social media

toronto’s community managers

Sometimes when you’re looking for something and can’t find it you have to create the very thing that you want. I recently asked if there was a list of community managers in Toronto.

I asked this after coming across three pieces of information:

  1. Last week I asked on Twitter who would be considered Toronto’s (the city I presently live in) community manager and was surprised that there were only a few people mentioned.
  2. Over the weekend I read a section in Amber Mac’s book Power Friending (not an affiliate link!) on how to be a community manager.
  3. Jeremiah Owyang defines a community manager as a person within a company, or someone who works for a brand, who works within these 4 (at least) pillars:
  1. community advocacy
  2. brand ambassadorship
  3. online communication
  4. customer service and improvement

So, here is a list of community managers in the Toronto area (not including myself):

  1. Erin Bury
  2. Sheldon Levine
  3. Melissa Smich
  4. Stuart Thursby
  5. Nafi Dhanani
  6. Robb M.
  7. Eric Floresca
  8. Crystal Gibson
  9. Dennis Logan
  10. The Creative Type
  11. Noorin Ladhani
  12. Katharine Foster
  13. Andrew F. Stewart
  14. Mary Pretotto
  15. Naomi Elise
  16. Julie Tyios
  17. Meghan Warby
  18. Gary Hilson
  19. Trina Boos
  20. Melissa Feeney
  21. Parth Shukla
  22. Lindsey McInerney
  23. Hardeep Gosal
  24. Colin Smillie
  25. Jared Golberg
  26. Aerin Guy
  27. Soniya Monga

Obviously, this is an incomplete list.  However, I hope that it is of use to you.  If you think anyone should be included, or even excluded from this list, please feel free to comment below.

Update (9/9/10):

  1. Michael Nus
  2. Sameer Vasta
  3. @kathduffy
  4. Dave Duncan
  5. Mike Mahoney
  6. @alexukie
  7. Carolyn Van
  8. Gloria Chic
  9. @feartheweekend
  10. @hambfeck
  11. Jonathan Sinden
podcast, social media, twitter

sms episode #6

Twitter, Pulse and the Future of Social Media

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9236454

This past episode my guests and I had a discussion (among other things) about the future of Twitter.  Ameet said Twitter would last more than 5 years and be around to succeed.  Jeremy thought otherwise and stated that Twitter would not be around in 5 years.

  1. What do you think?
  2. Who’s right and who’s wrong?  Why?

Ameet also introduced us to a project he’s working on called Pulse.

  1. Check out the link.
  2. Where would you like to receive notices from your favourite retailer or service provider?

Thanks for listening, reading and commenting.

podcast, social media

sms episode #5

Hey there!

Recently I’ve started a podcast called SMS: Social Media Show.  You’ve probably seen my copy the posts here on this blog.  Starting with this post, I’m going to mix it up a little. 

Instead of posting the show notes I’m going to post a link to the podcast or Ustream of the episode.  Then, I’m going to ask some questions about some of the topics we’ve been discussing on the show.

I think this is a better idea.  I feel that by stimulating some conversation two things will happen.

First, you will enjoy the show more.  Second, I will be better able to prepare for future shows.

Chatting About Google and Chatroulette:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9235882

Post podcast discussion:

  1. Has anyone used Google Chat to make a phone call? My brother called me and the conversation was clear and not as choppy as Skype.
  2. Speaking of Skype, should they “be afraid”?
  3. Rumour has it that making free call to the US and Canada will continue into the New Year. Given this, is there any reason to have a home phone anymore?  Doesn’t everyone use a mobile phone?

Let’s discuss!

podcast, social media

SMS episode 4

Social Media Show:  San Francisco social media and tech community

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9092865

Host

Karim Kanji – Twitter

Guests

Joallore Alon – Twitter

I work in Publishing for a large company. I’m a Social Instigator that will spur conversation at any moment. I like organizing anything that has “TO” in the hashtag 🙂 #RandomTO #RegiftTO

Guy Gal – Twitter


Yes, that’s my real name. Partner at #thebizmedia, we develop video content. Presenting sponsor of #TEDxToronto and The Art of Marketing. Founder of  #agencyball. Serve on the #GEW Advisory Board.

Mark Reale – Twitter

Mark is a partner and Web Developer at BNOTIONS, Co-Founder and Program Coordinator at the Yorkville Media Centre, and Professor at Seneca College in the Media Fundamentals, Independent Photography, and Acting for Camera and Voice programs.

Producer

Stephen Thomas

Episode Description

This Week on SMS: Discussing the Klout/Virgin America Influencer contest, San Francisco trips, and the week’s social events with guests Joallore Alon, Guy Gal and Mark Reale.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9092865


Uncategorized

laughing in the rain

Andy Nulman, the guy in charge of laughter in Canada – he’s actually in charge of the Just for Laughs brand, tweeted this past weekend:

…what do I have to do to make 20,000 stand in the rain for comedy?

Andy was attending a Green Day concert and realized that 20,000 rabid fans were moshing it up in the rain. 

So I thought I’d dedicate this post to Andy.  I hope I can help.  Although I do know that Andy has friends much smarter than I.  So there’s no pressure on me to perform.

First off, I don’t think Green Day ordered rain.  Honestly.  So let’s take rain out of the equation.  The question should be, how do we get 20,000 people to buy tickets to a comedy act/show that will take place outdoors?

Step one.  Hire an act or a number of performers so that selling 20,000 tickets is no problem.  Talent matters.  I’m not a follower of the comedy industry, but I do know that Russell Peters sold out the Air Canada Centre back in 2009.  So find someone who has filled or can fill an arena.

Step two.  Energy.  If Green Day were performing an intimate, unplugged set, maybe their fans would have rebelled and left the show.  No one like’s just standing in the rain.  But singing in the rain and being active can be kinda fun. Especially if it’s summer and a lot of white tops are being worn. You shouldn’t plan for rain but you can at least prepare for it.  Which comedy act get’s people fired up?

Step three.  This is a blog about “marketing in a social age” so here’s a suggestion with this in mind.  Create a collaborative event.  Create an interactive community-driven site where fans can suggest jokes and themes.  Think about a mash-up of Twitter, YouTube and flash mobs.  Allow the talent to participate in this collaboration with their fans.  Can you imagine the electricity in the air as people wait for their “contribution” to be shared?

Andy, these are just some thoughts.  Hope they help at least spark some ingenious ideas on your end.

Anyone else have any other ideas?

social media, twitter, Uncategorized

SMS episode 3

Social Media Show: Fashion and Social Media – http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8950679

Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 3:20PM

Subscribe
Follow SMS on Twitter!

Hosts

Karim Kanji – Twitter

Guests

Jessica Gardner – Twitter

Currently a Visual communications and culture student at U of T & Sheridan college, and Toronto editor of The Campus Style. As a fashion blogger and reader, has been following the exponential growth of fashion blogs since they started taking off around 2007.

Gloria Chik – Twitter

Gloria is a high-energy blogger, writer, marketer, social media specialist, business school geek, and Toronto Fashion community member. As the founder of urbanebloc.com (2007), she spends her time perusing the city and online story telling for emerging people, places and things. In the past she’s been published in ION Magazine, Dose.ca, and most recently Scion Magazine.

E.P. Cutler – Twitter

E. P. Cutler is a freelance fashion journalist based in New York City. She has written for numerous print and online publications including MarieClaire.com, NYMag.com, and Metro.Pop Magazine. She excited to about her upcoming feature article for the first print issue of MYKROMAG. This Fall, she will be attending Parsons New School for Design to pursue an Master of Arts in Fashion Studies.

Producer

Stephen Thomas

Episode Description

This Week on SMS: The world of Fashion and Social Media with special guests E.P. Cutler, Jessica Gardner and Gloria Chik.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8950679

social media, Toronto, twitter

SMS episode 2

Social Media & Sports – http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8807157

Hosts

Karim Kanji – Twitter

Guests

Joel Reilly – Twitter

I have worked as a producer & director in Toronto’s entertainment industry for 9 years on over 100 productions. Working with some of the industries top commercial production companies. I have produced and directed two films that were purchased by Bravo. “Silent as a mouse”, a 1940’s film noir, had its world premiere at the 2008 LA Shorts Film Festival. The film “Thomson’s Wake” is the 1st dramatic film on the mysterious death of Tom Thomson. Most recently, I created and ran a social media initiative called Boshtown (www.boshtown.com) which had on average over 5000 unique visitors per post and also trended on Twitter. Currently working biz dev for Red Juice Media.

Anthony Zanfini – Twitter

I’m a creative and social media strategist with GWP, a Toronto based branding consultancy. Also a former sports writer for both the University of Toronto and McGill University newspapers.

Sean Boulton – Twitter

Sean Boulton is a long-suffering Toronto sports fan, old enough to have legally hoisted a drink to the 92/93 World Series victories, but young enough to have never hoisted even a sippy-cup for a Stanley Cup win. Born and raised a Leafs fan in Canadiens country, he’s been in Toronto for more than 20 years, where he can properly fulfill his Leafs and Blue Jays love in its natural environment. His following list on Twitter is chock-full of sports writers and broadcasters, local athletes, and like-minded fans. Wage-slave to the investment industry by day, amateur singer/actor and karaoke enthusiast by night, Sean can be found on Twitter at @sboulton, and inconsistently maintains a blog about the trials of trying to go from unfit to fit at http://mlaffs.wordpress.com.

Producer

Stephen Thomas

Episode Description

This Week on SMS: Discussing the line between Social Media and Sports, with Joel Rielly, Anthony Zanfini and Sean Boulton.

Topics

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8807157

social media

building it: Canadian Football League

At the end of last month I wrote a post called build it.  At the end of that post I said that I would be highlighting what Canada’s most popular sports team is doing to engage with its community.

I have to apologize.  It was not my next post.  And it’s not this post.  But it’s coming.  There are some videos involved, so it’s taking a bit longer than I would like. (I hate editing)

In the meantime, I want to share with you what the Canadian Football League is doing.  Out of all the professional sports teams/leagues here in Canada, the CFL, in my opinion, work the hardest when it comes to creating and engaging with their community:

However, the CFL is also engaged with groups across the country.  They’re asking these groups what they can do to excite different demographics.

One of these groups is one I belong to: Toronto’s social media community.

The following videos show the CFL giving our community an experience that we will never forget.  It is also an experience that will forever make this blogger thankful for the opportunity; As well as a lifelong supporter and booster of Canadian football.

I hope you enjoy:

At CFL headquarters in Toronto – Part One:

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=qMUv1arMXzg]

Part Two:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlQeKcO1Xw]

Then we got a sideline tour prior to the 2010 Home Opener for the Toronto Argos:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHDog-Y0aTM]

social media

SMS episode 1

This is episode 1 of my new show.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8663361

It’s called SMS (Social Media Show). 

Hosts

Karim Kanji – Twitter

Guests

Casie Stewart – Twitter – Blog
Saul Colt – Twitter – Blog

Producer

Stephen Thomas

Episode Description

This Week on SMS: First episode of the brand new Social Media Show on Perpetual Radio Networks. Karim interviews Casie Stewart and Saul Colt and discusses TweetGasmTO and Old Spice.

Topics

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/8663361