will mcinnes - TheWayoftheWeb

A change isn’t quite as good as a rest.

August 5, 2008 By Dan Thornton 1 Comment

So I’m having both!

I’m afraid there’s going to be a lack of updates here for a couple of days, as there are a few things I need to finish for my day job with Bauer Media (There will still be plenty of updates by the others on www.140char.com). But the plan is to use the time to get into a bit of a schedule for blog posting, and prepare some indepth articles, so everyone benefits in the long run.

One of the events that’s prompted the break is the widely reporter imminent departure of my current boss, Chris Lawson to to whatever Virgin Radio is going to be named. You can see more on his move, along with a rather unflattering picture, on the Guardian website.

You’ll have to wait for official news on what will happen at here at Bauer, but it’ll definitely be interesting to see what Chris gets up to, and I definitely wish him all the best. It was him that pushed for me to have the opportunity to specialize in social media, and move into marketing, and he’s also given me the chance to learn a lot from a host of new challenges since I made the switch.

Meanwhile there’s a whole load of plans, including some social media ideas of my own invention, which I might be able to share at some point soon. And seeing as this is a bit of a self-indulgent post, I might as well mention the fact that in addition to working alongside the fantastic Charlie Watson in Digital Marketing, there’s also the joy of working with two new Marketing Executives, James MacDonald and Joe Griffiths-Barasso, who I know will probably read this, and hopefully won’t mention the fact I’m publicly appreciative of their enthusiasm, and that they’re both really engaged by the social media side of digital marketing.

And onto something less of a love-in:

Social Media Measurement Camp is taking place tomorrow, and for once, I’m able to attend, rather than lame excuses like the birth of my son etc! Details of Measurement Camp 5 tomorrow are Helen Lawrence’s blog, here. And if you can’t make it, there are details of what is trying to be achieved and future events on the Measurement Camp wiki, or via the blog of the only slightly camp Will McInnes.

(Since I attended the first one, it sounds like a fair few people I’ve only met virtually via Twitter will be there – should be interesting to meet in the flesh. I’m already anticipating someone pointing out I’m shorter than they thought…)

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Filed Under: Blogging Tagged With: @helenium, bauer, bauer media, Blogging, chris lawson, helen lawrence, measurement camp, virgin radio, will mcinnes

The Snarkiness of social media

June 24, 2008 By Dan Thornton 12 Comments

There’s a growing recognition that social media is still evolving from a fairly early stage of development, and there’s a way to go before it gains mainstream adoption and recognition – certainly something I agree with.

A great post by Will McInnes explores this idea with the Age of Control (the past), the Age of Dialogue (the future), and the current age, which he’s named the Age of Snark.

I think he’s correct from a business perspective, and from the perspective of people of a certain age. I think anyone of the infamous Generation Y is already well on their way to the Age of Dialogue without even thinking about it. They already gravitate to the conversation, without the hang-ups of the Age of Control. The limiting factor comes from the older generations, which still control larger businesses and strategies. But as the younger generation start to infiltrate the boardroom, they’re bringing the Dialogue with them, whether as a conscious revolution, or just something that makes sense. The only speed bump is how much of it survives the challenges of a structured, institutionalized business.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Advertising, age of snark, changing business, evolution, generation y, innovation, marketing, revolution, social media, strategy, timescales, will mcinnes

Eight things you may not know about me…

March 10, 2008 By Dan Thornton Leave a Comment

Normally I’m not a big one for chain emails or blog memes etc, but seeing as I’m embracing being more honest and open, this one hit at about the right time.

So here’s eight random (i.e. subconsciously chosen by me to reflect a certain identity) things you may or may not know about me. And to track the chain, it appears to have come via Frankie Roberto, Dan Hon, Thayer Driver, Chris Hambly, Eoan Pritchard, Neil Perkins, and then to the first name I’m intimately acquainted with, Mr David Cushman.

Make sure you’re sitting comfortably, as you may doze off before the end:

Despite currently existing on a diet of constant broadband, chocolate, cola, and Marlboro, I was actually a very athletic child and teenager. I played 1st team rugby and hockey for my school, studied judo and karate, and rang long distance (1500 metres up to half marathons). I was a bit of a gym addict for two years at uni, but eventually living in America broke me as I had to rebel against the superfit by smoking during soccer games and still doing OK!
Going to America was my first time on a plane, and my first trip abroad. And a part of me will always feel at home in the Pacific North West (Bellingham, WA) – more so than in the UK. Flying back for Christmas to Heathrow I ended up sitting next to a pretty Swedish girl. Almost 10 years later we’re expecting our first child!
I’m a closet librarian/collector. Over the years I’ve amassed huge collections of comics, books, CDs, retro videogame consoles, guitars, and other stuff that I’ll never have the time or energy to enjoy. It’s taken me years to stop adding to the collections, but I haven’t stopped arranging everything in alphabetical and chronological order.
When I was about 13, I had a letter printed in Motorcycle News, which my dad and I read religiously. 10 years later I was lucky enough to get my first full time staff writing job for www.motorcyclenews.com (Cheers Mr Cushman!). I’m still with the same company, having moved to marketing after 6 years and 11 months on MCN. Highlights include riding to Paris and back, doing 160mph on a private test track in Levis, and getting to speak to some of my childhood heroes.
I can’t stand tea or coffee. Even the smell of coffee makes me feel slightly queasy. But I still managed to get addicted to caffeine thanks to Coke and Pepsi.
I love history. Mainly the history of Japan, military history and pop culture history. An odd, and yet, consistently geeky, mix.
I’ve never liked being a passenger in cars, trains or planes, as I’m not in control. Yet I love storms, and quite enjoyed being awake to appreciate the recent UK earthquake. I always quite envied storm chasers in the U.S. (Strangely my uncle wrote a PHD thesis on ball lightning, it must run in the family).
I have a huge weakness for comedy movie mash-ups. So here’s my all time favourite: