Lauren Cotton's blog

Lauren Cotton

I joined Chinwag in August '10. I work across Chinwag, Chinwag Jobs, Digital Mission and Social Media Week London mostly on communications & publicity - chatting to you wonderul folk via blogs, newsletters, twitter, facebook, linkedin etc.

I also do illustration in my spare time, take a peek! Tumblr // Web Store

One Flew the Cuckoo's Nest: Instagram Ends Integration with Twitter

twitter instagram

In the latest social media battle, Instagram has switched off their integration with 'Twitter Cards', the app used to display multimedia within tweets - meaning we're no longer treated to twitterfeeds enhanced by beautiful photography (albeit mostly of cats and food).

So why the move back to 140 characters, a link and strangely cropped images? Speaking at Le Web '12 last week, Kevin Systrom, Instagram's founder and CEO, said the decision was "an evolution of where we want links to our content to go."

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Sound It Out - Programme Announced for Enterprising Music (16th Nov)

entmusic

This Friday, Enterprising Music will bring together experienced entrepreneurs, recent startups and individuals eager to join the music business.

Social and digital technologies have been at the heart of a dramatic shift in the music industry and while the old order has been challenged, high-speed connectivity, frictionless sharing, the rise of peer-to-peer and social networks have turned crisis into innovation.

The full programme has just been announced, get ready for a busy & insightful day!

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Looking to Set Up in NYC? Take the H.E.L.M

lower manhattan

The history of New York City is interwoven with the growth and development of Lower Manhattan. Here, merchants landed from abroad bringing with them wares to spur a new economy. Here, traders gathered beneath a cherry tree to swap goods – actions that would lead to the establishment of a stock market.

More recently, $30 billion in infrastructure investment has attracted a new type of merchant – one that harnesses intellectual capital and creative ingenuity – and has brought thousands of new residents and businesses to Lower Manhattan.

To encourage growth, Take the HELM is looking to award four $250,000 cash grants to the following types of companies:

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A Snip Above The Rest - Programme Announced for Enterprising Fashion (14 Nov)

fashion

Taking place next week, Enterprising Fashion will bring together experienced entrepreneurs, recent startups and individuals eager to join the fashion industry.

Covering everything from data-driven fashion to 3D printing, fast fashion and sustainable brands, you'll hear from industry leaders and there'll also be a chance to pool knowledge in a collaborative 'ideas exchange' session.

The full programme has just been announced, get ready for a busy and insightful day...

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The Kids are Alright: 10-Year-Old Takeover with Grip Limited

grip ltd

Bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "a child could do that", Canadian ad agency, Grip Limited, celebrated their 10th birthday by putting 10-year-olds in charge for the day, working for real clients.

The results weren't too far off the normal day-to-day ad agency life - naps, games, junk food, creative ideas...and they made some actual ads too.

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Wisdom Wanted: Guest Blog on Chinwag

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blogging

Ever fancied sharing your opinion on issues affecting the digital industry? Or writing about your experiences setting up overseas? Maybe you've done some research you'd like to share?

Well now is your chance, Chinwag are looking for guestbloggers - it's a brilliant opportunity to tell your company's story, share your experiences and knowledge and talk about what you're passionate about.

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New Speakers & Venue Announced for Enterprising Fashion (14 Nov) & Music (16 Nov)

kensington roof gardens

Our two events, focusing on the creative industries and taking place as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and Internet Week Europe are just around the corner!

Join us for free at Enterpising Fashion (Weds 14 Nov) and Enterprising Music (Fri 16 Nov) - we've got a super venue lined up as well as some brilliant speakers ready to share their knowledge with you.

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It's Back! Digital Mission returns to New York for Social Media Week NYC, Feb 2013

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Digital Mission will be returning with its fourth expedition to New York next Spring, from 18th - 22nd February 2013 to take full advantage of the 150+ events taking place during Social Media Week New York.

Following on from 2010's successful Digital Mission to NYC trip, this Mission to New York will co-incide with Social Media Week New York. We'll be putting together a Mission Programme (see more below) but we'd also like to make Digital Mission as open and collaborative as possible, so we'll also be holding a Meetup on Thursday 22nd November where you'll be able to suggest anything you'd like to see included in the trip.

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Win a Ticket to Social Gaming & Gambling Summit (15th Nov)

farmville

The third annual London Social Gaming & Gambling Summit (15th Nov) is a conference focused on the intersection of mobile gaming, immersive worlds, real-life brands, and social networking. 

We're delighted the organisers have offered one lucky Chinwagger the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £450.00.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply fill in the form below by Thursday 8th November and a ticket could be yours.

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[Infographic] Coolness of Blue in Web Design by TemplateMonster

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Blue Eyes, Blue Suade Shoes or maybe you're just Blue (Da Ba Dee, Da Ba Daa) - it seems this shade is top of the charts in more ways than one.

As the lovely Nathalie Nahai mentioned at her Psychology of Online Persuasion book launch last week, blue is a very popular colour for the web - and that's now been backed up by TemplateMonster.com's new infographic, "Coolness of Blue in Web Design" below, looking at it's influence on genders, cultures and more.

And if you missed out on our latest psychology event, keep your eyes peeled for our 2013 events schedule announcement coming soon!

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Win a Ticket to Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit (15th Nov)

smartphone

The Smartphone & Tablet Games Summit London (15th November) is a single day conference focused on the emerging smartphone and tablet games space.

We're delighted the organisers have offered one lucky Chinwagger the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £450.00.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply fill in the form below by Tuesday 6th November and a ticket could be yours.

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From AKQA to We Are Social: Shortlist for the 27th BIMA Awards Announced

BIMA Awards

The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) have announced the shortlist for the 2012 BIMA Awards, hailing it as the most diverse agency spread in recent years.

Finalists for the 27th annual awards included Heinz for Get Well Soup, Skype for Say it with Skype, the Kaiser Chiefs bespoke album creation experience, BBC Sport’s website relaunch, Nike Academy, Pottermore, M&S for Pass the Parcel, and Microsoft for Brandon Generator.

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The Week That Was #SMWLDN Sept 2012: Facts, Figures & Thank You's

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smwldn alex balfour

This year was not only the year of the Queen's Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics, but also the only year that Social Media Week London will take place twice within 12 months (therefore, needless to say, there will not be a SMWLDN in February).

Our second Social Media Week London this year has now passed, having moved to it's new home of September, and what a week 24th - 28th September 2012 was.

This September's SMWLDN saw 176 events taking place across the city, with 21 of those being Chinwag events - and all the rest thanks to our 125 wonderful event partners including BBC, Beyond, CIPR, Dachis Group, Dell, McKinsey & CompanyEventbrite, Great British Chefs, Hootsuite, London College of Fashion, Microsoft, Nursing & Midwifery Council, Royal Television Society, Story Worldwide, Skype, Unilever, Yammer and more.

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Join us for the next Chinwag Live - "Webs of Influence: The Psychology of Online Persuasion" (10th Oct)

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brain

We don't like to hang about - so immediately after a wonderful Social Media Week London, we're jumping right back in with a thought-provoking Chinwag Live session next Wednesday 10th October.

Join us from 6 - 8.30pm for the launch of Webs of Influence: The Psychology of Online Persuasion, the new book from award-winning web psychologist Nathalie Nahai, with a panel discussion, networking drinks and the chance to grab a signed copy of the book.

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Win a Ticket to Meaning 2012 (1st October)

meaning

Meaning 2012 is a one day conference taking place on Monday 1st October, for people who believe business can and must be better in the 21st Century. Learn from pioneers and build connections with likeminded peers.

We're delighted the organisers, NixonMcInnes have offered 1 lucky Chinwagger the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £199.00.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply fill in the form below by Thurs 20th September and a ticket could be yours.

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