[Update Oct 2: If you see the comments to this post, you will see so many messages with warm wishes. It’s almost overwhelming. See the end of this post for my audio response to everyone.]
Big decisions sometimes don’t require a great deal of time to make. That’s certainly the case in a decision I made just a few weeks ago that involves my shift from independent communication consulting to taking on a corporate mantle once again.
Today marks the first day of a new role with a new company and with a new title. As a press release that went out a few minutes ago says, I’ve joined WeissComm Group (WCG), a San Francisco-headquartered communications firm, as their Head of Social Media Europe, a new role, based in their London office.
Instrumental to my desire and thus decision to join forces with WCG is Bob Pearson, my new boss and the spearhead for the broad business area we’ll be paying attention to as we work to help clients’ meet their communication objectives on an international level. As you probably know, Bob also serves as president of the Social Media Business Council, the US-based organization that represents social media leaders in large organizations. He came to WCG from Dell where he was vice president of communities and conversations (I interviewed Bob last December when he was still at Dell).
Our focus is social media, yet it’s not really about social media. It about business goals and the role of social media and how it fits into traditional public relations and marketing.
Whatever people call it – social media, social software, Web 2.0, Enterprise 2.0, social business – it’s really about business issues, organization change and behaviour shifts: things that actually matter to organizations from a strategic perspective.
So I’m thrilled to be part of a dynamic team of people and build up a new business offering that I believe will help clients really connect with the people who are important to them. Although WCG has a strong presence, credibility and reputation in the healthcare industry, that industry isn’t the only focus of what we’re going to be doing in the coming months. Watch and see what happens.
So that’s my big news for today. I’ll have more to say about what I’m doing in the coming weeks including a new podcast with some of my new colleagues. I’ll also be joining Bob and other WCG colleagues writing on our blog.
What about my other activities, the various other hats I wear from time to time? Well, I’m hanging up those hats. I’ve discussed my changed circumstances with my colleagues in those ventures and we’ve agreed that I can give no less than 100% to my new role with WCG.
And what about FIR, the podcast series I co-founded with Shel Holtz in 2005, and especially The Hobson and Holtz Report, our twice-weekly show? If you’re a listener, you’ll be pleased to know that it continues as before. I will be on Skype as usual with Shel later today UK time as we record episode number 488.
So I’ll be in London a bit more frequently than I have been of late. I might even make it to a Tuttle/Social Media Cafe get-together now and again as I used to last year.
Now, let’s get cracking.
[Update Oct 2] Thank you to everyone who has left a comment on this post, or tweeted, with so many warm wishes and such goodwill.
The best way I thought of acknowledging all your good wishes is in this ipadio audio comment.
75 responses to “Joining WeissComm Group”
Twitter Comment
Great move for Neville Hobson – joins WeissComm Group as Head of Social Media Europe. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Nice tweet, Keith, thanks!
Hi Neville,
All the best in this new adventure…! As an “ex”-freelancer and current CSMO I fully understand the steps you are taking.
Looking forward to meet up one of these to discuss the “corporate” side of things…
Thanks, Philippe. I’d love to get together and catch up with things, it’s been a while. We’ll find a way!
Hey Neville!
Congratulations on your new role! Sounds like a big step up and an exciting challenge. I definitely won’t miss your next few shows (I missed a few the last few weeks!) as I want to hear more about your role! Good to know that you are keeping FIR going as it is still the one Podcast I listen to more than others.
Hopefully I will see you again at Tuttle where you can tell me all about it as I too am trying to drag myself away from the comforts of the Gumtree offices in Richmond from time to time.
Thanks Jon, appreciate it. I will be in London more frequently so I do expect to actually make it to a Tuttle again. See you there!
Twitter Comment
Joining WeissComm Group [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Congratulations, Neville. It has certainly been quite a pivotal few weeks in the UK in this space. It’s absolutely where the emphasis must be: behaviour shifts and strategic structural change so that people in organisations swivel round in their chairs to face their customers and engage them in mutually beneficial conversations and action.
Oh, and long may FIR continue!
Thanks, Steve, appreciate it. You’re spot on in that this is all about people, communication and business, not about the tools like social media.
And FIR will continue!
Congratulations Neville – good luck!
Thanks, Danny, I appreciate your good wishes.
Neville,
Just checked the Social Media Business Council website…
How about a European chapter which includes smaller organizations (limited to +5000 employee companies for the moment in the US) to reflect the business ecosystem in our pats of the world…?
There is a need for this on the European continent and I would love to support this as Chief Social Media Officer of the Van Marcke Group of Companies.
Let me know.
Absolutely, Philippe, a very clear thought in my mind, too. We will definitely talk about this.
Brilliant stuff Neville, sounds a great move. Firmly in tune with your interests and motivations. Am sure you will also do a great job of getting WeissComm’s name out there and building their image in the space. I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of them before this but will be looking out for them now! Exciting challenge.
Best,
Mike
Good for you and good for them Neville. I may see you in Terminal 5 ocassionally then! Bob is a great guy I think. I interviewed him for Crowd Surfing and he was certainly in the eye of one of the biggest online storms ever. It;s not so bad on the agency side you kow!
I wish you nothing but continued success and happiness. I have to say, the work as you describe it seems to be a perfect for you. Congrats my friend!
Twitter Comment
[link to post] @jangles joins the agency world…good for you Neville.
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Hi Neville,
Fabulous news and big congratualtions from all at Don’t Panic!
Congratulations Neville! Really exciting and great news for everyone in Europe!
Well done Neville – congratulations on the new role! Wishing you all the best – but keep blogging!!! Kind regards, Denise
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Neville Hobson and Stephen Waddington. Stephen Waddington said: RT @jangles: [Blog] Joining WeissComm Group http://tinyurl.com/yd7mobz <<< Congratulations Neville. Delighted for you and your colleagues […]
Congratulations Neville! Sounds like an exciting challenge and from what I know of you I’m sure you’ll make a great success of the role.
Many congratulations, Neville! WeissComm Group is brilliant for plucking you from the world of independent consultants; they will benefit greatly from your broad expertise.
And on a personal note, I’m really happy to hear FIR will go on as it has, with both you and Shel as hosts. Rarely a week goes by without me mentioning something I’ve learned from both of you in one of my PR classes at Georgia Southern University.
Barbara
Neville – Congrats! what a savvy firm to bring you on board. Glad that FIR will continue it’s one of the best resources in our industry. All the very best.
Congratulations Neville, and welcome back to the agency side! What a great move.
Great to hear that FIR will continue, too. I may not call in much nowadays but I’m still there, listening and lurking away behind my iPod!
Good stuff Neville, congrats to the WC Group – with you & Bob Pearson they’ve got a couple of the most respected names in the business.
1 quick question, what is the relationship between WC Group & the SM Business Council? I’ve got a number of clients involved in the latter & they’re very positive about it.
Congrats Neville. Look forward to hearing all about it :-)
Congratulations and welcome back to the corporate fold Neville. Hope you don’t miss all those days at home in slippers. :-|)
Congratulations Neville – great news and glad to have you back in the agency ranks.
Neville,
Great news, congratulations on a fantastic move for you. Obviously if the role has tempted you away from your freelance life, it’s the right one.
From a selfish perspective I am delighted to hear FIR will continue – as you know I believe it’s a fantastic “social” service for the profession.
Best of luck and make sure you enjoy it!
Tom
I hope this means you’ll also be making a few extra trips to Headquarters. I owe you a dinner or three. Congratulations, Neville.
Wow – that’s exciting news!
All the best to you Neville and tell Bob I said he better treat you right. ;-)
~LPT
Twitter Comment
Congrats to my podcast co-host, @jangles, on his new role with WeissComm Group: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Neville,
MANY congrats on your new role! Best wishes on the return into the agency fold!
Dan
Twitter Comment
Wow! Many congrats to Neville Hobson on his new role! RT @jangles: [Blog] Joining WeissComm Group [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
RT @danyork: Wow! congrats to Neville Hobson on his new role! RT @jangles: Joining WeissComm Group [link to post] (Congrats!)
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Neville:
Would like to add my voice to the chorus of congratulatory wishes. Very exciting! And from a selfish point of view, great to know you’ll still be on FIR twice a week :)
Neville, I wish you all the best in your new adventure and especially lots of fun!
Congrats, Neville! Sounds like a great move for you and them. Cheers, RWM
Wow! Many congrats to Neville Hobson on his new role! RT @jangles: [Blog] Joining WeissComm Group http://bit.ly/dWgEt
@jangles starts new job but #FIR is safe. Ouf! All the best with that, Neville! – http://bit.ly/j73iX
Twitter Comment
@jangles starts new job but #FIR is safe. Ouf! All the best with that, Neville! – [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Great news, Neville! I hope the return to corporate means continued inside perspectives for loyal listeners.
Social Media News! Joining WeissComm Group — NevilleHobson.com http://bit.ly/mkrHe
Congratulations, Neville! WeissComm is lucky to have you. RT @jangles: Joining WeissComm Group http://tinyurl.com/yd7mobz
Many congratulations Neville. Look forward to catching up and hearing all about it at the Summit in a couple of weeks.
[Blog] Joining WeissComm Group [Updated] http://tinyurl.com/yd7mobz #fb
Hi Neville – Congratulations – I’m really pleased for you. It’s fun working with Bob – he was a real driving force at Dell. Hope to see you soon. Kerry
Twitter Comment
RT @jangles Joining WeissComm Group — NevilleHobson.com [link to post] <-- well done! – Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
Yeah! @jangles (Neville Hobson) Joining WeissComm Group as Head of Social Media Europe [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
RT @jangles Joining WeissComm Group — NevilleHobson.com http://bit.ly/L0Nck <– well done!
Congratulations!! I hope the new role is everything you want it to be and more.
Best wishes…and so happy you are continuing on with FIR.
Jen
Congrats Neville! Hope the new role still allow you to keep on tweeting regularly :) otherwise, you’ll be missed…
Congratulations @jangles on your new role with WeissComm http://ow.ly/suMd
Congratulations @jangles on your new role with WeissComm http://ow.ly/suMd Glad to know FIR lives on :-)
Congratulations, Neville – have fun!
Hi Neville,
Congratulations – sounds like an exciting move and I’m looking forward to hearing about more innovative work in the social media arena!
cheers
sw
Congratulations on this new adventure, Neville! You will be a huge asset to Weiss, your knowledge, skills, and understanding of these new communications channels will cement your reputation as the go-to resource for social media counsel in Europe! Best of luck!
Steve “@PodcastSteve” Lubetkin
Even more comments since I recorded my ‘thank you’ to everyone on October 2:
http://www.ipadio.com/phlogs/NevilleHobson/2009/10/02/A-Big-Thankyou
Thanks, everyone, I appreciate your wishes very much.
Neville – this sounds perfect for you! Best of luck with this. Can’t wait to see where it leads you.
B.L.
@whatsnext
Thanks, BL, appreciated!
Lots of congratulations and best wishes Neville!!! Can fully understand why and it sounds exciting. Things are changing for me too, will pop you an email and tell you more :)
Thanks, Tabita, appreciate it. Got your email!
Just returning to the office and am belatedly hearing the news of your move, Neville — congratulations! As is his style, BP is making some big moves — you joining WeissComm certainly beefs up their presence in EMEA.
@bruceeric
Thanks, Bruce, appreciate that. Bob’s ears must be burning :)
[…] online discussion last night with some of my new colleagues at WeissComm Group got me thinking about the FTC’s guidance and what’s clear in three things organizations must do […]
Congrats to Neville Hobson (@jangles) in his new role. http://bit.ly/j73iX (I met Bob Pearson in Toronto; very smart guy.)
Via @DonnaPapacosta, definitely congrats to Neville Hobson (@jangles) on his new role as head of SM Europe for WeissComm: http://is.gd/44PLh
Late the to party for me as usual. Get used to it. Being a social media guy at an agency doesn’t leave a lot of time for social media…go figure.
All the best in the new job. enjoy the world of the time sheet!
Late to the party? I expected no less, Dr Jones. :)
Thanks for your wishes!
Hi Neville,
Wow, somehow I missed this news. But caught your tweet about your new business card. Congratulations on your exciting new role!
Jas
Thanks, Jas, appreciate it!
Hi, Neville.
Congrats on the move. Bob’s a great guy to work for and be around to “absorb” ideas from.
@BillatDell
[…] of the first week of December in Las Vegas, meeting with all my colleagues in the WeissComm Group. I joined WCG in October so other than a handful of colleagues, I hadn’t met any of them in the USA, where 90+% of them […]
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