Forget About Mafia Wars! Dino & Dan Want YOU to Join Their Triberr (video interview w/Jessica Northey)

Last Sunday started out like any day that ends in -y. Wake up, coffee, meditation, blog, write, correspondence, tweet, walk Sissy, Skype with and then...an email from Dino Dogan, who is visiting Tucson, agreeing to let me eView him. Dig a little deeper...his business partner Dan Cristo is in town...deeper they both live in New Jersey but seldom are in the same physical location. Digging half way to China now...these guys recently started the hottest tool for bloggers on the market: Triberr. So forget the traditional eView I said "Lets video this!" I joined Triberr about a month ago, invited by Chicago Power Blogger Sean McGinnis (who will be featured here on Finger Candy Media this Wednesday.) My story is a good one. Blog traffic has increased 200%, Retweets quadrupled from Triberr content and I am learning and connecting with amazing people every day!

Don't Drive In The Rearview Mirror...

Bill Cheesbourg, My Grampa

My Grampa used to always say, “don’t drive by the rearview mirror”. Coming from an Indy Car/NASCAR/Open Wheel/Stock Car Champion, I interpreted this as a racing and/or everyday driving tip.  He also said things like, “drive three cars ahead of you”, and “second guessing instinct causes accidents”.  Looking back, I can see how he literallyapplied these sayings to life, and why he drilled them down my throat. He died before I had enough self awareness to realize the value of what these clever anecdotes would bring to my reality, and now hopefully yours.

Focus On What YOUR Track Looks Like

In racing you look for your own groove in the pavement or dirt.  And, as for worrying about who or what’s behind you, it causes you to start runningtheir race. At this point, it is easy to become consumed with your perceived competition.  Inevitably you start reacting in defense, instead of taking action with a strong offense.  As for hesitation and doubt, I strongly encourage having a plan or goals, but keep in mind when you are consumed by metrics/analytics, you start to make knee jerk decisions. I have seen radio stations yank on-air personalities after one bad ratings book.

We put too much pressure on ourselves to stay ahead of who we think is chasing us and, even worse, non teammates drafting on us. I have learned that when you are looking in the rearview mirror, it’s not surprising when you have an accident.

The Truth Is…

The folks behind you probably aren’t chasing you at all.  Matter of fact, they might not even notice you. Quit worrying about what everyone else is doing. This is the New Media, populated by swaggering experts who think that there is one way *typically theirs* to get ‘er done.  So there you are, trying to stay on this Superspeedway while getting cut off and pushed toward the inside field. Palms sweat and insecurity mounts; you start to second guess whether you can even make it around a second lap and if it’s ok to drive this track your way.

I get this…been there, done that! I watch many self proclaimed Social Media experts in the broadcasting, entertainment, and music industry spewing rhetoric, believing that they know all the “right” moves. The contention is that, more often than not, they have never even run a basic Social Media campaign for a client, or practicing it for themselves.
The bottom line? How can you TALK it till you’ve ROCKED it? *or COUNTRY’d it*

The Pits

I’m in the garage, fixing blunders executed by dilettantes every day, mistakes made by the suit who had a cool PowerPoint which regurgitated what Social Media CAN do, and simply highlighted things the client wanted to hear or the neighbor’s kid, straight out of high school who was revered because he had 10,000 followers on Myspace.

Too many So(called)Media experts lead clients in the wrong direction by insisting they focus on metrics that don’t matter. The optics might make you look like a Champion but if you can’t move eyeballs…what good is that? In addition, where will you be if you rent your ‘house’ on Facebook, and then get evicted when Facebook disappears? *that’ll totally never happen, right? MySpace? AOL?*

Be Yourself Everyone Else Is Taken

If I had listened to everyone who told me that my website is too pink, the name of my company is silly, I’m too loud, I tweet too much, I shoulddress more conservatively, my hair is too blonde, and going niche withcountry music and social media is just plain stupid, I would have never even gotten on the track. Instead, I found my groove and keptmoving forward.

That’s my advice to you. Define your checkered flag; what does winning look like to you? Get dialed in, find the best pit crew to help you achieve your goals, and run your own race.

Whose race are you running? How is working out for you? Any advice or thoughts to share?

We used to play this song whenever we traveled to go racing. We actually played anything from Marty Robbins!

Edited, proofread, re-examined, adjectified and bounced off of my friend and muse, Tobey Deys!

Join Me(@JessicaNorthey) Tonight on Twitter for 1st Ever Country Music Chat @CMchat

Country Music: “Meet Your Neighbor” #CMchat tonight 10p ET

I am very excited to announce the first LIVE Country Music Chat #CMchat! Hosted by Serial Twitter Chat Hostess Dabney Porte and my Rock of Gibraltar Chat EnthusiastTobey Deys! There will also be some special guests from the Country Music Community stopping by to say hi and get to know their Twitter neighbors.Each week we will have different topics from “How do you get a song published” to “I made a record, Now What?”  Tonight is an open-forum “Meet Yer Neighbors” but you can be sure we will talking about Blake and Miranda’s wedding, as well as John Rich’s full court press appearance on Celebrity Apprentice!

Are you unsure how to attend the LIVE Country Music Chat #CMchat?

First of all, you can decide how much or how little you would like to participate!
I have attended chats just to learn about subjects and that is perfectly ok, but feel free to jump in on anything at anytime!

We will go live with our chat every Monday at 10pm EST. The chat runs for one hour. Many people post valuable information throughout the week in the stream, so you can even check throughout the week.Here’s what Dabney Porte, serial Twitter Chat Hostess (#SMmanners#SlumberParty) recommends for attendees of Twitter Chats:

• Use a “Twitter Aggregator” Program, or Free software.
• If you do not have a basic platform outside of Twitter that you use to manage your twitter stream, you can download one of the free applications like Tweetdeck or Hootsuite . I prefer Tweetdeck, but others simply love Hootsuite.
• Both applications will help you to organize your tweets in a variety of ways. For the purpose of attending twitter chats, while engaging with others at the same time, they are invaluable.
  www.tweetdeck.comwww.hootsuite.com
• Once you have one of the above applications up and running, simply do a search for #CMchat. This will automatically produce a column of all tweets that mention #CMchat only.
• The hashtag or # symbol is the key to engaging in any twitter chat event. By including #CMChat in your tweet,your message will be added to the single stream called #CMchat. Without adding the hashtag, your tweet won’t be recognized as being part of our chat event.
• To add yourself to the #CMchat stream, all you need to do is be certain that you mention (type) #CMchat somewhere within your tweet. Most people add it to the end of what they have to say.

If you want to keep things even simpler while you attend our Country Music Chat, I strongly recommend startingwith Tweet Chat which is easy to use and keeps your entire focus on the chat via a single column format. All tweets made within our event will be listed. When you reply to a tweet, the hashtag will automatically be added to your tweets, ensuring that you are actively participating. What I love most about this site is you can slow the chat down with the pause button.Conversations move quickly in most twitter chats, and having the ability to go at your speed is beyond helpful.

Go to the link below. Be sure to log in so that you will be able to participate.
http://tweetchat.com/room/cmchat

Be sure to follow us on twitter
@JessicaNorthey @DabneyPorte and @TobeyDeys to keep up with fun!

Sunday Driving on Full Throttle County with @CowboyTroy

Meet Cowboy Troy a Hick-Hop Artist, full-time rhymer and part-time singer.
I have had the honor, and yes it is an honor, to get to know him through Social Networking site Twitter. He is always supportive of the community, responsive and completely accessible when other Music Stars are available there in "name only."

Troy Lee Coleman III (born in Victoria, Texas) is an American musician, better known by his stage name Cowboy Troy, who performs country rap. He is a member of the MuzikMafia, an aggregation of country music singer-songwriters whose membership also includes Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and James Otto. He has released four studio albums and one EP, including two releases on Warner Bros. Records, and has charted twice on the Billboard country singles charts.

When you're six feet, five inches tall you stand out. Add a cowboy hat and you stand out even more. Then, make the subject from Texas with darker than average skin and there's no question that Cowboy Troy (AKA Troy Coleman) isn't exactly an average guy.

"I grew up listening to a mix of country music, rap and rock, with a little bit of funk and pop," Coleman says. "That didn't make me unusual back home (Dallas, Texas). Whenever I would go into the honky-tonks and they put on Run-DMC or Sir Mix-A-Lot, the floor would be packed with the cowboy hats swaying and people having a good time dancing. So it didn't seem like that big a deal for me once I decided to try music that all these things would converge in my music."

Favorite thing about your job?
I get to excite the crowd.

Where are you answering these questions from?
Home

What are you wearing?
Cinch Jeans and T-shirt

How did you get started in the music industry?
Was invited by John Rich to appear on Big & Rich’s debut album a few years ago.

What are 3 items you CAN NOT live without?
Cell phone, Laptop & TV Remote

Favorite item of clothing/jewelry/accessory?
Cowboy hat...because when I wear it, people know it’s me.

Have you ever been in a fight?
Yeah, senior year of college I was a bouncer in a bar in Austin, TX.  The whole thing looked like a scene from an old wild west movie.

What are your fondest childhood memories?
Getting a blue bicycle from my parents for Christmas when I was 8.

How do you use Social Media in your industry for productivity?
Social media allows me to connect with my fans directly.  It helps me provide a more meaningful experience to them. 

What is your favorite website?
twitter.com find me @cowboytroy

Which famous people do you admire?
Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson because they are two of the coolest.

What is your favorite movie?
Either “Die Hard” or “Last Man Standing”

Favorite snack?
Chocolate chip cookies. Just because.

How do you balance your work with other obligations - mate, children, hobbies?
I just have to make sure the family is taken care before I get into the work.  Just try to prioritize.

Do you get nervous about anything?
I get nervous sometimes, if I have the chance to meet heroes of mine.  Just try to make sure I don’t make a fool of myself.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be, and what would say to them?
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Samuel L. Jackson and that was cool. So I’d have to say Bruce Willis since he and Samuel L. are the two famous people I admire most.  Not sure what I would say.

Mac or PC?
Mac

Craziest thing you have ever done?
Ever? Hahaha!

web address: http://www.cowboytroy.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cowboytroy

iLike: http://www.ilike.com/artist/Cowboy+Troy

myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/cowboytroy

Social MEdia…Who Are You When Everyone’s Looking?

je ne sais quoi - noun
An intangible quality that makes something distinctive or attractive.

I was at a NASCAR Winston Cup Race in the early 90’s when someone said, “you have a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’.” I had no idea what that meant, so like any Trophy Queen, I smiled, tilted my head, and politely said, ‘thanks’. Then, I found the smartest person around, that I wouldn’t feel dumb asking, and in the sweetest southern accent he said, “Jessica, that’s just a way of saying, you are unlike any other.”

Not bragging, in fact, it might not have even been a compliment… who knows now.

Lee Abrams on Hiring People Who Will Make A Difference in Today's Environments

by Jessica Northey

It is an amazing privilege to feature one of the most brilliant minds in broadcasting. I had the honor of meeting American Media Executive Lee Abrams at theArbiton Client Conf/Jacobs Media Summit last year. I actually opened for him, true story, or least I spoke right before him. Lee has held a number of posts for large and influential companies, and is generally credited with developing the “Album Oriented Rock” format employed by hundreds of radio stations across the country. Most recently he was the chief innovation officer for the Tribune Company but prior to that founded XM Satellite Radio and ran notable radio consulting company Burkhart/Abrams; served as an internal consultant for ABC Radio, and helped develop nationwide radio formats such as Z-Rock and Radio Disney.  Additionally, he has been involved on the recording side of the music industry, producing Ah Via Musicom for guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson and appearing on several Alan Parsons Project CDs. He has also consulted and even managed such notable acts such as Yes, The Moody Blues, Steve Winwood, Iron Maiden, Bob Segerand EMI Records.

This is filled with outstanding information about hiring and how to find people that will make a difference in today’s work environment.

MORE

One Size Does Not Fit All!

This past week I had the honor of speaking at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. It was truly amazing to get to spend time and meet some very cool people in the Broadcasting community! My session "Are You Being Followed" was geared towards how Broadcasters, celebrities, high profile people use social media strategically to accomplish productivity goals. Now those are VERY unique. I can't think of two broadcasters or stations that should be or are using Social Media/Social Networking the same way!

The way I consult clients *on paper* looks more like a tree graph where each answer forms the next question. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer for any of them, but I have found some great questions that help you set up a strategic way to accomplish productivity goals! I use a Get a G.R.A.S.P. system I created that is similar to what some sales people call a C.N.A. (Client Needs Analysis). This helps me work with a client to determine Goals, Reach, ABCs, Socialality and Promotional opportunities.)

• Goals (what are you trying to do?)
• Reach (who are you trying to reach?)
• ABC's (what do your platform participation sites look like?)
• Sociality (what do you want to talk about?)
• Promotion (how will you get audience to follow you?)

It is important clarify and target Social Media goals, meaning clearly determine what constitute as a productivity measurement? Usually it will mirror marketing goals. If you are trying to send more traffic to website or specific elements of website and gain more followers on specific Social Media Platforms you will want to set up your your online efforts to facilitate this visually. If you are trying to increase Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ranking, you will want to figure out what key words matter to your potential followers/clients/listeners.

-Do you know who your target audience (best "customer") is and when do they use Social Media? What are your rules of engagement with this audience?
-Take an overall look at your Social Media Platform sites....branding doesn't alway have to jump off the page, but should make sense for your demographic appeal.
-Content is King but consistency is his Queen, worse that doing nothing is starting and then stopping.
-You may also want to consider adding Social media guidelines for company personal & professional engagement, I found it is better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have :)

I was really impressed with the feature story that Craig Johnston from RadioWorld.com did on me and my Broadcasting and Social Media ideas this week. It really covers the basics and sums up what I am all about even better than I could ever say.

Hope you are all having a great week! As always let me know what you are thinking, whats on your mind and if there are any areas you would like Full Throttle Country to be covering in regards to Social Media/Social Networking utilization!

Sunday Driving with Author/Speaker/Typist Chris Brogan

with Jessica Northey

In this weekly feature "eViews With the Who's Who" I highlight people who are paving the way in the Social Media world, branding themselves in a unique way that stands out, when so many are just regurgitating others work.  I like to feature Celebrities, Musicians, Broadcasting Professionals, Authors, and other Social Media enthusiasts asking them lifestyle, career, fun and all around thought provoking questions.  This is my first "Typist". What is a "Typist" you might wonder?
I'll let Chris Brogan explain:

"If you asked others, they’d say I’m some kind of social media guy. I’d rather say that I’m a business communications and emerging technology guy, but that’s unwieldy. I tell people that I’m a typist. Why? Because I type a lot. I blog. I tweet. I write proposals. I write strategy docs. I write books. That’s a lot of typing. "

I have to admit to being in total awe of Chris. It's  not hard to see what an impact he has made on the Social Web and Marketing community. I don't know a lot of people in the Social Media business who don't know who he is. I wondered about the Music and Broadcasting community. It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that even if you don't know who he is, you are most likely being influenced by something he has written, tweeted or posted.  I will almost bet that if you are working with a "Social Media Expert/Guru," they read his blog, books, tweets and posts!  

I had the opportunity to eView Chris and divided in two parts. Part I, here on my blog, showing a playful, light-hearted, insightful, and human side of Chris. Part II, for the Music and Broadcast Industry (featured in my column "SocialMediology 101" on ALLACCESS.com, a radio and music industry community website)  that is candid, advising, and a clear vision of  areas that could help bridge the marriage between New and Traditional Media for Broadcasters, Musicians and Entertainers alike.

Chris is an author, journalist, marketing consultant and frequent speaker about Social Media Marketing for Fortune 100 and 500 companies like PepsiCo, General Motors, Microsoft and many others. ChrisBrogan.com, is ranked in the Top 5 of Advertising Age Power 150. His book,"Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust," co-written with Julien Smith became a New York Times bestseller, Wall Street Journal bestseller list and Amazon top 100.  His newer book Social Media 101 is more of a how-to full of tools. "The bookSocial Media 101 is a lot more of a how-to full of tools. If you're already sold on the concept, Social Media 101 is pretty decent. If you want to understand why the web is all the rage, we do that in Trust Agents," says Chris.

Favorite thing about your job?
Being able to help people grow their capabilities, and that moment when THEY feel it.

Where are you answering these questions from?http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbrogan/4877309573/

What are you wearing?
Black tee shirt and jeans. The shirt says skip1.org (my favorite charity)

What inspired you to pursue a career in “business communications, and social software technologies”?
It's not exactly a career, but rather a quilt of experiences that led to something bigger. I fell into it from helping people. 

What are 3 items you CAN NOT live without? 
My phone (but not the voice part of it), my laptop, and Hendricks Gin.

Favorite item of clothing/jewelry/accessory?
I have a simple black leather jacket that feels like emotional armor to me.

Have you ever been in a fight?
I was in a few fights growing up. In one, I beat up a bully. In another, a kid I barely knew and I were pushed into fighting. I technically won (by sitting on his head).

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?Honestly? I think about how behind I am. (That sounds awful).

Is there anything that you regret?I try not to have regrets. I suppose if I let myself, there would be thousands of them, but I'm a man made from my errors more than from my success.

What are your fondest childhood memories?My fondest childhood memories involve water. I was born and raised around the ocean and lakes. My aunt had a camp we used to swim at all summer long, and we'd visit the ocean quite often, too.

What current event has your eyes and ears?I don't follow a lot of current events. My mission in life is help people grow. The only current event I care about is the unemployment rate, and that's only because I'm trying to help others do what they want.

What’s your favorite music genre?Everyone says they're eclectic. I'm fairly sure I might win. I listen to 90s hip hop, to hard rock (like Linkin Park and System of a Down) to some of the new stuff like Black Keys and Blind Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.

What is your favorite website?Besides yours? I love answering questions in ThirdTribeMarketing.com (which I co-founded). If you mean nothing to do with me, I love DamnYouAutoCorrect.com

If you had a Super Power what would it be?Flying. It's not very useful, but it's always what I've dreamed of with regards to super powers.

Favorite movie?It's a tie between Fight Club and The Royal Tenenbaums. Fight Club is fun and cleverly written. So is Tenenbaums. It depends if I want to kick ass or chew bubblegum.

Favorite snack?
Hmmm. My favorite snack would be cashews, because they're healthy-ish and they cover my salt and fat needs.

How do you balance your work with other obligations?
That's probably one of the trickiest aspects of the job. I try to be there for my family, and to give my kids all that I can. But that requires me doing work, too, so they can have the future they deserve. I'm trying hard to put away enough money so that the kids will be cared for, no matter what. I guess putting the legacy together matters and because of that, I work harder than I probably have to, because I'm not working for next month. I'm working for whether or not I'm around (if I got sick, for instance).

Do you get nervous about anything?
I'm nervous about not having my legacy in place. I'm nervous that all that I'm doing will dry up. But it's good motivation.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be, and what would say to them?
I'd want to spend time with Sir Richard Branson. His mindset about business is VERY close to mine (from what he's written), and I'd just love to talk with him about that. 

What is your hobby or do you collect anything?
Here's where the nerd alert goes off. I love comic books. I have since I was five. My grandfather, a candy salesman, used to take me around on his sales run and he'd buy me comics at one or two stops. I still pick up a few to stay in touch with that world. Sure it's silly, but it makes me think of the impossible, and that's helpful.

What chore to you hate?
I hate ironing. I'm really bad at it. When I'm on the road, I always have wrinkled clothes and I always try to shirk doing anything about it.

Do you have any animals?
I have two cats. I wasn't here when they came. One is named Mr. Purr and the other is named Miss. Mew. Mr. Purr is a jerk bag, and he's mad all the time because I'm never home, and for some reason, he decided that he's my cat. Miss Mew is quiet and nice and lovely.

Mac or PC?
Mac.

Ginger or Mary Ann?
Ginger. Sheesh.

Craziest thing you have ever done?
That I can talk about? I regularly drive over 100mph in my 2010 Camaro SS.

You catch Part II dedicated to the Music and Radio community, in my column "SocialMediology 101" today on  ALLACCESS.com, the web’s largest radio and music industry community. CLICK HERE to be redirected to ALLACCESS.com.

Finger Candy Friday: Look In The Mirror…

…And Be The Person, You Ask Others To Be.

Whether you’re a Celebrity, Musician, On-Air Personality, Broadcasting professional or fellow Social Media enthusiast, if you are wondering why others aren’t paying attention to you,  maybe it’s those fingers pointing back at you that should direct your attention to.

Want comments on you blog? 
Comment on others blogs.
Want more followers? 
Follow others.
Want Facebook Likes? 
Like other peoples pages.
Want people to Retweet you?
Retweet others.Want people to view your cool new YouTube video?
Check out others YouTube Channels.
Want people to respond to you on Facebook profile? 
Initiate and respond to others. 
Want the charity you work with to have support? 
Support others charities.

I read a tweet the other day from Mahei Foliaki aka @iconic88, whom I respect immensely, it said, “Tweet others as you want to be tweeted”.  I might be taking memory liberties but it was followed by something along the lines of ‘asking people to retweet stuff for you, when you barely know them is kinda not cool’. *Sorry Mahei if I butchered that-it happens sometimes*

I try to be helpful to the community and spread the “pay it forward” love as much as anyone I know….but…shesh…I get about 150 requests a day to retweet, repost or “like” something . I get that they are trying to make it and want some help. I ask for help too sometimes, when I am promoting clients, have a meaningful post or am supporting a good cause. I try to,give as good as I can give.  If I based it on what I get, it would be immensely out of proportion.
It means the world to me when someone acknowledges something I write or post with a retweet, repost and *honestly* my heart skips a beat, when I get comments on my blog!

NOW that was segue into a very interesting question I asked people on Twitter the other day:

You might find the replies as interesting as I did!
In no particular order and names left off, because I said I would, as well as, to protect the innocent and the not so innocent.

-I need to be passionately for, or against something in a blog article to want to comment on it

-Controversy and friendship

-Tend not to on purely “informational” blogs, but I would on blogs taking a position on something

-If the blog catches my attention if I agree or don’t agree I leave a comment. If it’s just rambling no desire to comment

-If I get something positive from the post I leave a comment, I never leave negative feedback there is no need

-Comments on a blog come from how relevant the topic is to you. If it speaks to you, opinions will follow

-Ummm…when they piss me off?

-Emotional connection or to correct a fact, or support something

-I leave comments of positive feedback and to show appreciation for info, if blog is boring/redundant/or trivial, no comment

- If I know the author and when the blog is left open ended and there’s room for discussion.

-I don’t comment when the blog is hype and regurgitated repackaging of other people’s previously stated ideas.

-I leave comments because the content merits a reply, I want to add to conversation, show support, or because they are my friend

-You know the Rebecca Black phenomenon on YOUTUBE? I guess people love to criticize more than compliment

-Not unless you’re adding value to the conversation!

-If you got something to say. Then speak it out.

What makes you want to leave a comment on a blog? I would love to hear your thoughts!

When It Comes to Social Media: What Have You -tor For Me Lately?

I am often asked how I decide what to tweet, or post about. There is not a simple answer and more than that, it really depends what your individual online goals are. I would love to say that there is a one-size-fits-all way to do it, but that just wouldn’t be true.

Klout has some interesting specifications and I can agree with their assessment to a degree, here is how they list the way people use Social Media and the roles they play on a platform such as Twitter or Facebook:

Casual/Listener: Dabbler, Conversationalist, Explorer, Observer
Participating/Sharing: Curator, Broadcaster, Feeder, Syndicator
Focused/Consistent: Socializer, Networker, Activist, Specialist
Creating/Broad: Taste Maker, Celebrity, Thought Leader, Pundit

I think these are all very general, and at times find myself to be a little bit of all of them. But mostly, I am part curator, part aggregator and part originator and add lots of banter. This has been the way I feel most comfortable fitting in to the Social Media eco-system.

Curator
When it comes to content, I look for interesting articles, blogposts, photos, videos, even people and share with my audience. This can come in the form of a great article I read somewhere about an FCC ruling on Cellular Signal Boosters all the way to a quote from Maya Angelou. The information I look for and distribute is a direct relation to the things that interest me, and in turn seem to interest many of my followers, based on the amount of retweets I get.
Traditionally, a curator is known as the custodian of a collection. I take my role as a person who cares what I pass on to people very seriously. I don’t subscribe to bait and switch methods and wouldn’t share something with my audience that I didn’t find fascinating.

Aggregator
When it comes to news I use a feed aggregator Web application to re-direct syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogposts to my stream, that have links leading back for easy viewing. I use Twitterfeed to direct Real-Time News from trusted sources to my stream. I say trusted because I have worked in and around news and news delivery for a long time and get my raw data news from the Associated Press (AP). I also get content/news from AllAccess, Full Throttle Country, KrisCountry, Chris Brogan’s website, and a few other industry related blog feeds.

Originator
This falls in the editorial style writing category and includes blogging, original thoughts and sassy observations . I am very proud of my blog and post original content 7 days a week. I have created fun, informative content ranging from highlighting tweets and the people who made them on Must Tweet Monday; to eViews with the Who’s Who interviewing different celebrities, musicians and people I meet online that I find interesting; 3rd Screen Thursday, detailing/reviewing mobile content and even Sundays Best where I feature charities and non-profit organizations.

I also like to make stuff up…yeah, I said it. When a thought crosses my mind about the time allotted before it is not acceptable to eat Chocolate of the floor to dating do’s and don’ts, I am always willing to share insights and jessisms.

That’s how I do it! Tell me about your way or tell me if you think I suck....maybe just leave me a comment sometime? Seriously, comments are sexy ;)

CMR’s @TONYandKRIS Host LIVE @ACMAwards Tweetcast/Facebook Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NASHVILLE, TN-Nationally Syndicated Country Music Morning Show “Tony and Kris”will host a LIVE Tweetcast/Facebook Party on Sunday April 3rd. Join Tony Randall and Kris Rochester beginning with the Pre-Show at 6:15pm ET /3:15pm PT all the way through the Awards Show on CBS.

 

"We're looking forward to this digital ACM Party! On-air promotion combined w/ digital media is the future & we're excited to be in the lead!"

A few of us will be headed to Las Vegas for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards but the rest of you watching from home are being offered a unique way to participate in the festivities. Tony and Kris will be tweeting and posting updates as they happen. They will offer trivia, predictions, prizes and more.

 To participate just use the hashtag #TKACM on Twitter or you can go to Facebook.com/TonyandKrisShow. For more details visit TonyandKris.com

 POWERED by Finger Candy Media, LLC, Jessica Northey and Stacey Soleil

"You're Doing It Wrong!"

Chris Brogan wrote a blog post awhile back titled YOUR DOING IT WRONG. If you have ever heard me speak on stage or in person, I always talk about this revelation. It is as obvious online, as it is in real life that you "can’t compare your insides to other people’s outsides." It just doesn’t work. SO if your goals aren’t the same as my goals, than I am probably doing Social Media wrong, to you, right?

Laws of Public Policy Process

Jessica Northey

When I was younger I had the opportunity to attend, intern and work for the Leadership Institute. "Mortons  Laws of the Public Policy Process" coined by Leadership Institute founder and President Morton Blackwell have stuck with me all these years. From time to time I get in a situation and I can almost hear him saying one of these. I got to thinking about them...so I ventured into the storage shed in my backyard and found the old scroll with the "Laws" on them.  Hope you will get something from these, I find them quite educational and entertaining!

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Holiday Ad Cliches & Awakening America's Creative Coma with Lee Abrams

Recently I had the honor of meeting American Media Executive Lee Abrams at the Arbiton Client Conf/Jacobs Media Summit. I actually opened for him, true story, or least I spoke right before him. Lee has held a number of posts for large and influential companies, and is generally credited with developing the "Album Oriented Rock" format employed by hundreds of radio stations across the country. Most recently he was the chief innovation officer for the Tribune Company but prior to that founded XM Satellite Radio and ran notable radio consulting company Burkhart/Abrams; served as an internal consultant for ABC Radio, and helped develop nationwide radio formats such as Z-Rock and Radio Disney.  Additionally, he has been involved on the recording side of the music industry, producing Ah Via Musicom for guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson and appearing on several Alan Parsons Project CDs. He has also consulted and even managed such notable acts such as Yes, The Moody Blues, Steve Winwood, Iron Maiden, Bob Seger and EMI Records.
He shared something he wrote that was just a "think piece" for him but I was impressed and asked if it was ok to share with the world...maybe inspire others to as he says "AFDI".

"HOLIDAY" AD CLICHES AND AWAKENING AMERICA'S CREATIVE COMA

Integration Key to Radio’s Social Media Plan!

an article about our very own Jessica Northey in Inside Radio today.

FROM INSIDE RADIO TODAY:
Before diving headfirst into Twitter, Facebook and other social networking platforms, stations should first develop a coherent social strategy, social media practitioners say.   That “passion map” can guide station’s success.

Where Am I?

I feel I have to wake up and check the GPS in my phone to know where I am, have been doing a little traveling these days.

Nine North Records Larry Pareigis Slated to Speak at #BrandsConf

Behind the Brand is a Human Voice
by Jessica Northey

"At the receiving end of a brand experience is a connected, broadcast enabled, consumer. Opening your brand, being human, and the art of listen brings about a fundamental shift, and potential re-structuring of we, as marketers bring our brands to market." - #BrandsConf

December 2, 2010, New York, NY: @BrandsConf is a new event taking place at the 92Y that will explore the “Humanization of Brands” and the underlying effects this is having on business. For brands, agencies, and their clients, you will hear from creative, out-of-the-box thinkers in the tradition of Jeff Pulver’s #140Conf events. The conference will explore a range of topics from best practices to the legal issues to the natural conflict of personal and corporate branding.

Dear Celebrities (and Wannabes)

This past week I had several conversations with people, that made me think, about what other people think. I am not sure why it is so important to be followed by a lot of people, yet not follow very many people?

Is it like, a bragging right? "I only follow X amount of people but thousands are following me"; is it low self-esteem? "I am not good enough because  I follow too many people"; is it a prejudice? "People who follow too many people must not be interesting."

Maybe it's just an ego thing? I am the first to say, if you are meeting your Social Media goals, congratulations, please ignore me.  However...what are your goals? Are you trying to connect with a very few amount of people?  If thats the case, how do you explain some of the following facts: