Kent State takes a digital focus in Week #12

When you teach college courses, you count weeks. This is Week #12 of the spring semester, which means students and faculty are near maximum stress levels and, I hope, maximum productivity.

So it’s refreshing, during a crazy week, to welcome three hi-profile guests from the digital world. They include Chris Barr of Yahoo!, Phil Gomes of Edelman Digital, and Kyle Lacy, author of “Twitter Marketing for Dummies.”

Chris Barr

Chris arrives on campus tomorrow (Tuesday) for a full day of guest presentations to classes in the School of Journalism. As Yahoo’s senior editorial director, he’s on the road talking about the just-published “The Yahoo! Style Guide: The Ultimate Sourcebook for Writing, Editing, And Creating Content For The Digital World.” Could this be the digital answer to our old friend, the “AP Style Book”?

We’ve packed Chris’ schedule from early morning to late afternoon, much of it with discussions about what’s he’s learned about writing and presentation of materials online. He’s had plenty of experience, first as founding editor-in-chief at CNET and since then with Yahoo.

You might think today’s college student would understand these topics intuitively. But you’d be surprised. Consuming digital communication seldom translates into the ability to create digital communication. Online writing style is different because online consumption of content is different. But you know that, and our students are learning it — thanks in part to the generosity of folks like Chris.

If you happen to be in Northeast Ohio tomorrow and want to hear Chris’ speak, drop me an email (right column) and I’ll send his itinerary. I’m sure we can open up a seat or two.

Phil Gomes

Phil Gomes, SVP at Edelman Digital, comes to Franklin Hall with near-legend status that he earned as PR’s first blogger. Ever. Though Phil has taken a break from blogging the past few months, his primary duties with Edelman involve educating everyone who works for the worldwide PR firm on the uses and strategies of new media.

Phil is the lunchtime keynoter for Kent State’s 3rd Annual YouToo! Social Media Conference, which presents a full day of presentations and discussions on the strategic applications of SM in public relations. The program includes professional and student tracks.

Kyle Lacy

Joining Phil at the conference is Kyle Lacy, CEO of the social-media consultancy, Brandswag, and author of “Twitter Marketing for Dummies.”

Kyle’s focus is marketing within the social media sphere, where you “sell to individuals with choices, tastes, personality, and opinions.”  He’ll also be talking about his new book and the role of Twitter in marketing campaigns.

Anyone interested in the YouToo! conference will find details and registration information at the the PRSA-Akron website.

A few seats are still available.

UPDATE FROM THE CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS: Thank you to the 150 public relations professionals, students and college faculty who have registered for the Third Annual YouToo Conference happening this Friday, April 16 at Kent State University! … We are currently maxed out and cannot accept any more registrations. If you would like to put your name on a waiting list, simply send an email to akronprsa@gmail.com and let us know.

**********

This may be the last post you’ll see from me this week. In addition to jam-packed days on Tuesday and Friday, I’m under the gun to grade 39 projects and research papers before the weekend. I don’t sleep much this time of year, but come May 14th, I’m gonna go catch some fish!