After almost a week I’m finally getting to this post on our latest Social Media Club meeting. For those that didn’t attend, we had Ed Nicholson of Tyson Foods philanthropic division speaking on his use of social media in the effort to eliminate hunger. The information overall was staggering. In Northwest Arkansas alone there are over 100,000 at risk of hunger and half a million in the state of Arkansas… and you thought there were only starving kids in Africa. The efforts that Ed and Tyson are making to reduce this number are impressive as well and all covered through their social media.
Ed brought up a few good points through his presentation. First was the point that you can’t buy or sponsor your way into positive public perception. Despite their giving in the past, public perception wasn’t high until they spent time in the space, helping and effectively awaiting karma. Another was that agencies couldn’t properly manage your social media alone. While helpful in setting up a plan and process, social media needs to be at least a partnership effort. Transparency is only transparent when you’re directly involved in the process. Being of the agency world, believe it or not, I agree. I am fully capable of building social media strategy but wouldn’t feel completely comfortable managing the strategy without direct and constant involvement with that client and their business.
Beyond the information at the meeting, Ed framed the speaking with music. Bluesy, folk expertly performed and food-based music was on the playlist and was expertly performed. Ed even did his little part to eliminate hunger in the meeting by handing out a couple of butternut squash to those paying closest attention. It was a great meeting.
For those interested in the Northwest Arkansas chapter of the Social Media Club, visit our Ning site and become a fan of our facebook page.
Additional links:
Tyson Food’s Hunger Relief site – http://hungerrelief.tyson.com/
Social Media Club – NWA – http://socialmediaclubnwa.ning.com/
Social Media Club – Global – http://www.socialmediaclub.org/
Social Media Club – Wiki – http://socialmediaclub.pbworks.com/Northwest-Arkansas-Social-Media-Club
Social Media Club – Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Social-Media-Club-NWA/93013193054
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