When I planned to attend Innovation Congress, I imagined a day of inspiration. I expected #Innocon to be a conference of ideas, but it was much more: it was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, to learn about the current state of our industry and to just share my passion for everything digital.
Day 1: the workshops
I volunteered at the congress during day 1. I thought my experience organizing Social Media Week Barcelona would be useful for the #InnoCon team, so I offered my help. I love how easy and natural it is in New York to volunteer with causes and organizations that you feel a connection with!
So I didn’t join any workshop, but instead spent the day sharing tasks and ideas with the hardworking Firebrand and Social Fresh teams, and the rest of the volunteers. It was totally worth it.
Day 2: the talks
One of the things I love about social media conferences (as opposed to general marketing or design events) is how active everybody is on Twitter. Twitter is definitely still winning the live game, at least when it comes to non-video content.
If you were wondering how last 2 days went down ?, #InnoCon trended alongside #NationalHotDogDay. Achievement is for sure LinkedIn-worthy. ? pic.twitter.com/0gvqdZQgnE
— Amelia Tran ? (@AmelianTips) July 20, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
This makes it very easy to understand what’s being presented and discussed, so as usual I’ll curate some of the most comprehensive tweets under the #innocon hashtag to share my experience with you.
The Case for More Bad Ideas, with Jason Keath (Social Fresh)
“Just because common sense & people tell you it’s a bad idea, doesn’t mean you can’t make it work.” – @jasonkeath #innocon pic.twitter.com/TKpPAexP70
— Anni Y. Lange (@msannilange) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Extreme (bad) ideas like “shut down the company”, “remove the feature”, “give up and do nothing” are idea-starters ? – @jasonkeath #innocon
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A Discussion on the Future of Media and Content, with Buzzfeed, David Rubin (The New York Times), John Avlon (The Daily Beast)
“When we have highly #engaged #content, that’s when #ads are going to work more effectively,” David Rubin @drubs @nytimes #InnoCon #media pic.twitter.com/2qpS6xFpgP
— MM&M Magazine (@MMMnews) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Brands still matter in the age of social media. @drubs @nytimes says people want to be sure of the source, for themselves + others #InnoCon
— Briana Campbell (@MsMatchGirl) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
To reach quality consumers, you MUST provide quality content. #InnoCon
— Angie Dunnigan (@_akamedia_) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The Digital Ad Hunger Games, with Jarrod Dicker (Washington Post), Dr. Jon Roberts (DotDash), Melanie Deziel (MDeziel Media)
“If you’re not providing value, I don’t blame them [readers] for blocking you.” – @mdeziel #InnoCon
— Biana(log) (@bianalog) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Digital has pressure to evolve rapidly, brought on by 1. programmatic overload 2. Ad fraud 3. Consumer backlash (ad blocking) #Innocon
— Suzanne Woodward (@SuzyKaye) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The beauty of native #advertising in general is that it’s a successful collab between client, agency, and publisher – @jarroddicker #InnoCon
— Jenn Patel (@jennlebowitz) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Shots, Bots and Emoji: How Patrón Pairs Tequila & Technology, with Adrian Parker (Patrón)
Rent/Own Content/Audience matrix with @adriandparker and the content creator types, good thinking #innocon pic.twitter.com/F0pT6IvftO
— paul kontonis (@kontonis) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Patron think about their brand as a platform. With their AI cocktail lab they re-imagine the bar experience https://t.co/jgtmhEUMy5 #InnoCon
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.@patron transformed their brand experience to a platform model vs ad model to show how they were best as connectors #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/mlqcKEFjb3
— Heather Taylor (@heatherAtaylor) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Be informed by data not driven by it! Drinking in advice from @Patron @adriandparker #INNOCON pic.twitter.com/fgdVL92keq
— SocialMedia Explorer (@smxplorer) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Audio First: The Internet’s Shift To Voice, with Peter Weingard (WNYC), Kaydee Bridges (Goldman Sachs), Joel Evans (Mobiquity), Nicole D’Alonzo (19 Minute Yoga), Rebecca Greenfield (Bloomberg Business)
Crafting quality, compelling stories is key. Need storytellers who know how to deliver stories in a compelling way/format. #InnoCon
— Innovation Congress (@innocongress) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“Having an audio equipment doesn’t make you an audio creator. As being able to use Word doesn’t make you a writer.” @pweingard #InnoCon
— Mafê Villas Boas (@mafevillasboas) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
How Coca-Cola Accelerates Innovation, with Pete Scott (Turner)
Pete Scott of @turner innovation process. You’ll want to copy this image. #innocon pic.twitter.com/MHUpn0eQEd
— Drew Neisser (@DrewNeisser) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
UGC in 2007: so many complications (rights & clearance, ethical issues, editorial…). UGC today: the bread & butter of local news #innocon
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Take Me To Your Robot Leader, with Dennis R. Mortensen (X.AI), Ken Dodelin (Capital One), Katie McMahon (SoundHound), Charlie Oliver (Tech 2025)
Charlie Oliver just asked the audience how many have Echo, Google Home, etc at home. Most hands went up. This makes me so happy! #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/v4psarXAzx
— Dominique Baldwin (@DomDomasaurus) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Sense from panel on IoT, automation, robots is interfaces are going to continue to be increasingly mixed and integrated. (I agree.) #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/gjHHVn1mCk
— Kate O’Neill (@kateo) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.@DennisMortensen on #AI “We are blessed to have a new UI paradigm to happen in our lifetime… they just don’t happen very often” #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/rjRgHNZBWJ
— Caroline Lee (@CarolineLee7) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Disrupting The Universe, A Guided Tour, with Gwen U. Nguyen (Indiegogo), Maggie Burns (Breather), Jen Rubio (Away), Lorine Pendleton (Portfolia Funds)
Key themes of these disruptor brands: creating relevant partnerships, being open to failure & telling great stories #InnoCon
— Innovation Congress (@innocongress) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Who disrupts the world? GIRLS! #innocon pic.twitter.com/CFFGjSkQPa
— Aisha Washington (@aishaemerald) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Agencies play a key role in brand innovation, working as partners of visionary individuals within companies, says @jennifer (@away) #InnoCon
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A Simple System for Predicting The Future, with Jeremy Goldman (Firebrand Group)
Don’t try to be bold. Be correct & realistic to make more accurate predictions. @jeremarketer @FirebrandGrp #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/MNEgNNa7US
— Innovation Congress (@innocongress) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Study multiple data sets, get specific and stay specific. Also,
avoid dogmatic approach ? — @jeremarketer #Innocon pic.twitter.com/2xZAduOqWP— Michael DiBiasio (@MichaelDiBiasio) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Defining the Future of Video, with Amy Emmerich (Refinery29), Kristen Scholer (Cheddar), Kay Hsu (Instagram), Nick Cicero (Delmondo)
“Video is no longer about the visual, it’s now about the experience” @Emmerschmidt #InnoCon
— Refinery29 PR (@Refinery29PR) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
From Kay Hsu @instagram on why insta stories can be better than regular video post: intimacy + voluntarily watching the story #InnoCon
— allison burg (@alliburg) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“A platform won’t succeed if only brands like it.” @Emmerschmidt from @Refinery29 at #InnoCon 2017. pic.twitter.com/27R7RtAiRG
— Ann Burr Clevenger (@ABCconcepts) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Hyper Reality is Here: VR, AR and Beyond, with Tyler Riewer (Charity:Water), Courtney Harding (Friends with Holograms), Rori DuBoff (Accenture Interactive), Adina Shanholtz (Microsoft)
Immersive video helps orgs like @charitywater bring unimaginable realities to prospect donors. Like this: https://t.co/lPIPI8wv95 #InnoCon
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
“You can create anything u want, break thru walls. @RoriDuBoff on how #MixedReality is changing the way we think abt content. #VR #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/Ypx6GKVm3T
— Katie B. Roberts (@katiebroberts) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Need a person to USE what you’re making? “Hire a UX/UI person” cried a passionate @FeyTechnologist (SO agree!) #innocon
— Heather Taylor (@heatherAtaylor) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The Future of Work, with Michael Bowes (Estée Lauder), Leslie Bradshaw (Bionic), Sharon Feder (The Muse), Gina Graziano (Firebrand Group)
Ideal workplace: rise of WHOLE HUMAN. We have lives, work is important, but value time. Must be reflected in policies #InnoCon
— Suzanne Woodward (@SuzyKaye) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Brands must market all the time in order to attract talent, not pump out job descriptions only when there’s a need. – @Sharonfeder #InnoCon
— Biana(log) (@bianalog) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Turning The Brave New World Of Tech Into Hard-Headed Commercial Reality, with Cindy Gallop (IfWeRanTheWorld)
Yas!!! @cindygallop‘s reminder about how organizations can own the future is essential and energizing #innocon pic.twitter.com/kBNgn5hah7
— iana (@iana_aranda) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Yes, totally agree. Translating this into advertising world, have to sell to and reflect the world as it really is. #InnoCon pic.twitter.com/SsidqhP48C
— Lara Ziobro (@lararuthz) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Marketers: Don’t make ad units, make ad products! #InnoCon thx @cindygallop for this PSA pic.twitter.com/lhGh0nTLHA
— SocialMedia Explorer (@smxplorer) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Re: brands doing content – “The story shouldn’t be able to happen w/o the brand at the heart of it” – @CindyGallop #InnoCon
— Jenn Patel (@jennlebowitz) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Final Expert Q&A with Cindy Gallop, Courtney Harding, Adrian Parker and Jason Keath.
Innovation comes from trust, space and time. From surrounding yourself with inspiring people. From your passions. Great closing to #InnoCon! pic.twitter.com/xAvtTiXLdu
— Mar Barberá (@marbarbera) July 19, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
And to finish, cocktails and bites and a cool photo booth courtesy of Patrón. It was a great couple of days!
Fact: NYC seriously feels like a sauna right now, and it’s not cute. But hat tip to #InnoCon & @Patron for offsetting the heat a bit for us. pic.twitter.com/qvNCp0ANpW
— Lara Ziobro (@lararuthz) July 20, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Someone is feeling oneself at #Innocon. Blame it on the @patron #patronthesummer pic.twitter.com/h3rppLNmFD
— Adrian Parker (@adriandparker) July 20, 2017
Mar Barbera 