Why is Ricky Gervais so fascinated by podcasting? Why are the likes of HSBC, Honda and IBM enlisting user input to hone their brand image? And why do the London dailies now break news on their blogs rather than hold the scoop for tomorrow morning’s edition?

On 4 April, Blogging4Business – a one-day seminar held at the Grosvenor Marriott in London – will answer these questions and more.

Blogs, wikis and podcasts are new innovations in publishing software that give ordinary citizens, CEOs and comedians alike a forum to broadcast their views, skits and new products to the world. Not surprisingly, dozens of the world’s largest companies now use blogs to communicate with customers, shareholders and employees.

Aspiring filmmakers first used podcasts (think blogs with moving pictures and sound) to made video shorts that could be viewed by a global fan base. Attracted by the global reach and relatively cheap costs, advertisers have adopted the technology for the same purpose. Expect to see podcast adverts for cars and trainers during the World Cup.

But, as is so often the case, there have been a series of companies wounded by this transformative new technology: Kryptonite Locks, L’Oreal, Dell Computers and Radio Shack to name but a few. In each case the firm failed to react in time to what the bloggers were saying, allowing a few angry words to grow into a damaging cacophony. As these companies can attest, ignore this forum at your peril.

At Blogging4Business, top experts in the fields of marketing, media and blogging practitioners themselves will further clarify this bold new market.

For more information, and to register to the event, please visit:
www.blogging4business.co.uk

Price: £229.13 (£195 + VAT)

SESSIONS:

• Why Blog?
• Blogs: PR, Smart Marketing and internal communications, but what about the ROI?
• RSS Intelligence Workshop
• An Introduction to Podcasting and Video Podcasting
• What Blogs Are Saying About Your Business
• The Dos and Don’ts of Corporate Blogging
• Blogs and the Media

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Neville Hobson - Communications consultant, blogger and podcaster at nevillehobson.com
Guillaume du Gardier - Director Online Communications Europe, Edelman PR
Stormhoek Wines - the blogging vintners
Suw Charman - Social Software Consultant
Martin Talks, CEO, Bluebarracuda.com
Julian Smith – analyst, Jupiter Media
Antony Mayfield - director, Harvard PR
Michael Nutley, Editor - New Media Age
Lee Bryant - director, Headshift
Mark Rogers – CEO, Market Sentinel
Philippe Borremans - Public Relations Manager, IBM Belgium & Luxembourg