PAB2010 speaker profile: Tamir Israel

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In December 2009, the Canadian Supreme Court made a ruling which has been dubbed “Responsible Communication.” That ruling offers libel protections for journalists and bloggers communicate responsibly — the defense will be largely based on the quality of the information being questioned and the steps taken by the “reporter” to verify the information. It would seem the ruling has put Canada on the cutting edge for making an official recognition of “bloggers”.

To spread the word about this groundbreaking ruling and how it affects the social media community in Canada, we invited Tamir Israel to speak at PAB2010. And he accepted, offering to deliver the session Communicating Responsibly: the shifting legal landscape for social media creators.

Tamir is a technology lawyer on staff with the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa. His research and advocacy focuses on issues relating to privacy, internet traffic management, intellectual property, intermediary liability, spam, e-commerce and electronic rights generally. In carrying out this advocacy, he has made written and oral submissions to parliament as well as to various judicial and quasi-judicial bodies including the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the Ontario Divisional Court, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission and others.

We put Tamir to the greatest cross examination of his legal career to date with five very important questions. Being a good lawyer, he combined the answers to some of the questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

While I’m relatively new to the ‘creating media’ field, we have had a chance to work on a few short video clips made with the intent of explaining legal issues to the public. What I have enjoyed most (so far) of these activities is the attempt to capture legal concepts in more creative and interactive formats that will (hopefully!) get people’s attention.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?
What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

To me, what makes media and particularly social media most relevant today is the increasing amount of information out there and the increasing sophistication of that information. The Internet is an incredibly empowering utility, but it also means there is far more information to be processed by everyone. Social media creators are necessary if that vast amount of information is to be truly accessible. Coming from that perspective, for me, truly relevant media aimed at information (as opposed to social media aimed at pure entertainment – which I take as a different category altogether) should be engaging, entertaining, and should also capable of conveying the essence of important ideas.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I’m less hoping to change the way people think and/or act and more hoping for an informational exchange and an interesting discussion. The object of my talk is a rapidly evolving area of law that threatens to evolve in a manner that is out of touch with the realities of social media. It is my hope to inform social media creators of this potential threat and to inform myself on how it what the impacts of such changes could be.

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PAB2010 speaker profile: Kady O’Malley

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Some news organizations have embraced digital media as part of their service offering in a way that’s changed how people receive and interact with the news. Then, there’s journalists who’ve saddled up the tools in a way that redefines how we relate to the news and the people who deliver it.

CBC political journalist/parliamentary blogger Kady O’Malley (or author0b70f as she’s identified on CBC.ca) has changed the way federal politics is reported — professional with a dash of human. Armed with a Blackberry (we’ve heard sometimes two of them!), Kady covers the political scene and its personalities in near real-time. She has a passion for politics that borders on the unhealthy, and has liveblogged and Tweeted her way through hundreds of committee meetings, press conferences, judicial inquiries, budget launches, cabinet shuffles, and even the odd constitutional crisis. Oh, and yes, her Boston Terrier really is named “BlackBerry.”

Kady has become a strong media brand within another strong media brand, both of which are making the news and politics — amazingly — more interesting and interactive.

We cornered Kady for a digital scrum*.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

That’s a tough one, actually. I absolutely loved liveblogging the Obama visit last February, because it was such a great way to share the experience, from the absolutely insanely tight security to the mood on the front lawn of the Hill, where thousands of people showed up just to catch a fleeting glimpse of the president. That was a one-shot deal, though, and I also get a kick out of being able to follow a story as it unfolds, in realtime, like at the Afghanistan committee, particularly the day that Richard Colvin testified, and everything changed. I don’t know if I can pick a favourite moment, to be honest. The trick to this job is finding *every* moment memorable, and doing your best to convey that to your readers/listeners/viewers.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

There are lots of obvious, big name choices here, but I’ll have to go with the Ottawa Citizen’s Glen McGregor, who is a role model for every journalist who has glanced at a long list of numbers and names, blanched, and gone off to do an easy story instead of digging into the entrails to find the truth. He was also the first Canadian journalist to livetweet a trial from gavel to gavel — the Larry O’Brien case last summer. The Guardian for the groundbreaking Comment Is Free. Really, you can find inspiration everywhere. Isn’t that the whole idea of the internet? Who needs a single muse when you have distributed brilliance?

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

It strikes me that it is, indeed, the oldest question in the world for news gatherers/artmakers/thought sharers: How do you ensure that people actually want to read/hear/watch what you produce, particularly given sheer volume of, well, content that is available for the perusing? It is a competitive world, and if I had all the answers … well, I’d probably living in quietly blissful luxury on my own private island (with highspeed and beach-to-beach wifi, of course). But, I’m not, and I don’t.

Give the people what they want seems like a good start, although you can also reverse the formula, and give what you’ve got to the people who want *that*, specifically, provided you can find them, and let them know you exist.

The real danger for those exploring the uncharted territory of the pixelverse — as well as the old world media landscape — is meta-induced paralysis. Stop thinking so much about what you’re doing, and why, and concentrate on *doing* it. Sometimes you’ll screw up and misread the map to a spectacular degree. But if all you’re doing is marvelling over the tools and the dynamics and the potential, you’re not going to get anything of substance done.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

That presumes that I actually planned anything I’ve done up until now, doesn’t it? Honestly, I’m not sure what I would change. Which isn’t to say that all my decisions have been eerily prescient, but this is getting a bit existential, isn’t it? I guess the only thing I wish is that I’d made the shift to the pixelverse earlier.

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

Gosh, I don’t know, although coming up with another term for “branding” — one that makes human being sound slightly less like virtually identical inanimate objects or theoretical concepts — would be ideal. Oh, and I do wish people would stop pitting new media/the internet/”bloggers” against traditional/so-called mainstream media/”journalists”, as though somehow, one must die so the other can survive, but that seems a bit optimistic.

Photo: Kady O’Malley arrives by G20voice.

* Scrum – A scrum is a group of reporters crowded around an individual directly related to a story. Journalists will likely be yelling questions in an attempt to learn more and further their story. This often happens outside of courtrooms or even at individuals’ homes. (source)

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PAB2010 speaker profile: Barry McLoughlin

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Barry McLoughlin, President of McLoughlin Media, one of North America’s leading media training and consulting firms will be our keynote speaker on June 18th. Barry’s speech – The world has changed…now what? - will focus on the power of social media, podcasting and other new media phenomena that have transformed the nature of news coverage, political campaigns and managing issues for governments, corporations and politicians.

What will it mean for politics as usual? For traditional media? For individual citizens? For the expectations of our institutions in society? Will it empower people or just lead to more ‘noise’ in the environment. Barry will tackle these issues with real-world examples of the good, the bad and the ugly of communications, laced with a dose of humour.

Barry’s career has included stops as a stand-up comedian, television writer and trainer of media techniques. He’s a media junkie and loves golf. One day, golf may love him back.

We asked Barry five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

My very first experience was certainly the most memorable. Along with my writing partner at the time, Ken Shaw, we created a concept for a television comedy series and I left Carleton University to write the series for Global TV. It was called “Sshh…it’s the News!”

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

My late brother Stephen was my first collaborator in creating comedic content. His mind was so quick, his punch lines were incredible, and we inspired each other to take chances with our material.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

A fresh voice with something to say – about what’s really going on in our lives.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I tend to think that the three most useless words in our language are: ‘woulda’, ‘shoulda’ and ‘coulda’. Having said that….perhaps I woulda, shoulda and coulda done much of the same with about 25 fewer pounds!

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

As content creators, to appreciate their potential to achieve something profound.

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PAB2010 Speaker profile: Whitney Hoffman

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Whitney Hoffman is a social media dynamo. Her amazing LD Podcast has been helping parents and educators with issues relating to learning disabilities since June 2006 (we’ll pretend that PAB2006 had something to do with that). However, she’s probably best known as one of the driving forces behind the PodCamp community and legal counsel for the PodCamp foundation. If you ask her, though, Whitney will probably say that one of her most important contributions to her various communities is her proudly and genuinely assumed role as “Den Mother”.

Whitney has been an active member of the PAB community since PAB2007 and first spoke at PAB2008 when she delivered her dynamic workshop, Community: Why It’s the ONLY thing that matters. This year she returns to the stage with her session Disruption of Social Contracts. Her original explanation of this session went something like this:

Whether it’s people needing to learn the new unspoken rules of what’s considered polite or required online (ie leaving comments, and being more interactive than passive readers) or more traditional examples, like if Big Banks are seen as trying to screw the consumer at every turn, how morally compelled do you feel to pay your bill?  Is it easier to walk away from your home and mortgage, because it’s no longer about the story of home ownership, but instead it’s now a commodity that should be bought and sold on a whim?  Are we evaluting the importance of everything based on transactional economics?  Quid Pro Quo?

Even in theater, I saw a recent production of Hair where cast members came out and engaged with the audience, and afterwards many went up on stage and danced with the cast…but clearly this breaking of the wall between audience and performer is not always comfortable, but its something we take for granted is a norm online.

As we go through this period of social disruption, what norms will remain?  What will we agree deserves to remain a rule (like driving on the proper side of the road or not stealing from each other) and which may fall (trademark and copyright)?

We asked Ms. Hoffman to answer five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

When I had my first listener write to me, letting me know what a huge help and impact my show had for them- that made everything seem worth it/ I was no longer talking for myself but for others as well.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

By far- Terry Gross and Ira Glass. Their story telling style, the way they do interviews has been something I try to emulate- how to make a human connection with your guest makes the human connection with the audience.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

You have to ask yourself why you are doing this and why someone would want to listen. Who are you speaking to and why? That person you are trying to reach, or entertain is why we make media in the first place. Keep your audience first in your thoughts.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I would find a more streamlined way to produce shows. I would find someone to work with, to keep me going when I got disappointed or lazy or short on ideas and time. Partners and community keep your energy going when your inner critic becomes a real problem.

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I’m hoping that by taking a look at the disruption of all the “rules” we take for granted, and those we intentionally ignore, we’ll think a little more about relationships, community, and also when we should actively break rules and forge a new path.

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PAB2010 Speaker profile: Adam Gratrix

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Adam Gratrix is an independent audio and video producer from Vancouver. He joined the PAB community in 2007, our second event, when he took the stage on a panel about authentic voice. Adam quickly became a strong voice in the community and has been to every PAB since.

Adam returns to the PAB stage this year with his session, Cult of Listener: Podcaster as shaman in the post-literate Global Theatre. During the session, he will propose a different way of thinking in the Internet and Ecology age, and build a case for podcasters to embrace the role of modern shaman.

As with all of our speakers, we put an important series of questions to Adam.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

Most of the friends I have at this point in my life I’ve either recorded podcasts with or met through, or because of, podcasting. There’s a lot of shared memories tangled up in this media. It’s heart warming to hear the stories other people have associated with the content I’ve put out in the world.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

I owe a lot to Scarborough Dude for his encouragement and helping me believe in myself as an artist. I’ve been listening to podcasts for over five years now. They’re an essential part of my life. There’s many shows I could list but The Dude is at the top. His Dicks n Janes podcast is timeless; did you know it used to be a newsletter that circled the globe by mail? Did you know mail used to be sent using paper?

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

Do people still say “Content is King”? Well, Context is everything. We’re not just consumers anymore; we’re producers, editors, distributors, etc. Nothing is truly conatined. Timeslots are irrelevant. TV shows spawn their own online metacommunities like Lost and Glee. Media has become a deep personal investment. Read any good fan fiction lately?

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Produce quality podcasts. I started so haphazardly; so unmarketable. Over the years, I developed a unique style and voice but also certain habits that keep me from reaching a wide audience. Above all, I wish I had more confidence in my artistic intuition and followed through on some ideas that just need a little push to blossom. The one that got away is such a boring story but let it serve as a warning for those who hesitate to create.

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

I don’t like the term “content producer”. What is content really? Creativity crammed into a fancy box. Let’s be unafraid to call ourselves “artists”. Or if that term seems too wishy-washy, how about “imagination engineers”. Building the media of today with the dreams of tomorrow.

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PAB2010 Speaker profile: Avril Benoit

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Avril Benoît is the host of the podcast MSF Frontline Reports. As director of communications for the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Canada, she’s one of the leaders of a global team that’s responsible for media work, publications, exhibits, crisis and operational communications — and, of course, a robust online presence that includes podcasts, web videos, audio-slideshows and blogs. She was the aid agency’s emergency communications coordinator in Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake — a crisis that turbocharged MSF’s social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, in particular.

Avril joined MSF in 2006 after more than two decades in radio, television and print journalism. She’s probably best known for the 10 years she worked as a current affairs host and producer at CBC Radio. This year, she becomes a PABster when she delivers her session Independent humanitarian organizations and social media during which she will talk about how the independent humanitarian organization harnesses social media to engage the global public.

We asked Avril five very important questions.

What is your best memory of creating media for other people to enjoy?

We asked visitors to our mini-website Condition-Critical.org to send messages of support to the people of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. But we never really thought through how we planned to deliver those messages, even symbolically. The daunting task fell to me. Here’s the result, a video I filmed in December 2009 in the camps around Kitchanga in North Kivu.

Which media creator has been most inspiring to you and why?

When I first became a communications director, the podcast Manager Toolshelped me gain the confidence to run a department and interact with colleagues around the world. The podcast features a couple of executive coaches who tend to ramble on in a way that’s oddly reassuring.

What do you think is the most important consideration to media relevance?

When creating high fibre content, at least give us some high production values to make it taste better.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Nothing, really. I’m sanguine about all the lumps, bumps and detours.

How do you hope your PAB2010 session will change the way people think and/or act?

Geeks can make the world a better place when they roll up their sleeves for a good cause.

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