Social Media and More

Creating Personalities and Brands on the Web

Social Media Helps Raise $400,0000 for Haiti Food Project

Haiti Food Project Benefit

Haiti Food Project Benefit

The Haiti Food Project concert and benefit produced by MAZON on February 4, 2010 raised over $400,000 for “second aid” for Haiti.

The event brought together musicians and inspirational speakers including emcee, Beverly Todd, Her Excellency Geri Benoit-Preval, Haiti’s Ambassador to the U.N. World Food Program & Food Agriculture Organziation, Deepak Chopra, and others.

Performances included Freda Payne singing “Here’s to Life”as well as Brenda Russell performing “Get Here if You Can” and Saxaphonist Dave Koz accompanied by Brian Simpson with a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The highlight was the finale where all of the performers sang, “We are the World.”

Social Media and More provided the social media marketing for the event.

“On behalf of MAZON and the children of Haiti who we will feed and nourish, I am deeply indebted for the social media marketing that Julie Spira provided for this benefit concert. Without her creating a ‘buzz’ in such a short time, I am certain the event would not have been the success it was. Thank you Julie”.  — Dr. H. Eric Schockman, President of MAZON

Donations can be made out to MAZON: Emergency Haiti Fund, 10495 Santa Monica Blvd.,  Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90025. 310.442.0020.

Social Media And More Selected to Provide Social Media Marketing for the Haiti Food Project

haitinvite

Social Media and More, a social media marketing company, is providing the social media support to promote the Haiti Food Project’s Second aid benefit.

Join us for an evening of music and inspiration, as we raise critical funds for sustainable food programs that nourish victims and survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

The star-studded intimate event, scheduled for February 4, 2010 in Los Angeles is presented by MAZON and will include performances and appearances by:

Deepak Chopra, James Ingram, Lou Gossett Jr., Kanye West, Forest Whitaker, Larry King, Deniece Wiliams, former
members of The Supremes, Freda Payne, Mayor Villaraigosa and political, religious and international leaders who are coming together to set the stage for long term sustainable food, recovery and rebuilding for the people of Haiti.

The beneficiaries of the event include The International Medical Corps, Lambi Fund of Haiti, Friends of the Children of Lascahobas, Haiti and the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Haiti.

The event will be held at American Jewish University in Bel Air, CA from 6pm – 9:30pm.

Tickets can be purchased at HaitiFoodProject.org and are VERY LIMITED.

Twitter hashtag #Haitifoodproject

Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch

It’s an honor to be selected to be a Feminine Leader at the Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch in Beverly Hills.

Please join me on Saturday, January 30, 2010 where I will be speaking to authors and those who dream about writing a book. Learn how through social media marketing you can become a bestselling author.

I’ll be discussing the social media strategy I used on Facebook, Twitter, and blogging and more that made my first-published book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online a bestseller on its launch date.

Amazing Woman’s Day was created by Marsh Engle. The day will be filled with education and enrichment for women to help them succeed in 2010. We all have a book in us. Why not make it a bestseller?

What: Amazing Woman’s Day 2010 Worldwide Launch
Where: Beverly Hills Hotel
When: Saturday, January 30, 2010
Why: Because you are an Amazing Woman who will be inspired and educated by dynamic leaders
Cost: $196

To order tickets, please go to AmazingWomansDay.com for a day that will change your path in 2010.

Click here for press release

AWD LA Flier

Julie Spira to be Featured Speaker at Writers Panel

iwosclogo

Bestselling author and social media expert Julie Spira will be a featured speaker at the Independent Writers of Southern California Presents A Panel Discussion: Writing 2.0: Electronic, POD, and Social Media on Monday, January 25, 2010.

The panelist of authors and book marketing experts will explain the new methods offered today and show writers
how to integrate these new tools, social media, and shortcuts to better promote their published books.

The panelists include:

PENNY C. SANSEVIERI, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. Penny is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert.

ELLEN REID, one of the industry’s premier book shepherds. For over ten years she has been helping authors and independent publishers produce books that win awards and, more importantly, stand tall to compete in a rapidly changing book market.

ANNETTE FIX, author of “The Break-Up Diet: A Memoir,” a finalist in the memoir category for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year. Her memoir was optioned for development as a cable television series as a direct result of her social networking on Twitter.

JULIE SPIRA, bestselling author of “The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online,” and founder of Social Media and More.

When:Monday, January 25
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where:Veterans Memorial Building
4117 Overland (at Culver Boulevard)
Culver City, CA
Parking is FREE, enter on Culver
(Networking follows)

RSVP: info@iwosc.org or 877-799-7483
Free for IWOSC members, $15 for non-members.
non-members.  Reservations are required.
Deadline noon, Monday, day of the event (Jan. 25).  Call (877) 799-7483,
or e-mail info@iwosc.org.

IWOSC, the Independent Writers of Southern California, is a nonprofit association that has provided support, tools, and resources to help self-employed professional writers in Southern California since 1982.

Social Media Club Los Angeles January Event

socialmediaclub

Join me on January 14, 2009 as the Social Media Club – Los Angeles presents, “Dating and Relationships: The Game Has Changed.

I will be a panelist along with my friends @Avlox @EvanMarcKatz @LindaSherman @LizHKelly where we will be discussing how social media has changed the rules of dating. The event is exactly one month before Valentine’s Day.

RSVP on Facebook at the Social Media Club Los Angeles event page.

Who: Social Media Club Los Angeles
What: Panel and discussion: Dating and Relationships: The Game Has Changed
Where: 12th and Highland, 304 12th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
Why: January is the biggest month for new members to join online dating sites. Social dating has changed the landscape of online dating. We’ll help you get armed and ready just in time for Valentine’s Day.

RSVP: Social Media Club Los Angeles

Follow me on Twitter @JulieSpira

LA Times – Top 10 Moments in Social Media, and a Few of my Own

The Los Angeles Times has just published their Top 10 Moments in Social Media in 2009. In their year-end summary their list goes from #10 down to #1. I’ve added my thoughts,  reversed the order, and added four of my own.  Feel free to comment on these as well as add your own social media memorable moments in 2009.

The LA Times List

1. Hudson River plane landing – I have to agree with the LA Times. The photos taken from an iPhone of this brilliant landing clearly reflects the change in how we now gather the news. It was a powerful shot. I think I’ll upgrade my mobile device this week.

2. Iran “green” protests – I think I missed this one where the avatars turned green. I’ll wait and see the film instead.

3. R.I.P. Jeff Goldblum? – With or without the web, he seems to fall prey to rumors. Thanks to the LA Times for the others I missed, including Natalie Portman, George Clooney, Britney Spears, Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Lohan, alleged Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, Jared from Subway, Emma Watson and P. Diddy

4. R.I.P. Michael Jackson – The power of the Internet at its best.  I recall the moment I saw the news on my Facebook live stream. I was sitting in a panel at the Social Networking Conference in Beverly Hills, still commenting on my thoughts about Farah Fawcett’s sad death earlier that day when the news about MJ broke. Confused at first as to whether the MJ was Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson, I,  like the others started commenting. When news breaks online, we have to take a serious look at social media for news distribution. When polled at a Digital LA event I attended a month later, more than 60% of the room found out about Michael Jackson on Facebook or Twitter. I found myself in front of my television watching the memorial service tweeting about the musical selections and the speeches on-stage. It was my first Twitter funeral. I have a feeling there will be more to come.

5. Susan Boyle launches career – The power of video and YouTube brought her from “frumpy” to “famous.” Kudos to her and others such as Gary Vaynerchuk who made online videos a household word.

6. Ashton Kutcher vs. CNN – It was an interesting race. Kutcher went from the underdog to beat CNN to the 1-million mark of Twitter followers. Sure, I saw the billboards on the freeway promoting the campaign. Anything that engages community to benefit a charitable organization gets my vote.

7. Twitter and Facebook under hack-attack – I experienced a few minor glitches, but never found my sites to be unavailable. The phishing emails have become annoying. The bottom line: Don’t rely on only one form of social media. Try the new Backupify service to back up your tweets, streams, friends, and followers.

8. Google Wave – I have to agree here with the LA Times. I was excited and thrilled to receive my not-so-exclusive invitation. I tweeted about it. We all did. And then I lost interest as it wasn’t user-friendly enough for me. I’ll wait for the next wave and join in again.

9. Whopper Sacrifice – Did I miss Burger King’s free offer to entice Facebook fans to remove their friends in favor of a F>R.E.E. burger? Perhaps it’s because I’m a vegetarian. In any event, thank you to my friends who didn’t de-friend me in favor of red meat. It’s nice to know I’m still popular.

10. The World of Web – They call it the new currency. No mention is made of monetization, but clearly bloggers and businesses using social media have less time on their hands as they are jumping in on the bandwagon.

Thank you to Andrew Nystrom and Mark Milian for a terrific article.

As usual, I like to add my tw0-cents and have listed a few more for your reading pleasure.

11. Facebook Marriage – The October wedding of Kelly and Kelly Hildebrandt, the couple who shared the same name, met on Facebook. “Girl Kelly” in Florida did a simple Facebook search for her name and up popped “Boy Kelly” from Texas. A Facebook friendship turned into a beautiful courtship. They appeared in my Cyber Love Story of the Week as well as on the Today Show and numerous other media outlets.

12. Facebook becomes “third largest country” in the world. – Hitting the 350 millionth subscriber in December shows their startling growth. Facebook is now multi-generational with parents spying on their children’s walls and kids seeing who their parents are now dating. Facebook went from a personal photo album and social connecting to creating business brands. Every business should have a Fan Page. It’s like having another website to promote your brand.

13. Twitter accountability – Oops! I used the wrong hash-tag at a conference and within moments on Twitter, I was corrected by another attendee. The value of messaging in real time is clear. When you make a mistake, you stand corrected instantly.

14. Mobile Dating – For the younger generation and the tech-savvy, they have moved from traditional online dating sites to iPhone apps such as Skout, Hot-or-Not, Grindr, and more. Why wait for an email when you can meet up or hook-up now? Meeting “in real life” has taken on a new meaning.

Julie Spira is a social media expert and author of the bestselling online dating book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online. Visit her at SocialMediaMore.com

Click here to read full article from the LA Times

Tony Robbins | The Twitter Conference

Inspiration and a hug from @TonyRobbins

Tony Robbins & Julie Spira Photo Credit: Peter Chee

Tony Robbins & Julie Spira

Click here to view video

Internet Industry Veteran Julie Spira Heads up Social Media at Brandloft

Julie Spira, a talented internet industry vet, is joining Brandloft, the award-winning strategic marketing and branding communications agency, as EVP, Director of Social Media.

SOUTH NORWALK, Conn. – In a move to extend the depth and breadth of its client solutions and strengthen its social media offering, Brandloft today named Julie Spira as executive vice president and director of Social Media.

According to Brandloft principal, Roger Chiocchi, the move recognizes the importance of social networks in today’s media mix, and strengthens Brandloft’s hand as a player in the emerging online market. Based here, Brandloft is a branding and marketing firm with multinational and regional clients in the B2B and B2C space.

“Julie is an innovator in the field, and one of the first marketing executives to really get on the online bandwagon in the mid-1990s. She’s seen the industry develop and has stayed ahead of the curve,” said Chiocchi.

Based in Los Angeles, Spira will not only head Brandloft’s social media offering but run business development for the firm on the West Coast.

“Running social media out of LA is great for us,” said Chiocchi, “and gives us an added presence on the West Coast, which is known as the hub for digital media.

According to Spira, “Social Media is transforming how marketing communications is applied and how it is delivered. In many respects, it levels the playing field, but to do it effectively takes strategy, insight and vigilant execution. That’s what we’re doing for our clients at Brandloft.”

Spira brings more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience to the firm, and has served as an executive of several start-up Internet and communications companies, including RKO Radio Networks – the first digitally delivered satellite radio network. Spira also held the positions of Vice President, Broadcast Sales of IDB Communications Group, Vice President Sales – Xing Technology – the first online streaming software company, and Executive Vice President at InterPacket Networks – a global provider of high-speed Internet via Satellite which was acquired by American Tower.

About Brandloft
Brandloft is an award-winning strategic marketing and branding communications firm helping clients to strengthen their brands, reach and engage audiences in new and innovative ways, and drive revenue. Reach Brandlfoft at 203-857-4141, or online at www.brandloft.com .

Click here to read full release

Julie Spira is Featured Newsmaker in the Los Angeles Business Journal

It’s an honor to be the featured  Newsmaker of the Week in the Los Angeles Business Journal.

LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL
FEATURED NEWSMAKER

Marketing Executive Keeps Things Social on Internet

by Susannah Snider

For Julie Spira, the Internet is all about connecting.

As the new executive vice president and director of social media at the Marina del Rey office of marketing firm Brandloft, Spira will teach clients to tap into online resources such as blogs, Facebook and LinkedIn to promote products.

“It’s become so important,” she said of online social marketing. “If you don’t have a great social media presence, you’re really missing the mark.”

Businesses have been getting online advertising wrong, she said. Some annoyingly spam their audiences, others fail to stay abreast of new trends and some rely on promotions that are just too slick.

“Authenticity is really in,” noted Spira, who grew up in Glen Rock, a small New Jersey town. “You either embrace it or try to run from it, and you can’t run very far.”

And when it comes time to show clients a successful case study of her work, she won’t have to look too far. Spira used online social media to promote her book, “The Perils of Cyber-Dating: Confessions of a Hopeful Romantic Looking for Love Online.”

“I thought if Obama could become president of the U.S., when no one really knew who he was, because of his marketing prowess, then why couldn’t I have a best-selling book?” said Spira, who created a Web site and Twitter feed to promote her memoir from Morgan James Publishing. “My online dating and social media expertise have come hand in hand.”

Indeed, her marketing plan for the book is what drew the attention of executives at Brandloft and got her the new job.

“Brandloft contacted me in May,” Spira said. “They were so impressed with what I had done, and they knew about my background in marketing.”

In addition to the book, Spira counsels would-be Web romantics through her online show, “Ask the Cyber Dating Expert.” The Webcast can be heard on logTalkRadio.com or on her Web site, CyberDatingExpert.com. On the program, she provides tips such as using a catchy screen name and investing in professional photos when putting together a profile for sites like Match.com.

“When a guy or woman doesn’t put their photo up, there’s something wrong with them,” she warned.

Spira, 52, is single and lives in West Los Angeles. In her spare time, she enjoys playing piano and going to concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall, where she is a season subscriber.

Copyright Los Angeles Business Journal

Twitter Tips

Julie Spira Talks Twitter Tips with @LindaSherman – It’s Different for Girls