In Belgium – Conversations Really Matter
By Sam Chimes
On the 15th January, in a fashionably industrial area of Antwerp harbour, the contemporary communications agency These Days will be hosting a conference themed around ‘Conversations Really Matter’. And, in her role as WOM Evangelist, our very own Molly Flatt will be running a seminar for the growing guest list of CEOs and brand and marketing managers.
As creative strategist for 1000heads and social media embedee, Molly is passionate about how Word of Mouth can, when employed effectively and ethically help brands “listen and understand” what’s occurring in the wide and wild web. It is this concept that will underpin ‘Talk @ or Talk 2.0?’, her provocative presentation summarized thus:
“When it comes to Social Media, never have so many, talked so much, knowing so little. Web 2.0 is not an extension of traditional media, and there’s more to word of mouth than a viral video or a Facebook app. Brands are in danger of alienating the very consumers they want to engage with, by using social media to talk at them, rather than listening and collaborating with them in new ways. So what does an authentic, ethical, and effective brand conversation really mean?”
Obviously, we’ll let you know how it all goes. As for right now, I’m off to coerce Molly into gathering some excellent photos of the secret harbour location currently only described casually in the terms ‘pretty cool’.
