Sparkatopia

Jess Dennis and Tommytrc discuss the 2010 Winter Olympics and how social media is negatively affecting tape delays in programming. Can networks like NBC continue to control when live events are aired and whether participants can discuss the proceedings in their social networks? Are the big networks acting as gatekeepers and trying to control the message? Control freaks or not, discuss on Twitter using the hashtag #redshoesspeak.

Red Shoes Speak No. 16: Olympic Tape Delays from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

For this week Online with Erin Davisson, I was asked about a new social media craze called FourSquare. FourSquare is a geo-location tool to tell your friends where you. Kinda like geo-tagging in the big city. You get points for going to different places and can see how many points your friends have.  See what Ross LaRocco and myself have to say to Erin. Thanks Erin and WFRV for having me on the show again!

Are you a digital hoarder? Tommy and Jess discuss how Gmail and cloud computing have changed the way we store and search for information. Is Google changing the way individuals will file information forever? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter using the hash tag #redshoesspeak.

Red Shoes Speaks No. 15 Digital Hoarding from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) was asked to step off a Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) flight on Feb. 13, 2010 due to his size. With over 1.6 million followers, Smith’s Tweets about the situation quickly hit mainstream media and blew up in social media. The Southwest Twitter account responded very quickly and appropriately with multiple apologies. As companies continue to engage in social media, how do they prevent or respond to crisis situations such as this? Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash tag #redshoesspeak.

Red Shoes Speak No. 14 Kevin Smith & Soutwest Air Crisis Communication from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

In a world of 24/7 news and social media communication, how should Toyota have handled their recent recalls that affected 2.3 million vehicles? Tommy and Lisa discuss crisis communications and examples of how companies have handled similar situations. What would be your advice to Toyota? #redshoesspeak

Red Shoes Speak No. 13: Toyota’s Crisis Communications Mishap from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

It’s estimated there are one-hundred million videos online on Youtube – the popular video sharing website. Hundreds are posted by Appleton’s Tommy Clifford. Today in Online with Erin, Clifford shares with Erin Davission some simple tips that will get your videos in front of your audience…. and when you are posting your video, DO NOT forget keywords that will describe your video – very helpful for finding them later.

Lisa and Tommy talk about the late night talk show spat between NBC and Conan O’Brien. Conan is getting a reported $40 million to leave NBC, now’s the time for him to start anew. The Tonight Show is getting old and stale. Does he needs to get away from network TV and take his show to the internet? Be part of the conversion, tell us what you think. #redshoesspeak on twitter.

Red Shoes Speak No. 10 Fly Conan FLY from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

Jess and Tommy talk about Jess’ blog post called Social media, not a strategy or a tactic…a communication channel. How should companies be using social media and incorporating it into their marketing plans? Jess and Tommy discuss best practices for corporate social media use.

Red Shoes Speaks No. 8 Social media, strategy or communication channel from Jessica Dennis on Vimeo.

A few days ago, Becky brought to my attention a family in her hometown of Idaho and their 1.1 micro premie Eden. Baby Eden Swenson was born on December 28th. Eden was only 23 weeks. 4 months early, boy that little one just wanted to meet mom and dad. Becky and I kept tabs on Baby Edens progress via a blog that was set up. Daily we would check the progress of that little one. Neither Becky nor I have ever met the parents, Jeremy and Rachel, but their strength is amazing. My daughter Clara was born 6 premature. She had to spend a few days in the NICU here in Wisconsin and I saw some pretty small people in there, but I do not recall seeing anyone this small.

Today during lunch, Becky IM’d me to say that Eden had passed. Against all odds, Eden held on for 10 long days. My heart was ripped in two. I had to close my door at work and just let the tears stream down my face. I admit it I’m a softie when it comes to children. How can a family in Wisconsin be so touched by a little girl in Idaho. How does that happen?

During my drive to get the kids for what I call “big kid weekend” I vlogged about Baby Eden and the impact in my life.

Then tonight when I came home and saw the good-bye posting, WOW, it hit me again. I had to just pick up Baby Drew and hug him tight. I wish I had the right words…but are there really right words for this situation? I know of no Hallmark cards that can help.

Baby Eden, you certainly must have been a choice spirit to only need 10 days on this earth. Oh how blessed you are!! Heavenly Father must have a lot for you to do to prepare for the rest of us! What a special family to help you on your short journey. Till we meet again!

My sweetheart and I went on a date tonight and we went to Wild Truffle Pizza behind Wal-Mart on Michael Drive in Appleton. The firs thing you notice is the look of the restaurant and the wood fired oven in the back. The decor and ambiance of the place look as if it belonged more in ski resort town like Park City or Sun Valley then Appleton, Wi…but I liked the overall feel. Large tables and dim lighting made it a perfect date night spot. The food was really great. This is the type of place where presentation of the food means just as much as the taste.Mrs had the “Wild Truffle” Mac and Cheese and I had the Sweet Italian Sausage Pizza. Wild truffle is known for its pizza and I had to give it a try. Our waitress mentioned that they use flower shipped from Italy for the pizza. This was certianly no store bought pizza crust.

What a great place for dinner. I’m so glad mrstommy suggested it. Wild Truffles has an outdoor patio area too, but it was much too cold to try this this visit. We will certainly be back! One thing they do need to do is to beef up their website. It only has phone numbers, address and a scan of their menu. They must add some social medial touches to it like a bog and add themselves to facebook. Feedback is the key to growth!

UPDATE: ok after posting this my wife said I was a bit harsh on the website comment… and I tend to agree. It does say at the top in big bold letters…” PLEASE NOTE OUR OFFICIAL SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.” I guess I need to give them more latitude but the restaurant has been open for over 6 months now.