Canadian PR execs talk about why they merged their firms

• • , , , , ,

Are you interested in the business of PR? Then, you’ll want to listen to this week’s Inside PR podcast.

Late last night, the news broke on Twitter that two Canadian PR agencies, Montreal-based Communications MECA and Toronto-based Palette PR, have sealed a deal to merge in a new firm, EnergiPR.

I had the good luck to be at a breakfast meeting this morning with Esther Buchsbaum and Carol Levine, the principals of MECA. They agreed to step out of the room for an interview about the merger, their motivation in doing it and how they made it happen.

By coincidence, the next edition of the Inside PR podcast was due to be published today. And both of my co-hosts, Gini Dietrich and Martin Waxman, were unable to participate in this week’s edition. So, I lucked out. At the last minute, I found the content for this week’s Inside PR – and I was able to offer the first interview with the principals in the new firm.

OK. Now, how’s this for burying the lead? The other principal in the newly merged firm is none other than the very Martin Waxman who co-hosts Inside PR.

Listen to today’s Inside PR podcast for the first news of the merger. And tune in again next week when Martin will be back behind the microphone and will add his perspective.

Why you should attend the Social Media for Government Conference in Ottawa

• • , ,

For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of chairing the Social Media for Government Conference in Ottawa. And I’ll be chairing the next conference to be held in just one month, from June 21 to June 24.

A great learning experience

This conference is an opportunity to learn about how social media is being used by government and to discuss the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Speakers from all levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal – will be sharing their experience with social media and the insight they gained. Organizations presenting case studies include: Public Safety Canada, Alberta Environment, Army Public Affairs, the U.S. Department of State,  the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman, the Public Service Commission of Canada, the Ottawa Public Library,  the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, Norfolk County and the cities of London and Ottawa.

I’ll be speaking as well. On the day before the conference proper, I’ll be presenting a Social Media 101 Workshop and on the first morning of the conference, I’ll be co-presenting with Pierre Killeen about public engagement in the age of social media.

Save $400 off the registration fee for the Social Media for Government Conference

If you’ve read this far, it’s fair to say that you’re interested in learning about the adoption of social media by government. So, here’s a great offer.

People who registered for the conference before April 30 were eligible for an Early Bird Discount of $400. But April 30 has come and gone and that discount has expired. That’s the bad news.

Now the good news. Just mention my name when you register for the Social Media for Government Conference and you’ll receive a $400 discount off the registration fee. That’s the equivalent of the Early Bird Registration – and you can use my discount right up to conference day. It doesn’t expire.

Why I attend the Social Media for Government Conference

I chair and participate in this conference as a volunteer. I do it because it’s one of the best learning opportunities available to me in Ottawa.

Based on my experience over the past three years, I know you won’t regret attending this conference. You’ll learn a lot and meet some smart people. What more could you ask for?

Inside PR – Third Try Lucky

• •

Finally, on the third try, Martin Waxman, Gini Dietrich and I managed to record an Inside PR episode with all three of us together live.

Try 1: Inside PR Episode 2.01: Gini discovered that she had erased the recording of her audio after we finished recording. Martin and Gini got together the next day to re-record the episode. I was unable to join them. So, our producer, Yasmine Kashefi, edited in my introduction and – 30 – segment.

Try 2: Inside PR Episode 2.02: I blew it in a spectacular way. I ran down the batteries in my Zoom H4 and then discovered that I didn’t really know how to operate it. Lesson here: Don’t use a recording device without reading the manual. (Something familiar here to the relationship of men and maps?) I was booked for meetings for the following two days. So Martin and Gini record the episode without me.

Try 3: Inside PR Episode 2.03: The gangs all here. Finally!

I’d welcome your comments on what we’ve discussed or your suggestions for future topics you’d like us to cover.

Consumer Recommendation: eBook Readers by Sony and Kobo

• • , , ,

Knowing that I’ve been using a Sony eBook Reader for the past six months, a friend asked me whether I’m happy with it and would I recommend an eReader for personal use and as a gift.

My answer: An unqualified YES. I’ve become totally enamored of my eBook reader.

For the past six months, I’ve been using the Sony Touch (PRS 600) Reader (on SonyStyle.com; on SonyStyle.ca).  It’s a touch sensitive reader that lets me turn the pages by swiping my finger on the screen. I can also highlight passages by double tapping and sweeping my finger across the text, write notes with a stylus or use the soft keyboard. And I can look up words in a built-in dictionary simply by double tapping on them. All fantastic. But also expensive at $300. And the screen treatment that makes it touch sensitive also dulls (slightly) the e-ink screen.

Oh, and one more thing. At only about 10 oz., the Sony eReader is light enough to hold comfortably for a long reading session. This is a real advantage over the Apple  iPad, which feels like a brick in comparison.

My wife just bought a Kobo eReader – and I’ve decided that this is even more ideal for most people. You download the books by hooking the reader up to a computer – either via USB or Bluetooth (neat). It’s as light as the Sony and, at $149, a great value.

I use the Kobo eBook store to purchase books and download them to both devices. It’s a great experience. Simple to purchase and download books. Kobo’s slogan is “eReading. Anytime. Any place.” And they seem determined to deliver on this promise. You never lose them! Once you’ve purchased the books, they’re always in your online Kobo Library. So, if you break or replace your hardware reader, you can simply download your books to a new reader.

Kobo also has released a reader App for the iPad, so you won’t be forced to use the Apple book app (if you have a dislike for walled gardens.)

One great thing about both the Sony and Kobo eReaders is that they let you magnify the size of the text on the screen. Thanks to Adobe’s ePub software, the words rearrange themselves in an uninterrupted flow on the screen, regardless of whether you use the smallest or the largest font size. I use this feature a lot late at night when my eyes are tired. And I can’t imagine going back to having to squint at small print on a physical book page.

So, Yes, I would wholeheartedly recommend an eReader – and I’d suggest that you take a look at both the Sony and Kobo eReaders. And once you have it, do take a look at the Kobo book store. I use it and I love it.

Consumer Privacy Consultations: Children's Online Privacy

• • No Tags

The final panel at today’s Privacy Commissioner’s Consultation dealt with children’s online privacy.

The panelists were:

  • Dr. Jacquelyn Burkell, Associate Professor, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario
  • Catherine Connors, HerBadMother.com
  • Sara Grimes, PhD Candidate with the school of Communication at Simon Fraser University
  • Matthew Johnson, Media Education Specialist, Media Awareness Network

Colin McKay, Director of Research, Education and Outreach, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, moderated.

I’ve captured the highlights of the discussion around this panel using CoverItLive.

Children’s Online Privacy

Canada's Consumer Privacy Consultations: Location-based/Geospatial Tracking

• • , ,

The afternoon panel at the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Consumer Privacy Consultations dealt with location based/geospatial tracking.

The panelists were:

  • Keith McIntosh, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association
  • Dr. Teresa Scassa, Canada Research Chair in Information Law, University of Ottawa
  • Jesse Hirsh, broadcaster
  • Prashant Shukle, Director General of the Mapping Information Branch, Natural Resources Canada
  • Michael J. O’Farrell, Mobile Marketing Association

Lisa Campbell, Acting General Counsel, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, moderated.

I used CoverItLive to capture the highlights of the discussion from the Twitter stream.

Consumer Privacy Consultations – Location-based / Geospatial Tracking

Canada's Consumer Privacy Consultations: Advertising Panel

• • , ,

Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart and her office assembled a panel of industry and academic experts to explore issues relating to advertising and privacy.

The panel:

  • Elizabeth Denham, Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • Paula Gignac, President, Advertising Bureau of Canada
  • Dr. Ian Kerr, Canada Research Chair in Ethics, Law and Technology, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
  • Dr. Avner Levin, Director of the Privacy and Cyber Crime Institute, Ryerson University
  • Jules Polonetsky, Director, Future of Privacy Forum
  • Anne Toth, Chief Privacy Officer, Yahoo

I’ve used CoverItLive to curate the Twitter stream around this event to pull out the highlights.

Advertising: 2010 Consumer Privacy Consultations, Toronto

Inside PR 2.01 – the torch is thrown

• •

For four years and 200 episodes, Terry Fallis and David Jones informed and entertained us with their weekly Inside PR podcasts. But those late Sunday night recording sessions began to wear, and Terry and Dave decided to call it a day with episode 200.

But their co-host, Martin Waxman, had only joined at episode 100 – and he felt that he had another 100 or so episodes in him. So, with Terry and Dave’s approval, Martin decided to keep Inside PR going. But to do this, he needed to find another couple co-hosts.

Well, he has. First, he found Gini Dietrich, the blogging CEO of Arment Dietrich in Chicago. Then, he looked a little closer to home and found me. So, now we have three hosts in three cities – Toronto, Chicago and Ottawa.

I’m really keen to join Martin and Gini in keeping Inside PR alive. I’m a big believer in the culture of generosity. If I share what I know (or think I know), there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll get back equal or greater measure from the Inside PR community.

Our first effort – Episode 2.01 – is posted on the Inside PR Website. It’s a little rough. We had some technical glitches (we ended up recording my sections at a different time from Martin and Ginnie’s) and our chemistry still needs to be worked on.

But episode 2.01 is live. Now, on to the next 99.

Please give the new Inside PR team a listen and let us know what you think. Even better, let us know what you’d like us to cover as we keep the tradition of Terry and Dave alive.

I’m not Terry Fallis, but I’m trying.

Third Tuesday Ottawa: Call for Organizers

• •

Third Tuesday Ottawa

Are you interested in helping to organize Third Tuesday Ottawa? If so, then please attend this special “organizers only” meetup.

We’re looking for people to help us with

  • Managing logistics (arranging for the meeting location, sound system, lighting)
  • On-site registration (yes, we need people to greet and register people at the events)
  • Finding and booking speakers (Because we don’t pay appearance fees to speakers, we rely on the networks of our organizers to be able to reach out to top notch people they know and persuade them to appear at Third Tuesday.
  • Soliciting sponsors (to cover the cost of speaker travel, sound and lighting, hall rental)
  • Promoting awareness of Third Tuesday (a Wikipedia entry anyone?)

If you have the time and are prepared to help us with these tasks and the other work that goes into organizing Third Tuesday, then please register to attend this special Organizers Only gathering.