Join us on 11th November to discuss the emerging trends around mobile social media and services with our panel of industry experts.

Spurred on by web leaders like Facebook and MySpace and with lower data charges spreading for mobile web access, mobile social usage has soared. But is it just a platform of convenience and compromise for users, or an enabler for a next generation of digital social interaction?

Will there be a battle for survival among the current myriad of mobile-only social networks and video / blogging platforms, or can they succeed with focus on novel functionality and user experience? Should online niche social networks also make the move to mobile? Where are the revenue streams and how effective can the ROI be?

Further, location-based functionality promises to deliver the USP for mobile social apps. But these services tread a fine line between sharing sensitive data and protecting privacy and currently face a wary audience. Which emerging services are getting this right?

Join us to debate the future of the evolving mobile social media space, and explore what issues and opportunities this creates for publishers, brands and marketers.

SPEAKERS:

Justin Davies - Founder, BuddyPing
Justin Davies is the founder of NinetyTen, a UK startup providing community and location aware solutions to companies to enhance their online presence in the mobile space. NinetyTen's technology is used to to drive BuddyPing.com, a mobile social networking community based on the realtime location of users.

Alfie Dennen – Co-founder & CEO, Moblog
Alfie Dennen is the co-founder of the mobile blogging community and technology service Moblog. He is an avid blogger on mobile technology and convergence, and a committed activist, having been responsible for the creation of the 7/7 protest site We're Not Afraid and the charitable foundation, The Stopped Clocks Foundation. Alfie has been working on his own startups and activist projects since early 2002, and is a frequent commentator and pundit on the subjects of online activism and mobile/web convergence. Before embarking on his own projects Alfie was the Marketing Director at consumer publishing house, The Media Cell. Currently CEO at Moblog, Alfie works closely with clients to incorporate mobile blogging into their campaigns.

Harry Blundun - Head of Digital, ?What If! Digital
Harry Blundun is a co-founder of ?What If! Digital with 12 years of consulting and management in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sectors.  Harry’s main focus is on the convergence of traditional media with the internet and the transformational possibilities and dilemmas this presents clients.  Recent work includes developing a new approach to acquiring new media content; assessing the development of the IPTV marketplace; and forecasting the market opportunities for a TV platform operator video-capable mobile handset.  Harry holds a Joint Honours degree in Computer Science and French, from Bristol University.

Chris Seth - MD, Piczo Europe
Piczo empowers young people to express themselves, build personal communities and share ideas and experiences with their friends in a more personal online environment. With over 29 million registered users Piczo is the largest teen community in Europe. Chris has over 16 years experience in the digital, media and advertising sectors, having launched and managed businesses for BBDO, Time Out and the International Herald Tribune. In addition to his responsibilities at Piczo, Chris advises a number of early stage companies on business and marketing strategy in Europe.

Roy Shelton – CEO, Next2Friends
Roy Shelton has spent the last 22 years building international technology and telecoms businesses including Prime Carrier, Azure Solutions & Cerebrus. Working with government, senior industry and investment communities around the world, Roy has gained a reputation as an early evangelist of the emerging technologies that evolve to lead their field. A Senior Executive with a track record of superior overachievement, he has a wealth of longstanding senior relationships within the telecommunications and technology industries, government departments and the Venture Capital/ Private Equity and Analyst Communities.

CHAIR: Bena Roberts – Founder of GoMo News, President of visibility mobile
Bena Roberts is the founder of GoMo News and the President of visibility mobile. GoMo News is a daily blog which is addictive reading for 35,000 industry professionals. visibility mobile is technology company focusing on mobile web optimisation. With over 15 years experience in the mobile market Bena Roberts is a regular industry judge, speaker and moderator on mobile search, mobile advertising, social media and mobile barcodes.

Event produced by Julia Eilon and Deirdre Molloy.