Tag: attendees

TJ Mizell, Son of Legendary Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, to DJ #SMWNYC Opening Party

Posted on by SMW Staff

To celebrate the 9th annual Social Media Week conference in New York, we’re hosting this year’s official opening reception.

This celebration helps kickstart the 2017 global theme “Language and the Machine”, which explores how technology is changing how we connect and communicate.

TJ Mizell, DJ and son of the late Jam Master Jay of Run D.M.C, will get behind the turntables at Samsung 837.  He entertains/spins at various special events, fashion shows and nightclubs in New York and around the world.

His skills take the experience to a whole new level with mesmerizing soundtracks. The majority of his musical influence comes from his father and his mentors at the Scratch DJ Academy founded by JMJ. TJ maintains his authenticity behind the 1 and 2’s with seamless blends and precise cuts during his mash-up sets of Hip Hop, Dubstep, and everything in between and beyond.

The Official Opening Party is for #SMWNYC passholders only, and you must be 21+ to attend. Cocktails, wine and beer will be provided courtesy of Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, Ketel One, and Brooklyn Brewery and passed food courtesy of LDV Hospitality.

Crimson Hexagon at #SMWNYC on Social Listening 2.0 and How to Use Machine Learning

Posted on by SMW Staff

For years, the smartest brands have used social listening tools to keep tabs on their brand image and audience. But today that’s not enough—which is why companies want to get to the “why” behind these metrics.

New social media analytics tools, built on powerful machine learning and AI technologies, dive deep into the nuances of consumer sentiment and purchase intent and surface new trends and audience affinities as they evolve.

Crimson Hexagon is an enterprise social media analytics company providing insights for brand strategy, market research, and more. At #SMWNYC, attendees will hear from Mitch Brooks (Sr. Director, New Products, Crimson Hexagon) on the latest trends in social analytics and machine learning, and how today’s cutting-edge brands use these tools to stay ahead of the competition.

“Social Listening 2.0: How Machine Learning Gets to the ‘Why’ of Analytics,” will demonstrate to attendees the real-world examples of how brands are using machine learning to gain deep insights on their consumers, as well as a bird’s eye view of the evolution and future of machine learning and deep social listening.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 to March 3. HQ passes are sold out, but you can still watch the official sessions LIVE and on-demand through our video platform, SMW Insider.

16 #SMWNYC Events Exploring Today’s Major Social Media Platforms

Posted on by SMW Staff

Today, it seems like social platforms have all the power, and marketers are faced with ongoing challenges of captivating audiences in a never-ending battle of time and attention.

From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and Snapchat, and everything in-between, everyday there are changes to algorithms and user behavior that dictate how we reach audiences online and create content for them.

At #SMWNYC, we’re diving into the world of social platforms, and how marketers should navigate these constantly-evolving networks of content, users, and brands. Here are 16 sessions exploring today’s major social platforms at Social Media Week New York.

1. The Pursuit of Meaningful Content (Pinterest)

Get inspired by creative examples that show how brands can move people from inspiration to action on Pinterest, and walk away with new ideas for creating engaging video and dynamic creative.

2. Distributed Media All-Stars: Experts Share Their Viral Content Secrets (Insider)

What do publishers need to know in order to create content that performs well on social, especially video? This session will answer this question, as well as explore what publishers need to know in structuring deals with partner platforms, and how to monetize social video.

3. Breaking Down The Facebook Auction: How To Combat Inflated CPMs and Bigger Budgets to Deliver More Sales In 2017 (Croud)

This session will break down everything from how Facebook auctions work. Learn new approaches to Facebook bid management, creative testing and audience fatigue. Attendees will also gain actionable insights to take away and implement on their Facebook marketing campaigns the next day.

4. The Business of BuzzFeed with Chief Revenue Officer, Lee Brown (BuzzFeed)

Hear from BuzzFeed’s Chief Revenue Officer on how BuzzFeed quickly become a cross-platform, global network for news and entertainment that generates seven billion content views each month and distributes content for a global audience while continuously testing, learning and optimizing.

5. Leveraging Social Platforms Along the Entire Customer Journey (L2)

This event will explain how brands should accelerate and decelerate social investments, how brands can transition from driving brand equity and awareness on social platforms to more bottom-of-the-funnel goals like social commerce and advocacy.

6. Keeping Up With Social Platform Perspectives (Adaptly)

Audiences are becoming more and more fragmented every day. Marketers must understand the value consumers derive from the big five platforms, and this session will dive into this topic. Attendees will gain insight into how users consume content differently (speed, sound-on versus -off, etc), and the approach advertisers should take towards campaign planning.

7. How Hearst’s Prestige Brands Are “Doing the Internet” (Hearst Magazines Digital Media)

From ELLE’s creative and fashion-forward use of live video tools to Esquire’s Election 2016 coverage to Marie Claire’s insane growth on Instagram, we’ll take a look at how Hearst’s titles are harnessing their unique voices and satisfying the rapidly changing social landscape.

8. Don’t Call Snapchat a Social Media Platform (Sweet)

Sweet is the first-ever brand to launch a straight-to-Snapchat Discover publication, covering the best in music, culture and style. In this talk, Ross Clark (VP / GM , Sweet), will speak on the importance of creating a two-way dialogue with conversational content and about future trends of different digital media that have outgrown their early “social” beginnings.

9. Spatial Storytelling with Megan Summers, Global Head of Production, Facebook (Facebook)

In this talk, Megan Summers, who runs production globally for Facebook’s Creative Shop team, will lead a session that explores new storytelling principles and languages in the age of VR, 360 and the Feed.

10. The Evolution of Social Video (Adaptly)

Executives from BuzzFeed, Instagram, and Adaptly will discuss the use cases of newer video formats like vertical video, Instagram Stories, and livestreaming, as well as how to track views and understand video metrics across platforms.

11. Facebook Automated Campaign Management: Let Facebook Do the Work for You (General Assembly)

Get a step by step walkthrough on how to create Automated Rules, discover overall best practices based on your business model and goals, and learn when to pause campaigns, or when to receive performance notifications. This session will help you become a Facebook marketing expert!

12. Masters of Storytelling: How NatGeo Engages 350 Million Fans on Social (National Geographic)

In this event, Rachel Webber (EVP of Digital Products, National Geographic) will share insights and perspectives on how they are leveraging the new tools and platforms to maintain their position as one of the most relevant and inspiring brands in social media.

13. Instagram Killed The Television Star (Crowdtap)

Television as we know it will soon be no longer. This session will forecast the coming phases which will signal the end of Television 1.0, and where advertisers will look next for critical mass. Attendees will also understand the role of celebrities and influencers across the spectrum in receiving the torch, and the massive impact of Live streaming on platforms like Instagram.

14. How The Verge Builds Audiences Across Multiple Platforms (Vox Media)

To be a successful publisher in 2017, it means creating content not just for your website, but for platforms ranging from Facebook to Google, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. Vox Media is becoming a leader in mastering social platforms across their suite of brands, and this session will help attendees determine which platforms to invest in, how to grow audiences on those platforms, and how to re-edit and package a story or video to serve those audiences.

15. How BuzzFeed’s Tasty Used An Audience-Driven Approach to Become the No.1 Publisher on Facebook (BuzzFeed)

In less than two years, Tasty, BuzzFeed’s global food network, has published more than 2,000 recipe videos that reach a staggering 500 million people a month. Michelle Kempner (VP, Operations, BuzzFeed) will share BuzzFeed’s test and learn approach as well as digital advantages that helped build the initial and continued success of Tasty and beyond.

16. A Conversation with The Daily Show’s Best F%#king Social Media Team Ever (Comedy Central)

Join Comedy Central’s GM, “The Daily Show’s” producers and correspondents for an in-depth discussion about the daily conversation that happens between the show and its fans on social media.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 to March 3. HQ passes are sold out, but you can still watch the official sessions LIVE and on-demand through our video platform, SMW Insider.

How Blue Apron Used Data and Social Media to Acquire and Retain Customers

Posted on by SMW Staff

In just a few short years, Blue Apron has grown from innovative upstart to the undisputed market leader in curated home food delivery. This rise is a natural consequence of their great product and superior customer experience, but it wouldn’t have been possible without being able to convince millions of people to try their service in the first place.

Judging by Blue Apron’s success, it’s no surprise that they have one of the best acquisition teams in the business — and lots of stories to share.

Join us at #SMWNYC and hear from Greg Fitzgerald (Director of Acquisition Marketing, Blue Apron) and Joshua Neckes (Co-Founder, Simon Data) for an in-depth look into how Blue Apron employs a data-first, cross-channel approach to getting the most out of social media for customer acquisition.

The event, “Building a Billion Dollar Business: How Blue Apron Used Data and Social Media to Acquire and Retain Customers,” will help attendees get direct insight into a top-performing acquisition marketing team while learning about the role of paid social, sponsored content, influencer marketing, and other critical channels for high-growth businesses.

Other key takeways from this session include the challenges and benefits of coordinating social media with other essential marketing channels, and examples of how leveraging customer data helps business focus not on just acquiring customers, but on acquiring the best customers.

This session takes place on Tuesday, February 28 at Social Media Week New York. HQ passes are sole out, but you can still watch the official sessions LIVE and on-demand through our video platform, SMW Insider.

14 Events Exploring the Future of Video at #SMWNYC

Posted on by SMW Staff

The state of video for news outlets, content marketers, and everyone in-between is constantly changing, and at Social Media Week New York, you will hear from the industry’s experts on how to break through the noise with video content.

Below are 14 events that will dive into these questions, and get you up to speed on the latest trends such as virtual reality, 360 video, live video, and storytelling in new, immersive formats.

1. What’s Emerging? Insights, and Big Predictions for the Future of Our Industry (Deep Focus)

In this opening session to kick off #SMWNYC, Chairman of Deep Focus, Ian Schafer will participate in a rapid fire Q&A about the state of the industry. During the discussion Ian will share his predictions for business and what he believes are the most important opportunities and challenges that marketers face today.

2. Distributed Media All-Stars: Experts Share Their Viral Content Secrets (Insider)

Insider has nearly 2 billion video views each month across platforms including Facebook. Nicholas Carlson (Editor-in-Chief, Insider) will moderate a discussion with some of the leading distributed media content creators — all of whom will share their own secret sauce for creating and distributing content with the power to go viral like wildfire.

3. Keeping Up With Social Platform Perspectives (Adaptly)

Audiences are becoming more and more fragmented every day. Though 78% of Americans have a social media profile, users exhibit markedly different behavior on each of the major platforms. Learn how users consume content differently (speed, sound-on versus sound-off, images vs. text), as well as the approach advertisers should take towards campaign planning.

4. Don’t Call Snapchat a Social Media Platform (Sweet)

Snapchat is expanding into a full-blown entertainment and communication platform; it’s so much more than social media, and it is becoming deeply personal. In this talk, Ross Clark (VP and GM, Sweet – Snapchat Discover Channel) will speak on the importance of creating a two-way dialogue with conversational content and about future trends of different digital media that have outgrown their early “social” beginnings.

5. Spatial Storytelling with Megan Summers, Global Head of Production, Facebook (Facebook)

In this talk, Megan, who runs production globally for Facebook’s Creative Shop team, will lead a session that explores new storytelling principles and languages in the age of VR, 360 and the Feed.

6. The Evolution of Social Video (Adaptly)

From modest YouTube beginnings to effortless livestreaming from a smartphone, social video has evolved immensely over the past decade. Today, over 100 million hours of video are consumed on Facebook daily, and smartphone users spend 45 minutes each day watching videos on their phones. Ken Blom (Director, Branded Content Distribution, BuzzFeed), Nikhil Sethi (Co-Founder and CEO, Adaptly), and Jeff Taylor (Regional Product Marketing Manager, Instagram) will lead this session on social video best practices for brands.

7. Video + Media: The Power of Visual Communication in the Digital Age (Brit + Co)

It’s no secret that video now rules the digital media world. Whether it’s a video mini-series, a Facebook Live, or a GIF, visual content is catching the attention of consumers and brands alike. Brit Morin, Founder & CEO of a digital media and commerce company Brit + Co, has always been focused on the visual, and she’s speaking at #SMWNYC on why video is the center of media right now, and the benefits and challenges of making visual communication a core focus of your business.

8. From URL to IRL: The Content for the Digital Generation (Refinery29)

Refinery29 is constantly balancing meaningful digital content with real-life experiences across platforms like Snapchat Discover, Facebook, Instagram, and more. In this session, Refinery29’s SVP of Content Strategy & Innovation, Neha Gandhi, will explain how her team creates authentic content that resonates with today’s audience plus the power of emerging platforms.

9. The Future of Video in Advertising with Michelle Klein, Marketing Director of North America at Facebook (Facebook)

In this talk, Michelle Klein, Facebook’s Head of Marketing, North America, will share Facebook’s vision for the future of video, the role it will play in advertising and how language and communication will continue to evolve in this space.

10. Instagram Killed The Television Star (Crowdtap)

Television as we know it will soon be no longer. The notion of tuning in to a TV network will be a distant memory and the proverbial cord will someday be forever cut. These changes will disrupt the marketing industry in ways that the onset of the internet itself didn’t achieve. Leading this session is Matt Britton (Chief Executive Officer, Crowdtap).

11. How Johnnie Walker Brought Drunk Driving Into Social Media Users’ (Virtual) Reality (VaynerMedia)

In this panel, attendees will learn from marketing and studio production experts at Diageo and VaynerMedia, respectively, on how together they exposed social media users to a reality never before experienced on platforms including Facebook 360, YouTube 360, and in an integration with the New York Times to directly and emotionally impact viewers.

12. musical.ly and MTV: A Master Class in Mobilizing Musers (MTV)

From the MTV Video Music Awards to the Nickelodeon HALO Awards to other major events and activations, musical.ly’s powers of promotion and unprecedented engagement have brought custom solutions to life for networks, studios, and brands. Join representatives from musical.ly and MTV for a master class on harnessing the power of this video social network and its influential group of “musers.”

13. All You Can Eat: How BuzzFeed’s Tasty Used An Audience-Driven Approach to Become the No.1 Publisher on Facebook (BuzzFeed)

In less than two years, Tasty, BuzzFeed’s global food network, has published more than 2,000 recipe videos that reach a staggering 500 million people a month. Michelle Kempner (VP of Operations, BuzzFeed) will share BuzzFeed’s test and learn approach as well as digital advantages that helped build the initial and continued success of Tasty and beyond.

14. Future Publishing Models: VR and 360 Video (The New York Times)

Via NYT’s VR app, users can go underwater or on the campaign trail, experience life through the eyes of a refugee or explore previously unseen worlds and experience stories reported by award-winning journalists, all told in an immersive, 360-degree video experience. In this session, Sam Dolnick (Associate Editor at NYT) and Andy Wright (Publisher, The New York Times Magazine) will share how they have embraced, integrated and innovated in VR and 360 with exceptional results for brands and readers alike.

Independent Events at #SMWNYC in 2017

Posted on by SMW Staff

When Social Media Week started in 2009 in New York, the conference took place all around the city. Business leaders, designers, marketers, journalists, freelancers, strategists, and anyone interested in the convergence of technology and media had a platform to come together and explore new ideas and trends in the industry.

Today, as the industry and SMW has evolved, we still aim to provide local communities of Social Media Week the opportunity to come together and discuss, debate, and dive into best practices and new trends in media, marketing, and tech.

This year is no different, and we’re thrilled to highlight some of the Independent Events taking place in New York during Social Media Week NYC. These events take place at separate venues and offices, and use their own registration, so plan accordingly if you would like to attend.

Your HQ pass does not include independent events. Please register for these separately.

  1. Truthful, Accurate and Not Misleading: A 90-Minute Guide to Best Practices in Advertising Across Social Media Platforms (hosted by Advertising Self-Regulatory Council)

  2. A Cross-Device Primer: Technology and Self-Regulation (hosted by Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.)

  3. Influential: How Brands and Influencers Can Work Together For Maximum Impact (hosted by Sharp Communications)

  4. Firing-Up Emerging Leaders (FUEL) Forum: How Millennials are Writing the Rulebook in a Digitally-Driven World (hosted by W2O Group)

  5. The Art of Creating For The Silent Era (hosted by Derby)

  6. The Message Has A New Medium: Strategies for Fostering Communication in the Workplace (hosted by TPG Architecture)

  7. WOMMA Wine Wednesday | Under the Influence: A Guide for Brands and Retailers Working with Influencers (hosted by WOMMA and Collective Bias)

  8. Short Video: Courting the Modern Attention Span (hosted by Visual Country)

  9. 3 Ways to Think About Learning in 2017: Culture, Marketing, and Revenue (hosted by Sociality Squared)

  10. Text100’s Cocktails and Connections (hosted by Text100)

View the full schedule of official and independent events here. Please note that we are officially sold out of HQ passes for #SMWNYC, but you can still watch all of the action LIVE by signing up for SMW Insider, our live and on-demand video platform.

Learn how Viacom’s digital media team experimented with new ways of engaging fans

Posted on by SMW Staff

Experts from Viacom’s VH1, MTV International, and Marketing and Partner Solutions will explore how they have fearlessly experimented and found success creating new ways to engage fans using innovative tactics around social, bots, and more.

Lydia Daly (SVP, Social Media and Branded Content Strategy, Viacom Velocity), Jon Mallow (SVP of Digital, VH1 & Logo Online – Production, Viacom), and Karmelina Parouka (Vice President of Digital Production, MTV International / Viacom International Media Networks) will take the #SMWNYC stage (Stage One at The TimesCenter) for a discussion on their recent findings.

This session, “Dear Social, What Have You Done for Me Lately? How Viacom Gets Maximum Fan Impact from Innovations in Social, Bots, and Beyond,” takes place Tuesday, February 28 at 11:00am.

In addition to this session, MTV is also hosting a masterclass event this year at #SMWNYC titled, “musical.ly and MTV: A Master Class in Mobilizing Musers,” which will explain the power of musical.ly, a growing music video social network, and its influential group of “musers.”

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

Pinterest will explore “Creativity that Drives Growth” at #SMWNYC

Posted on by SMW Staff

One of the biggest hurdles that marketers fact today is creating content that’s personalized and inspires people to act. Join Alastair Cotterill, Pinterest’s Global Head of Creative and Brand Strategy, for a chat about how developing great creative based on “me” time instead of “them” time may not be as tricky as it may seem.

In this session, “From Inspiration to Action: Creativity that Drives Growth,” attendees will walk away with an understanding of how shifting to this more personalized approach results in unique creative opportunities, as well as the reasons why great creative doesn’t just win awards, but also drives actual business growth.

Alastair will also show attendees examples of creative that inspired people to take action with on mobile devices, plus new ideas for creating engaging content intended for mobile.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

Learn about “High-Performing Visual Content” from Shutterstock at #SMWNYC

Posted on by SMW Staff

With an ever increasing need to capture audience attention across social networks, the use of imagery has evolved from posting a simple picture to include more striking visual elements that can engage and influence behavior.

As a result, an essential part of the social media manager’s role is the quick and easy creation of visual content to support their business on all channels. From flyers to social posts, ads to presentations, today’s digital marketers are hard pressed to create compelling designs that accurately represents their brand and connects with their target audience.

Shutterstock Product Owner, Jason Schickel, will share visual trends that will dominate social media in 2017, as well as tips on finding high-quality imagery to best represent your brand message. In this interactive workshop, the audience will use these insights to create fun and memorable promotional materials using Shutterstock’s simple design tool, Editor.

In this session, “Stand Out from the Crowd with High-Performing Visual Content,” attendees will learn how to discover visual trends and imagery that performs best on social channels, how design and personalized promotional materials can engage your audience on social media, and the fundamentals of image licensing and how this applies to your business.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

Marina Maher Communications will host #SMWNYC event on “influencing consumers”

Posted on by SMW Staff

Every day, ideas, thoughts and conversations from millions of people all over the world are shared online. The words they use to express themselves on social media have the power to influence and inform – but they are also the gateways to understanding what motivates your target audiences to try, buy, and tell their friends about brands and products.

Through advanced text analysis of the words and the emotions people use on social, brands have the ability to influence consumers to purchase their products and turn them into vocal brand advocates.

In this session, “Words of Wisdom: Advanced Text Analytics and Strategies that Influence Consumers,” David Richeson, Chief of Innovation and Influence at Marina Maher Communications, will explore the vital role language has in helping brands find new ways into the consumer vernacular, and ultimately into their hearts, minds and purchase decisions.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

Hear from the GM and VP of Sweet, the brainchild of Hearst Magazines and Snapchat

Posted on by SMW Staff

Ross Clark is Vice President and General Manager of Sweet, a partnership between Hearst Magazines and Snapchat, and the first media brand born on and built for Snapchat’s Discover platform.

He oversees Sweet’s partnerships across editorial, growth and revenue, and has led a number of high-profile initiatives for the brand including exclusive editorial partnerships with Gucci and Carolina Herrera plus advertising partnerships with Apple, L’Oreal, Universal Studios and more.

Ross will take the official #SMWNYC stage on Tuesday afternoon to explain how Snapchat is expanding into a full-blown entertainment and communication platform, why it’s so much more than social media, and how it is becoming deeply personal.

In this talk, Ross will speak on the importance of creating a two-way dialogue with conversational content and about future trends of different digital media that have outgrown their early “social” beginnings. If you’d like to attend this session, sign up to attend Social Media Week in New York this February 28 to March 3.

You’ll understand some of the ways Ross and the Sweet team capture the attention of the coveted millennial audience using a unique lens on how the platform is evolving and how to best leverage its features.

Prior to joining Sweet Clark was a Senior Director at Conde Nast. where he built a global distribution network by sourcing, negotiating and implementing multiple global content distribution deals to create a network of over 25 partners including Facebook, Apple, Spotify, Twitter and YouTube, and sourced the company’s acquisition of Pitchfork Media – Conde Nast’s first editorial acquisition in seven years.

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

12 Must-See Industry Leaders Speaking at #SMWNYC

Posted on by SMW Staff

Social Media Week New York brings some of the world’s most innovative, educational, and inspiring executives to the official stage. From major social media platforms and global agencies, to the technology startups and publishing powerhouses we read about everyday.

Here’s a sample of notable industry leaders speaking at #SMWNYC this year:

By the way, only 275 passes left. Make sure to get yours here!

  1. Brit Morin (Founder & CEO, Brit + Co)
  2. Sebastian Tomich (SVP, Advertising & Innovation, The New York Times)
  3. Neha Gandhi (SVP of Content Strategy & Innovation, Refinery29)
  4. Ross Clark (VP & GM, Sweet – Snapchat Discover Channel)
  5. Michelle Klein (Marketing Director, North America, Facebook)
  6. Bob Cohn (President, The Atlantic)
  7. Sarah Frank (Editor, NowThis News)
  8. Adam Leibsohn (Chief Operating Officer, Giphy)
  9. Megan Summers (Global Head of Production, Facebook)
  10. Sam Dolnick (Associate Editor, The New York Times)
  11. Nazanin Rafsanjani (Creative Director, Gimlet Creative)
  12. Yannis Kotziagkiaouridis (Global Chief Analytics Officer, Wunderman)

You can view more official speakers here, and the initial schedule of #SMWNYC events here. If you are planning to attend, we only have 275 HQ passes remaining and will sell out soon. Take advantage of the 10%-off sale to lock in your spot before it’s too late!

Announcing the Initial Lineup of #SMWNYC Events and Speakers

Posted on by SMW Staff

This February, Social Media Week returns to New York for its 9th year.

If you’ve been waiting to see who we’ve confirmed to speak, then your wait is over. Check out the initial lineup of events, speakers and presenting brands.

Tickets are selling fast and with less than 500 HQ passes remaining we’re on schedule to sell out the event in the next few weeks. Secure yours at 20% off today!

This year’s program will be our most inspiring and thought provoking to-date. Through our 2017 global theme, “Language and the Machine”, we will explore a future, where new elements of language and forms of communication will continue to evolve. We’ll dive into these trends via four themed days of events, which will look at the Business, Art, Science and Future of social media.

Each day we’ll address a range of topics including Emerging Platforms, New Business Models, Content Creation, Storytelling and Distribution, Fake News, Snapchat for Brands, Facebook Live and the Future of Video, Paid Social, AI, Chatbots and VR.

Featured #SMWNYC sessions already confirmed include:

  • Distributed Media All-Stars: Experts Share Their Viral Content Secrets, with Business Insider
  • Don’t call Snapchat a Social Media Platform with Hearst’s Snapchat publication Sweet
  • From legacy brand to multi-platform powerhouse, with Bob Cohen, President of The Atlantic
  • Experiential Brand Storytelling with The New York Times and Fake Love
  • Spatial Storytelling, with Megan Summers, Global Head of Production, Facebook
  • How Johnnie Walker Brought Drunk Driving Into Social Media Users’ (Virtual) Reality with VaynerMedia
  • The Future of Data-Driven Customer Communications with Bitly’s CTO
  • Serving the Public: PBS and the Future of Language with Iris Worldwide
  • Podcasts and Brands: A Match Made in Brand Marketing Heaven with Gimlet Media
  • A/B Testing is Dead. Long Live Rapid Mass Experimentation with Wunderman
  • Decoding ?: Building Machines That Know How Humans Feel
  • Social Etiquette For Chatting With Robots with Momentum Worldwide Chief Technology Officer

Social Media Week will take place February 28 to March 3 at The TimesCenter in midtown Manhattan. You can secure your pass with a 20% discount by signing up before prices increase on January 12.

Make sure you look out for more #SMWNYC announcements over the next several weeks. We’ll introduce new sessions, speakers, and brand partners taking the official #SMWNYC stages.

8 Reasons to Attend Social Media Week in New York

Posted on by SMW Staff

#SMWNYC is entering it’s 9th year, and this year feels as fresh and original as it’s ever been. We just announced the initial lineup of speakers and events, but if that’s not enough, here are eight reasons why you won’t want to miss Social Media Week this February 28 to March 3 in New York.

If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to take advantage of our 20%-off sale which expires on January 12. An impressive list of brands is already registered to attend featuring executives from Subway, KAYAK, Univision, Ralph Lauren, CNN, Justworks, OMD, Nickelodeon, Teen Vogue, NBCU, AMC Networks, MailChimp, TED, HSBC, The New York Times, Viacom, L’Oreal USA, and JPMorgan Chase.

Here are eight reasons to attend Social Media Week in New York this year:

1. Access new ideas and inspiration

Choose from 100+ talks, sessions and interviews across two stages at The TimesCenter. This year, you can learn from executives of Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Viacom, Gimlet Media, National Geographic, The Economist, The New York Times, Samsung, Johnny Walker and Accenture.

2. Explore emerging trends

Throughout the week, we’ll explore important topics including Platforms, Business Models, Content Creation and Storytelling, Fake News, Snapchat for Brands, Facebook Live and the Future of Video, Paid Social, AI, Chatbots and VR.

3. Take your career and business to the next level

Whether you need to become a better data marketer, understand Facebook’s News Feed algorithms, or learn the ins and outs of SEO, you’ll be immersed into an educational format with some of the industry’s best marketing and media practitioners breaking down concepts and strategies into actionable lessons you can implement into your business the very next day.

4. Make #SMWNYC your office + classroom for the week

In addition to the incredible program, we’ll have co-working lounges where you can meet with colleagues or clients, connect to WiFi to get your normal work done, ample space to relax, and more perks to enjoy throughout the week at The TimesCenter.

5. Network with leading professionals

Social media professionals are not only active online, but offline as well. We’re an open community of thinkers and doers willing to have a conversation or spur-of-the-moment brainstorm session. Even if you spend most of the day on your phone, at Social Media Week, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded industry peers and potential partners and clients. Plus the “Ask Me Anything” Lounge allows attendees to talk directly with 200+ #SMWNYC speakers as soon as their session ends.

6. Centralized location in the heart of New York

The TimesCenter in midtown Manhattan is accessible from many major subways, trains, and buses. It features a beautiful theater that holds up to 500 people, which means no long lines or sessions at capacity. There will also be a second stage with more intimate events catered to a variety of topics and industry trends. #SMWNYC returns to The TimesCenter, and attendees will get to enjoy free lunch, coffee, Kind Bars and fresh pressed juices each day.

7. Get a fresh perspective outside of office walls

If you’re searching for fresh ideas or just need to press the reset button on your brain, spending a week learning with others outside of your company’s office walls could be the solution to your creative road-block. You’ll meet new people from different backgrounds who share a passion for marketing, social media, technology, and innovation. Just one conversation or speaker insight could unlock your next greatest idea.

8. Have fun!

In addition to the exclusive Opening Reception that kicks off the week, SMW offers a relaxed, collaborative and friendly atmosphere that brings people together for a week of conversations and networking to celebrate our industry. The greater New York media and tech industry also participates with special events at some of the most unique locations in Manhattan.

There are less than 500 available passes, so make sure to lock in your spot by signing up at your earliest convenience. The 20%-off sale ends the night of January 12.

Attend These 5 Events To Take Your Content Marketing and Storytelling to the Next Level

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Today “storytelling” and “content marketing” are two extremely abused buzzwords in our industry, but that doesn’t mean that they are not valuable tools to share your brand’s stories and experiences in order to connect with online audiences.

The abundance of content (not just stories) out there, the dramatic competition for our attention, and the staggering speed at which these stories spread and are consumed (or discarded) has made it more difficult to break through the noise and reach our audiences.

Here are five sessions taking place at SMW New York this February 22-26 that will teach, inspire, and think ahead to the current and future state of content marketing and storytelling.

1. The High Stakes Of Content Marketing As Seen By A Brand, Agency And Publisher

(Presented by Digiday)
When it comes to brands creating engaging content, the stakes have never been higher considering the growth in programmatic and ad blockers. The content needs to be at Hollywood scale, and at the quality of best-in-class digital journalism. Shareen Pathak (Brands Editor at Digiday) will examine how leading brands, agencies and publishers are finding success.

2. Mediapocalypse! Are Platforms Killing The Business Of Media & Advertising? And Why Won’t Anyone Talk About It?

(Presented by Deep Focus)
Platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Twitter are up-ending the media business. Publishers and advertisers, content producers and creators, advertisers and agencies are all dealing with the repercussions of distributed media models. Hear from executives at Deep Focus, College Humor, and Starcom Media Group on this always-evolving battle.

3. Atomization Of Business: Content Strategies For Speed, Quality, And Efficiency

(Presented by Code and Theory)
Code and Theory’ Co-Founder, Dan Gardner, will introduce attendees to Atomization, his agency’s approach to helping today’s businesses take advantage of strategic opportunities via social media. Attendees will learn: 1) How to reach multiple audiences with multiple stories; 2) How to take advantage of trending culture and conversation; 3) The importance of matching content to context; and 4) How to design for natural behaviors online.

★ Register today by purchasing your pass ★

4. Building A Great Social Presence The Resourceful Way, Presented By BuzzFeed

(Presented by BuzzFeed)
In this interactive presentation, BuzzFeed social experts Rachel Christensen and Summer Anne Burton will discuss how they helped successfully build the largest social networks in media—by rethinking the way the industry sees social media editors, content, and distribution. They’ll cover how BuzzFeed stuck to scrappy and unconventional ways of thinking about and creating content for social platforms, and how they used data to inform their strategies.

5. A Writer’s Guide To Viral Storytelling

(Presented by Wattpad)
In this MasterClass with Wattpad’s #1 fantasy writer and #1 Amazon Bestseller Sally Slater, you’ll take a deep dive into the business of viral storytelling and learn how you can leverage an online community to market your brand, attract an audience and share your story with millions–whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a creative marketer.

View The Initial Program Of Events for SMW New York

Social Media Week New York, now in it’s 8th year, brings together thousands of professionals in marketing, media and technology. We’re excited to announce the initial schedule and speaker lineup for SMW New York, which takes place this February 22-26.

Join us across our two official venues, and hear from organizations such as Ogilvy, Starcom MediaVest, MRY, Forbes, Mashable, MTV, The Economist, GE, Pinterest, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Spotify and many more!

Register for SMW New York

If you’d like to hear from visionary speakers, and join the thousands of attendees that come to Social Media Week in New York each year, register today by purchasing your pass. You can also save 20% until January 14th!