Tag: smw16

How Data Can Make Content Smarter And More Social: Spotify’s #SMWNYC Event

Posted on by Tyler Becker

As audiences and users are exposed to an ever-widening array of content choices, publishers are thinking more about the context in which that content is consumed.

In this talk, “How Data Can Make Content Smarter And More Social” on Thursday the 25th at 3:30pm at The TimesCenter, Rich Frankel (Entertainment Industry Creative Director, Spotify) will explain to attendees how data analytics and music intelligence help Spotify better understand how to develop product features, consumer advertising, and innovative programs with brand and tech partners.

Prior to Spotify, Rich co-founded Indigenous, a firm that specialized in helping media companies and brands develop original marketing platforms to help brands more effectively connect with their target audiences. And before that, he worked as an Executive Producer at Ogilvy & Mather in New York in the Ogilvy Entertainment division.

If you want to hear from other Spotify executives at Social Media Week New York, make sure you register your pass, and check out Spotify’s Maureen Traynor (Sr. Director of Partner Solutions) who will discuss Millennials, music, and social sharing alongside executives from StubHub, AEG, Atlantic Records, Forbes, and Momentum Worldwide.

Mobile Photography Masterclass at #SMWNYC: Using PicsArt To Create and Share Beautiful Imagery

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Explore the creative power that lives inside your mobile device. Using PicsArt, a photo editing app and global social network for 65 million creatives, you’ll learn in this interactive, hands-on masterclass how to easily create complex-looking edits (double exposure, drawing on photos, cloning) in a matter of minutes.

You’ll turn your personal pics into works of art or even create images that you can use in your job. This session, “Mobile Photography Masterclass: Using PicsArt To Create & Share Beautiful Imagery” will “WOW” you with easy interactive tutorials and a peek into the future of collaborative art with PicsArt’s #FreeToEdit images.

Carter Gibson (Senior Community Manager, PicsArt) will lead the session on Thursday the 25th at 2:00pm at the SVA Theatre, and if you want to get a head start with PicsArt, you can learn more about the app and join their global creative community by clicking here!

Also, if you want to hear from the Chief Business Development Officer of PicsArt, Wilson Kriegel, you can attend the session he’s speaking on titled, “Creativity Is More Than A Filter Away: How Mobile Tools Are Fueling A New Kind Of Artistic Expression” on Friday the 26th at 10:00am at the SVA Theatre.

Adaptly at #SMWNYC: Forecasting The E-Commerce Power of Pinterest and Balancing Facebook vs. Instagram

Posted on by Tyler Becker

At SMW New York, Adaptly will bring their social marketing expertise to the #SMWNYC stage for two sessions that digital marketers will want to pay attention to.

Adaptly uses powerful technology and social marketing expertise to empower digital media buyers to maximize marketing experiences across Facebook, Twitter, and other emerging platforms.

Pinterest: From Inspiration To Conversion

Their first session, “Pinterest: From Inspiration To Conversion” will explore the visual social network that now has 100 million active users, and is the second-largest source of social media traffic for e-commerce companies.

The highly-visual platform allows retail marketers to achieve not only scale, but also relevancy through granular targeting like specific product categories and competitors.

This session takes place Thursday the 25th at 10:30am at The TimesCenter. Speakers Michael Akkerman (Head of Marketing Developer Partnerships, Pinterest) and Brian Magida (Director, Digital Marketing, Warby Parker) will discuss how to bridge the gap between brand and direct response campaigns on Pinterest, and how this growing platform represents the future of e-commerce. Joining Michael and Brian will be Sean O’Neal (President, Adaptly).

Friends, Not Frenemies: Facebook And Instagram

Adaptly’s second session features Ruth Arber (Director of Solutions, Adaptly), Josh Machiz (Director of Integrated Marketing, Nasdaq), Kristin Rolla Mirek (VP, Multi-Platform Development & Marketing, TV Land at Viacom), and Jessica Sherrets (Brand Development Lead, Instagram) for a discussion on the effectiveness of Facebook vs. Instagram for driving advertising performance at scale.

Many advertisers wonder how these two platforms coexist, and whether they’re complementary media opportunities or stand-alone channels.

On Thursday the 25th at 1:00pm at the SVA Theatre, attendees of “Friends, Not Frenemies: Facebook And Instagram” will join the conversation to explore which brands and strategies are the most successful tapping into Facebook and Instagram simultaneously, and how measuring your social marketing efforts is an essential process to develop within your organization.

Attendee FAQs: Everything You Need To Know About Pass Pickup and Beyond

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Social Media Week New York begins February 22nd with our Official Opening Party for Insider Passholders. On Tuesday, we’ll welcome attendees to the TimesCenter and SVA Theatre to kick off a week of incredible events, conversations, and ideas.

If you’re attending SMW New York, here are some frequently asked questions covering pass pickup, the official venues, the schedule, speakers, and other things you might be eager to learn.

Pass Pick-Up Information

On Friday Feb. 19, each Passholder will receive an email from our Check-in Technology Partner with a check-in barcode. Upon arriving to one of the SMW official venues, display that email on your mobile device to our check-in personnel at one of the official venues.

See pick-up schedule below, and please bring a valid photo ID or passport.

Monday 2/22

  • TimesCenter Front Lobby: 12:00 – 5:00pm
  • SVA Theatre Front Lobby: 12:00 – 5:00pm

Tuesday 2/23

  • TimesCenter Front Lobby: 8:30am – 5:30pm
  • SVA Theatre Front Lobby: 8:15am – 3:30pm

Wednesday 2/24

  • TimesCenter Front Lobby: 8:30am – 5:30pm
  • SVA Theatre Front Lobby: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Thursday 2/25

  • TimesCenter Front Lobby: 8:30am – 5:30pm
  • SVA Theatre Front Lobby: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Friday 2/26

  • TimesCenter Front Lobby: 8:30am – 3:00pm
  • SVA Theatre Front Lobby: 8:30am – 3:00pm

Who attends Social Media Week New York?

The SMW audience is made up of senior marketers, founders, entrepreneurs, influencers and digitally connected consumers across a range of industries including marketing, advertising, communications, media, publishing, technology, arts and entertainment.

When does SMW New York take place?

SMW New York takes place February 22-26, 2016.

All official events will take place at our two venues: The TimesCenter and SVA Theatre beginning on Tuesday the 23rd. You need a Campus or Insider Pass to attend official events. There are also Independent Events that occur Monday through Friday of the same week, and use separate registration via the independent event’s session page on the schedule.

Where does SMW New York take place?

Official programming during SMW New York 2016 will take place at two iconic New York venues:

  • The TimesCenter: 242 W 41st St, New York, NY 10036
  • SVA Theater: 333 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

The venues each have theaters that hold more than 400 people, which means no long lines or sessions at capacity, along with separate simulcasting theaters so that you can check what’s happening at each venue.

In addition, we’ll have co-working lounges where you can meet with colleagues or clients, connect to WiFi to get your normal work done, and space to relax as you enjoy the incredible sessions throughout the week. The aim this year is to provide attendees, speakers and partners with a much bigger stage and plenty of space to enjoy the entire week.

Reminder: only official events take place at The TimesCenter and SVA Theatre. Independent Events listed on the schedule are organized by the greater SMW community, and take place throughout the city. Please check the event descriptions for venue info.

Where can I view the schedule of events?

You can view the official schedule here for SMW New York. You can also download the official SMW mobile app which allows you to access the schedule, speakers, and even the sessions you’ve bookmarked from your SMW account.

Tip: “Bookmark” events on the schedule
Bookmarks allow you to easily view and save the sessions you’re most interested in. Just look for the small, blue bookmark icons on the schedule page, and click to save that event. You can then email all of your bookmarks with just two clicks.

Who is speaking at Social Media Week New York this year?

More than 200 industry leaders will speak at SMW New York. You can view them all on our speaker page here for SMW New York. Also, the official SMW mobile app allows you to see who’s speaking.

Does my pass get me into Independent SMW events?

Your pass is only for official SMW New York events. Independent Events are run by the larger SMW community, not us. Therefore, while your pass grants you access to all official (SMW) events, it won’t necessarily get you into Independent Events.

Can I share my pass with other colleagues throughout the week?

Every individual that attends official Social Media Week NYC events is required to have his or her own pass. We do not allow multiple individuals to share one pass. There will be attendee check-points and badge monitoring throughout the week.

Is there a mobile app for Social Media Week?

Yes! You Can download our official SMW Mobile App to connect with other SMW fans and attendees, access the conference schedule and speaker list, follow various social feeds, take notes, and more.

Will attendees have WiFi and space to work during the week?

Yes! Throughout the week, both venues will have co-working space for you to check email, and WiFi to connect all your devices. You can make either SMW New York venue your headquarters for the week to be productive and get your regular work done.

What is the official hashtag for Social Media Week New York?

You can follow along and join the conversation online using the official hashtag, #SMWNYC. Use this on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine, and anywhere else to participate in the conversations and discussions throughout the week.

Do any hotels offer SMW New York attendees a special rate?

We’re glad you asked! We have five official hotel partners. You can learn more about these hotels, and the exclusive rates they have for attendees, by visiting our Travel and Accommodations page.

Who are the official partners and sponsors of Social Media Week New York?

You can learn more about our official partners here. We’d like to thank each of them for helping make Social Media Week possible, and are proud to be working them this year in New York!

Are there discounts or scholarships available?

At the moment, our SMW Scholarship Program for students and non-profits is closed. If you’re still looking to purchase a pass, you can visit the SMW New York pass options page for the most up to date rates.

9 Sessions at #SMWNYC That Will Help Your Paid Media Strategy

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Paid media seems to become a more important conversation and investment everyday for digital marketers. Facebook generates billions of dollars from advertisers spending money to reach their target audiences, and for many of us, it’s working!

But, sometimes going from 0 to 60 can be overwhelming, and marketers are still figuring out which tactical and brand-building initiatives are most successful on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social platforms

At Social Media Week New York, paid media is a huge topic of discussion. Leading brands in this space, such as Forbes, VaynerMedia, BuzzFeed, and Code and Theory, will lead sessions that will teach, inspire, and explore the wide world of paid media, and why it can be your organization’s key to success.

Purchase your pass for SMW New York to be among the 1,000+ industry leaders who learn and connect with each other through sessions like these:

1. How Data And Analytics Can Transform And Enhance Native Advertising Opportunities

Hosted by Forbes Media • Tuesday 2/23 at 11:00AM • SVA Theatre
Mark Howard (Chief Revenue Officer, Forbes Media) and Edward Kim (Co-founder and CEO, SimpleReach) will help attendees learn more about how brands can leverage native advertising over time via the web, mobile and social to reach target audiences.

2. The Best Brands On Snapchat

Hosted by Nasdaq • Tuesday 2/23 at 12:30PM • TimesCenter
Snapchat is the new battleground for the most innovative brands. Meet the marketers behind the ghost that are already crushing it on this emerging platform. Join Jeremy Skule (Chief Marketing Officer, Nasdaq), for an exciting chat with these Snapchat trailblazers.

3. Extending Lifetime Value – The Future Of Customer Engagement

Hosted by Simon Data • Tuesday 2/23 at 1:00PM • SVA Theatre
Learn how world’s savviest companies think about – and increase – customer lifetime value. Get an expert overview of the latest crop of marketing technologies, and learn more about the secret channel that’s been delivering huge value for some of NYC’s best e-commerce companies.

4. Bracing For The Ad-Blocked Future: How Brands Are Moving Beyond The Impression

Hosted by Crowdtap • Wednesday 2/24 at 9:00AM • SVA Theatre
Skipping ads. DVR-ing television shows. Installing ad-blockers. These behaviors have all become a common part of the Millennial experience. Led by Crowdtap’s CEO, Sean Foster, hear first-hand accounts of winning marketing programs that have invited consumers to help shape and tell a brand’s story, thereby building more emotional connections and driving long-term brand health.

5. Snapchat: How Brands Can Effectively Market on the Platform

Hosted by VaynerMedia • Wednesday 2/24 at 12:00PM • SVA Theatre
This masterclass led by Dan Grossman (Vice President of Platform Partnerships, VaynerMedia) together with Farrah Bezner (Head of New Business Ventures, Mondelēz International) and Talya Minsberg (Social Media Editor, New York Times) will detail best practices for how brands can market on Snapchat, such as the differentiation of Snapchat’s ROI vs. “more established” platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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

Hosted by Digiday • Wednesday 2/24 at 2:30PM • TimesCenter
When it comes to brands creating engaging content, the stakes have never been higher. The growth in programmatic and in ad blockers means that content needs to be at Hollywood-scale and cost half the price. This leadership series features in-depth presentations from Shareen Pathak (Digiday), Brian Becker (JPMorgan Chase), Stephanie Losee (POLITICO), and Jinal Shah (JWT New York).

7. Reach New Viewers! Develop Superfans! Impact Ratings! Launching A TV Show Via Social Media!

Hosted by VaynerMedia • Wednesday 2/24 at 3:00PM • SVA Theatre
Social media offers more ways than ever to build awareness around TV programs, but did you know it can drive and impact the new markers of success in today’s ever-changing television industry? This masterclass details how efficient, strategic media spend, time-shifting strategies and always-on content with a consistent voice can combine to increase buzz, awareness, and viewership (both linear and elsewhere like video-on-demand), with concrete, indisputable results.

8. Breaking Down the Silos: Unleashing Creativity in a World Where Social is Everything

Hosted by Droga5 • Wednesday 2/24 at 5:30PM • TimesCenter
In this session you’ll learn from Droga5’s experience working with brands and platforms on how to transition social media from a detached discipline to a shared mindset, leading to more influential and effective integrated creative work. Moderated by David Griner of Adweek, speakers include Colleen Leddy (Head of Communications Strategy, Droga5), Hope Cowan (Creative Agency Partner, Facebook), and Jim Mollica (Global Digital Marketing Strategy, Under Armour).

9. Create by Numbers: How Insights, Data, and Paid Media Shape the Creative Approach

Hosted by VaynerMedia • Friday 2/26 at 1:00PM • SVA Theatre
The volume of data and insights available for social media is changing how agencies and platforms strategize, spend, and steer clients. This session features speakers from VaynerMedia, Pinterest, and Fast Company who will explore the new ways of working together by bringing creative, strategy, account and paid media teams closer together than ever before.

We hope to see you in New York for Social Media Week! Join over 1,000 leaders who register each year, and in 2016, #SMWNYC features two official venues: The TimesCenter (FWD Stage) and SVA Theatre (EDU Stage). Attend the 70+ events with 200+ speakers for an incredible week you won’t want to miss. Get your pass here!

Brand POV on Content Marketing: Brian Becker of JPMorgan Chase Joins #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

When it comes to brands creating engaging content, the stakes have never been higher. The growth in programmatic and in ad blockers means that content needs to be at Hollywood-scale and cost half the price. That means that brands, agencies and publishers need to prove that the level of investment in content is worth it.

Brian Becker, Executive Director and Head of Newsroom at JPMorgan Chase will provide insights into his team’s strategic thinking during this session, and discuss how they make well-informed decisions in the current content marketing landscape.

Register for your SMW New York Pass to hear this session!

Brian coordinates company-wide content strategy and operations, including managing customer engagement projects and underlying business objectives. In his time at Chase, he has cultivated new opportunities around social media and evolved existing strategies on large properties like Chase.com.

He also creates and manages governance models and works internally to advocate for the research, production and distribution of digital content to modernize the organization’s approach to marketing.

Brian’s session, “The High Stakes Of Content Marketing As Seen By A Brand, Agency And Publisher” takes place Wednesday, February 24 at 2:30PM at The TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Extending Lifetime Value – The Future Of Customer Engagement

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Lifetime value is the magic word these days; everyone needs to find a way to create more enduring, valuable relationships with their customers.

Register your pass to attend this masterclass session at SMW New York, where attendees will be introduced to the different categories of retention marketing, ways to operationalize data to drive engagement, and tangible examples of businesses doing it right. There will also be a broad overview of tools and services that should be a part of any successful stack.

Led by Joshua Neckes, President of Simon Data, a tool that transforms data into clear insights, and allows digital professionals to get the most out of their marketing efforts, this session will demonstrate how world’s savviest companies think about – and increase – customer lifetime value through data.

“Extending Lifetime Value – The Future Of Customer Engagement” takes place Tuesday, February 23 at 1:00pm at The SVA Theatre (EDU Stage).

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: The Evolution of Data, Trust and Transparency in Advertising

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Transparency is a highly placed value at The Economist Group and it is something that readers are demanding more of. But are they really having a transparent experience, or do they merely think they are?

Register to attend SMW New York to learn the good and the bad of marketers and publishers using more and more innovative methods to create, deliver and disguise digital advertising. Native advertising is the latest under scrutiny from the FTC, which released new guidelines last month, but it won’t be the last as more examples come to light where advertising is indistinguishable by consumers from content.

From hidden sponsorships to privacy, Mina Seetharaman (Global Director, Content Strategy at The Economist Group) will lead a panel with Tonia Ries (SVP and Executive Director, Edelman Square), Barbara Basney (VP of Global Advertising and Media, Xerox) and Amanda Rubin (Global Co-Head, Brand and Content Strategy, Goldman Sachs).

“Making The Invisible Visible: The Evolving Roles Of Data, Trust And Transparency In Advertising And Publishing” takes place Tuesday, February 23 at 4:30PM at The TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

Learn How 360° Video Is Changing The Content Game at SMW New York

Posted on by Tyler Becker

If you’re a marketer or content creator that engages audiences, you need to understand 360° video, and its potential to revolutionize the content ecosystem. While 360° video is quickly emerging as a new content frontier, it is still in its infancy. Now is the time to get in the game.

Register for your pass, and hear Brian Cristiano (CEO, BOLD Worldwide) explain the value, excitement and execution of 360° video through an in-depth discussion and real-life examples. Attendees will walk away with a deep understanding of the technology, why brands need to use it, and how to leverage social media to drive interaction.

Brian’s session at SMW New York, “How 360° Video is Changing the Content Game” will open your eyes in all directions and shed some light on how you can utilize this technology for entertainment, engagement and sales. This event takes place Thursday, February 25 at 3:00PM at the SVA Theatre (EDU Stage).

Spotify’s Maureen Traynor Will Discuss Millennials, Music, and Social Sharing at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

You’ve all seen someone recording an entire concert on their phone instead of watching it. Sure, the video looks great and received likes from friends, but is it worth the distraction?

Social media has an overarching role in almost every experience Millennials have, and according to a recent study, 70% of Millennials feel that social media enhances the live music experience. In fact, most Gen-Y and Gen-Z individuals prefer music content in their Facebook newsfeed to show their knowledge and interests to friends.

Make sure you register for SMW New York, and hear from Spotify’s Sr. Director of Partner Solutions, Maureen Traynor, who will discuss the role of social media in the music industry. She’ll explore what the Spotify team has learned from billions of songs shared on Facebook and across social media, as well as why Millennials and younger generations view music as an integral part of their online activity.

Maureen’s session, “How Social Has Rocked The Live Music Experience” will take place on Wednesday, February 24 at 4:30PM at The TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Don’t Call Them Gen-Z, They Call Themselves “The Founders”

Posted on by Tyler Becker

When MTV first began researching post-Millennials, none of the generational names currently in play seemed to sum up the essence of the kids themselves. So MTV asked, why not go straight to the source?

The MTV Insights team went to work with a group of 13-14-year-olds in-person and via virtual focus groups who identified more than 500 potential generation names that were ultimately tested in a nationwide, quantitative survey. The top choice? “The Founders”. Yes, seriously… The Founders.

If you’re eager to hear more about what MTV learned and discovered after their conversations with these 13 and 14-year-olds, register for SMW New York, and attend their session on Friday, February 26 at 2:30PM at The TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

Along with this new name comes instructive insights into what drives this generation on-the-horizon, and the responsibility they feel is required to build upon the societal blocks that Millennials are famous for disrupting.

GIFs are the Gifts That Keep on Giving: Hear from Giphy’s COO at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

GIFs (yes, it’s a hard “G” sound) are the new soundbites, quick one liners, exclamation points, reactions and punch-lines all rolled into one endless loop. It has become a new language for creators, artists, marketers and audiences everywhere. It’s the newest of mediums and has firmly taken root in the lexicon of modern communication.

Marketers have been quick to embrace the GIF and in recent weeks and months we have seen some exceptional examples of how this new medium can be harnessed to engage fans, customers and audiences in stunningly new and interesting ways.

Register for SMW New York today, get ready to hear from Giphy, the world’s first and largest search engine for GIFs allows people across the world to access their visual and cultural search engine that makes texting and communicating online more fun than ever before.

Giphy’s COO, Adam Leibsohn will join us for a chat with Toby Daniels, Founder and Executive Director of Social Media Week on Friday, February 26 at 10:00AM at the SVA Theatre (EDU Stage). They’ll chart the meteoric rise of the GIF, and how advertising is shaped around this new storytelling format.

8 Speakers Leading Discussions on Publishing and Content Creation at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Everything we read, watch, and listen to online starts as an idea, and ends up as content. Some content performs better than others, but it seems like anyone and everyone is trying to throw their hat into the content and publishing ring.

At SMW New York, some of the leading publishers and content creators will join us to share their knowledge, learning, and experience with attendees. Click here to register your pass for SMW New York, and gain access to events and speakers that will dive deep into the current and future state of online content and digital publishing.

1. Stephanie Losee (Executive Director, Brand Content, Politico)

Tuesday, Feb. 23 • 2:30PM • TimesCenter (FWD Stage)
When it comes to brands creating engaging content, the stakes have never been higher. The growth in programmatic and in ad blockers means that content needs to be at Hollywood-scale and cost half the price, which forces brands, agencies and publishers to prove that the level of investment in content is worth it. Along with Stephanie, hear from Brian Becker (Executive Director, Head of Newsroom, JPMorgan Chase), Shareen Pathak (Brands Editor, Digiday), and Jinal Shah (Digital Strategy Director, JWT New York).

2. Joyann King (Editor, HarpersBazaar.com)

Tuesday, Feb. 23 • 3:30PM • TimesCenter (FWD Stage)
Joyann will speak on this panel to explore how large scale increases in social followings are achieved, and compare the effectiveness of two differing social strategies: the use of performance metrics and audience data to inform social content, and following gut instinct to create posts that resonate with audiences. Kate Lewis (VP, Content Operations & Editorial Director, Hearst Digital), will moderate this session.

3. Summer Anne Burton (Editorial Director, Distributed, BuzzFeed)

Wednesday, Feb. 24 • 11:00AM • SVA Theatre (EDU Stage)
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, and how they used data to inform their strategies.

4. Chris Berend (Vice President for Video Development, CNN)

Thursday, Feb. 25 • 9:00AM • SVA Theatre (EDU Stage)
Learn how to build a content strategy that’s informed by data from your social media properties. Plus, find out secrets to harness that data for audience targeting, distribution and more. Berend brings a wealth of experience to Great Big Story, a socially-distributed video network that covers real stories, where he oversees strategy and day-to-day operations from editorial to product and audience development.

More at SMW New York: 5 Events At #SMWNYC On How To Engage Gen-Y And Gen-Z On Social Media

5. Emily Bazelon (Staff Writer, The New York Times Magazine)

Thursday, Feb. 25 • 11:30AM • TimesCenter (FWD Stage)
In 2008, the political news cycle moved to the blogs, and in 2012 it spilled into social media but remained mostly intact as an insular conversation among journalists and opinion-shapers. In 2016, it’s being disrupted by candidates, trolls, and everyone in between. Hear from Emily Bazelon as she joins this session hosted by Blue State Digital. Also on this session is Garance Franke-Ruta (Editor in Chief, Yahoo Politics, Yahoo News).

6. Neal Mann (Editor, The Wall Street Journal)

Thursday, Feb. 25 • 4:30PM • TimesCenter (FWD Stage)
Will data be the new Editor-in-Chief? With the rise of machine learning and the availability of data, both publishers and platforms rely on algorithms, analytics and data modeling to personalize content to no end. A reader’s interaction with content becomes part of an optimization equation, based on preferences, actions taken online and the communities they belong to. Is this a good thing? Does journalism suffer without a human touch? Neal Mann will answer these questions and more during this session.

7. Philippe von Borries (Co-Founder and Co-CEO , Refinery29)

Friday, Feb. 26 • 9:30AM • TimesCenter (FWD Stage)
Through the rise of social networks and smartphones, the millennial ideology has transformed communication, making instantaneous, raw, and constant contact the norm. Philippe von Borries, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of lifestyle media company Refinery29, will discuss the advantages and challenges that this new landscape presents using concrete examples of how Refinery29 is capitalizing on this moment through its recent global expansion.

8. Eric Alt (Editor of CoCreate, Fast Company)

Friday, Feb. 26 • 1:00PM • SVA Theatre (EDU Stage)
Eric Alt will participate in a session to discuss why designers, writers, photographers and video producers need to think about execution and ideas informed by data on how to better speak to our audiences. Content creators are reducing subjectivity in favor of new ways of working by bringing creative, strategy, account and paid media teams closer than ever, all through insights and numbers.

The Second Round of Official #SMWNYC Speakers and Events Are Now Live

Posted on by Tyler Becker

We’re excited to announce the second round of official events that are now live. Click here to view the updated schedule for SMW New York, which features newly added event partners such as Comedy Central, Refinery29, Giphy, Salesforce, and BuzzFeed.

New Session Spotlights:

New Speaker Spotlights:

  • Rash Bhalla, CPG East Lead, Creative Strategy, Pinterest
  • Chris Berend, Vice President for Video Development, CNN
  • Emily Bbazelon, Staff Writer, The New York Times Magazine
  • Barbara Basney, VP Global Advertising and Brand Content, Xerox
  • Hope Cowan, Creative Agency Partner, Facebook
  • Brian Clark Howard, Writer and Editor, National Geographic News
  • Rachel Christensen, Managing Social Media Editor, BuzzFeed
  • Jason Dailey, SVP Search and Social, MediaVest
  • Garance Franke-Ruta, Editor in Chief, Yahoo Politics, Yahoo News
  • Johann King, Editor, HarpersBazaar.com
  • Adam Leibsohn, Chief Operating Officer, Giphy
  • Neal Mann, Editor, The Wall Street Journal
  • Mina Seetharaman, Global Dir., Content Strategy, The Economist
  • Bachir Zeroual, Global Dir., Marketing Ventures, Coca-Cola
  • Matt Turck, Managing Director, FirstMark Capital
  • Click here for the full list of SMW New York speakers

Comedy Central CMO, Walter Levitt to Keynote #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

With a roster including Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Drunk History, and other cultural and comedic powerhouses, you might think the marketing team at Comedy Central can sit back, relax, and spend their days with their feet up on their desks, sipping margaritas all day. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, since they all have standing desks.

But, once in a while they do take a break and focus on creating buzz-worthy campaigns for their brand and franchises. At SMW New York, Comedy Central’s CMO, Walter Levitt, will deliver an entertaining and informational keynote to organize and rationalize all of Comedy Central’s social media and on-the-ground tactics into a fully thought–out strategy.

Click here to get your pass and attend Walter’s session, presented in partnership with WOMMA. “Funny & Buzzy – How Comedy Central Gets Fans Talking” will take place on Wednesday, February 23rd at 1:30pm ET on the FWD Stage at The TimesCenter.

About Walter Levitt

Walter Levitt is CMO for Comedy Central and is based in the company’s New York City office. Since joining Comedy Central in 2011, Levitt has led numerous successful new initiatives including a strategic repositioning of the brand, the introduction of many multiplatform hits including “Key & Peele” and “Inside Amy Schumer,” and the launch of the Comedy Central App.

He also oversaw the marketing of Comedy’s Central’s highest-rated specials of all time, “The Roast of Charlie Sheen” and “The Roast of Justin Bieber.” To learn more about Walter, click here for his full bio.

Want to attend SMW New York this February 22-26, and join thousands of industry leaders across marketing, media and technology?

Register Your Campus or Insider Pass Today

Unpack the Industry’s Latest Social Measurement Guidelines with IAB at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tess Kaytmaz

Social media, including paid, owned and earned, continues to rapidly evolve, which is why Social Media Measurement Guidelines are needed to help agencies and marketers better understand the real impact of social media spend.

Recently, the Media Rating Council (MRC) issued Social Media Measurement Guidelines to help establish a detailed set of methods, definitions and common practices for organizations that measure social media activity.

Join us at SMW New York to hear leaders from IAB, Ogilvy & Mather, The Coca-Cola Company, Crowdtap, and Media Rating Council (MRC) to unpack these new guidelines, and examine its impact on the media industry. Why was it necessary to prepare these guidelines? Why it is important that we all used the same definitions to define key words? How, practically speaking, should the sell-side and buy-side use the guidelines on a daily basis?

Susan Borst, Director of Industry Initiatives at IAB, will lead this session, “Social Media Measurement: How Everyone Wins” on Tuesday, February 23rd at 9:00am at the SVA Theatre (EDU Stage).

★ Join thousands of industry leaders at SMW New York ★

About Susan Borst

Susan Borst is a Director of Industry Initiatives, heading up the Social Media, Content Marketing, Native Advertising, B2B and Games member committees to identify key challenges and opportunities for growth, and setting standards and best practices.

After 20+ years at top NYC creative agencies (Gotham, Kaplan Thaler Group, Grey Worldwide and Hill Holiday), Susan made the move to digital in 2010. At IAB, Susan leads the Social Media, Content Marketing, Native Advertising, B2B and Game Advertising committees, leading hundreds of digital publishers/platforms and technology providers to identify key challenges and opportunities for growth, and setting standards and best practices. Under her leadership, these groups have produced the IAB Native Advertising Playbook, Content Marketing Primer, Social Media Buyer’s Guide, Game Advertising Ecosystem Guide, User Generated Content guide, Building a B2B Brand Online For Dummies guide and many more.

Recent speaking engagements include OMMA Native, Business Insider Ignition, SXSW, Social Media Week in NYC and Chicago and more. She is on the jury for The Shorty Awards and the Content Marketing Institute Awards and was named one of the “15 People in NYC That are Changing Advertising That You Need to Know About” by Alley Watch (8/14) and named a “Top 50 Marketing Thought Leaders Over 50” by Brand Quarterly (2015.) She is based out of NYC and lives in CT. She is also half Icelandic, but loves Swedish Fish.

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.

Image Credit: Izea

Hello Alfred! AI, Data, and Empathy of the Future Customer at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tess Kaytmaz

Every modern company that sells something or offers a service is concerned with taking care of their customers. This means handling problems when they happen, anticipating needs, making recommendations on products, and responding in a timely fashion.

But as technology becomes more efficient and brand experiences grow deeper and more complicated, how will the idea of customer experience evolve in the coming years? How will things like data and artificial intelligence improve how businesses engage with their customers, and what role will the human qualities of empathy and finesse still bring to the table? What will be the meaningful interplay between the two and what are the big opportunities?

Jess Beck, COO & Co-Founder of Hello Alfred, an automated portal for getting your chores and home services done, will join a session at SMW New York with leaders from Havas LuxHub, Barbarian Group, and IBM to discuss the evolution of AI, and what the next 5, 10, and 25 years might look like for businesses and customers.

Jess’ session “AI, Data, And Empathy: The Future Of The Customer Experience” will take place on Thursday, February 25th at 2:30pm at the TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

★ Register today by purchasing your pass ★

About Jess Beck

“Jess is the Co-Founder & COO of Hello Alfred, the home operating system that is making the luxury of help affordable. Hello Alfred is one of the first companies in the on-demand economy 2.0, and under her direction the Alfred team has grown to 22 people in two cities and raised $12.5 million in VC funding in the past year. Prior to Hello Alfred, she worked at McKinsey, and before that, graduated from Harvard Business School with an M.B.A, and from Williams College with Honors in Economics.”

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.

Generate Leads and Become a Brand Partner During #SMWNYC

Posted on by Toby Daniels

SMW New York is just five weeks away, have you made final plans yet on how you and your company will be involved? We wanted to share a few ways for your brand to establish a presence including:

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, or would like to know more about the opportunities still available, we would very much like to hear from you. As an official partner you’ll be joining brands and agencies like Microsoft, Ogilvy, Brandwatch, Spotify, Accenture, Ford, Edelman, Google, YouTube, Capital One, American Express, Sysomos and dozens more who have all been integral to the growth and success of Social Media Week over the past 7 years.

Up Next: Announcing The Launch Of SMW New York’s Initial Program Of Events For 2016

“The evolving social landscape will impact how people discover, consume and share music; and we are thrilled to work with Social Media Week to host a dialogue around this globally.” – Josh Karpf (Global VP, Social Media Marketing at Spotify)

To get more info about partnership packages, or our group pass discounts, please email sponsorships@socialmediaweek.org

Data, Trust & Transparency in Content Advertising Featuring Goldman Sachs at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tess Kaytmaz

Marketers and publishers are using more and more innovative methods to create, deliver and disguise digital advertising. Native advertising is the latest under scrutiny from the FTC, which released new guidelines last month, but it won’t be the last as more examples come to light where advertising is indistinguishable by consumers from content.

Amanda Rubin (Global Co-Head of Brand and Content Strategy at Goldman Sachs), will participate in this session at SMW New York with Barbara Basney (VP of Global Advertising, Brand Content, and Media at Xerox Corporation) and Tonia Ries (SVP and Executive Director, Edelman) to discuss the age of native advertising, and what exactly is the transparency experience for consumers.

“Making The Invisible Visible: The Evolving Roles of Data, Trust And Transparency In Advertising And Publishing” will take place on Tuesday, February 23rd at 5:30pm at the TimesCenter (FWD Stage).

★ Register today by purchasing your pass ★

About Amanda Rubin

“Amanda is global co-head of Brand and Content Strategy in the Executive Office. The group is responsible for creating and highlighting content that focuses on Goldman Sachs’ analysis and work related to economies, markets and clients. The group leverages various communications channels, including advertising and digital platforms, to reach across the firm’s core external constituencies, including clients, investors and the public.

Amanda joined Goldman Sachs in 1997 in the Brand Marketing and Digital Strategy Group, focusing on the firm’s corporate brand, including advertising campaigns, the external website, social media presence and marketing efforts for corporate engagement and recruiting initiatives. From 2010 to 2014, she served as co-chair of the Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit and Executive Office Women’s Network. Amanda was named managing director in 2012.

Prior to joining the firm, Amanda worked at Chiat Day, Ogilvy & Mather, and DDB Needham Worldwide. While at those firms, she worked with industry leaders such as American Express, Bank of New York and Digital Equipment Corporation.” (via Forrester)

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.

Image Credit: IAA

The Millennial Guide To Being A Boss: Forbes’ CMO & 30-Under-30 Leaders Joins #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tess Kaytmaz

It seems like we’re hearing more and more about Millennial employees taking over the workforce. These young, passionate, trailblazing leaders are founders, technologists, designers, strategists, creators, and everything in between.

At SMW New York, we’ll hear from one of Forbes’ 30-Under-30 honorees, Neil Parikh (Co¬founder and COO, Casper), along with Michael Monroe (VP of Marketing, Forbes Media), to discuss what it’s like to lead a company, and some of the learnings they’ve had along the way.

“The Millennial Guide To Being A Boss – Secrets From Forbes 30 Under 30 List Members” will take place on Friday, February 26th at 11:30am at the TimesCenter (FWD Stage).