On Tuesday, April 30, 2014, the BABC of Greater Philadelphia Young Professionals Group (YPG) hosted Tweeting – It’s More than Just for the Birds, a panel discussion and networking event at The Trestle Inn. The back room of Philadelphia’s famous whiskey and go go bar owned and managed the BABC’s very own Marketing & Communications Co-Chairman Ian Cross, was filled to capacity with more than 50 attendees who braved the torrential rains and flooding to gather for a dynamic discussion about social media. This constantly changing and rapidly developing revolutionary form of communication creates innumerable benefits, challenges and complications. The five panelists, all experts in the field: Caroline Bean, National Media Relations/Social Media Director, Visit Philadelphia; Scott Burke, Digital Marketing Manager – Americas, Aberdeen Asset Management; Tara Lawler, Senior Attorney, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP; Michael Leis, Senior Vice President, Social Strategy, Digitas Health; and Melony Roy, Social Media Editor/Reporter, KYW Newsradio, were seamlessly led through probing questions about the topic by program moderator Howard Silverstone, CPA, CFF, FCA, CFE, Forensic Resolutions. Howard, prior BABC Board President, and current Marketing & Communication Co-Chairman engaged both the panelists and the audience in a series of questions peppered with humor and fascinating facts about the social media industry. Did you know – Facebook is the third largest country in the world, and more people own a mobile device than a toothbrush?
Gary Marshall, BABC Board President introduced the third annual BABC YPG program. He recognized and thanked BABC YPG Co-Leaders, Julien Franklin, Marketing & Communications Executive at Aberdeen Asset Management, and Patrick Riley, Vice President, at Bartlett & Company for their assistance in producing this sell-out, topical program, before passing the microphone to Howard. The diverse audience represented a myriad of industry groups and levels within various corporations and organizations throughout the region, many with global operations. All attendees conferred they utilize social media in their daily lives for professional and/or personal purposes.
The discussion was fast paced, and could have continued long into the night. Much of the debate focused on corporate social use policy; the importance of employing social media as a tool to develop brand and support corporate strategy; and the way different industry sectors, and cultures use social media to communicate. Everyone unanimously agreed social media would continue to evolve and immeasurably transform the way we communicate and conduct business in the future. One thing however that has not changed much in centuries is the Brits ability to enjoy a good pub night. Immediately following the educational portion of the program, attendees networked well after the program ended. Everyone enjoyed their signature whiskey sours, while developing new and enhancing old business ties at the bar. The BABC encourages those who were unable to attend the program to visit The Trestle Inn.
All net revenue generated from this program was donated to the Science Leadership Academy’s 2014 cultural exchange program to Liverpool, England.
Click here to view photos from the event.
