Tag: timescenter

Music, TV, and Comedy: 10 Sessions to Attend For Entertainment Industry Professionals

Posted on by Kristopher Collado

Entertainment is one of the most impacted industries with the evolution of technology. What once required single-channeled marketing tactics, is now a next-gen content and production solar-system filled with new business models, innovations, and upgraded standards in our multi-platform world.

At SMW New York, we’ve curated 9 forward-thinking sessions that entertainment professionals should plan to attend. Join us as we learn from media greats such as Alex Blumberg (CEO, Gimlet Media), Evan Shapiro (EVP, Digital Enterprises, NBCUniversal), and Andrew Jarecki (Director of The Jinx, Founder of KnowMe).

Purchase your pass for SMW New York to be among the 2,000+ industry leaders who will come together to learn and connect throughout the week!

1. Podcast pioneer, Alex Blumberg, will discuss his journey of building an audio-first media company

Hosted by Crowdcentric • Tuesday 2/23 at 11:30AM • TimesCenter
Alex Blumberg is known for his work on This American Life and Planet Money, and recently launched Gimlet Media as a result of his latest podcast, StartUp. This year at SMW New York, Alex Blumberg will discuss Gimlet Media and his journey of building a media company with foundations in audio storytelling and journalism.

2. NBC’s strategic approach to Seeso, their new streaming comedy channel

Hosted by NBCUniversal • Tuesday 2/23 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
The world is at an inflection point, similar to where broadcast TV was in 70s and 80s with a massive boom in content production and this time on various platforms. Join Evan Shapiro (EVP, Digital Enterprises, NBCUniversal) as he reveals their strategic approach to the current media landscape with Seeso, the new streaming comedy channel, with other key creators of the channel.

3. Virtual reality’s future in storytelling, gaming, and journalism

Hosted by The New York Times • Wednesday 2/23 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
Learn how companies such as The New York Times, GE, and Google are investing time and resources in virtual reality to enhance storytelling, journalism, and the user experience. Meredith Kopit Levien (Chief Revenue Officer, The New York Times), Jake Silverstein (Editor, The New York Times), Katrina Craigwell (Director of Global Content and Programming, GE) and Aaron Luber (CardBoard Partnerships, Google).

4. Comedy Central’s CMO will break down the the social strategy of their top programming

Hosted by WOMMA • Wednesday 2/24 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Some may think Comedy Central’s ratings and conversations on social come easy due to their hilarious talent, but nothing is further from the truth. In this entertaining session, Comedy Central’s CMO, Walter Levitt, will attempt to organize and rationalize all of his team’s on-the-ground tactics into a fully thought–out strategy.

5. How micro-content and social media can lay the groundwork to launch a new TV show

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? Join Kim Garcia (SVP, Entertainment, VaynerMedia) and Jason Loomis (Director, Paid Media, VaynerMedia) as they flesh out the social media strategy for their new reality series Chrisley Knows Best.

6. When, where, and how social media belongs in live events; in-person and online

Hosted by Momentum Worldwide and AEG • Wednesday 2/24 at 4:30PM • TimesCenter
According to a recent study, 70% of millennials feel that social media improves the live music experience. Attend this panel with executives from AEG, Momentum Worldwide, and StubHub directly focused on why music experiences are better with social, and when they don’t belong together.

7. How Grammy-nominated artist, Ryan Leslie, started a business just from thanking fans online

Hosted by Nue Agency • Thursday 2/25 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Ryan Leslie is a Grammy-nominated recording artist and multi-platinum music producer who turned his interest in personally thanking each fan into a million dollar seed funded technology called SuperPhone. Today he’s unlocked the true value in his 1.3 million follower footprint across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube by having a text-based dialogue with the 40,000 people who matter most. Joining Ryan will be Jesse Kirshbaum (CEO, Nue Agency).

8. 360° video content, and the next wave of videos in your News Feed

Hosted by BOLD Worlwide • Thursday 2/25 at 3:00 PM • SVA Theatre
If you’re a marketer or content creator looking to engage your audience in an immersive way, you need to understand 360° video. Brian Cristiano (CEO, BOLD Worldwide) will explain the value, excitement, and execution of 360° video, and shed some light on how you can utilize this technology for entertainment, engagement and sales.

9. How to best capture the moment when fans react online, with Andrew Jarecki of HBO’s The Jinx

Hosted by Social Media Week • Friday 2/26 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Andrew Jarecki (Director, HBO’s The Jinx) will discuss social media’s role in how fans experience the show before, during and after the now-infamous hot mic scene, as well as unveil never-before-seen footage from the show. Come to learn how the chorus of Tweets, blog posts, and Facebook updates played a role in that collective gasp.

10. Mixing digital moments with experiential events, from the RSVP invitation to post-event wrap-up

Hosted by Splash • Friday 2/26 at 3:00PM • SVA Theatre
Social media can make or break your event. Splash co-founder and Party Scientist, Ben Hindman, will teach you how to turn your next event into social media gold. He’ll cover everything from how to create “Instagrammable moments,” to designing an irresistible invitation.

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 100+ events with 300+ speakers for an incredible week you won’t want to miss. Get your pass here!

Meet Storyful, The Trending News and UGC Video Verifier, and Official Event Sponsor of #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Everyone knows the stars of YouTube, Vine, Instagram and Snapchat. They have big audiences and big price tags, and working with them isn’t always a possibility.

To better understand this complex yet increasingly crucial video ecosystem, we’re thrilled to have Storyful join SMW New York as an Official Event Partner. They’ll break down these video platforms, and share how they’ve has established itself as the leader in verifying viral videos, trending news, ad user-generated content (UGC) online.

Their session, “The New Generation of Social Influencers” on Wednesday the 24th at 12:30pm at The TimesCenter will explore how you create a strategy for identifying and engaging with social influencers to help you achieve you tell you story and reach the right audience.

Storyful’s CEO, Rahul Chopra will dive into what makes a social influencer today, how they reach and engage audiences, and what marketers and advertisers need to do to be effective in 2016.

At #SMWNYC, Mashable Will Outline The Future of Publishers Using Messaging Platforms

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Across the globe, messaging apps are amassing huge audiences. Though initially made popular as an alternative to SMS, chat apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, Viber and LINE are increasingly gaining traction as hubs for multimedia content.

As organizations start to catch on, several publishers have already begun to pave the way for how to best deliver news and content, and engage with the growing user bases on these apps.

In this session, “The New World of Social: How Publishers Are Using Messaging Platforms to Engage with Audiences“, we’ll hear directly from the strategists influencing the way these publishers approach emerging digital platforms – from the opportunities they see in messaging apps to the challenges they’ve encountered in developing strategies.

Register your pass to attend SMW New York, and join us on Tuesday, February 23rd at 5:30pm at The TimesCenter to hear from Ryan Lytle (Director, Social Media and Platform Partnerships, Mashable), Samantha Barry (Sr. Director of Social News, CNN Worldwide), and Eytan Oren (CEO of messaging app agency, Block Party).

From Virtual Reality to Millennial Ideologies: The 8 Keynotes to Attend at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Kristopher Collado

We’re bringing some of the most influential leaders together for our 2016 edition of Social Media Week NYC, which takes place this February 22-26.

From the Mark Thompson (CEO, The New York Times) to Claudia Malley (Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, National Geographic), these keynotes will bring their insights and expertise to the SMW New York stage on a range of topics, including virtual reality, Millennial ideology, emerging trends in digital storytelling, and social media’s impact on pop-culture and traditional media.

Purchase your pass for Social Media Week to be among the 2,000+ industry leaders coming to New York for a week of forward-thinking and educational events, and bookmark these keynotes to your schedule!

1. Learn how The New York Times shifted from print to digital

Hosted by The New York Times • Tuesday 2/23 at 10:30AM • TimesCenter
CEO of The New York Times, Mark Thompson, will discuss how the company pivoted and prepared itself to succeed in the digital age, and how others can learn from their shift. Interviewing Mark, will be Toby Daniels, Founder and Executive Director of Social Media Week.

2. Hear how comedy and digital entertainment will evolve in the next few years

Hosted by NBCUniversal • Tuesday 2/23 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
The world is at an inflection point, similar to where broadcast TV was in 70s and 80s with a massive boom in content production and this time on various platforms. Join Evan Shapiro (EVP, Digital Enterprises, NBCUniversal) as he reveals their strategic approach to the current media landscape with Seeso, the new steaming comedy channel, with other key creators of the channel.

3. Explore the incredible virtual reality collaboration with Google, GE, and The New York Times

Hosted by The New York Times • Wednesday 2/24 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
Learn how brands, publishers, and networks are using virtual reality to enhance their user experience, and tell amazing stories in an entirely new way. This session features Meredith Kopit Levien (Chief Revenue Officer, The New York Times), Katrina Craigwell (Director, Global Content & Programming, General Electric) and Aaron Luber (CardBoard Partnerships, Google).

4. Laugh and learn with Comedy Central’s Chief Marketing Officer

Hosted by WOMMA • Wednesday 2/24 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Some may think Comedy Central’s ratings and online conversations come easy due to their hilarious roster of talent, but nothing is further from the truth. In this entertaining session, Comedy Central’s CMO, Walter Levitt, will attempt to organize and rationalize all their social media and on-the-ground tactics into a fully thought–out strategy.

5. National Geographic’s lessons to staying relevant and powerful in our fragmented media ecosystem

Hosted by Social Media Week • Thursday 2/25 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
National Geographic is known around the globe for it’s leadership in visually compelling factual and entertaining storytelling, and in this keynote session, Claudia Malley (Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, National Geographic) will share insights and learnings on how this 128 year-old brand has pioneered the new media and fragmented landscape while maintaining it’s leadership position among consumers.

6. The story of how Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Leslie started a tech business after personally thanking his fans

Hosted by Nue Agency • Thursday 2/25 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
In this talk with music tech’s premiere agency CEO, Jesse Kirshbaum of NUE Agency, and Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Leslie, they’ll touch on the best practices and learnings driving $2M in gross revenue from a $2,500 inbound text message campaign, rewriting the blueprint for how social media can be leveraged in today’s marketplace.

7. Step inside the Millennial consumer mindset with Refinery29’s CEO

Hosted by Social Media Week • Friday 2/26 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
Through the rise of social networks and smartphones, the Millennial ideology has transformed communication, making instantaneous, raw, and constant contact the norm. Join Philippe Von Borries, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of lifestyle media company Refinery29, as he discusses the advantages and challenges that this new landscape presents with concrete examples from Refinery29’s work and learnings over the past few years.

8. Watch never-before seen footage of HBO’s The Jinx with Director, Andrew Jarecki

Hosted by Social Media Week • Friday 2/26 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Andrew Jarecki (Director, HBO’s The Jinx) will discuss social media’s role in how fans experience the show before, during and after the now-infamous hot mic scene, as well as unveil never-before-seen footage from the show. Learn how much the chorus of Tweets, blog posts, and Facebook updates played a role in that collective gasp.

We hope to see you in New York for Social Media Week! Join over 2,000 leaders who register each year, and in 2016, #SMWNYC features two official venues: The TimesCenter (FWD Stage) and SVA Theatre (EDU Stage).

Attend the 100+ events with 200+ speakers for an incredible week you won’t want to miss. Get your pass here!

Storytelling in a Fragmented Media Environment: Keynote with National Geographic’s Chief Marketing Officer

Posted on by Tyler Becker

National Geographic is known around the globe for it’s leadership in visually compelling factual and entertaining storytelling, and in this keynote session at SMW New York, Claudia Malley (Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, National Geographic) will share insights and learnings on how this 128 year-old brand has pioneered the new media and fragmented landscape and to maintain it’s leadership position among consumers.

Claudia Malley heads up brand marketing, membership and market research for National Geographic, and previously served as EVP, Global Corporate Partnerships for National Geographic Society where se oversaw all global corporate partnerships and sponsorships.

Her keynote, “The Power of Storytelling in a Fragmented Media Environment” takes place on Thursday the 25th at 9:30am at The TimesCenter.

Claudia became Vice President and U.S. Publisher of National Geographic magazine in 2004 and Executive Vice President and Worldwide Publisher in 2010. Malley has more than 25 years of experience in media brand management, sales and marketing, working across media disciplines including print, television and digital.

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.

Say Hello to Zignal Labs, Our Event Sponsor Providing Work Space for the Week

Posted on by Tyler Becker

With the 150+ events taking place throughout Social Media Week NYC, there are plenty of sessions to choose from every day of the week. But, there are moments during #SMWNYC where attendees need to take a break to check email, dial into a client call, or catch up on all the Slack messages missed during the day.

Thanks to our Official Event Sponsor, Zignal Labs, SMW New York attendees will have ample space to connect to open their laptops and get their regular work done. Zignal Labs, a realtime, cross media analytics platform that enables clients to quickly spot trends, see relevant stories unfold, and take action, will host attendees at The TimesCenter all week with comfortable seating and tables to spread out.

The Zignal Labs lounges at The TimesCenter will serve as much-needed spots for the thousands of busy professionals attending SMW New York to get their work done without leaving the event. From casual networking and deal-making interactions, to making calls and checking emails, the co-working lounge is where the real conversations happen, and we couldn’t have done it without Zignal Labs!

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.

Why Content Is Your Brand’s Most Essential Resource Featuring Accenture Digital at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

As the digital marketing landscape matures, content will emerge as the primary differentiator among brands in the space. Brands are beginning to understand content marketing’s power to connect with consumers and form authentic relationships. Digital content is just as important to a company’s brand today as water is to sustain human life.

At SMW New York, Accenture Digital’s Robert Harles (Managing Director & Global Lead, Social Media and Collaboration), will lead a talk alongside Lindsay Nelson (Global Head of Brand Strategy, Vox Media) and Brian Becker (Executive Director, Head of Newsroom, JPMorgan Chase).

They will help marketers who feel like the amount of digital content that you have to produce and push out to myriad channels is like a rising tide that’s about to cause a flood. Luckily, you’re not along if this is you.

Join Accenture Digital for their session, “Content: A Brand’s Most Essential Resource” on Thursday the 25th at 12:30pm at The TimesCenter.

Learn How To Effectively Monitor Your Audience On Social With Digimind at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Are you listening to powerful online conversations that could change your business? Are you following the conversations happening on social networks revolving around your brand and doing something about it?

Social media monitoring is one of few ways brands can use listening to leverage technology and data to increase brand engagement, determine the impact of your marketing communications campaigns, identify key customer influencers, opinion leaders and developing trends, pick up on customer relationship management opportunities, and even benchmark your brand and products against your competitors.

In a world where social media has taken over everything we do, it’s more important to understand consumer behavior around it and use social intelligence to gain powerful insights for your business and marketing strategies.

Join Digimind at SMW New York for their session, “Are You Listening? Learn How To Effectively Monitor Your Audience On Social” on Wednesday the 24th at 2:00pm at the SVA Theatre.

Attendees will explore a case study on using social intelligence for the non-profit industry, how to monitor influencers and use social data to reach them, and examine the best practices to analyze clients on social media and provide them with valuable insights.

Speakers include Michael Hayworth (VP North America, Woody Media), Alexander McLaughlin (Business Intelligence Analyst, Who What Wear), Eric Schwamberger (Chief Marketing & Content Officer, Tenthwave Digital) and Neta Yoffe (Social Media Magician, Digimind).

8 Sessions Exploring The Biggest Social Media Platforms and Emerging Trends

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Across the globe, messaging apps are amassing huge audiences, social networks are attracting massive media budgets, and the next Mark Zuckerberg or Evan Spiegel might be sitting in the building right next to you.

The current social media landscape is a beast in itself, with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vine, Periscope, and a few others that dominate the conversation. But on the horizon, if not already here, are a combination of messaging platforms and emerging communities that could enter this mix.

WhatsApp, Viber and LINE are increasingly gaining traction as hubs for multimedia content, and other players like Giphy, Anchor, PicsArt, Dubsmash, and even Product Hunt are taking slices of the overall pie.

As organizations start to catch on, several publishers have already begun to pave the way for how to best deliver news and content, and engage with the growing user bases on these apps and platforms.

Register your pass to attend Social Media Week NYC, and bookmark these events to your schedule.

1. If you want to learn about the future of communications from a Facebook executive…

The Future of Communications with Michelle Klein, Facebook’s Head of Marketing for North America
Hosted by Facebook • Tuesday 2/23 at 9:30AM • TimesCenter
The shift to mobile has already happened, and it’s radically changing the way businesses and people connect. Michelle Klein, Facebook’s Head of Marketing, North America, will explore the new kinds of tools and groundbreaking innovations completely transforming the way we communicate.

2. If you want to find out which brands are crushing it on Snapchat…

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 killing it on this emerging platform. Join leaders from MTV, VaynerMedia, Nasdaq, American Airlines, and The Wall Street Journal to learn more about the most innovating brands creating lasting experiences (that are more than 24 hours) on Snapchat.

3. If you want an overview of platforms taking over the media industry…

Mediapocalypse! Are Platforms Killing The Business Of Media And Advertising? And Why Won’t Anyone Talk About It?
Hosted by Deep Focus • Tuesday 2/23 at 2:30PM • TimesCenter
Platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Twitter are up-ending the media business. But will that end up killing it in the process? Publishers and advertisers, content producers and creators, advertisers and agencies are all dealing with the repercussions of distributed media models. Join Ian Schafer (Founder and Chairman, Deep Focus), Ricky Van Veen (Co-Founder and Executive, College Humor and IAC), and Lisa Weinstein (CEO, Engine Media Group) as they explore the end of times.

4. If you want to hear Mashable’s predictions on the future of multi-media messaging…

The New World of Social: How Publishers Are Using Messaging Platforms to Engage with Audiences
Hosted by Mashable • Tuesday 2/23 at 5:30PM • TimesCenter
Across the globe, messaging apps are amassing huge audiences. Though initially made popular as an alternative to SMS, chat apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, Viber and LINE are increasingly gaining traction as hubs for multimedia content. In this session, you’ll hear directly from the strategists and producers at Mashable on how publishers are approaching these emerging digital platforms.

5. If you want to explore BuzzFeed’s lessons on creating cross-platform content…

Building A Great Social Presence The Resourceful Way
Hosted by BuzzFeed • Wednesday 2/24 at 11:00AM • SVA Theatre
In this interactive presentation, you’ll learn how BuzzFeed used careful targeting and precise forms of social media storytelling to build BuzzFeed into what it is today. Social experts Rachel Christensen and Summer Anne Burton will discuss the scrappy and unconventional ways of thinking about content to create sharable, memorable experiences without a sizable budget.

6. If you want to learn how to develop a Snapchat marketing plan…

Snapchat: How Brands Can Effectively Market On The Platform
Hosted by VaynerMedia • Wednesday 2/24 at 12:00PM • SVA Theatre
There’s no doubt Snapchat is the hottest social media platform in 2016. In this masterclass, you’ll learn the strategies behind the brands finding success with Snapchat marketing, and how to think about this new platform in the context of your brand. Speakers of this session include Dan Grossman (VP of Platform Partnerships, VaynerMedia), Farrah Bezner (Head of New Business Ventures, Mondelēz International), and Talya Minsberg (Social Media Editor, The New York Times).

7. If you want to learn about social media automation by building your own Twitter bot…

Twitter Bots And The Automation Of Everything
Hosted by Code and Theory • Thursday 2/25 at 11:00AM • SVA Theatre
In this session, you’ll get a hands-on, step-by-step explanation of how to build a Twitter bot, and why algorithms on major social platforms are maturing to become more relevant and meaningful to digital professionals. Nick Macri (Associate Director of Analytics, Code and Theory) will lead a conversation around automation in social media, and how you can use it everyday on a variety of platforms and networks.

8. If you want to have an intimate dialogue with social media leaders…

The Future Of Emerging Platforms: An Interactive Shorty Awards Trivia Game
Hosted by The Shorty Awards • Friday 2/26 at 4:00PM • SVA Theatre
Join digital media executives from leading organizations on social to discuss in an interactive format what captivates, engages and moves audiences, and then put your noggin to the test with game show trivia questions on emerging social and digital media platforms, and the new ways that brands are publishing content and growing their community at scale. Hear from Reelio, BuzzFeed, About.com, Bravo & Oxygen and other individuals from innovative brands.

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!

Facebook’s Head of Marketing, North America Will Deliver “Future of Communications” Talk at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

The shift to mobile has already happened, and it’s radically changing the way businesses and people connect. We’re spending more time with our phones than ever before, and every interaction, click, swipe, tap, message, and pinch is a new data point and experience that impacts the world around us.

Facebook’s Head of Marketing for North America Marketing, Michelle Klein, will join us for Social Media Ween NYC to explore the new kinds of tools and groundbreaking innovations completely transforming the way we communicate.

You can click here to see the schedule of events for the rest of the week, and be sure to register your pass to hear Michelle’s talk, The Future of Communications with Michelle Klein, Facebook’s Head of Marketing for North America on Tuesday, February 23rd at 9:30am at The TimesCenter

Michelle Klein is Head of Marketing for North America at Facebook, where she oversees the vision and strategy for marketing as it relates to advertisers and the advertising industry, agencies, small business and Facebook Marketing Partners.

Prior to Facebook, she was Vice President of Global Marketing for Smirnoff, and in that capacity, spent eight years guiding the world’s original vodka brand through a complete brand reinvention. From the creation of a global experiential and social campaign spanning 50 countries to overhauling the entire packaging design for Smirnoff’s product range, Michelle played a key role in driving the 150-year-old brand into the future.

Image Credit: The Internationalist

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 on Fan Engagement and Audience Growth

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Without customers, fans, viewers, and people that value your business and work, you wouldn’t exist. The gap between casual customer and brand loyalist is not as distant as many assume, and with emerging tools and technology, many brands are figuring out how to convert one-time buyers into repeat customers.

Register to attend Social Media Week NYC, and experience a variety of sessions that dive into the world of fan engagement, audience development, and customer retention.

You’ll learn what the leading brands use and do each day to move individuals through the customer life-cycle, and hear industry leaders from Hootsuite, VaynerMedia, Brandwatch, WOMMA, Code and Theory, and many others discussing the next wave of trends and innovations.

1. If you work with digital campaigns or high-profile individuals…

Pope-emojis and Millennials: How Pope Francis Engages the Largest Generation Alive Today
Hosted by Tracx • Tuesday 2/23 at 10:00AM • SVA Theatre
Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers, and brands and organizations are looking for ways to capitalize on this group. In this session, learn how Tracx, the leading social business cloud, collaborated with Aleteia, a global Catholic digital media company, to engage Millennials through an integrated campaign around Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S., and how “Pope-emojis” re-connected younger individuals to their religions and beliefs.

2. If you want to use data to better identify and retain customers…

Extending Lifetime Value – The Future of Customer Engagement
Hosted by Simon Data • Tuesday 2/23 at 1:00PM • SVA Theatre
Lifetime value is the magic word these days; everyone needs to find a way to create more enduring, valuable relationships with their customers. This session with Simon Data will provide an expert overview of the latest crop of marketing technologies, and outline a step-by-step breakdown of how to use data to improve your marketing efforts.

3. If you want to boost brand advocacy and create loyalists out of customers…

Advocacy FTW: How to Turn Your Superfans Into Impactful Brand Advocates
Hosted by Hootsuite • Wednesday 2/24 at 10:00AM • SVA Theatre
How well do you know your social superfans? Are you looking in the right pockets of the web to find the conversations they’re having about you? Join Hootsuite to learn how you can build your social brand with the support of your existing fans to maximize the reach of your social messages.

4. If your business needs to reach Millennials and Gen-Z consumers online…

Online Identities And Impact On Gen Y+Z Consumers
Hosted by Code and Theory • Wednesday 2/24 at 1:00PM • SVA Theatre
To reach teens and young adults online, the challenge is no longer about just posting on Instagram. This session with Code and Theory will cover the ins-and-outs of how Gen-Z and Gen-Y manage identities and relationships across multiple social networks, hide in plain site, and what type of content and brands they are willing to engage with.

5. If you work in television or at an agency with entertainment clients…

Keynote: How Comedy Central Gets Fans Talking with CMO, Walter Levitt
Hosted by WOMMA • Wednesday 2/24 at 1:30PM • TimesCenter
Comedy Central’s CMO, Walter Levitt, will attempt to organize and rationalize all their social media and on-the-ground tactics into a fully thought–out strategy, and explain how they promote their roster of shows such as Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and Drunk History.

6. If you want to improve your social listening and monitoring efforts…

Are You Listening? Learn How To Effectively Monitor Your Audience On Social
Hosted by Digimind • Wednesday 2/24 at 2:00PM • SVA Theatre
In a world where social media has taken over everything we do, it’s more important than ever to understand consumer behavior and use social intelligence to gain powerful insights for your business and marketing strategies. Join Digimind as they explain the important of social intelligence for agencies, non-profits, governments, and brands with influencers.

7. If you’re eager to learn how social media can drive new TV industry metrics…

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? VaynerMedia will outline in this session how television shows and video networks can connect with existing and prospective fans across the many different virtual places where they’re spending time online.

8. If your brand has conversations with customers, or needs to create more interactions…

Consumer Pulse: Giving The People What They Want
Hosted by Brandwatch • Thursday 2/25 at 10:00AM • SVA Theatre
How we interact with potential consumers, haters, and brand loyalists has changed significantly over the past decades, and continues to rapidly evolve with how quickly we can exchange information. Brandwatch, one of the leading social intelligence platforms, will highlight best practices for capitalizing on emotions, purchase intent, influence, and consumer value.

9. If you need to learn best practices for developing a customer life-cycle…

Managing Brand(om)s and Fandoms: The True Story
Hosted by Everybody at Once • Thursday 2/25 at 12:00PM • SVA Theatre
These days, almost every single brand is expectedly active on social media. And almost every single one of those brands has a challenging time trying to find and interact with their audience. In this panel, audience development and social strategy consultancy, Everybody at Once, will lead an exploration around how a person or agency works to enable an audience in the best way possible, all while building a brand.

Brandwatch’s Guide to Decision-Making with Data and Rewarding Your Customers at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Brandwatch is one of the world’s leading social media monitoring and analytics tools, chosen by pioneering brands and agencies including Verizon, British Airways, Digitas, Whirlpool, Dell, PepsiCo, Monster and Papa John’s. They’re one of our official Social Media Week sponsors (read more about our upcoming work with them!), and we’re excited for their two sessions at #SMWNYC.

The first, “Democratizing Data And Decision-Making: Unlocking The Socially-Powered Invisible Hand Of Technology” takes place Wednesday, February 24th at 10:30 AM at The TimesCenter.

In this session, Brandwatch’s Chief Marketing Officer, Will McInnes, will highlight the transition from mundane, ineffective business intelligence and market research solutions, to the next generation of smart tools, and how they are disrupting the way we analyze, measure, and process our various marketing efforts, utilizing trainable agents powered by human and machine intelligence. This is the next horizon of social intelligence, and Brandwatch will explain who is at the forefront.

The second session hosted by Brandwatch is “Consumer Pulse: Giving The People What They Want” which takes place Thursday, February 25th at 10:00AM at the SVA Theatre.

Two of Brandwatch’s leading minds, Kelly Autenrieth (User Adoption Team Lead, North America, Brandwatch) and Brit Ferguson (Account Manager, Brandwatch), will highlight key use cases for planning a social strategy that features a rewarding shelf-life for you and your consumer. Attendees will learn the most practical and effective ways to interact with potential customers, and how combining emotion with purchase intent can transform someone into becoming a brand loyalist.

Purchase your pass to attend SMW New York, and learn how Brandwatch has helped brands around the globe achieve their goals through smart social data and customer engagement.

Get Ready to Celebrate at the Official #SMWNYC Opening and Closing VIP Parties

Posted on by Tyler Becker

We’re putting the final touches on the official schedule for Social Media Week NYC, and we hope you’ll join us for our Opening and Closing Parties, which are by invitation only, and exclusively for attendees with an Insider Pass. You can purchase your pass here to get added to the guest list!

Official VIP Opening Reception

To mark the launch of the the 2016 edition of SMW New York, global organizers Crowdcentric and our partner, OgilvyOne, will host the Official Opening Reception on February 22 at 7:00pm.

Held at Ogilvy’s stunning Headquarters in Manhattan (636 11th Avenue between 46th and 47th), the event will bring together Insider Pass-holders, Speakers and Sponsors for an evening of cocktails and food. The evening will mark the 8th anniversary of Social Media Week in New York.

Official VIP Closing Party

Then, at the end of the week, all Insider Pass holders, Speakers and Sponsors are invited to wrap up 2016’s edition Social Media Week NYC at the Official Closing VIP Party, presented by Crowdcentric and our Hospitality Partner, LDV.

The closing party will be held at one of New York’s premier venues, the Diamond Horseshoe at the Paramount Hotel on Friday, February 26th at 7:00pm.

The Closing Party is also by invitation only, so if you’d like to be on the guest list, be sure to purchase your Insider Pass, which grants you access to both events.

You must be 21 years or older to attend these parties.

You Might Also Want To Attend: The Inaugural Diversity In Tech Awards on Thursday, February 25th

Need to Dig Deep Into Snapchat? Learn The Latest Trends At These 3 #SMWNYC Sessions

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Snapchat has an estimated 200 million monthly active users, and 100 million daily active users. It’s one of the most popular mobile apps for Millennials, Gen-Z, and even younger generations (30% of U.S. millennial internet users access Snapchat regularly). It’s so much more than a social network too. It’s truly an entertainment network.

It’s visual messaging, text messaging, mobile payments, art, comedy, storytelling, news, live event coverage, and a major advertising for brands and businesses across the world. 8,796 photos are shared on Snapchat every second, and Snapchat sees 6 billion video views every day. TO say the least, Snapchat is robust, and shows no signs of stopping (stats via DMR).

As Snapchat continues to expand and innovate, we want SMW New York attendees to learn everything there is to know in order to stay on top of its growth and capabilities. It’s not easy to fully understand everything there is to know about Snapchat, but a few events at SMW New York this month will teach you how to use it properly in business and in life.

Purchase your pass for SMW New York, and attend these three sessions that will dive deep into the world of Snapchat, and pull apart the many reasons why it’s a must-know platform for marketers and digital professionals.

1. 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 Nasdaq, the bellwether for innovation, for an exciting chat with these Snapchat trailblazers, featuring executives from MTV, VaynerMedia, American Airlines, and The Wall Street Journal.

2. Atomization of Business: Content Strategies for Speed, Quality, and Efficiency

Hosted by Code and Theory • Wednesday 2/24 at 11:30AM • TimesCenter
As today’s brands, organizations, and governments confront the challenge of reaching multiple audiences with multiple stories, Atomization offers a playbook for producing content rapidly without sacrificing quality, reacting to popular news cycles with sensitivity, and injecting brands into culture with sincerity. Code and Theory Co-Founder, Dan Gardner, will introduce attendees to Atomization, and how today’s businesses take advantage of strategic opportunities via social media.

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

Hosted by VaynerMedia • Wednesday 2/24 at 12:00PM • SVA Theatre
There’s no doubt Snapchat is the hottest social media platform in 2016, and this masterclass will detail best practices for how brands can market on Snapchat. Attendees will walk away with answers to questions such as, “What makes Snapchat the “hot” platform in 2016?” and “What is the differentiation of Snapchat and its ROI vs. “more established” platforms like Facebook, Twitter & Instagram?”. Dan Grossman (VP of Platform Partnerships, VaynerMedia) together with Farrah Bezner (Head of New Business Ventures, Mondelēz International) will lead this session.

These three events are targeted at digital professionals who have experience leveraging social media as a key marketing initiative, or professionals in marketing who want to deepen their understanding of how brands can effectively market to the ever-growing consumer audience on Snapchat. Click here to register for Social Media Week New York!

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).

Jane Gould, SVP of Consumer Insights and Research at MTV, Will Explore The Post-Millennial Generation at #SMWNYC

Posted on by Tyler Becker

Jane Gould is responsible for connecting MTV’s internal and external clients to the heartbeat of its constantly evolving young audience.

She’s in charge of all consumer studies and trend forecasts – including quantitative and innovative qualitative analyses – conducted to guide MTV’s creative and business operations, including programming, development, marketing, digital and more.

A one-of-a-kind generational expert, she has studied the Millennial Generation for the past 15 years, having served most recently as Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights for Nickelodeon.

Register to attend SMW New York, and explore MTV’s findings and research of the post-Millennial generation. 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

Along with a new name, Jane and her team discovered some fascinating insights into what drives this generation on-the-rise, and the responsibility they feel to build upon the societal blocks that Millennials are famous for disrupting. This session, “‘Hello “Founders’ – Meet The Generation After Millennials” takes place Friday, February 26 at The TimesCenter (FWD Stage).