Media Relations

Bold Obama Speech Viewed By Cheering Utah Crowd

It wasn't enough to witness history watching a mere TV set.  Today I went to Kingsbury Hall at the University of Utah and watched it on a big screen with an estimated 1500 Utahns.  Almost as good as being there.

From Obama's speech at what planners are calling the "most defended event in American history" :

"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

"Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please."

AND WHAT A CLOSER!

A surprise ending in the inaugural benediction by Joseph E. Lowery - 

Listen close...at the very end....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoyyEpHBsmk

Utah Inauguration Events, And The Sweet Tweet Of January 20

Utah may be red, but there's plenty of enthusiasm for Obama.  Local Salt Lake City events below - send me more and I'll post!

Big Screen TV Inaugural Celebration at University of Utah 

On Tuesday, January 20 at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City.  Tickets are free, and it starts at 9:00 a.m. Call the box office to see if any of the reserved tickets haven't been picked up.  If they haven't, you can have them.

But believe me, a number of online news sites, as well as TV and radio will give you all the access you need.

Block Parties, Balls (send me more)

Holding your own local (Utah) "ball", block party, or celebration? Let me list it here.

1.  Block party "3:00-10:00 PM, Tuesday 10th South and Windsor (850 East) 

2. Demo party ball at the Depot the evening of January 20, 7:00 - 10:00 PM

The Sweet Tweet Of Inauguration

Want to feel like you're really in Washington D.C. during the inauguration?  Sign up for Twitter - if you haven't already, then ask to get updates on the inauguration.  Traffic directions, bus directions, schedules...you name it.  I highly recommend you try it, just to see how Twitter can drive an event and keep things organized (let's hope so).

Also, don't forget to tweet your personal feelings as you watch the inauguration!

A Hot, Sweaty Social Media Gathering In Salt Lake City, And A Free Social Media Webinar

Need more knowledge in social media?  BurrellsLuce is offering a freebie Webinar on January 29.  Go here to register.

Next..."Word-of-Mouse" - the future of word-of-mouth communication:

An exciting encounter last night in Salt Lake City (thanks to the Summit Group).  The room was packed as the inaugural meeting of the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City took place.  Turnout was fantastic - people lined up in the hallway outside the meeting room. Some came from Sandy, some came from as far as Ogden.   Pizza was offered...few ate it...all too excited.

This is the first local social media gathering (that I know of) that attempted to focus on business applications and strategies for social media.  Ideas flew fast and furious. There were discussion groups for HR, marketing, non-profit, newbies to social media...and others I don't recall.

** blink **

I met one guy who has created a way for bands to track where their biggest fans live and thus can book more live events in those geographical areas - to be more profitable.  After all, he says, everyone expects music to be free.  Bands now must make their money off of live concerts.

** blink **

Met Sarah Buhr, who just launched her own Utah News Source online.  You provide the info about your company, or even your invention or own newsworthy items and she (just like a wire service) gets them to the local Utah media.  Go see. 

** blink **

Ran into Pete Codella, one of the founders of the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City.  Pete has created a low cost online newsroom that is amazingly easy to implement on any business Web site AND it is user friendly for non-technical PR types to use.  Best of all...it is only $99/month.  Go see Pete's product here.

** blink **

Ran into Deborah Lindner, a former TV reporter and anchor.  You can see her from the back (red hair) in the photo below.  Hi Deb!  She was at the meeting because social media may have wonderful and inexpensive tools for non-profits like the one she now works for, Utah Foster Care. 

** blink **

Ran into Jesse Stay, one of the area's premier bloggers.  Very wise for his years and he'll be speaking at the next meeting on March 19 - time and location TBA - during an open discussion on the best social media tools.

** blink **

Sat in on one of the breakout sessions where we all discussed the best ways to dive into social media.  Several:  Read Groundswell, Winning In A World Transformed By Social Technologies.  Read blogs!  For a directory on some of the best, go to: alltop.

** blink **

Much, much more, but I grab some pizza and head out the door to be with family.  I explain to my husband that I must keep up on social media to keep my career and business relevant, and to best service my clients.

And I intend to keep going to the meetings held by the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City.  Meeting dates and more info here, next meeting info go here, and if you want to join (free), go here,and if you know of a large (free) space where we can meet (for about 100-150 people, let Pete Codella know - pete@codellamarketing.com

And if you want to get the meetings on your calendar - here they are.  Many will be held in the evening. Some during lunch.

Feb 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17.

A very special thanks to those who've founded this group (they don't know what they're in for!).

• Malcolm Atherton, Business Wire
• Pete Codella, APR, Codella Marketing
• Scott Duehlmeier, The Summit Group
• Hilarye Fuller, The Summit Group
• Sara Brueck Nichols, Operation Kids
• Jyl Johnson Pattee