Everybody's Doing It, So Why Don't We? February 16, 2010

Question: to "go social" or not? And should we still be asking that question? With San Francisco and Silicon Valley leading the world in web innovation and many considering our area the epicenter of all things social media, why are Bay Area companies still so reluctant - as much as those in the Midwest - to engage in the social web? And what about the original internet success story: the porn industry? It's not thriving as much as you may think. So are companies that are reluctant to 'go social' making the right decision?

We've assembled a clever and varied panel for a provocative discussion from several different perspectives: big business, non-profits, small to medium size business, and a very specific alternative industry. The event will be moderated by The A-List podcaster, Jennifer Lindsay @jennifered. Please feel free to contribute by tweeting in your questions before the event to @SMCSFSV

Violet Blue @violetblue is a Forbes "Web Celeb", notorious blogger (Laughing Squid) , high-profile tech personality and one of Wired's "Faces of Innovation." She is regarded as the foremost expert in the field of sex and technology, a sex-positive pundit in mainstream media (CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show) and is interviewed, quoted and featured prominently by major media outlets. Violet has many award-winning, best selling books and is the sex columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. She headlines at conferences ranging from ETech, LeWeb and SXSW: Interactive, to Google Tech Talks at Google, Inc.

LaSandra Brill @LaSandraBrill is a social media enthusiast, avid blogger and marketing innovator. As Senior Manager of the Service Provider Digital and Social Media Marketing group, LaSandra Brill shapes Cisco's marketing strategy to include a mix of social media marketing techniques leveraging Web 2.0 technologies. At Cisco she is known for building and executing the social media strategy of one of the top five product launches in company history.

Janet Fouts @jfouts is a seasoned entrepreneur, social media coach, author and speaker. She co-founded Tatu Digital Media in 1996 and has been active in online community and web strategy for over 15 years. She shares her knowledge through her blogs, the Social Media Coaching Center and her book, "Social Media Success!" is now available on Amazon.

Erin Robbins @texasgirlerin has been working in the technology industry as a communications and marketing professional for the past decade. Her work has included companies such as Cisco Systems, Adobe, Opera Software and ShareThis and has taken her around the world implementing new technologies and working with users. Erin is currently Director of Marketing and Communications for Realty World NCA, delivering technology integration to real estate professionals. She is the Social Director for the Social Media Club of San Francisco and Silicon Valley for 2010 and has contributed articles to Bay Area newspapers. Erin holds a degree in communications from North Carolina State University with additional studies in English, business and sociology. In her spare time Erin likes spending time with her bulldogs and training for various sporting events, most recently including the New York Marathon. You can contact Erin on Twitter and on Facebook.

Spigit, idea management, innovation management, enterprise software, social networking
Gold Sponsor: Spigit

Automattic
Venue Sponsor: Automattic, makers of WordPress.com

Please get your tickets now - there is limited seating and this event will sell out.

** All attendees are encouraged to use public transit. See directions and map to Pier 38 below.

Directions to the Automattic Lounge at Pier 38:
If you've never been to Pier 38, it can be a little tricky to find (Please note that it is nowhere near Pier 39.) Pier 38 is located on Embarcadero and Townsend, one block north of the ballpark. Enter through the glass doors visible from the street. There is only limited, 2 hour parking to the left of the Pier and street parking. The closest Muni stop is Brannan Street on the Embarcadero. More information (including helpful photos!) can be found at http://pier38.com.

Official Website: http://smcsfsv2-16-10.eventbrite.com/