FIR Interview: Linda Johannesson and Christopher Swan on the IABC Unconference

For the first time, the IABC World Conference – set to begin this coming Sunday in Toronto, Canada – will be preceded by an unconference. Several online properties have been developed around the “Toronto Talks” unconference, including a central repository of information and interactivity at http://grou.ps/torontotalks. Here’s what the IABC website has to say about the unconference:

From the newest online social networks to the latest internal microblogging tools, social media are changing all the time. How does a communicator keep up? At the “2010 Unconference: Emerging Communication Channels,” attenders will come together for a series of collaborative sessions to share case studies, best practices and technology tips. It’s the wisdom of the crowd at its finest!

In this unconference, you will learn:

• How to incorporate emerging communications programs into the larger communications mix
• Why “shiny object syndrome” will lead you astray
• How to use social media tools to strengthen internal communications

The unconference facilitators include Bryan Person, Jeremy Schultz, Christopher Swan and Linda Johannesson. In this FIR Interview, Johannesson and Swan discuss the origins of the conference and what attendees can expect.

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About our Conversation Partners

Linda Johannesson is a strategist, marketer, communicator, brand champion, connector, relationship manager, blogger and social media advocate who believes that technology, innovation, conversation and community are essential in creating effective marketing and communication solutions.

My 20+ years of marketing and internal communications experience includes projects that showcase a trademark use of new media and emerging technologies. My portfolio includes a variety of professional service branding and integrated marketing campaigns, product/service launches, change management communications, website redesign, blog creation and management, and the development of project wikis, online discussion forums and personal learning networks.

Christopher Swan is the Manager of Training & Communication, at The Walt Disney Company. He is responsible for training and employee communications, including intranets, branding, social media, and technology. Christopher has been devoted to reinventing intranets and core communication standards to empower employees and to change the corporate culture throughout Disney. Christopher’s excitement for information and the future drives his passion to make a positive footprint in all of his spaces.

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This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

(Cross-posted from For Immediate Release, Shel’s and my podcast blog.)