Feb 3, 2010: Join me at the Ottawa Business Summit

I’m proud to announce that I will be moderating a panel at the Ottawa Business Summit, February 3, 2010 at the Hampton Inn Conference Centre.  The title of the panel discussion is

Clearing Muddy Waters in Marketing, Communications And Social Media

This panel brings together many of Ottawa’s leading experts, who will speak about practical approaches to marketing and communications in the age of changing traditional media, the shifting landscape of new media and the muddy waters of social media. The panel will discuss how business owners and manager should map marketing communications strategies to business objectives, choose the right “tools” to hit the right audience/customer, and look beyond the “band wagon” mistakes that many businesses are making. In addition, the panel will bring valuable insights about traditional media relations and how it’s changed, why video is one of the fastest growing areas in marketing and what integrated marketing and social media really mean for SMBs.

The esteemed panel includes:

Jim Donnelly, Editor, Ottawa Business Journal @jim_donnelly

I’ve been editor of the Ottawa Business Journal, Ottawa Technology magazine, Ottawa HR, Meeting In the Capital magazine and the Book of Lists since early 2008, and have been with Transcontinental Media since 2005. Previously, I was features editor of Ottawa At Home magazine, entertainment editor at the Ottawa City Journal, and sports reporter and editor of the Orleans Star. Before my time at Transcontinental, I performed stints at publications such as Ottawa Magazine, the Toronto Sun and Frank Magazine – all while finding the time to live abroad in the U.K., Ireland and India – during and following my time at graduate journalism school at Carleton University. I graduated in 2004. Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ont. and having attended both Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and Carleton, I now live in Ottawa. I’m passionate about the local business and technology communities, travel, literature, great music and ice hockey, in no particular order.

Karen McNaughton, Founder, The Marketing Hub @karenmcnaughton

Karen is the founder of The Marketing Hub. She has worked for more than 15 years in technology marketing, working for Fortune 500, mid-sized and startup companies. Her experience in the private and public sectors has provided the opportunity to harness evolving marketing trends and tools to deliver successful programs. Karen oversees the marketing strategy and direction for Marketing Hub clients, delivering an understanding of new technologies and how web 2.0 can help them to connect with their customers. Karen holds a B.A. Honors, Communications, from Acadia University, and a diploma in Information Technology from ITI. Established in 2009, Marketing Hub delivers holistic programs for B2B and B2C clients, while ensuring consistency of messaging via online and offline marketing channels.

Kneale Mann, Founder, YouIntegrate @knealemann

During his 26 year media and marketing career, Kneale is a 14-time Canadian Music Award recipient. He has launched two major market radio stations, produced events, consulted radio and television projects, overseen advertising campaigns, written published newspaper and online columns and facilitated research initiatives. Mann currently consults on both private and public sector business and marketing strategy and as an active social media contributor writes a top rated marketing and media blog “One Mann’s Opinion” which is rated in the top 1% in the world according to Technorati. Specialties include: Media and Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Social Media Engagement, Strategic Planning, Marketing Research

Arash Mahin, CEO, vdoLife @vdolife

Arash is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of vdoLife, an Ottawa based digital media company specializing in online video solutions. Arash has the lead the effort to promote video as a viable alternative to traditional online media, enabling online advertisers, communicators and content distributors to personalize their web presence and increase their customer conversion and retention rates.  Arash is a 10 year veteran in the digital film industry and was one of the pioneers of the interactive video overlay concept. Prior to co-founding vdoLife, Arash was the CTO for Ottawa’s largest digital green screen studio, specializing in motion picture post production, rich media applications for businesses and interactive video web solutions. He holds a Computer Engineering Degree from Carleton University.