Tag: Merck

5 Questions with Aman Bhandari: Health & Data Strategy

Posted on by Nicky Yates

This is a guest post by Julia Wu of Luminary Labs

Aman Bhandari is U.S. Director, Health IT & Data Strategy at Merck, and previously served as a Senior Advisor to the White House. He moderated the Health: Big Innovation Playbook panel as part of the Future of Now: Health Innovation Track, Presented by Merck. The session was packed and full of great questions, which you can see:

Now, meet Aman:

  • Aman, what are you most looking forward to at Social Media Week?
    I’m always curious to learn more about how other industries are approaching digital and how these trends apply in a healthcare context. There are ton of great talks from across the spectrum, but I’m especially looking forward to hearing Anil Dash interview Steve Case, given the very different perspectives they bring.
  • Can you tell us more about social media’s role in healthcare innovation?
    While we’re just beginning to fully examine how social media can be used in health, we’ve long known that some of the most critical aspects of health and wellness lie in information exchange, connectedness and community. These themes are now being explored in entirely new ways through online platforms.
    This is an exciting time, and I see a tremendous opportunity for those who can figure out how to use social media to have an impact on health.
  • How does data fit into the picture?
    Right now, data is hot in healthcare both because of health reform and the potential for technological disruption. The healthcare industry is being incentivized by Obamacare to leverage data, and players across the industry understand that we need to measure what works because the old system is not sustainable. This massive policy shift along with increased data liquidity is creating new complexities, and as a society, we need to keep privacy considerations foremost in our minds as we explore this enormous opportunity.
  • You’ve been recently involved in some interesting partnerships across health IT/digital health and data/analytics, what’s the biggest learning or insight you can share from these collaborations?
    Because of the huge changes we are witnessing in the health, wellness and technology spaces, collaboration across the industry is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Yet, rather than finding opportunity in this demanding environment, many large organizations are still using a 20th century approach to business and partnerships.

    Collaborating outside of your organization has to be done with great care. It is hard work to be aligned, but when done right, partnerships can yield benefits greater than the sum of the parts and keep larger organizations at the forefront of innovation.

  • Do you have any advice for others looking to transform the healthcare space?
    Learn from the industry insiders, but also pay attention to the periphery, as the best ideas often come from those working outside the bounds of industry orthodoxies.

    One of my favorite quotes is from Steve Jobs who said: “I’ve always paid close attention to the whispers around me.” He understood the importance of listening to fresh perspectives when coming up with breakthrough products.

We are thrilled to have Aman and Merck join us at SMW NYC! Healthcare is hot — and it’s only getting hotter.

The Future of Business: SMW in the Eyes of Sara Holoubek

Posted on by Sara Adam

Sara Holoubek is the founder and CEO of Luminary Labs, a network of experts that helps create the business models that make organizations resilient to changing markets. Technology and social media are an important part of the business models that will be successful in the future of our always-on, always connected-world. Something Sara understands intimately. As a longtime friend and partner, we trust her recommendations completely — and so should you.

These are the events that Sara is most excited for:

  1. Startups to Watch in 2014 presented by Entrepreneur.com
    Because I always love big, messy, industries, and the startups about to disrupt them.
  2. The Future of Now: Health Innovation Track, Presented by Merck
    Health tech is hot.
  3. What (bio)Tech Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Tesla.
    If you haven’t been to the Harlem (bio)Space yet, it’s a must. Right here, in New York City, evolutionary biotech ideas now have a space where they can become the products that solve real health problems. Plus, they have really cool t-shirts.
  4. Fueling Social Fandom at MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central
    Everything I learned about influencer engagement came from Don Steele.
  5. Upworthy’s Real Mission: A Keynote Announcement from Eli Pariser, Founder.
    Because it is brilliant to make “what’s important popular, even if what’s popular isn’t considered important by the masses.”

To catch up with Sara at Social Media Week, check out these events (and others) and register now! We are excited for her to join us and we want you to be there!

5 Reasons You Need To Attend SMW NYC

Posted on by Nicky Yates

We hear it all the time — but isn’t every week social media week? Social Media Week is much more than just a discussion on social media. We know you’re smart enough that you don’t need that. You get it. What SMW is though is a look at how and where humanity and technology converge. And it goes much deeper than just your Twitter feed.

Here are just five of the areas that we’ll be elevating to the surface and how you can join leaders to see what’s changing:

  1. Health, Wellness and Your Spine Online
    With our focus on the Future of Now, we’d be remiss if we didn’t have a steady focus on how technology is changing our relationship to health and wellness. With classes from SoulCycle, morning yoga, Breathe Repeat’s look at how being online affects your spine, and even a special track on innovation in health from Merck, we want SMW to have a holistic approach. And you can get in on it here.

  2. Content Marketing and the Machine
    Let’s face it: content marketing is THE buzzword for 2014. But that doesn’t mean it’s not critical to your brand’s marketing strategy. Which is why we’re hosting a pretty hefty grouping on events on this topic, with leaders like Percolate, Unruly, Click 3X and more sharing their insights. We even have true[X] examining how we can prevent the online digital advertising economy from losing an estimated $6 billion a year.

  3. Music, Travel & Entertainment
    It's not ALL about ROI and the bottom line. In fact, this SMW we're looking at all aspects of how technology is shaping our experiences.From Spotify’s special track on music’s future to Chipotle’s look at unbranded film to our travel gurus, if you’ve got a passion, this is the list you want to explore.

  4. Data and Analytics and the Search for Meaning
    Most of us are familiar with famous quote by historic department store owner, John Wanamaker, “I know that half my advertising works; I just don’t know which half.” This need no longer apply, when you have skills from these events.

  5. Social Impact and Doing Good
    One area we love seeing the impact of social and technology is definitely on our society. Social impact has changed drastically over the past few years, giving NGO’s and philanthropists more tools to create change. Few get this like Deanna Zandt, and she’s curated the perfect SMW Social Impact Guide. If that’s not enough, here are some we recommend, including the launch of Mission 31 with Fabien Cousteau!

And if you need more, we’ve got a masterclass lineup you can’t resist, including Big Fuel talking the participation economy and the opportunity to build your own wearable tech.

Friday is your last day to grab your SMW NYC Pass at the standard rate. Join us, Nokia, and MKG for what we know will be our best SMW yet.

6 Ways for Marketers to Understand Millennials this Social Media Week

Posted on by Nicky Yates

Ok, New York, you’re stuck indoors with yet another snowstorm this winter, and we know what you’re up to. You’re feeding those guilty pleasures: those preferences on Netflix you never want anyone to see. Well, as much as we might hate to admit it, what we’re seeing on Hulu and other platforms is largely shaped by the generation coming behind us. There’s a reason Party in the South is debuting. And this is exciting.

Millennials are shaping our future, and we need to understand this. Everything from our recreational options to innovation in industries like health, you either gotta keep up or get out of the way. And we want to help you keep up:

  1. 5 Ways Millennials’ Habits Are Changing How Content is Made and Shared
    The first step is to admit you need a deeper understanding. So, we recommend starting out SMW14 with Complex Media and their friends to learn how the Millennial generation’s habits are causing a speedy shift in how content is created and distributed. From the discovery of new talent and Vine stars to the ever present listicle, you’ll need a deeper understanding of this generation to get your marketing on track.
  2. How To Build a Brand That People Don’t Buy, They Join
    The millennial generation is the most cause-oriented generation since World War II. So, how do you get them to buy into your brand with a movement? That’s exactly what Zady, charity: water, and Whole Foods have managed to master. Join them to hear more and take away from their case studies ways your brand can become more connected to our passionate generation.
  3. Fueling Social Fandom at MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central
    Once you understand millennials better, it’s time to look to those who serve them best. Comedy Central has the market cornered currently, and MTV was once king of youth. But for both, this demographic is key. The two have quite a bit they can share and learn from each. So, we’re putting them together with VH1 to highlight how you can keep your fan base engaged, drawing from their own examples in everything from online to apps. You can’t miss this session. (Don’t believe us? Comedy Central’s past event on How To Be Funny in 140 Characters was in such high demand that we had to repeat it last year!)

  4. It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens, a Conversation with Author danah boyd and Andrew Rasiej
    Now, it’s time to get advanced. Without contest, few understand youth better than Microsoft Researcher danah boyd. She’s written about what’s new in how teenagers communicate through platforms, and specifically how social media affects the quality of teens’ lives. And at SMW14, she’ll be sharing her findings on identity, privacy, safety, danger, and bullying. Anyone working with youth and millennials will need to stop in and check on danah.
  5. Reading Is No Longer Fundamental: The Shift to Visual Vocabulary
    Our streams are flooded with gifs, Instagram, emojis, and bitstrips. We’re moving to a very visual marketing period, and it’s driven by millennials. “Visual” is a new language that needs to be mastered. As we look to the future, we have to ask: Is this a new era for cross-cultural communication, or is it changing the way we think – and not for the better? JWT leads a group of experts to really look at this impact, particularly in commerce.
  6. The Future of Now: Health Innovation Track, Sponsored by Merck
    And while we’re talking about movements, no generation was more supportive of health innovation than millennials. They are now turning away from politics to find other ways they can create innovation in the healthcare industry. That’s something Merck knows a thing or two about. Value-creation in the healthcare arena is now inextricably connected to digital and social technology. In this special three-hour track, we’ll explore how health is innovating and what’s to come in the future.

Registration is open! Get your pass today here, and join us and our partners, Nokia for what will be an extraordinary week of exploring our always on, always connected world.

SMW Looks Into the Future: 5 Events To Watch

Posted on by Sara Adam

We may not have a crystal ball, but we have the next best thing. Leading experts across professions join together to look at what’s next for industries across the board. Look just six years into the future or at the future of workplaces in the 21st century.

  1. 20/20 Vision: Your Life Just Six Years from Now
    What will our lives look like a few years down the road? Find out from Dachis Group CEO and Razorfish Co-Founder, Jeff Dachis, and socialdeviant CEO, Marc Landsberg. At this event, they will discuss the future of wearable devices, creativity, and the real question on everyone’s mind- what the dating landscape will look like.
  2. The Future of Publishing, A Discussion with Salon’s Editor-in-Chief
    As publishing becomes increasingly digital, journalists are wondering how they need to adapt in order to make a living and stay relevant. Learn from Salon Editor-in-Chief, David Daley, how to make your story stand out above competitors and what makes people want to share your work.
  3. Physical and Virtual Workspaces that Maximize Productivity and Innovation for the 21st Century
    Are we moving away from offices altogether or is there still some benefit from being physically present in our workplaces? And what types of spaces are suitable for the proper mix of independent creativity and group collaboration? Explore how our physical environments affect our minds in this seminar hosted by TPG Architecture.
  4. The Future of Now: Health Innovation Track, Sponsored by Merck
    Startups aren’t the only ones innovating and shaping the future. Intrepreneurs from the health industry are using corporate resources to search for new business models that will improve the health care system. Join us for this seminar to look at how technology is changing healthcare’s future.
  5. PSFK Labs’ Future of Retail Showcase: Creating a Sustainable Instant Retail Model
    The dawn of e-commerce has drastically changed the ways that consumers shop and will continue to shape the retail world. Armed with digital data, PSFK will offer insight into the latest trends in retail shopping behavior and let us know where things are headed at this SMW showcase.

What do we see in your future? Social Media Week of course! Register here, to stay on the cutting edge of your industry, whether you work in marketing, healthcare or technology!

What’s In Store for Health? Merck Joins SMW NYC

Posted on by Nicky Yates

Technology and social innovations are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. While start-ups and consumer facing brands have been able to more quickly adapt to these changes in business, healthcare is just beginning to scrape the surface of bottom-up innovation. As these new ideas take hold, what’s exciting is the massive potential that exists to drive social change — not just in our everyday life but also in longevity, happiness, and with medical accuracy and efficiency.

Value creation in the healthcare arena is now inextricably connected to digital, data, and more recently, hardware technology. Through quantified-self innovations allowing users to take control of their own data, technology is now the fiber of the 21st century health care organization. It is this understanding of the challenges and potential that has prompted us to focus more deeply on this issue this SMW14. And we are honored to have Merck onboard as our City Supporting Sponsor as the creative force behind this.

Featuring a half day track at our new Campus this February, we will be diving deep into how healthcare is changing, innovating, and who is leading the charge in the industry.

merck