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meshmarketing Focuses on Future of Marketing in a Digital World

For those seeking a better understanding of the impact that new trends and technologies will have on digital marketing strategy and tactics, meshmarketing [1], Toronto’s digital marketing conference is for you – and is happening tomorrow at the Exhibition Place’s Allstream Centre in Toronto.

meshmarketing: a one-day event on November 17 will provide insight, perspective and information from some of the most innovative minds in digital marketing to embrace and capitalize on emerging trends, tools, and companies. mesh conference [1]

“It’s going to be an exciting event. There have been so many leaps and bounds in just about every facet of the digital space over the past year — I’m looking forward to seeing what our speakers and panels bring,” said Stuart MacDonald, mesh co-founder and a moderator of meshmarketing 2010.

Tickets are on sale now for $539 with an allotted 50 spots for students at a sale price of $99. Keynote speakers, attendees, panels and workshops at this year’s meshmarketing conference include:

* Michael Slaby, Executive Vice President, Edelman Public Relations, Global Practice Chair, Digital: As the voice of long-term digital strategy and development for the world’s largest private public relations company, Slaby is a guiding figure in the future of digital marketing. Slaby’s presentation will focus on providing social media insight from strategic and tactical standpoints. Prior to joining Edelman, Slaby served as a technology and new media advisor to the Obama administration and Livestrong.
* Natania Dashner, Marketing Manager, Pepsi Canada: One of the key faces in launching the Pepsi Refresh Project in Canada, Dashner’s work with what Forbes.com recognized as one of the top five “Best Ever Social Media Campaigns” has been essential to bringing this innovative, democratically inclined initiative across the border.

* Marian Salzman, President, Havas’ Euro RSCG Worldwide PR: Named as one of the world’s top five trend spotters, Salzman’s experience in digital marketing goes back to 1992 when she co-launched the first online marketing research company, Cyberdialogue. An author and co-author of 15 books, including Next Now and The Future of Men, her expertise lies in one-to-one persuasion, the new consumer in China and India, narrowcasting and emerging niches. Prior to becoming President at Havas’ Euro RSCG, Salzman held the position of worldwide director of TBWA’s Department of the Future.

* Graeme Menzies, Former Social Media Director, Vancouver Olympic Committee and President, MenziesOnline Communications
* Jonathan Savage, Vice President, Digital Media, Score Media
* Gabe Zichermann, Founder and CEO, Gamification.com
* Noah Lang, Director of Business Development, ReputationDefender
* Colin McKay, Director of Research, Education and Outreach, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
* Lee LeFever, Founder, Creative Craft
* Janice Diner, Social Media Strategist, Horizon Studios
* Ramon De Leon, Operating Partner, Dominos Pizza
* Michael Ho, Founder and CEO, Bering Media
* Dave Bullock, Founder and CEO, LiveHive Systems
* Francois Bedard, Senior Strategic Planner, Transmedia Experience, Plan B Developpement Inc.
* Chris Abraham, President and COO, Abraham Harrison LLC
* Asif Khan, Principal – ARK Consulting, Location Based Marketing Association

In addition, meshmarketing will feature a number of workshops and discussions from three different categories: Future & Innovation, Social Media, and Storytelling.

Here’s a look at what attendees can expect from this year’s conference panels and discussions:

* You Are Here. The Digitization of Retail Location-Based Marketing: Featuring a panel consisting of Whole Foods’ Interactive Art Director, Marla Erwin; CEO of TeamSave.com, Chris Nguyen; and BStreet’s VP Digital and Mobile, Phil Barrett, the focus of this discussion is location-based marketing and where the smartphone revolution will take us in tomorrow’s marketing campaigns. The panel will look at the challenges of geo-location marketing, along with case studies of companies who have successfully implemented the technology.

* The ROI of Social Media Customer Service:
Zappos’ Community Architect, Thomas Knoll, will discuss the successes and challenges of engaging customers in real-time with product inquiries, issues, and general interaction through the demanding social media undertakings of his company. Throughout this workshop, attendees can explore key lessons companies have learned, the tools and actions needed to reach out, and the ROI of customer service through social media.

* Five Key Insights to Great Trans-Media Storytelling: This workshop reinstates the notion that content is still king. With companies telling their stories across different regions, audiences, and mediums, how do companies continue pushing content that will resonate with their customers? How do ad campaigns appeal to the masses while still giving an air of personalization to the individual? This workshop – headed by award-winning, Brooklyn-based, creative agency, Big Spaceship’s Ivan Askwith and James Milward of the interactive boutique company, Secret Location – will look at successful cross-platform campaigns, and the lessons we can take from them.