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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

As an early adopter of social media and a technology enthusiast, Adele lives much of her life on the web. She is researching, writing and speaking about Death and Digital Legacy to help people understand the personal, social and business implications of all that they leave behind. And, that’s the subject of her talk at PAB2010.

Few have stopped to consider what digital content they want to survive them. What is important to you, your community, your family, and your profession? What is relevant to one person may be irrelevant to the next, and how your digital affairs are handled after you pass will have long-lasting consequences.

Death and Digital Legacy examines the intersection of death, social media and technology and looks at the ripples that are created with loss. This wide-reaching topic looks at the chasm between online communities and families; legal, privacy and security issues; policies of online services; and what each of us should do today to prepare our digital assets.

Adele will raise issues at the forefront of this emerging topic surrounding the lack of global infrastructure needed to manage online identities and digital assets. With no established norms, development is driving forward with sweeping Terms of Service policies leaving few options for control of valuable content and accounts.

Her dedicated site for this topic is DeathAndDigitalLegacy.com.

We asked Adele five very important questions.

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

I like interviewing people and covering events, sharing some of the excitement with others who can’t attend. I fondly remember talking to Bob Goyetche on video at the opening of the first Podcamp Montreal in September ’08.

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

Christian Payne (a.k.a. @documentally / ourmaninside.com) has to be one of my favourite media producers. He’s just the consumate creator. He’ll do a 5 minute monologue on the joys of waiting for tea to steep, or pick up a guitar and make up a song on the spot, he’ll interview anyone about anything. He uses video, audio, text and photos to create constantly. He has a geek camp, he covers events for the UN, he lives and breathes social media. His fetus had a twitter account – and is now knon as @minimentally. He tweets on behalf of his 80 year old grandmother (@granumentally) and was even featured on Norah Young’s Spark on CBC with his grandmother. Christian is a lovely person and shares so much of his life, it’s hard not to be inspired by him.

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

The ability to connect with the topic either emotionally or intellectually. Relevance is subjective to the individual, and so niche appeal is the key.

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

I wouldn’t change a thing. Every decision I’ve made – whether it was good or bad – has brought me to this moment in time and has taught me something. I live without regret, but try to learn from every lesson life throws at me.

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

I hope that people will view what they create online as digital assets and assess what is important to them. Then, at minimum, I hope that they discuss it with their families so that their wishes are considered.

Mare Swallow walks you through 3 Adult Learning principles to spice up your media and attract more eyeballs. Learn what adults need before they buy into something new. You’ll receive at least one (if not three!) techniques you can apply immediately.

Mare has told us she’s  thrilled to be part of PAB2010. What has she told you?

Like our other speakers, we asked Mare five very important questions.

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

My husband and I were at a huge, day-long event at the Chicago Cultural Center (a must-see in Chicago). During a pee break, I waited for him in the hall. Well, he exits the bathroom, all pissed off. Some serious urinal etiquette had just been breached. While my husband did his business, some random guy took the urinal right next to him, despite a plethora of vacant pissers. Then the guy starts chatting up my husband. While he’s peeing! Not cool! Husband bitches to me about it, and, voila, my next podcast was born. It was a blast to record with my husband, who is also a former DJ. My favorite part? Foisting my god-awful jokes on him.

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

Tim Coyne of The Hollywood Podcast. His honesty and diligence and determination inspire me to keep myself going. He constantly creates media and works on his art – whatever format it takes – no matter what. Tim is incredibly open-hearted and open-minded when it comes to online media. His viewpoint inspires me to give consideration to a podcast that, while I might not love it, I can learn from it.

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

Understand that not everyone thinks like you do; not everyone cares about the same things you do, and not everyone will stick around very long to listen. (No, Scarborough Dude, I am not talking about you.)  I don’t think media creators should try to be everything to everybody; having a distinct product and point of view is important. But understand that there’s a difference between rambling on about what happened when you were buying beer yesterday and what was funny (or interesting, unique, thought- provoking, or universal) while you were buying beer yesterday.

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

I would’ve started a blog and started podcasting 6 years ago, vs. 3.

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

I certainly hope it’ll make people not necessarily change their content, but make their output a little more relevant, and a little less self-serving, and as a result, garner them a larger audience. How do I hope it’ll change how they’ll act? Each and every one of my session attendees will go to www.etiquetttebitch.blogspot.com and subscribe. (wink and smile.)

He was a newspaper reporter at 14. At 17 he was a regular columnist with Toronto’s Sunday Star. At 22 he was creating award-winning radio ads. And now, at an undisclosed age, Mike will become a PABster, delivering the keynote Beyond Words: What Makes Great Media Resonate at 1pm on Saturday, June 19. His session will examine the role of creative in the modern age of media and how content creators can use creative to build audiences.

Prior to The Age of Persuasion, Tennant was known to thousands of CBC Radio listeners as Ad Columnist on Definitely Not the Opera, and the voice of syndicated “explainer” pieces on topical events.

He gives talks and workshops throughout Canada on creative communication, media and branding.

Sadly, Mike recently announced he’s leaving The Age of Persuasion when its fourth season concludes in June.

We asked Mike to answer five questions for the PAB community.

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

The whole Age of Persuasion experience has been a delight and surprise. We have a broadcast listenership of more than 600,000 in Canada alone, and many more online; our book is in its fourth printing, and we have thousands of Facebook fans in 20 countries. It’s humbling- and hilarious. We designed our first show (O’Reilly on Advertising) as a 10-part summer series, and never dreamed it would extend beyond that. Resonance like this is the greatest prize in media creation.

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

I am a huge admirer of the late Donald Brittain, of the NFB. His gift for storytelling and narrative rival that of Rod Serling and Ed Murrow. On TV, Ernie Kovacs was forty years ahead of his time. Both are long gone, and their work still gets my heart racing.

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

A simple, powerful idea. It is the fertile soil from which all great communication grows.

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

I’d put much greater faith in my instincts. And take many more (calculated) risks. I’ve been making mistakes for 30 years; only now am I coming to appreciate what a gift they are.

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

I’d like to instill a sense of servitude- to make everyone ask “how am I serving my audience?”

Everyone has a story to tell, but in a sea of information, it can be discouraging to try to create content that matters to your audience. Susan Murphy discusses some methods for developing and producing content that people will notice. You need to decide what stories to tell and how to deliver them most effectively. And once you’re wowing people with your stuff, she’ll provide some practical tips on how to keep the momentum going. After all, content is King…and everyone wants their time on the throne.

SuzeMuse (as she’s known in social media circles) has been a content creator for 21 years. She’s an Ottawa gal who started her career in broadcasting at Skyline Cablevision, now Rogers TV, producing and directing local television programs.

Today, she’s a partner at Jester Creative Inc., where she helps people discover and tell their stories in a variety of media, including video and Web. Her interest in social media is extensive (i.e. she is a total nerd), and she contributes to the community though her blog at suzemuse.com, on various social networks and as a teacher of Video Production and Web Media at Algonquin College. She is a member of the creative team of 12for12k.org, and is also on the Board of Directors of SAW Video Coop, an independent video and media arts organization that promotes the amazing work of Ottawa’s media artists.

When she’s not working and writing, Suze enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing guitar badly while singing along fairly well, and traveling with her extremely patient husband. She was also one of the organizers for the amazingly successful TEDx Ottawa!

We asked Sue five very important questions.

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

In 1997, I worked with the Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing communities in Ottawa to produce a 4 part television series called “For Listening Eyes”. The volunteer hosts, reporters, and many of the crew were all members of these communities, and my job was to train them on the ins and outs of producing a TV newsmagazine show. It was one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve ever had as a content creator. We didn’t communicate in the same language, yet, through sign language interpreters, lip reading, lots of weird hand gestures from me, and many, many pens and notepads, we were able to make it happen. My co-producer and I also figured out an innovative way to combine ASL interpretation, video, audio, and open captions on one screen without obstructing anyone’s view of the video itself (no sign language bubble or subtitles on top of the video). That’s something that is really easy to do nowadays with digital video editing. But back then, all we had were a few analog videotape recorders and a small special effects generator. People told us it was impossible, but we pulled it off. The hard work by this amazing team of volunteers won us all the most prestigious award of the Canadian Cable Television Association that year. I learned from this that it doesn’t matter how you communicate your stories – it just matters that you do what it takes to tell them well.

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

Aw geez, I knew you were going to ask this. I can’t possibly pick just one, so I’ll tell you a story. In February 2007, I walked into a room in Toronto where I didn’t know a soul. Four guys named Mark, Bob, Chris and Chris were standing at the front of the room. In the few minutes they spoke to us, the passion those four guys showed for storytelling, and media, and community made my heart skip a beat. As I got to know this community better over that PodCamp weekend, I was overcome, feeling incredible excitement and emotion about what this amazing community of storytellers was doing. All of these people were doing the very thing that I’d spent my whole professional life working at – helping each other tell their stories. These people were passionate beyond belief, and best of all, they were making content that was really, really good. I walked away from that weekend with some great new friends and a whole new perspective, and I never looked back. I owe so much to the crowd in that room, I can’t even begin to tell you. This is the most amazing community of people I’ve ever been involved with, and I’m honoured every day, to be a part of it.

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

I think what people need to remember about relevance is that it’s totally subjective. I follow over 3,500 people on Twitter. There is no way I could ever read every post. But what I CAN do, is seek out the content that is relevant to me. I can skim, use filters, groups, and so on. Most importantly, I can engage in conversations about things that are relevant to me and the people I’m talking with. But just because it means something to my experience, doesn’t mean it has to mean something to yours. I think we expend a lot of energy trying to force our relevance on others. Unfortunately, this creates a culture of “pick me!”, and the authenticity of peoples’ content is lost. Instead, we should focus on being who we are, telling OUR stories (or our clients’ stories). If you’re telling your stories well, those to whom your content is relevant will find you.

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

I’d have started blogging in 1996, the second I found out about the Internet.

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

I hope to help more people to realize that what they have to say is important and interesting. The best way to create content that is meaningful is to believe in yourself and the stories you’re trying to tell. Creating content isn’t just about pushing information out there, but it’s about crafting stories in memorable ways, and figuring out how to link your content together, so it tells a complete story, from all possible perspectives. Good stories told the right way can change the world. And with the Web, that means anyone, anyone, has the ability to do that now.