[Qatar-pm] QSTP TechTalk, 26 March

[Nigel Gourlay]

I need a big disclaimer at the top of this email. My wife works for
Hill and Knowlton, and her team has organized this event. However,
she's refused to give me any insider information, and I've never met
Andrew Bone, so I'm quite happy to indulge my natural eeyorish
tendencies.

I'm uneasy about PR companies getting into the blogging scene - it's
more likely to backfire with claims of 'astroturfing' than it is to
succeed. The commercialization of slashdot has been a failure, with
negative affects on the reputation of Intel amongst the very people
they were trying to reach.
 http://intel.vendors.slashdot.org/

The main difficulty is the balance between freedoms of community
members and the reputation of those running the community. It is too
tempting for a company to delete negative comments, or post
press-releases as news stories. Unfortunately, most people can tell
when they're being manipulated.

Some people have said it's better for companies to succeed is to do
nothing. If people want to build a community, they will do it without
your help. Alternatively, support those who are loosely in agreement
with your company's aims.
  http://www.mohamedn.com/2007/03/13/best-practices-for-enterprise-20/

Anyway, here's the advert. Hope to see you there. If you're lucky, you
might find someone in the audience who's running a community site.

--nigel

>>>>>

Social media isn't just teenagers sharing photos of their pets
anymore. Corporate reputations are being made and broken as customers
and peers go online with their opinions. Andrew Bone, regional
director of PR firm Hill and Knowlton, believes companies in the Gulf
can benefit enormously from social media - and must avoid the pitfalls
that await the unprepared.

Armed with case studies and practical tips, Andrew will discuss the
business impacts of social media at the QSTP TECHtalks on 26 March.
Please join us.

Monday 26 March, 7.00pm, Diplomatic Club.

RSVP by reply e-mail events at qstp.org.qa