Interviews

FIR Interviews

Saturday, May 15, 2010

FIR Interview: Neil Chapman, BP, and Deepwater Horizon Response

What many commentators and opinion-formers see as the worst environmental disaster in US history happened off the US coast in the Gulf of Mexico last month when the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig leased by BP exploded and sank, killing and injuring rig workers and releasing oil from a deepwater well that continues to pump its content out into the sea, estimated by some to be up to 25,000 barrels of crude oil every day.

BP

During the last two episodes of The Hobson and Holtz Report, #546 and #545, we’ve discussed the disaster from the communication perspectives, looking at what the British oil company and US government agencies are doing from what we’ve observed online, as well as grassroots initiatives by others at the local level using social media.

DHRIn this FIR Interview, co-host Neville Hobson talks to Neil Chapman, BP Head of Refining and Marking Communications, about the objectives of and activities behind Deepwater Horizon Response, the US government-led unified command that links federal, state and other organizations involved in addressing the disaster and providing a forum for those organizations to make consensus decisions.

As a BP communications executive directly engaged with the unified command, Neil offers inside perspective on the command’s use of social media tools and channels to share information and engage with the public in places like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr, some thoughts on BP’s own communications approach; and insight into how BP’s employees are being informed about the event and BP’s response, and how they’re being empowered to engage with people.

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About our Conversation Partner

Neil ChapmanNeil Chapman has worked on high profile public affairs issues in different parts of the world for more than 25 years. He has responded to major crises in the US and UK - including deadly explosions, legal cases, oil spills and hurricanes. He is part of BP’s communications response team for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He has been on the communications front line for controversial industrial projects, company takeovers, trading scandals and lobbying campaigns. Neil also has experience working on developments for growing business in Latin America, Africa and Asia. He was PR chair for three energy associations - the Natural Gas Supply Association and Center for LNG in the US, and the UK’s Offshore Operators Association - when they faced some of their most difficult communications challenges.

He has trained and counseled scores of business people at all levels on honing their presentation and media skills, particularly when delivering hard messages or facing hostile audiences.

Currently Neil heads communications for BP’s Global Refining and Marketing business that refines, markets, trades and transports crude oil and petroleum products to wholesale and retail customers in over 100 countries. Neil was a journalist in the UK, working for newspapers, TV and radio. He studied in England and the USA qualifying as a teacher. He also has a Bachelor of Arts degree.

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

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Posted by neville on 05/15 at 12:11 AM
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Wednesday, May 05, 2010

FIR Interview: Rhonda Bennetto, TVI Pacific

TVI PacificA topic that’s often discussed on FIR The Hobson and Holtz Report concerning investor relations is the mix of online communication and social media: how does it work for publicly-listed companies with regulatory oversight?

We hear too often how companies can’t embrace such a mix – a toxic mix, as some view it – precisely because of regulators and a belief in what you can’t do.

In this FIR Interview, we hear a story that spells out very clearly what you can do with some terrific ideas, a clear mindset, board-level support and a little courage.

Rhonda Bennetto, Executive Director Investor Communications at Calgary, Canada-based TVI Pacific – a profitable, low cost copper producer focused on the production, development, exploration and acquisition of precious and base metal mining projects in the Philippines –tells FIR co-hosts Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz what she’s put in place at her firm that enables her to get her story out via online communication and social media that embraces the web, Twitter, YouTube, SlideShare and Facebook, the latter including an interactive discussion forum for engaging with shareholders.

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About our Conversation Partner

Rhonda BennettoRhonda Bennetto is currently Executive Director Investor Communications for TVI Pacific Inc. Prior to this, Rhonda was Director of IR for EnerVest Management Ltd., Senior Director, Corporate Communications for New Gold Inc., Metallica Resources, Inc., Enterra Energy Trust, Enerflex Systems, Aquest Exploration Ltd. Rock Creek Resources and Rigel Energy Corporation, among others - all TSX or cross-border listed companies.

Rhonda is responsible for all aspects of investor relations including the strategic direction of all communications, regulatory activities, targeting and disclosure practices.  She has effectively designed and coordinated investor relations programs, industry and media relations, investor products, presentations and special events for primarily undervalued companies.

Rhonda has over 15 years combined investor relations, communications and corporate secretarial experience, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. Rhonda currently serves as the President of the Canadian Investor Relations Institute, Alberta Chapter.

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

Posted by neville on 05/05 at 09:36 AM
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Monday, April 19, 2010

FIR Interview: Kelly Hoey, president, 85 Broads

imageIn this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtz talks to Kelly Hoey, president of the women’s professional network 85 Broads. Kelly provides an overview of the network at its use of social media. As a non-practicing lawyer, she also offers views on employee access from work to social networks.

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About our Conversation Partner

imageKelly Hoey is the President of 85 Broads, a global networking group of 20,000+ professional women (85broads.com).  Kelly’s role at 85 Broads is focused on “conventional” as well as innovative ways to connect and promote members.  She could be described as 85 Broads “interactive creative director, social networking, business development strategies & corporate relationship officer, as well as Twitter curator”.  Kelly’s roots are in the legal world.  She is a recovered attorney, and she held two management roles, Manager of Global Alumni Programs and Manager of Professional Development, at White & Case LLP.  Kelly is vice-chair of the Board of inMotion (inmotiononline.org) a New York City based not-for-profit which provides legal assistance to women and children in domestic crisis.  She is also a member of the Honorary Advisory Board for Pace Law School’s New Direction Program.  Kelly can be found on Twitter @jkhoey.   

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR or at Jaiku: fir.jaiku.com. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the twice-weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

Posted by shel on 04/19 at 04:21 PM
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

FIR Interview: Christian Gunning, Boingo

imageIn this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtz talks to Christian Gunning, director of Corporate Communications for Boingo, which provides WiFi service in airports across the U.S. On Saturday, April 10, an email meant to be used as a test was inadvertently sent, sometimes repeatedly, to Boingo customers. The company’s social media manager saw customers talking about it on Twitter, leading the company to deal quickly with the issue, reaching out to customers through a variety of channels.

Gunning discusses the use of the company’s home page as well as its blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to keep the problem from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

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image

About our Conversation Partner

imageAs Boingo’s director of corporate communication, Christian Gunning is responsible for the public relations, social media, marketing communications and web asset functions.  He is blessed with a talented team of professionals who make his job a joy. He has been with Boingo since its inception in 2001, and has served in product management, product development, marketing communications, public relations, and myriad other roles — as necessary — during its startup phase.

Before Boingo, he served as director of public relations for eCompanies, a technology start-up incubator, and has also worked for networking, software and semiconductor companies in various senior roles at Shandwick International (via Miller/Shandwick Technologies) working with companies such as Microsoft and Compaq Computer in the U.S. and in Singapore. He got his start in the industry at Manning, Selvage & Lee working on the California Lottery and California Department of Forestry.  Christian has a BA from the University of Southern California’s School of Journalism, where he also served as an adjunct professor teaching “PR for the Internet and High Tech.”

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR or at Jaiku: fir.jaiku.com. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the twice-weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

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Posted by shel on 04/14 at 01:20 PM
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Wednesday, April 07, 2010

FIR Interview: Matt Chagnon, Public Service of New Hampshire

imageIn this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtz talks to Matt Chagnon, a communications specialist at Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), the state’s largest utility. Matt shares insights into the expansion of PSNH’s social media efforts since they were first addressed by senior company spokesman Martin Murray in an FIR interview conducted by correspondent Dan York in mid-January 2009..

He also explains how these resources were brought to bear during a recent devastating wind storm.

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About our Conversation Partner

imageMatt Chagnon is a communications specialist at Public Service of New Hampshire, where he focuses on media relations, content development, and social media. In addition to internal web applications, Matt manages psnhnews.com, which has become PSNH’s corporate news portal and media hub.

Together with senior company spokesman, Martin Murray, Matt has created and maintains PSNH’s presence on a number of social media sites, including Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and Facebook. PSNH uses these tools everyday to communicate directly with its customers and the media.

Matt grew up in and around Manchester, N.H., and graduated from Juniata College in Central Pennsylvania. He became interested in social media and Web 2.0 after starting his first travel blog while teaching in China.

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR or at Jaiku: fir.jaiku.com. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the twice-weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

Posted by shel on 04/07 at 11:12 AM
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Tuesday, April 06, 2010

FIR Interview: Thomas Power, Ecademy

In this FIR Interview, co-host Neville Hobson talks to Thomas Power, the founder and Chairman of Ecademy, during the MIPAA New Influencers Workshop on March 31, 2010, where both men were speakers at this UK motor industry event about public relations and marketing, social media and customer engagement.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Thomas explains his three books formula based around Free by Chris Anderson, Engage! by Brian Solis, and Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith to introduce the idea of why brands must build community and their own conversation system. He argues that the channel is more important than the content as companies should own the conversation around their own brands and involve staff at all levels to participate in the conversation. He explains his open, random, supportive approach to engagement and considers the differences in mindsets between the USA and the UK which, he argues, holds back innovation in the UK.

Thomas concludes with some clear recommendations to the UK motor industry (in particular) in how to see all the conversations that matter to them online, and what to do about them.

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About our Conversation Partner

Thomas PowerThomas Power is Chairman of Ecademy, a networked community he co-founded in 1998, now with millions of users of the site each year worldwide who share knowledge, build their network and grow their business.

Thomas was one of Sir Alan Sugar’s original apprentices in the 1980s. In 1988 he left Amstrad to set up his own marketing company, DMS Europe, and became one of the first internet experts. He is an internationally-acclaimed speaker and author.

In his own words: “I love hunting, scouting, meeting new people, asking questions, connecting people, making random connections, thinking, analyzing, pondering, reading, researching, contemplating, debating, teaching, travelling, walking, watching movies (iPod) and then changing peoples lives. Study, study, study, test, test, test, check, check, check is my motto.”

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR or at Jaiku: fir.jaiku.com. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the twice-weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

Posted by neville on 04/06 at 01:54 PM
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010

FIR Interview: Tod Maffin on Case Studies Online

imageCase Studies Online is a database of social media case studies that share in common the fact that they have produced measurable results. In fact, site founder Tod Maffin’s tagline for the site is “Proven Social Media Tactics for Assured ROI.”

In this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtzand Tod Maffin discuss the reason Tod founded the site, what went into it, what you can find there and his vision of the site’s future.

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About our Conversation Partner

imageTod Maffin writes a technology newsletter that is followed by thousands of people in the media and business communities around the world. He has reported on national technology trends on CBC Radio and speaks at more than 40 events around the world each year. Tod was one of Canada’s first podcasters. During the web 1.0 days, Tod launched Mindful Eye, an artificial intelligence firm that developed the patented technology that could analyze public opinion comments posted on the Internet and aired in the media, thus providing a “mood monitor” of stocks. The company went public in 18 months. And he was one of the Internet’s first webmasters — creating a site ranked 8th best in the world… beating out such heavyweights as Sony, Microsoft, and AT&T.

FIR on Friendfeed
Share your comments or questions about this podcast, or suggestions for future interviews, in the FIR FriendFeed Room. You can also email us at fircomments@gmail.com; call the Comment Line at +1 206 222 2803 (North America), +44 20 8133 9844 (Europe), or Skype: fircomments; comment at Twitter: twitter.com/FIR or at Jaiku: fir.jaiku.com. You can email your comments, questions and suggestions as MP3 file attachments, if you wish (max. 3 minutes / 5Mb attachment, please!). We’ll be happy to see how we can include your audio contribution in a show.

To receive all For Immediate Release podcasts including the twice-weekly Hobson & Holtz Report, subscribe to the full RSS feed.

This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music - On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

Posted by shel on 03/03 at 03:15 PM
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