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Blogalicious10 Recap

Last weekend, Blogalicious10, one of the newest and fastest growing blog conferences took place in Miami. This blog conference differed from all of the others because it celebrated diversity among bloggers. Collectively, the conference attendees were double minorities, females first, then a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

I attended a panel, sponsored by Buick GMC and OnStar, called "How to Write a Rockin' Product Review." The panelists were from GM's PR and Social Media team, along with one of GM's bloggers. I was pleased to learn how a major corporation really takes time to connect with bloggers and developed special positions to encourage positive relationships. The panelists cited examples of how they loaned bloggers vehicles for the weekend in order for the purporse of product reviews. In fact, there were actually several bloggers in attendance that had driven a GM vehicle for a product review. One blogger received a loaner vehicle for a road trip to take her daughter, a high school graduating senior, to visit a prospective college.

I left the panel with one major question. Are we (as publicists) doing enough to identify influential bloggers that will likely deliver a favorable review for our clients? One of the panelists, now employed by GM, was a fan first and blogged frequently about their brand. In every industry, there are niche bloggers that are deemed the most influential mostly due to their traffic or the quality of their content. However, these bloggers, even if they are accessible, aren't necessarily the best bloggers to engage. In most cases, the bigger the blog means more red tape,. Finding a smaller, lesser known blog can often produce the same results as a larger blog if you take the time to nurture the relationship. Engaging a smaller blog over a larger one can be the difference between a mention versus a detailed product review with images and video.

To learn more about the conference, visit . Use the keyword, "Blogalicious10," on any of the following social networks, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or Youtube, to gain a better idea of what occurred during the conference.

Last weekend, I attended Blogalicious10, an all female conference that celebrates diversity in blogging. This was the second year of this fabulous conference, which took place on South Beach in Miami. The conference hosted more than 250 attendees, sponsors and vendors. Blogalicous10's founders are 3-women team of bloggers named the MamaLaw Group. This was also my second time attending. In 2009, I attended the last day of festivities with one of my clients, who performed at the closing breakfast. However, this year, I attended as a speaker. I conducted a session called, Media Training 101.

Some of the most popular people in social media were also in attendance, including James Andrews (Everywhere), Wayne Sutton, StyleMom, Adria Richards, the BrokeSocialite and more. Recognizing the fact that some of the most influential female bloggers would be present, countless sponsors signed for the opportunity to engage attendees. Sponsors included General Mills, GM, Onstar, Kellogg, Pampers, Macy's, Que Rica Vida, McDonald's, Kenmore, Sears, Kmart, Yoplait, Johnson's, Bali, Nature Valley, Invisalign, Cover Girl, Lifetime Moms, Carol's Daughter, Carnival Cruises, Blogher, Softcup and many more. For brands seeking favorable reviews or mentions, this conference was a goldmine. Many brands offered luring gifts like iPads, iPods, iTouches, gift certificates and free trips to bloggers that posted live tweets, facebook updates and blog entries with key messaging on site. So dependable on how desirable prize was, a brand would receive no less than 20 impressions just for the chance to win a gift.

The creators of Blogalicious10 definitely planned this conference with careful consideration of their attendees. Since, the majority of the registrants were mothers, they offered on-site child care, which was sponsored by the Ritz Carlton (the host hotel) and Pampers. Even though the conference bags were already overflowing with free promotional items, there was additional swag disbursed at nearly every session or event. This presented the good but challenging delimma, how to transport all of the swag back home, considering the strict airline baggage rules.

The sessions offered something for everyone from neophyte bloggers to the seasoned pro. Use the keyword, "Blogalicious10," on any of the following social networks, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr or Youtube, to gain a better idea of what occurred during the conference.

It's SXSW Panel Picking Time

For music, film and tech lovers, the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) is one of the biggest events of the year. It's a place where we can get together, enjoy great entertainment, great panels, preview great advances in technology and network with some of the most influential people in music, film and technology.

I'm really excited because I have proposed a panel for one of my clients, to be considered for the 2011 SXSW Interactive Panels. The panel is called "In Living Color: Marketing and Branding to Urban Audiences. The panel will be presented by my client, twtMob, an in-stream advertising network.

Here is an overview of the panel:

Panel will bring together experts from various areas of the digital frontier who’ve successfully carved their niche, thus, building some of the most successful online brands in “urban” America. From TV/ Film, Music, Entertainment, Fashion and Technology, the panel experts have excelled in developing online destinations and executing winning viral campaigns through online and offline partnerships.

Prior to the panel discussion, panelists will be able to present individual brief slide shows/ videos of their brands, demonstrate the history of their brands’ development and share case studies/ success stories. Panelists will also:

- Review trends and case studies of consumer online habits.
- Review challenges of marketing.
- Discuss the rules of engagement.
- Discuss the importance of listening to audiences when developing key messaging and brand development.
- Explore and examine the cross-promotional branding opportunities.
- Discuss social and corporate responsibilities vs brand integrity.
- Discuss the challenges and tips to maintaining relevance in the changing social media landscape.
- Examine technical challenges.
- Examine the growing trends in blogs; beyond beats, gossip and fashion.

Panel attendees will gain a better understanding of:
- Brand strategies involved in marketing.
- Tools for marketing brands, bands, products, events, etc.
- Unconventional and out-of-the-box promotional tactics.

Panel attendees will also leave the session with:
- Practical exercises to incorporate in their current business model.
- List of resources to refer to when developing their brand.
- Tips for successful marketing and campaign execution.

In order for the panel to be a part of the SXSW Festival, it must be voted on by the public.

Here is where you come in. Take 5 minutes to register at the site to vote for this panel. Your vote will help bring another diversity panel to this forum. Year after year, attendees comment on the fact that there aren't enough diversity in the panels. Here is your chance to help change that.

Thanks in advance for your participation and assistance.

2010 Blogging While Brown Conference (#BWB)

Today is the first day of the 2010 Blogging While Brown Conference, which will be taking place in Washington, D.C. This will be my second time attending the conference, which I'm very excited about. The next few posts will recap the various sessions and activities that we'll be attending and participating in during the two-day conference.

Click here to see what's in store for us later today.