!
Located at the exclusive Amika, the Chandlier bar offers a glamorous and sparkling ambiance with a sleek and chic surrounds.

Kicking off from 8pm on the 29th March, be prepared for a tantalising evening full of ice luge action, captivating moments in our photo booth plus plenty of fun to be had on the dance floor.

In true party style, a free bar will run at the start of the evening – Surely the perfect touch for some chilled networking with fellow SMWF folk at the end of an action packed day?

The Official SMWF Soriee, In association with EURO RSCG London and is open to delegates, sponsors & exhibitors with a EURO RSCG LONDON  Invite available during SMWF.

DATE: 29th March,  TIME: 8pm – til late, WHERE: Amika London,   AGENDA: Networking, Drinking, Music.