Social Media Week Feb 2011 was in 9 countries around the world. Here is some of the testamonials from partners and speakers.
“This year’s Social Media Week was a truly global phenomenon—showcasing borderless brands and communications, via the power of social media. We are proud to have been an integral partner—with PepsiCo employees contributing to discussions and idea exchanges on three continents and there, demonstrating the depth and breadth to which digital media is permeating our company.” Bonin Bough, Global Director of Social and Digital Media for PepsiCo
"Social Media Week is more than an event, its a movement. Such an innovative event that taps into the human networks of people across the world and encourages sharing and best practice will move us forward faster and more effectively than traditional event silos. Nokia is proud to be powering such an innovative movement through our #NokiaConnects solutions and helping people join the conversations and participate from every walk of life" Craig Hepburn, Global Director, Social Media, Nokia
Five days of direct, human-to-human information transfer was evidence in itself against the argument that online social networking is nothing more than a sterile, electronically mediated substitute for real-life contact. With its kaleidoscopic series of offerings, Social Media Week constituted a worldwide effort to understand and shape the future.” —Frank Rose, author of The Art of Immersion
“Social Media Week does not disappoint. It is a real-world manifestation of some of the best that new technology has to offer - ideas, strategies and insights shared by the people who are shaping the future. Not only did I leave with a deeper understanding of how the world is wired today, I left with something even more valuable: friends and allies. How many businesses or projects were launched there? There oughta be an app for that.”--Ellen McGirt. Senior Writer, Fast Company Magazine
"Social Media Week in NYC is at the forefront of my favorite social media events around the world. The quality of the content, the speakers, and the attendees is first class and I'm already thinking about how I can participate in other SMW events around the world!"
Freddie Laker, Director of Digital Strategy - Asia | SapientNitro
“Social Media Week is like a collective mind getting in touch with itself - an autonomous being reaching for new levels of intelligence. The facts everyone exchanges - though valuable - seem less significant than the acknowledgment we're all thinking and caring about the stuff that matters.” Douglas Rushkoff, Author of Program or Be Programmed
“Social Media Week is changing the definition of what a great conference is. Of all of the events I have a chance to speak at and participate in, this is by far my favorite.” John Winsor, CEO of Victor & Spoils
"Hosting Social Media Week’s Business, Media & Communications Hub at JWT was a great thing for us to do. All told we saw about 3,000 people come through our doors. Together we took part in an important conversation about the nature of connectedness, in ways both human and technological. There was great networking, lots of brain food, and more than a few laughs.”
Luminary Labs was thrilled to partner with Social Media week to create a space and time to solve for the health of New York. We look forward to publishing the output of the Health | Tech | Food open innovation exercise so that others may bring concepts to fruition." Sara Holubek, Founder of Luminary Labs
"This year's Social Media Week was the most comprehensive discussion of issues, opportunities, and culture relating to "connectivity" that I have ever attended or been a part of. The local and global communities coming together to simultaneously hold (and stream) events created an incredibly accessible environment that has set the bar for participatory events." Ian Schafer, CEO of Deep Focus
“I have been attending digital and mobile conferences for over ten years and I have never seen anything like Social Media Week. The energy level at the events and the interest on the Internet for content during and after the events is incredible. Attendees that I spoke to found the week to be as entertaining as it was informative. This is the "must attend" digital media conference. Adam Mirabella, Global Director, Digital Marketing, Nokia
"Social Media Week was a huge of a success as ever. Friends online and off were excitedly sharing news of the events and panels they were attending in cities ranging from San Francisco to Hong Kong."
"We at Foodspotting loved hosting an event with Whole Foods Market and Social Media Week. Attendees from across the country joined us in New York City as we discussed the future of food and sustainability; the impact social media has on what we eat and where we find our food. Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelson joined us for a rowdy discussion with 100+ food and tech enthuasists we would not have otherwise met. And participants from Hong Kong to California joined in on the dialogue on twitter, facebook and the foodspotting blog as we live tweeted and posted from Whole Foods. Only at Social Media week could an event like this have taken place. We can't wait to see what becomes of it next year!" Soraya Darabi, Cofounder of Foodspotting.com
“Our Social Media Week event in downtown San Francisco brought attendees from across the Bay Area. With a panel of experts discussing “Social Mobile” we were able to attract a packed room of marketers, technology experts and social media enthusiasts. We are pleased with the success of our event and to be part of celebrating the advancement of social media’s role in society.” Meghan Fintland, Vice President, MWW Group
“Social Media Week brings together great people and offers fantastic structure and support for interesting panel discussions and social events. It was great to host Obliterati for New York's Social Media Week 2011 and I will look forward to doing so again.” Peter Feld, Independent Online Content Strategist
"SMW is a perfect reason to get digital minds together to talk shop. At least in my opinion, idea generation is best away from the computer." Daniel Gruneberg, Co-Founder, VP of Business Development, zozi
“And behold in front of me I did witness a bright light in the shape of social graph, and that graph said unto me, ‘Original video content will live and breath in social media.’ So unto my flock of BigScreen LittleScreen, I did bring the word spoken unto me and to Social Media Week we did pass. And from our passage a delicious fruit was born and that fruit was called Social Entertainment. Paul Kontonis, VP/Group Director, Brand Content, Digitas
“Social Media Week was great. My event drew over 100 people, and great information and insight was shared. The concept of Social Media Week is great, and as it continues to grow, more ideas and thoughts will be shared. I'm very pleased with the way things turned out.” Tariq Ahmad
“The excitement in the audience at Social Media Week NY, “’How I Did It’ Financial Services Social Media Champions Tell Their Story” was palpable. 300+ representatives from the largest financial services firms learned that regardless of your background or your role at the firm, that with enough passion, determination and willingness to work with legal and compliance departments, it’s possible to lead the effort to implement social media within this highly regulated industry. As social media advocates ourselves, it was thrilling to watch how confusion, reluctance and even fear, were replaced with inspiration during Social Media Week NY. Even better, they conversations that were started that week, are continuing every day. Thanks again!” Joyce M Sullivan, Financial Women’s Association Board Member, Co-Founder Communications and Digital Media Committee & Joanna Belbey, Co-Founder, The BGK Group
“Digital is revolutionizing the way people connect with each other – and Social Media Week has remained at the forefront of this trend by bringing together some of the most innovative thinkers in marketing, tech and media at its global conferences. We’re honored to be a part of such a collaborative, thought-provoking event series and look forward to seeing how it evolves in the years to come.” David Berkowitz, Sr. Director of Emerging Media & Innovation, 360i
"Social Media Week in NYC is at the forefront of my favorite social media events around the world. The quality of the content, the speakers, and the attendees is first class and I'm already thinking about how I can participate in other SMW events around the world!" Freddie Laker, Director of Digital Strategy - Asia | SapientNitro
"The 'Made in Italy' brand already has so much value in the world, after attending Social Media Week in Rome, I'm convinced it's only a matter of time before we start seeing it associated with web startups, too!" Alexis Ohanian, co-founder Reddit
Carlos Eduardo Espinal, partner Seedcamp
"SMW's Startup Lab forum was a great initiative to bring together representatives from the investment and entrepreneurial communities and to explore the issues that are top-of-mind for both. As a forum, we discussed various very relevant issues ranging from how investors evaluate companies to how to go about thinking of developing a company abroad. Our balanced panel was able to provide a diversified range of perspectives on the various topics. Lastly, Marco [Montemango] did a stellar job of moderating not only different languages, but keeping the entire group focused and energized on how to best analyze the topic at hand."
Divya Gugnani, co-founder Behind the Burner and Send the Trend
"Social Media Week in Rome was an enlightening and fruitful experience. It was great to learn about the Italian economy, particularly eCommerce and also share tips on what is working on the web in the United States. The best part of the week was meeting talented and aspiring entrepreneurs."
Will Mills, Director Music & Content at Shazam Entertainment
"Social Media Week Rome was a very professionally run and enlightening conference. Great
locations and high level debate on the subjects that matter in the space. I’d certainly like to head back."
"You could really sense the energy and excitement at Social Media Week [Rome]. It's clear that Italy is on the cusp of a new media and startup revolution, and this is only the beginning." Elizabeth Stark, co-founder Open Video Alliance
