Interviews
FIR Interviews
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
FIR Interview: Shashi Bellamkonda, Social Media Swami, Network Solutions
Shashi Bellamkonda joined Network Solutions—which once held the monopoly on dot-com domain registrations—as a customer service representative. His use of social media in all of his jobs led to his appointment as the coordinator of social media efforts for the company. In this interview, Shashi shares with Shel Holtz how he coordinates with other departments, how social media has been used to improve the company’s reputation, the metrics applied to his efforts, and a variety of other topics related to organizational adoption of social media.
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About our Conversation Partner
Shashi Bellamkonda works for Web hosting company Network Solutions as the first-ever Network Solutions “Social Media Swami”. Helped Network Solutions aggressively move into the online space to listen to and interact with its customers and win the 2008 SNCR Excellence in New Communications Award for Online Reputation Management/Corporate Division. A prolific Twitterer, blogger , and product innovator, Shashi loves technology, testing new things and helping people. A self-described “Internet junkie,” Shashi has presented previously on “How to Sell Social Media to Your Boss” and “Social Media tools for Small Business”. Shashi Bellamkonda started his blog to keep his many on and offline friends up to date on the coolest new things to check out and answer their questions on social media and technology from what to use and how, how to prevent popups, how to avoid viruses, how to save computers from hackers, and the ever popular “Why is my computer freezing?” A resident of Maryland, Shashi Bellamkonda speaks 7 languages and ardently works to turn his hobbies into his profession.
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.
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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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Friday, December 19, 2008
FIR Interview: Michael Cherenson, 2009-2010 Chair, PRSA
From PR ethics and advocacy, to issues management and the role of social media in changing times, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is at the heart of matters of interest and concern to members of the public relations profession, and others with often-strong and sometimes passionate opinions on what PR should deliver and how it should do it.
PRSA is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, with more than 32,000 professional and student members organized into 109 chapters across the United States.
In this wide-ranging conversation with FIR’s Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz, Michael Cherenson, PRSA’s chair-elect for 2009-2010 (who takes up his role on January 1, 2009), talks about his vision for his term, his perception of PRSA’s key issues, the role of PRSA (and other associations) in addressing PR’s PR problem, and PRSA’s advocacy role.
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About our Conversation Partner
Prior to his election as PRSA Chair, Michael Cherenson served as PRSA Secretary and was a three-year member of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Cherenson’s expertise extends to all disciplines of public relations, including corporate, marketing, internal and crisis communication, government relations, event management, and interactive public relations. At Success Communications Group, he serves as the senior public relations counselor and strategist, and is involved with all public relations activities for the firm’s diverse clientele.
An 18-year industry veteran and the author of three studies on the impact of reputation, Cherenson is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board and holds an Advanced Certification in Political Management from the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at George Washington University, Washington, DC.
During his tenure on the PRSA Board of Directors, Cherenson served as chair of the PRSA Advocacy Advisory Board, liaison to the Board of Professional Ethics and Standards and the Public Relations Student Society of America, and co-authored a PRSA study on MBA Programs and their communication curricula. In 2005, Cherenson represented PRSA and the US State Department and its Bureau of International Information Programs on a mission to Croatia, where he served as a keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Croatian Public Relations Association Conference.
An advisory board member to the University of Florida’s Department of Public Relations and Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Corporate and Organizational Communication Department, he is past president of the NJ Chapter of the PRSA, which honored him with its Service Award in 2002.
He blogs at Cherenson’s Blog and is active on Twitter.
Cherenson is a graduate of Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.
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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Thursday, December 11, 2008
FIR Interview: Scott Monty, Head of Social Media, Ford Motor Company
The Ford Motor Company is one of America’s iconic brand names recognized worldwide: one of the so-called ‘Big Three’ US automakers – the other two being General Motors and Chrysler – all presently embroiled in US government actions to support the industry with a proposed $14 billion bailout, without which General Motors and Chrysler say they risk ruin with Ford saying it may need funds in the future.
While this business backdrop sets the scene for mainstream media headlines and reporting, Ford continues to communicate and engage with its stakeholders and other interested parties, employing the full spectrum of tools and channels as appropriate.
It’s the area of social media and communication that is the prime focus of this FIR Interview with Scott Monty, Head of Social Media at Ford’s worldwide headquarters in Dearborn, USA.
In this conversation with FIR’s Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz, Scott talks through the events surrounding a Ford fan site and alleged counterfeit Ford parts, how criticisms of Ford’s legal moves blew up across auto-enthusiast and other websites and blogs in a 24-hour period, and the key role Twitter played in enabling Scott to rapidly defuse and help to successfully address those criticisms.
Scott also talks about The Ford Story, and offers five critical tips for any communicator embarking on deploying social media in the enterprise.
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About our Conversation Partner
Scott Monty is currently the head of social media for Ford Motor Company, where he holds the title Global Digital & Multimedia Communications Manager.
While his role is based in the Corporate Communications area, he is a strategic advisor on all social media activities across the company. From blogger relations to marketing support to customer service to internal communications and more, social media touches many facets of Ford business, and Scott is there to ensure it is consistent across all of them.
Previously he was Consigliere for crayon, LLC, serving as the primary point of contact for clients, representing their interests. But his role elevated his connection with the client beyond a typical account service role, counseling clients with a firm understanding of their industry, a breadth of knowledge of the landscape of new marketing, coupled with a personal approach to deepen the relationship.
Scott joined crayon after three years with PJA Advertising + Marketing, a BtoB shop that specializes in the high tech and health sciences industries, where he helped clients with integrated brand campaigns and led an e-newsletter practice for a major client. Previously involved in the managed care and biotech/pharma/medical device consulting space, he has served in a variety of sales, marketing and communications roles.
In addition to his marketing background, Scott is an active blogger and podcaster. He writes about issues relevant to the intersection of advertising, marketing and PR at The Social Media Marketing Blog and also writes The Baker Street Blog, a literary undertaking. Scott has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, has guest-hosted the podcast Marketing Over Coffee, has been interviewed on numerous marketing podcasts, and is a recognized thought leader in the marketing industry.
Scott received his Master’s in Medical Science from Boston University’s School of Medicine concurrently with his MBA from BU’s Graduate School of Management. He lives in the suburbs of south-eastern Michigan with his wife and two young sons, golfs all too infrequently, and has a hidden talent for voice over work.
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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FIR Interview: Guillaume du Gardier, Ferrero
Ferrero is one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, the owner of brands such as Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread, Tic Tac mints and Kinder.
Like many consumer products companies, Ferrero has traditionally been a big spender on TV advertising in its various markets. The company is also moving its marketing footprint onto the web: last month, for instance, the company relaunched its online presence in France with a more contemporary approach to engaging with consumers online and more effectively highlighting and promoting its brands.
In this FIR Interview, Guillaume du Gardier, New Media Manager at Ferrero France, discusses his approach to online marketing and advertising, shares some thoughts regarding Ferrero’s use of social media by employees, and offers some timely advice on project planning when considering the use of social media.
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About our Conversation Partner
Guillaume du Gardier is the New Media Manager at Ferrero France. His role is to help the company integrating the change brought by the digital and social media world in all sectors of its business, from marketing to corporate or internal communication and sales.
Previously, du Gardier was employed as the Director of Online Communications Europe at Edelman. There, he was responsible for online marketing and PR and has worked on developing online campaigns for multinational corporations. As the first French PR blogger, he is a regular speaker at various online communication and social media events.
Guillaume du Gardier blogs at Roue Libre and is active on Twitter.
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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Sunday, December 07, 2008
FIR Interview: Bob Pearson, VP Communities and Conversations at Dell
One of the pioneers in using social media to engage with customers and others is global technology firm Dell. During the past few years, Dell has been lauded for its transparency and engagement in how its social media channels like Direct2Dell and IdeaStorm have provided avenues for customers to engage directly with individuals within Dell which has also helped transform the company’s image and reputation in customer service.
Late last month, SmallBusinessAdvice.tv was launched in the UK by Dell in conjunction with Intel and the British Chambers of Commerce. This new web TV channel is designed to address the needs of small businesses in the UK by offering expert commentary and advice to business owners in areas like accounting, financing, marketing, HR and technology.
In this FIR Interview, Bob Pearson, Dell’s VP Communities and Conversations, explains some of his thinking behind the new web TV channel and discusses what may be behind the rise in blogging by small businesses, Dell’s two billion customer interactions each year, Dell’s use of Facebook, Twitter and other aspects of social media, and offers a useful tip to every small business owner.
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About our Conversation Partner
Bob Pearson serves as vice president of communities and conversations for Dell. As a member of Dell’s Communications team, he is responsible for digital media activities, ranging from customer resolution to management of IdeaStorm, Direct2Dell, StudioDell and other digital initiatives.
Before joining Dell, Mr. Pearson worked for Novartis Pharmaceuticals as Head of Global Corporate Communications and as Head of Global Pharma Communications, where he served on the Pharma Executive Committee. Prior to Novartis, Bob was President of The Americas for GCI and was responsible for creating and building the firm’s global healthcare practice. He was previously Vice President of Global Public Affairs & Media Relations at Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi Aventis) and worked at CIBA-Geigy in both communications and field sales. He has more than 20 years experience in executive corporate communications and public relations.
Mr. Pearson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in communications and completed his MBA at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has served on the boards of Cancer Care and The Huntington’s Disease Society of America and currently serves on the boards of The Dell Foundation and The Association for Multiple Impaired and Blind. Bob is also a member of the executive committee of Dell’s Political Action Committee and he serves as the Vice-Chair of the Emerging Technology Committee for the State of Texas.
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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Monday, November 24, 2008
FIR Interview: Chuck Hester, iContact, on tapping into the power of LinkedIn
LinkedIn, the business social network, has surged to 30 million profiles, most of them for business people with titles of director or higher. Still, a lot of people get their LinkedIn accounts, expand their networks, then wonder what to do with it. Chuck Hester, communications director for email company iContact, is a LinkedIn power user and author of an upcoming book on the social network. In this interview, Chuck explores the various ways LinkedIn can serve a communicator in his or her work.
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About our Conversation Partner
Chuck Hester is Communications Director at iContact, the industry-leading web-based emarketing communications software. Chuck has over 25 years experience in public relations, marketing and branding. Some of the clients Chuck has worked with include TEAC, Western Digital and the Department of Defense Technology Transfer Program.
A LinkedIn power connector, Chuck has more than 7700 direct connections. He is a sought-after expert on the subject of using LinkedIn for personal and professional branding, and how to use social media to build business contacts. His is the author of the forthcoming book, “Linking In to Pay it Forward: Changing the Value Proposition of Social Media.”
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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Monday, November 10, 2008
FIR Interview: Martin Silman, AT&T, on Corporate Social Networking in Europe
A major survey released today by AT&T shows that the use of social networking tools as part of everyday working life has led to an increase in efficiency.
“Enterprise 2.0,” a pan-European survey of more than 2,500 people in five countries - Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands - shows that of those employees using social networking tools in the workplace, 65% say that it has made them and/or their colleagues more efficient. In addition, 46% say that it has sparked ideas and creativity for them personally.
In this exclusive FIR Interview, Martin Silman, Executive Director, AT&T Global Concept Marketing, discusses some of the survey’s key findings including how employees with first-hand experience of using social networks at work on a daily basis recognise the benefits, explains two major negatives that emerged from the survey, headhunting via social networks across Europe, and offers some advice for organizations.
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About our Conversation Partner
Martin Silman graduated in Computer Science in Portsmouth, England, back in the days when computers required whole buildings to house them. As a member of the British Computer Society and an International Chartered Engineer with a post-grad diploma in marketing, Martin worked with IBM for 15 years, initially as part of their software development division and latterly as a consultant focused on business process re-engineering using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and similar technologies. During that time, he had a number of works published, including the EDI User Guide written for and published by the UK government.
Since joining AT&T in 1998, Martin has held a number of product management and marketing roles and has been responsible, initially, for the introduction of AT&T’s Global Managed Internet Service and AT&T Managed Data Networking Services, and more recently, for the MPLS based Enhanced VPN Services and until recently, he led the non-US product organisation that has been responsible for developing and introducing many of AT&T’s retail products available in the global marketplace today.
His current role is focused on initiatives which confirm AT&T as a leader in the telecoms market space, such as the Formula 1 motor racing initiative which provides state of the art communications to racing teams and other players in that arena.
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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