I haven't blogged in awhile. Blame Pinot Noir and good TV (Dexter, House, History Channel) on that. So I have a backlog of topics (real-time web, socialization of the web, curation, and assorted other buzzwords) that I'm ready to write on. However, I got distracted tonight with answering email, twitter, etc. But another theme came to mind. The grateful feeling of being part of this community. Since 2009 is the year "community" became mainstream in the digital world, I feel compelled to speak of my community.
My community is the ever-growing MN Interactive Community. We go by many acronyms; MIMA, SMB, MNAMA, and many others. I cut my teeth on the MIMA circuit. In the 90s, that meant strange get-togethers at the Walker with about 10 "webmasters" and 10 other random web-centered professionals. We didn't have sexy titles like "User Experience Managers" or "Community Ambassadors". It literally was "webmaster" or "the web guy".However, 2009 saw a huge growth in not just the web but in trade groups, local weblebrities and growing pains for the advertising/digital agencies.
First off, it seems like any given week there is at least one trade event. MIMA is an absolute monster (full disclosure: I'm a board alum and long-time member). Now about 1,200 members and over 900 at this years Summit. Social Media Breakfast sells out faster than Ben Folds with a TV contract in front of him (Sing Off). i612 and other groups have taken to the scene. It's great to see so many sectors of online organized and energized.
There's no "i" in "team" but there are standouts that must brave the speaker circuit to bring the midwest message out. In addition to SEO man-about-town Lee Odden, Kristina Halvorson took the content strategy story to the masses with the release of her book, Content Strategy for the Web and the trail of empty Scotch glasses to promote it.
And the once-proud Advertising industry is undertaking some growing pains as they redefine themselves in this changing digital landscape. Martin-Williams and Fallon saw some nice wins this year. Smaller, emerging shops like ZeusJones, The Nerdery and Mono got some press. 2010 hopefully will bring some more wins to the market to take advantage of all the talent here.
Ultimately, I felt very proud to see where the state of our local industry is at. I see so many smart, younger folks at the industry events and I can't help be glad the road has been paved for them to be recognized. My ask to you is to do the work at your core craft (PR, direct marketing, brand marketing, etc) and not get carried away with being a "guru" or "rockstar". Tactics are tactics. Nothing more. They are the means to an end. Business objectives.
So I'll leave the other topics for another night when TV is in reruns and my wine rack is empty. I hope to see old friends at the MIMA Holidy Party. And I look forward to meeting many new ones in 2010.
Comments