Social Media Week London

Social Media Week LondonSocial Media Week returns to London 23-27 September 2013, joining a host of other cities across the world in a hectic week of panel discussions, presentations, meetups and loads more. 

Event submissions are now open, get involved as a speaker, smwatchinwag [dot] com (volunteer) or find out about smwatchinwag [dot] com (sponsorshop opportunities).

Check out last September's full schedule. Keep up-to-date with Social Media Week London on Twitter & Facebook and of course the blog. 

Social Media Week London Events

Using Social to go Global supported by Open to Export
Mon, 24 Sep
Want to take your business global? Find out how how to use social media, online communities and collaborative tools can help build your company’s international business. Hear from international experts, case studies & quiz UKTI, Nokia, Hailo, the FT and more. Plus a free networking lunch and time for one-to-one Q&A.
// more
Global Keynote: Alex Balfour, Head of Digital, LOCOG (London 2012 Olympics)
Mon, 24 Sep
Join us for the SMWLDN Global Keynote, a fireside chat with Alex Balfour, the at the centre of the digital delivery of the massively successful London Olympics and Paralympics Games. Opening this Sep’s Social Media Week and hear about the trials, tribulations and successes behind the digital success of the games.
// more
The £800m Elephant in the Room: Social Inside the Enterprise hosted McKinsey & Co
Mon, 24 Sep
McKinsey Global Institute principal Michael Chui discusses the potential value in using social tools to enhance communications, knowledge sharing, and collaboration within and across enterprises. He'll be joined by an expert panel who'll reflect and discuss the dramatic changes 'social' is making inside the enterprise.
// more
Heroes of Social Innovation, supported by Nokia
Mon, 24 Sep
The rise of social media and social technology has demonstrated its power to revolutionise industries. In a very literal sense, the power to connect and collaborate is quite literally changing the world. Mobile technology and social networks enable groups to self-organise campaigns to gain worldwide momentum.
// more
SMW '12: Behavioural Economics for the Web
Tue, 25 Sep
Join us for a very exclusive breakfast and brunch to discuss the latest experiments and techniques from the masters of behavrioural economics – and how as digital natives, we can leverage these to take over the world.
// more
Making Social Work for your Business, hosted by Oracle
Tue, 25 Sep
The explosion of social has been tremendous, as Facebook closes in on one billion consumers and Twitter approaches 200 million, not to mention emerging platforms like Google+, Instagram and Pinterest. Join experts from Oracle, Maersk, MediaCom, We Are Social, Starcom, IPC and Luxury Hotels of the World and find out more...
// more
The Decision Makers: The Truth Behind the Family Purchase Dynamic
Tue, 25 Sep
#SMWLDN Families in the UK spend around £187B a year yet not much is known about the complicated decision making dynamic that goes into how that money is spent. This session will look at who in the family makes what decisions, how the members of the family influence each other and what role social media plays in inter-family communications.
// more
Facebook 1 Billion: End of the Beginning or Beginning of the End? hosted by Betapond
Tue, 25 Sep
Facebook approaches its 1 Billionth user while under the spotlight as never before. A few years ago Facebook was one of many social networks. Now it’s the world’s most important social media platform. On Tuesday at 9am in Unruly, our panel will discuss Facebook’s future.
// more
Nosh: The Social Business of Food
Tue, 25 Sep
The food business is in a constant state of flux whether it’s the rush for Michelin stars or shiny food trucks or the latest pop up restaurant. Its marketing is no exception...
// more
How Small Businesses Win in the Socially Connected World
Tue, 25 Sep
Did you know that on average you need to connect with prospective customers seven times before they actually buy from you? That’s an expensive way for you to grow your business. What if we told you that there was another way?
// more
How Small Businesses Win in a Socially Connected World hosted by Constant Contact
Tue, 25 Sep
Did you know that on average you need to connect with prospective customers 7 times before they actually buy? That’s an expensive way to grow business. What if we told you that there was another way? Sound interesting? Then join us and we’ll take you through how to create your own Engagement Marketing plan and turn your customers into your fans.
// more
One-to-One Social Health Check Sessions hosted by Oracle
Tue, 25 Sep
The Oracle one-to-one Social Surgery sessions will run from 12pm-1pm. They will give organisations the opportunity for one-to-one social media health checks with leading Oracle's team of social strategy experts.
// more
Facebook Marketing ROI: A master class with Nokia, The Social Partners and The Humane Society
Wed, 26 Sep
After selling-out tickets for this event on Tuesday, we're happy to announce that we will hold it again at Facebook Headquarters on Wednesday 26th September. However, this time, we have some new speakers to give additional insights and strategies for proving the success of social marketing within your organisation.
// more
Through the Eyes of a Child: The Social Media World of 6-11 Year Olds
Wed, 26 Sep
#SMWLDN Kids are inherently social and are very active on many social media platforms; therefore they are a hugely important part of the social media landscape. This discussion will focus on what kids are doing on networking sites, how and why they are so engaged with each other and the platforms, and look at the psychology behind these behaviours.
// more
Developing a Digital Strategy in a Social World hosted by Chinwag
Wed, 26 Sep
Digital media has gone through more revolutions in the last decade than other forms of media have experienced across their lifetimes. From web 2.0 to commoditisation of display advertising to sweeping changes of social media. How do the world's leading digital strategists handle the brand challenges? Join our expert panel for this discussion.
// more
Sustainable Brands Doing Good by Doing Well in Social hosted by Betapond
Wed, 26 Sep
How has social media changed the way brands approach CSR and sustainability initiatives and what will the future hold? What challenges and opportunities to brands face as they use new methods? Our panel will include brand marketers and experts who have seen the potential, join the discussion...
// more
Content Creation Collective: Secets behind social media
Wed, 26 Sep
If you’re a writer, editor, blogger, videographer, designer, producer or otherwise involved in the creation of cool stuff online then you need to come along to Content Creation Collective: Secrets behind social content on 26th September aboard the HMS President (1918), in association with Social Media Week.
// more
Oversharing or misUnderstood: Automatic Sharing in Social hosted by Betapond
Thu, 27 Sep
When Facebook unveiled Open Graph and made it possible for apps to automatically share what you’re listening to, watching or reading, it divided opinion. “Frictionless sharing” is a great way to discover new stuff from friends but some think it’s Too Much Information. Come along and join the debate...
// more
Multi-Channel Social Media – Small Biz Friend or Foe?
Thu, 27 Sep
Are you unsure which combination of Pins, Tweets and Likes will give your small business a bang for its buck? It’s a conundrum that’s facing many owners as they fight to juggle the time spent between marketing their business and actually running it.
// more
Multi-Channel Social Media - Small Biz Friend or Foe? hosted by Constant Contact
Thu, 27 Sep
Are you unsure which combination of Pins, Tweets and Likes will give your small business a bang for its buck? Register today, come along and don’t forget to come along with your questions, thoughts and challenges. Our panel is waiting to help you navigate the right mix of social ingredients.
// more
Chinwag's Careers Day at Social Media Week London 2012
Fri, 28 Sep
Hundreds of graduates, jobs seekers and experienced workers looking for that next challenge will be flocking to the Careers Day to meet the likes of Nokia, Financial Times, Imagination, Tempero, News International and more, so don't miss out. REGISTER NOW - it's free!
// more

Latest Blog Posts

Launch: #nokiaconnects Social Media Week Across The Globe

NOKIA, global and headline City sponsors for Social Media Week London, have teamed up with the organisers to create a way for attendees in all nine Social Media Week cities to participate in the global conversation on Twitter and track individual event check-ins on Foursquare.

The first iteration of the project will be delivered via #NokiaConnects, a web and mobile application that tracks every tweet and check-in that takes place during and after the February conference. Users will be able to all the Twitter conversation and foursquare activity on a global level and then drill down to a specific city and even an individual event. Through Nokia’s mapping API, users will also be able to see where people are checking in throughout each participating city.

The #NokiaConnects application specific to Social Media Week London can be accessed by visiting http://socialmediaweek.org/nokiaconnects/london.

#nokiaconnects London Screenshot

“We have wanted to build this app since we first expanded to a multi-city model,” said Social Media Week’s Founder and Executive Director, Toby Daniels.  “We monitor Twitter conversations and foursquare check-ins very closely before and during the conference and due to the distributed, multi-city experience and how hyper-social our attendees are, the amount of activity is very high.”

The application that launches this week is the first phase of a longer-term project that Social Media Week is partnering on with global sponsor Nokia throughout 2011.  The broader vision ties into Social Media Week’s overall theme for 2011, which explores how local and regional societies, cultures, and economies are becoming more integrated & empowered through social and mobile communications.

“Nokia is extremely proud to be partnering with Social Media Week and providing the technology solutions that power the #NokiaConnects solution,” said Craig Hepburn, Global Director of Digital at Nokia and Social Media Week Global Advisory Board member.  “It was our joint vision to provide an application to better connect the global conversations while allowing attendees to map out and check in to their local events.  Connecting people around the world by allowing them to share their experiences from their mobile or web browser empowers them to communicate in real time.  We believe the nature of the event and the solutions provided will create one of the most innovative and exciting events of the year.”

For all press and media inquires, please contact Ben Scheim of Crowdcentric/Social Media Week at benatcrowdcentric [dot] net.

About Nokia
NokiaNokia brings best-in-class devices and solutions to the market together with leading enterprise technology partners. Together Nokia delivers a range of unbeatable end-to-end offerings to all individuals and businesses of all sizes. The software works across a wide range of Nokia devices. Nokia’s technology will be incorporated throughout the Social Media Week platform. Most notably Nokia will be connecting Social Media Week attendees through real-time conversation and also a location check-in experience. In addition Nokia will be sharing mobile devices to select attendees.

[Guest Blog] If Your Computer Says ‘No’…Find a Way to Say ‘Yes’

This is a guest blog written by Aalia Walker of I Spy Marketing, who are hosting Social Media Showcase: The Future of Social Search on 10th Feb.

Agencies of all disciplines have traditionally stuck to their core disciplines. You wouldn’t previously have found media buying, marketing, advertising, digital and PR agencies vying for the same business.

However, the social media land grab has changed that scene forever and the boundaries between online disciplines continue to blur.

Now more than ever a holistic approach is crucial to maximise your offering and servicing your client. If your computer says no to search, app build, or paid media than now more than ever is the time to find that expertise and either build alliances or bring it in-house.

I Spy is a good case in point, we’ve continued to evolve and expand our offering since joining the industry. Originating as a ‘search agency’ we’ve brought in the expertise and creative collaborations required to give the client what they need, without diluting the level of service we’ve come to be respected for. Our number crunching, link building days are now punctuated with creating Facebook apps, devising social media campaigns, developing mobile sites, building display campaigns and even partnering with experiential agencies in order to fulfil the client’s vision and getting the job done.

In fact just this week Justin Pearse, editor of NMA, in his leader piece asserts that the impact of social media on search “is only just starting to be felt and 2011 is sure to be a transformative year. Their increasingly entwined relationship needs to inform your marketing strategy. It’s why agencies such as iCrossing, TBG, iSpy and Tamar, with their heritage in search, have been so quick to integrate social media. It’s why you should be wary of social media specialists that don’t have expertise in search”.

If your computer currently says no to a service that a client needs to complete their package, consider diversifying outside of your traditional heritage through strategic partnerships and hires.

What do you get when you throw a creative lovey, number cruncher and geek in the same room to develop a super social media campaign? Speaking from experience you get an ROI driven, creatively executed campaign that not only looks good, but actually works and delivers results.

If you’d like to find out more about I Spy and our results focussed digital marketing approach come and say hello at Social Media Week. You can also join us at our Social Media Showcase: The Future of Social Search, along with Facebook and Microsoft on 10th Feb. Please contact kateatispymarketing [dot] com to reserve a place.

Skype Announces Week-Long Free Wifi for London

Skype Access

To paraphrase Bob Marley in a rather excruciating way. No Wifi? No cry.

SkypeThe lovely folks at Skype have just confirmed, to celebrate Social Media Week, they’re giving away free WiFi through Skype Access, the single-click Internet access feature, in New York, San Francisco, Rome, Paris, Toronto, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Istanbul and most importantly London for the duration of the festival.

From 0001 GMT on the 7th February 2011 to to 2359 GMT on the 12th February 2011, Skype Access will be free to use for up to 60 minutes, so you can surf the web, send email and make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls at Skype Access-enabled WiFi hotspots in cafés, hotels and airports in New York, San Francisco, London, Rome, Paris, Toronto, São Paulo, Hong Kong and Istanbul.

With Skype Access you can pay for WiFi access per minute using Skype Credit. All you need is a connection to a Skype Access compatible hotspot and the latest version of Skype for Mac or Windows.

Skype Access is made available through WiFi operators around the world. Here’s a full list of networks compatible with Skype Access.