Well, the week is rapidly wrapping up, and the weekend is almost upon us.
But we still have more wonderful to share with you regarding our upcoming Social Mix conference.
As if Gary Vaynerchuk, Amber Mac, Geoff Livingston and Gini Dietrich weren’t enough to whet your appetite, let us introduce to you – Matt Hixson!
Who’s Matt?
CEO and co-founder of Tellagence, Matt’s a smart, socially tuned in guy who’s spent the last decade or so working with some of the biggest brands in the world. Pretty good for a precocious kid who got kicked outta kindergarten!
Klout vs Clout
Influence and influence measurement tools are a particular bugbear in social media today. Just ask Danny Brown what he thinks about Klout (but step back before you do!).
I see it as a bit of a game – like a video game! But many people take it very seriously. When Klout changed its algorithms last year, the social media glitterati saw their scores plummet. Oh, the outrage!!
Twitter was aflame with complaints and comments. Some were having some fun with it, tongues firmly planted in cheek. But others were really upset.
The Medium Is The Message
Matt reminds us of Marshall McLuhan. McLuhan was a Canadian educator, philosopher and scholar, who coined the often misunderstood phrase “the medium is the message”.
“This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium – that is, of any extension of ourselves – result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.”
McLuhan’s quote breaks down what he meant by that phrase – that every extension of ourselves, (say, a hammer in hand, or a post on Twitter) creates a ripple effect of change in personal or social consequences (say, you bang your thumb, or you become more influential) – and that ripple or change ultimately is the message.
Find The Message
How do Marshall Mcluhan, Matt Hixson and Klout’esque influence systems come together, you ask? Let me tell you. Popularity contests have been around since the beginning of time, and they aren’t going away.
But if you’re going to pin real power and influence to a particular person – you need to look beyond the medium, and find the reach of their message.
Can you “predict” word of mouth conversations, when and where they will occur and via whom? Matt thinks you can.
He decided to create the technology to take social influence measurement further than the popularity contest type system of today – friends, followers, etc.. He wanted to look beyond the medium (the tweet) to where – and how – the message (the ripple) spreads throughout the community.
Matt’s mission is to change the way people view “social influence”, and how business identifies trusted relationships in social networks.
Marketers know they need to “influence” their target markets in order to drive their objectives, but as Matt asks “…are we being honest about what we have today and what we really need?”
Find the answer to that question and many more at Social Mix 2012.
Join the controversial conversation that never fails to occur when people get talking about social media influence scoring.
Social Mix 2012 - and your chance to see Matt in person – is happening July 26th. Early bird pricing is still on, but only until June 18th. Get your tickets now!
About Lindsay Bell
You know, we’re REALLY lucky to have the speakers that we have at this event – they’re all super smart people who are going to offer our attendees a ton of value.
But I have to admit, Matt’s talk is the one I’m personally really looking forward to. The whole topic of influence *is* a contentious one, and one that Klout’s scarred with their flawed approach. Looking forward to seeing a sensible discussion around the topic!
@DannyBrown Me too! Also, I’m hoping there will be some fireworks.
@DannyBrown - Me too! I’m looking forward to the insight Matt has to offer, it would be really refreshing to hear more on influence beyond Klout’s system.
@DannyBrown Thanks Danny – No pressure at all.
@matthixson I’ll be in the peanut gallery!
@DannyBrown Great – I’m bringing Nitin as backup.
@matthixson @DannyBrown Danny told me he’s bringing a bullhorn.
I am so looking forward to this topic. Maybe we should extend @Klout an invite so they could learn a thing or two. It’s about time someone provided a refreshing and smarter look at influence. Thanks @matthixson for taking this industry to the next level. We’re very much waiting in anticipation for influence 3.0:)
I am really looking forward to this presentation. Thanks to Matt Hixson for bringing influence to the next level. Maybe we should extend an invite to @Klout to Social Mix. Perhaps they may learn a thing or two about what true influence is all about and maybe… just maybe… finally discover that a number is just that –> a number.
@hessiej Matt Hixson @Klout Can you imagine!!?? That would be amazing. The (K)Clout Panel!
You’re absolutely right – a number *is* just a number Hessie. Sometimes I feel kinda sad at just how much weight numbers carry in our world.
@belllindsay It would be nice if social was that simple but the reality is that social is a complex and quickly evolving field. Science that was built for other things can’t be applied to social in the same way. Hopefully we can have a good conversation about where we are and where we hope to go.
@matthixson @belllindsay Did you just say there’s then no such thing as a “social media scientist”?
@DannyBrown @matthixson *Tears up business cards*
@DannyBrown @belllindsay I’m saying that the current field of science does not fit how social networks actually work. I’m not one for titles but I do have issue with how people perceive them.
@Sarah_Michelle @matthixson U guys have a gr8 thing going:) Absolutely, influence is a huge topic rt now. @tellagence has the rt answers:)
@hessiejones Thanks Hessie – we appreciate the confidence cc: @Sarah_Michelle
@hessiejones ditto @matthixson it is a great place to work. We are excited!
Dude. I’m *trying* to get up there. Damn expensive flights.
@jasonkonopinski That’s no excuse.
@ginidietrich Your boyfriend just road 5 miles on the stationary bike at the hotel gym. Watching Scooby Doo while he road.
@SarahRobinson WOW! That’s impressive!
@ginidietrich and he is still pinging off the walls:-)