Social Media Focus of Daylong Seminar

VML Hosts Strategic Communication Students at KC Office

Columbia, Mo. (May 4, 2010) — Social media has created a fundamental shift in our personal relationships, including the one between a brand and its customers. The implications for advertising and public relations were discussed during a daylong seminar on social media at VML.

Missouri Journalism Students Visit VML in Kansas City
Front row, from left: Lauren Oliver, Anna Durrett, Maggie Glenski, Chelsea Brandt. Second row, from left: Mike Razim, Tommy Kircher, Campbell Massie, Tom Finley, BJ ’07, Suzette Heiman.

The program provided a group of strategic communication students from the Missouri School of Journalism with an opportunity to learn about how SEER®, VML’s proprietary intelligence tool, helps marketers find and visualize online discussions in real time. Speakers also shared case studies of innovative mobile programs and how companies are involving bloggers and key influencers.

The students were given a roadmap to use in planning social media efforts for their future clients: content management, content development and search engine optimization. Campaigns today, it was noted, are about starting conversations.

“Because every brand is different, so is every relationship,” noted Paul Miser, a social strategist at the agency. “But despite of all differences, at the end of the day, all clients want to save and make money.”

Other presenters included two from the VML’s Emerging Media Group: Gard Gibson, partner and director, and Brian Yamada, BJ ’93, partner and managing director. Tom Finley, BJ ’07, account manager, organized the day’s agenda. Journalism and University of Missouri alumni who work at VML joined the students for lunch. Jon Cook, BJ ’93, is VML’s president.

“Our students are learning from the best as VML is a leader in the digital and interactive space,” said Suzette Heiman, a professor in strategic communication who accompanied the group. “This seminar gave them new and exciting ways to think about social media.”

Updated: May 11, 2020

Related Stories

Expand All Collapse All