VANOC 2010 Indie Social Media Meeting Liveblog
Thanks to Lorraine in her role of web and social media facilitator for FearlessCity, I am able to liveblog the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Indie Social Media meeting so that more people are able to access our discussions. I am here with Tris Hussey (as Tris Hussey AND Media2O), Jess Sloss, Bradley Shende, Robert Scales, Kris Krug, Ianiv Schweber (as both Blogaholics.ca and NowPublic), and a few other friends from the local media and social media (please drop a comment and I’ll link back to you).
UPDATE 5.03 pm – Robert Scales is right now welcoming us all to the meeting. A lot of conversation. This is not a protest, this is about citizen journalism, people who want to distribute the content over the internet. We are trying to move towards facilitating access to content about the 2010 Olympics. The reason why Robert, Kris and DaveO have been working on this
1) We are fans.
2) We were in Torino on the ground.
3) We did a bunch of segments in Beijing, and definitely around 2010 we want to talk about the stories beyond the Olympics, and create a conversation around that.
The importance we see in this media center is that we want to cover beyond what the mainstream media is covering. Some of the social impacts, some of the various forms of impact of the 2010. Robert is now turning it over to Kris. The meeting will be around 1 hour, 1hr 20 mins.
KRIS
The way we see it – an accredited media center, like a Tier 1. It will give some sorts of special rights. And then there will be an unaccredited media centre (some of the local folks). When you hear unaccredited media center, it doesn’t mean us, it means big mainstream media folks who didn’t win the support (Tier 2). We are looking for a Tier 3 – we want to have a place for social media.
2 parts of the conversation come together:
A – The folks who want to cover the arts, and other social elements and,
B – Provide a physical space to provide folks who are covering (bloggers, and other people) to be able to tell their stories.
That’s about as much as we know. We know we need some space, and this meeting is for us to figure out together what we are going to need. We will need to look at issues like
- Room, space
- Branding of the media center
- Catering
We are looking to build a space and a place for this independent media center. Build the networks and connections. We need to find sponsors, for example.
UPDATE – I can see now Greg Andrews from TechVibes, Richard Eriksson, Linda Bustos, Jenn Lowther, Jordan Behan, Nadia Nascimento, John Bollwitt, Joe Solomon, Roland Tanglao, and a few other folks that I might not know right now.
Some of the questions we want to work on are:
- Should there be one, or multiple locations?
- What kind of resources do we need (printers, phones, fax machines)?
- Share sources, leads, resources.
- What kind of daily program do we want?
- Do we put in a Symposium as well?
- Do you want some gallery space, for local artists?
- People who aren’t covering the stuff that others are covering?
- How are we going to pay?
- Is it catered, and who?
Those are the questions that Kris wants to throw out so that we can all answer together.
DaveO is going to talk about what we can all do and how everyone can get involved.
DAVE OLSON
A couple of little tensions we need to deal with. There seems to be a shroud of “us” and “them”. Issues that Kris and DaveO. How open are VANOC main offices going to be about this stuff? We are deciding to be very open and translucent. It’s important to keep the dialogue open. DaveO threw online some of those tools. What DaveO hopes to talk is talk about some of these questions.
We don’t even know how to name the place (independent vs. indie vs. alternative). How do we do the branding? This is a grassroots effort, so how do we brand it in a positive way. We have a space here, but realistically, this office isn’t ideal. Maybe we need to think about other ways for people to collaborate and communicate. All these resources will be online.
The next step is talk about how to do this – openly and publicly. We have different experiences to share. Let’s just put it all on the table. Dave O threw on the site – the stuff that drives all this effort. From Dave O, he wants to give people a motivation, so he put up the work of Robert and Kris (photographs from Beijing).
- Google Mailing List
- Wiki
Kris jumps in – we have seen that one by one is easy to lock us out, but we have enough common natures in terms of access and what we are looking for, we can allow for bigger organizations to fall behind us. If we are all working together and we are a whole bunch of people who are working together, we kind of have more of a voice, and they’ll need to kind of address us better.
Another part of it is that many of us have been creating collaborative ecosystems. Competitors choose to be collaborators. Kris’ idea here is that the best ideas – a lot of those people are represented in this room. They don’t realize is that we are trying to meet their own objectives – first Olympics that will be covered by citizens and social media and alternative media. We can change the perceptions of people in how things are happening with the Olympics.
We have a chance to show to the world that Vancouver’s tech and social media and citizen journalism scene can be powerful enough to showcase how things are happening in the 2010 Olympics. Robert is mentioning that in Beijing there was no actual control of social media (iPhone-taken photos). If you want to collaborate, you put the content on your website. The IOC doesn’t seem to think that this (social media) is the right model (e.g. including social media), but one of our goals is to make enough noise to force them to change the strategy.
They may have vested interests in keeping the mainstream media coverage, but we don’t want to substitute that coverage, we want to actually FURTHER advance that coverage to include social media, stories, social elements.
VANOC has a big PDF of what you can do and can’t do. We need to learn how to talk in the appropriate way, not the inappropriate way. We all have to read the branding and guidelines, and stuff. We have to work within the system.
VANOC also has a roster where you can sign up. As much as you want to be involved, we are jumpstarting the collaboration. There are folks like us everywhere in the world, and everywhere in Canada. We can start interviews about the programming, what people want to put up there. Start talking about it and talk to DaveO, Kris, Robert. They have already some connections and can help with that.
OPENING THE FLOOR TO THE DISCUSSION
Kris would like to have a “requirements” document. Apparently Telus already has a plan. There is someone here who has worked with The Vancouver Sun. Robert, Dave O and Kris already applied for accreditation (but we have one full year for that, hehe).
For them, it’s absolutely new ground (social media, bloggers). They said they want to have bloggers and new media. How do they decide who gets accredited? It may be based on unique hits or some criteria. They may want the social media there, but they may not know how to accreditate someone. This needs to establish the conversation. There’s some groundwork that has been done in Torino, you can get some pointers from there. There was a beautiful media centers with laptops, connections, etc.
Torino was trying to push their mandate. They were very open and welcoming. Beijing – you needed a specific visa (J) and some people who had to ‘almost fly under the radar’. But it probably was related more to the regulation. How are we going to deal with it in Canada? As long as people are following the branding guidelines you’ll be able to talk about the stories.
Lorraine asks how many people are going to be working on this? Robert and Kris said “as much space as possible”. They want to have enough space to put on soirees, etc. As much space as possible.
Would it be possible to get an assessment of a virtual space allocation? How much space do we already have? What needs do we have in terms of space. R- We can do that (W2 and stuff, we do have some space that we could volunteer but we need more)
How would you feel if a company like Pepsi would like to provide funding? R – That’s AWESOME! We are going to be open, so we’ll be open to whatever funding and support we have. We are trying to keep this apolitical.
Anybody can be part of the planning process. There is no one document that has been created. All of this is happening in the open. We know that the chances of happening in this RCS office there might be some need for managing it, but the ideal would be an ideal, neutral location. A bunch of printers, a bunch of laptops/computers. Get stuff out, make art, create stuff. Whoever wants to give us money to get our message out.
Q.- Hard to monitor whether people are saying things that are bad (or not through the guidelines) on Twitter, blogs, etc. How to deal with it? R.- The place/facility we are talking about is a place where bloggers and citizen journalists will be able to have resources. But it’s the blogger’s responsibility to follow the guidelines. The bottom line is – the conversations that people create are their own property, their own content. So they are responsible.
Check the closures map.
Q.- Lorraine – a casual commitment to make sourcing local a priority. R.- Kris thinks that there is no organization to which a commitment can be made. As a value of whatever the group comes, we should try to keep it local. This stays apolitical. Something to think about.
Robert asks an open question – on the assumption of building a steering committee, who would be interested (you can sign in the wiki, etc.)
Q.- How do you see athletes fitting into this (athletes who are interested in having access)? R.- DaveO says that we’ll be reaching out heavily, and we’ll invite them if they want to come and spread the message.
Robert – creating a team profile – out of the box Drupal-hosted websites. Building a specific profile with a target team and allow them to write their own blogs. There are certain guidelines that the athletes can’t cross. We would like to work with them.
Kris – what type of stuff, programming. For the programming you will need to learn about the guidelines and what you can and cannot present. The only times that they can stop you from posting stuff on the internet, the print media is trying to make the transition into the social media. If you can’t broadcast on the internet your own videos, then what’s up?
Q.- It would be really neat to have videocams and recording devices on the internet. R.- Getting cameras and distributing. Apparently some people are thinking about getting videocameras and stuff like that. Fearless City are goin gto send people. They are going to be partners in this. Robert and Kris could do some livestream at some venues, etc. But always within the guidelines.
Andy (Univ of Scotland) – studies the intersection of media and the olympics.
Dave O will what can folks do? Let’s brainstorm. Blog your ideas. We want to have a space for dance, or for art, or whatever.
Take away items – sign up to the websites, start making wiki pages, right now. Share in your ideas of what you see should be the content, the programming of the centre.
Q.- So is there really an embargo on imagery? R.- If there is imagery that has venue (Olympic rings) intellectual property violations then you may get in trouble.
Read the guidelines, play by the rules.
UPDATE – 5.55 PM – LIVEBLOG IS DONE.
Related posts:
- Practice what you preach in the social media field
- Canadian social media and social computing data/statistics
- Vancouver alt/indie media organizational for 2010 meeting liveblog
- Giant Ant Media Open House Liveblog
- Collaborative efforts in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics indie media gathering
Wow, this is a great liveblog and it has really got me thinking of how I can get involved. Hmmmm. Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks
I was the one who asked the guidelines question.
I’ll be more involved along the way so expect to hear more from me, though I won’t have a dedicated blog like yourself.
Just a photographer passionate about social media, and want to help in any way I can.
It was nice to meet you again Raul, and thanks for the liveblog! Much better than my hand-scrawled notes.
Quite the wrap up there Raul. *claps hands and smiles ear to ear*
It’s a pretty phenomenal liveblog; virtually word for word! Congrats, Raul, and FearlessCity is very grateful for your permission to cross-post this.
Thanks everyone for the kind words!
Great job Raul! I recorded the event on my flip video, so for some shakyish video check out http://www.viddler.com/explore/socialsquared/videos/2/
Hi Raul,
Great job! You’re liveblog is well done.
I put forth the consideration last night at the meeting of raising operating funds through companies like Pepsi, or Jones Soda. I threw these two companies on the table off the top of my head though, because there are many others waiting in the wings to fund such a progressive idea like an independent media center.
I’ve had an Olympics related news blog online since 2004, and even though my audience is small by global social media standards, a company that is a major competitor to a TOPS sponsor has already approached me to use their brand on my websites.
I have never sold any type of advertising on my sites, but will consider it because the offer is substantial.
Many reputable and well known companies, especially large companies like Pepsi, Ford, Nike, etc., are constantly on the prowl for alternative space beyond traditional areas like Olympic region billboards, busses, and a very long list of other mediums already monopolized and controlled by VANOC in a blanket fashion.
Olympic organizations purchase every speck of advertising space in an Olympic region in an effort to prevent ambush marketing. Pepsi however are innovative and executed a very successful campaign in Beijing. Nike has also done it for years, plus there is a very long list of other companies you know well. They all carefully tread just one step inside legal parameters. Their strategies are legal and ethical.
One area no one can control however is the internet – not even China
Everyone tries, but as we all witnessed over the last ten years regarding the music industry, it is futile.
For the last 5 years I’ve invested heavily in extensive research and written in depth in my blog about the impact the internet will, and is having on the traditional IOC business model. I also wrote a book that addresses case studies. Plus, I am hired by companies as an online marketing and promotions analyst to help them develop branding strategies in our 2010 Olympics region. It is the reason I do not have to sell advertising on my web properties. My social media strategies are relatively simple, but they generate considerable revenue through tertiary means.
Some of my clients have multi million dollar Olympic contracts, and some have nothing at all to offer directly to VANOC. The common denominator is they all want to leverage Olympic momentum – and not break the law. They are all reputable companies, and not one of my clients has ever been sued for overstepping IOC bounds.
I also donate my time to companies who have been unfairly impacted by zealous IOC intimidation. For example, I’ve been intimately involved from day one in the http://www.998Denman struggle, arguably one of most widely followed IOC VS Small Biz controversies in Canadian history – and maybe even the world unless VANOC manages this issue in a more sensitive manner. We have the best legal minds in the world behind us patiently waiting for the IOC to make their next move. Thousands of people all over the world have signed a petition supporting the small restaurant on Denman, and it has all been done without Twitter – just image what will happen when we turn this tap on.
I’m not a lawyer, but here’s a bit of advice I can offer to everyone who attended the meeting last night:
An organization like VANOC has the power to claim damages from EVERYONE connected to an infraction, which means if their copyright / trademark /official mark police can prove you played a role, even in the slightest way, you can be attached to the recovery order. I would suggest everyone tread carefully until you know the rules.
Yes Raul, this applies to you and your live blog.
VANOC also claims protection under Official mark status described in section 9 of Canadian statutes, which gives it onerous power regarding protection of their brand similar in scope to the Canadian flag or official crests. Until you know exactly what this means, again, I suggest you tread very carefully.
Most people don’t realize until it is too late that special federal considerations were awarded to VANOC and the COC, which means regular rules do not apply. VANOC is very powerful, and has their partners, the municipal, provincial, and federal governments for support. When VANOC needs a law changed it can happen very quickly, and it does.
They will not take kindly to an independent Olympic media center growing in their midst, but hopefully this time around they will be smart enough to realize it is a fight they cannot win through intimidation.
They might win the battle, but they will not win the war when you consider REPUTATION is the IOC ‘s trump card. When they lose the battle in the court of public opinion sponsors will abandon them in droves, and the value of a gold medal will be severely impacted.
I do not want to see this happen, but unfortunately it will.
For the record, I am Pro-Olympics – with a twist, which means I love the sport, but hate the politics.
Already this year four TOPS sponsors have abandoned ship – Johnson & Johnson just recently, and earlier KODAK, Lenovo, and one of the longest sponsor relationships the IOC has had, Manulife Financial, threw in the towel and will no longer support the Olympics. Business week recently asked KODAK the ringing question. “Are Olympic Sponsorships Worth it?” The answer wasn’t encouraging, and you can find a link to it on my blog.
[...] not going to recap the meeting here. For that you can go to Raul’s post where he did a great job of live-blogging the session. There is a webpage/wiki with more [...]
great live blog! conveys the enthusiasm of the room. i’m really sorry i had to miss this first meeting, so am very happy to read an accurate extrusion here.
i want to address whoever’s question this was: ‘Q.- Hard to monitor whether people are saying things that are bad (or not through the guidelines) on Twitter, blogs, etc. How to deal with it?’ …and add that i think this is an important issue to figure out sooner than later, perhaps as establishing the following as basic terms as soon as possible, and to be developed:
a) especially because the physical IMC does not yet exist, a centralization (mechanism at the very least) for our shared process, and for monitoring community information (aside from people posting info on their own sites)…the freshest personal example that comes to my mind is not knowing about this meeting well enough in advance to be able to physically be there. the need for participation (if not commitment) is imminent, and for reasons that are quite unique to this movement in terms of gaining traction on the playing field with other media operatives.
b) i think there is something to be demonstrated on the level of how well organized we can be in establishing the breadth of this movement, by spending some time scoping out how large this movement (need) really is. consideration for other communities in vancouver (canada and globally) we can connect this movement to (e.g. schools, etc); because this is a movement as much as it is journalism, because it is a call to action as much as it is a call to reflection, how can we share/tag the various levels of immediacy with the information that needs to be acted upon?
that’s my two cents for now…hope to share more in person soon.
as
Thanks for the rocking documentation Raul! Really pleased to meet many remarkable folks face to face.
[...] the soft chirps of Tweetdeck and glow of projectors. I won’t recap the entire evening since Raul liveblogged it all, but as the meeting progressed I experienced a bit of cognitive dissonance because this IMC wanted [...]
Raul,
A pleasure to meet you and the rest at the meeting. I was the Vancouver Sun reporter you referred to. Pretty wild seeing this as a running blog. Don’t mind saying that at least for this traditional media person, these are changing times. I started out 30+ years ago writing stories on a typewriter (whazzat??) 22 years ago, I filed a scandal story on a Tandy 200 using an accoustic modem and alligator clips from a laundromat in Penticton, and watched as a cabinet minister resigned 8 hours later. 20 years ago one of my colleagues briefed us on something called HTTP and email, and we all thought that was cool until an editor said “yes, but what makes you think that will make any difference to what we do?” (Yes, he’s still with us, and he now knows the answer to that question.)
Ten years ago we started thinking about a serious web presence. Now, I have an online business of my own. I blog. I Twitter. I Skype.
Eight months or so ago, The Sun fundamentally began changing how it reports; we now are web-filing first, printing later. At the Beijing Olympics I watched as print journalists got gold-medal results on to their home website before the images were broadcast on TV because of the 30-second delay rule for broadcasters.
So I look at what you and the others are trying to do as part of the natural evolutionary process. And as I struggle to learn all these new tools, I feel old. It’s akin to being that old moose out in the bush who can hear the heavy breathing of the wolf pack somewhere behind me
Cheers,
Jeff
I’m ambivalent about this. The whole glory of blogging/twitter is it’s living into post-modernism, ie., not buying into “One True Story” but rather, each person has their own small-t truth they are telling.
It sounds like (and I would expect) VANOC and probably even the IOC want to create a construct of the True Story of the Olympics, and they have a vested interest in doing so (ie. it has to be compelling = get the crowds/viewers = get the sponsorships). They then need to screen and “accredit” only the people they trust to tell The Story, and keep out any renegades who may tell small-truth stories which may result in deconstructing their Olympic Story.
-oops – just read @Maurice’s comment above – he said what I’m trying to say! —
What does this mean for this initiative? I think it may be barking up the wrong tree. Trying to play from the “inside” will likely at best result in adding detail to the True Olympic Story. What wants that? The glory and revolution of social media is that we blow any kind of artifical Big-T Truth into pieces in favour of small-t olympic stories. Those are the stories of meaning and interest.
As an international press photographer, I can already tell you that unless you are steadfast and dedicated to this goal, and will fight tooth and nail, it may already be too late.
I believe in what you are doing, but I know, based on the hardship already faced by me and my organization, it will be a hard fought battle, and I personally would like to take part in this, If I can. Just let me know when and where, and I will be there.
[...] find out more about what was talked about, please check out Raul’s thorough live blog of the night as well as Dave’s informative post at Raincitystudios.com about the next steps [...]
[...] wrote an epic VANOC 2010 Indie Social Media Meeting Liveblog with help from [...]