New Communications Forum 2005: What to Expect and Why It Matters
As the first of the twin conferences kicks off in Napa, California on January 26‑27, anticipation is already building among PR, marketing, advertising, and employee‑communications specialists. The New Communications Forum 2005 is designed to bring together thought leaders, industry veterans, and early adopters of digital tools to explore how blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, and other collaborative platforms can reshape the way organizations communicate internally and externally. Whether you’re just beginning to experiment with a corporate blog, looking to boost engagement with existing content, or curious about how wikis can streamline knowledge sharing, this event offers a mix of practical workshops, insightful panels, and networking opportunities that are hard to match.
The US conference in Napa will run for two days, while the French event will follow a similar schedule in a French city that shares Napa’s reputation for hospitality and innovation. Both venues were selected for their inspiring environments and convenient access for participants traveling from North America and Europe. This twin‑conference format encourages cross‑continental dialogue, giving attendees the chance to hear how the same digital strategies perform under different cultural and regulatory contexts.
One of the event’s highlights is a newly added panel under the banner “Blogging and Journalism.” Jeremy Wright of enSight.org, the Canadian business blogger who recently faced a dramatic job loss after speaking out online, will sit alongside Dan Forbush of ProfNet, Tom Foremski of the Silicon Valley Watcher, and Heath Row of FastCompany.com. Together, they will discuss how bloggers can maintain credibility, negotiate sponsorships, and navigate the evolving relationship between journalism and corporate storytelling. Each panelist brings a distinct perspective - from the freelance writer who thrives on direct audience feedback to the editor who curates content across a major digital platform - making for a dialogue that touches on ethics, monetization, and audience growth.
In addition to the core blogging conversation, the 27 January schedule features “True Voice: The Power Laws and You,” a panel in partnership with Corante that will be moderated by Stowe Boyd of the Get Real blog. The discussion will explore how data-driven insights can uncover hidden audience segments, and how to apply those insights to refine messaging. Participants will also hear from Greg Reinacker, founder and CTO of NewsGator Technologies, and Fergus Burns, CEO of Nooked, whose tools help surface real‑time content trends. The session will be live‑streamed, so even those who can’t attend in person can tap into the conversation.
While the workshops and panels make the Forum the core of the experience, the sponsorship lineup underscores the event’s industry reach. Six Apart, the company behind Movable Type, will showcase its latest blogging platform. Ragan Communications will highlight its experience in creating integrated brand narratives. IAOC will present case studies on employee communication programs. PR Newswire will outline its data‑driven distribution channels, while Tekrati will demonstrate interactive media solutions. Nokia Lifeblog will explore mobile‑first engagement strategies, an area that has gained urgency with the proliferation of smartphones. These sponsors provide not only the financial backbone of the event but also practical tools that participants can immediately test in their own organizations.
On the logistics front, the organizers - Gullaume du Gardier and Elizabeth Albrycht - have refined the agenda to accommodate both in‑person attendees and virtual participants. Registration fees are set at a level that reflects the value of the content while remaining accessible to small agencies and startups. For those who sign up before January 18, a $100 discount is available. The discount can be claimed online by entering the code NCFV150 at the checkout page. The event’s official website, accessible at nevillehobson.com, where he shares a range of articles and case studies that illustrate the power of digital tools in transforming corporate communication.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!