Carrot Creative Blog

In the spirit of giving, Carrot Creative will be co-sponsoring an upcoming blood drive alongside Jauntsetter, Brooklyn Based and Haydenn-Harnett  Friday August 21st 2009 from 4:00PM – 9:30PM. The Blood Drive Busmobile will be at Bedford Avenue and N. 12th Street.

Full details can be found here including a form to register for a specific time to come down to the park and donate. Members of the Carrot Crew will be there along with reps from the other companies sponsoring. Snacks will also be provided and if needed, I’m sure one of the Carrot Crew members will gladly hold your hand if you’re nervous about needles.

Everyone has their online identity. You have a website. You have your blog. Your LinkedIn. Twitter. Facebook. You build these networks and pages out to form “Who you are.” But, having one of these “things” does not classify who you are as a person. If you’re on Twitter, it doesn’t mean you necessarily have “quick thoughts”, if you’re on LinkedIn it doesn’t necessarily mean you are all about networking for your career. Or, at least I hope it doesn’t.

Twitter is an interesting space. A space where you can connect with new people,post random thoughts, blah blah…we know we know. But, I’m really interested and grateful for this community and the constant feedback they provide.

For example. Yesterday, I was in the mood to hear some music that gets me pumped up for a big negotiation we have. We have a LOT going on here and YES I am an excited person, but I wanted to add my own personal soundtrack. So, where do I find my songs? Cue to Twitter. I posted this tweet. A simple one. Just asking for some songs to keep me going. Within 10 minutes I received over 30 responses to songs. From “Chariots of Fire” to Britney Spears, Rammstein to Queen—I had them all. And you know what? I listened to them ALL.

I’ve had some discussions lately about the changing landscape and the need for social media for brands as well as who is the “right person” for the job of managing the social media campaign. Is it the advertising agency? The PR agency? A whole new type of agency or specialist that has yet to emerge?

Andy Sernovitz, contributing writer for the Smart Blog on Social Media has a great take on this and who he think should be running the social media world: PR executives. As Andy says, “PR executives make the best social media executives. There is a similar mindset. Traditional media relations requires finding the right influencers, building trust, and sharing credible, relevant stories. Translating those actions to social media — replacing reporters with the bigger community — is exactly how to run a great social media program.”

Last night I had the privilege of being a panel member for the Social Media and Presidential Elections Conference at the Samsung Experience on Columbus Circle. I wanted to thank the organizers: NY:MIEG, E.Factor and CBSAC/NY for putting on a smart and engaging affair. I liked seeing how all the different panel members were using social media to influence and inform everyday people about important political issues.

Ellis Henican did a great job moderating the event, everything flowed smoothly and the packed audience was interested from start to finish. It was interesting to see how the folks at 23/6 are using humor to offer an alternative view on the political scene.

Today is one of our favorite days…Blog Action Day.

For the last couple years, >carrot has used Blog Action Day to highlight one of the many initiatives we take in order to do good in our office and in our world. However, this year we would like to take this opportunity to highlight the work of some fellow bloggers whom have inspired us to join their cause in ending poverty in the world while bettering ourselves personally.

We’re gonna go ahead and say yes.

The Brooklyn Paper recently reported that Spike Lee is making moves to the 6th floor of our awesome building in DUMBO. We are on the 3rd floor of 55 Washington St… so we basically have become cooler overnight. Our CEO- Robert Gaafar- is already projecting exponential growth in sales and awesomeness for the remainder of our fiscal year. Meanwhile, the rest of us are going to have to play it cool and hope for casual elevator high-fives when we’re in need of a sweetness pick-me-up. Does Spike Lee play Wii? I bet he does.

One of the most respected names in business publishing has asked me to speak at their worldwide Direct Marketers Forum this coming March. Direct Marketing International Magazine is “the only publication which has the global reach among international direct and interactive marketing professionals. Now in its third decade, DMI was the first magazine to be printed in the UK for direct marketers – so not only is it unique, it is also truly original!”

This exciting opportunity is a great way to stay informed about marketing activities around the globe and to find out how my European counterparts are using the Social-Web in powerful new ways.