Canadian Marketing Blog

2006 Digital Marketing Conference adds more keynotes

The 2006 Digital Marketing Conference has recently confirmed a couple of stellar new keynotes to an already fabulous roster of speakers. CMA is proud to announce the confirmation of:

• David Weinberger, Co-Author of the The Cluetrain Manifesto and the author of Small Pieces Loosely Joined. David is a dynamic speaker and is sure to be thought provoking.

and

• C.C. Chapman, Creator of podcasts Accident Hash and U-Turn Cafe, and his recent Managaing the Gray, he also serves as Podsafe Music Network's Music Evangalist, a major archive of music licensed for free use in podcasts. C.C.'s opinions as a podsafe music advocate and new media specialist have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe and on ABC and FOX news programs. He is a podcast pioneer and legend.

The addition of C.C. Chapman and David Weinberger top what is already a fabulous line-up. Already confirmed are Joseph Jaffe, author of Life After the 30-Second Spot, Bryan Eisenberg, author of Call to Action and Waiting for Your Cat to Bark? and, marketing thought leader Mitch Joel, President, Twist Image.

This year’s conference has been expanded to a two-day event. Hold the dates of October 19 & 20.

This is, indeed, a great line-up; however, I am disappointed in the distinct lack of women (really, any diversity) in this roster. Are there really not any pioneering, exceptional women that could teach us all a thing or two about digital marketing?

Is digital marketing really only represented by white, middle-aged men? And this is meant as no offense to any of these gentlemen; I know Mitch, have met Joseph and heard David speak at a different conference. Exceptional - all of them. But how can we create sea-change in marketing if we're hearing from the same voices all the time? Voices whose experiences are similar because they are all middle-aged white men.

I'm looking forward to seeing the entire speakers roster and hope that there will be a greater diversity i the overall agenda.

Cheers

You make a great point Kate. Your blog post about this will hopefully stimulate more discussion on the topic in general.

Thanks for raising the issue.

As part of the organizing committee, we have had many months of discussions around the best content and speakers. In fact, a few of the people you pointed out (as well as several others) were approached and, for one reason or another, did not work out. It was mostly due to timing or scheduling conflicts.

I must admit we did not take a step back and observe it in the light that you are shining on it. However, I’m glad you did agree that the middle age white guys who are on the bill are the right ones!!

Thanks, Michael, for your response. As I said to Mitch on my blog I know that organizing speakers is super-tough (and I think I volunteered to help with envelope stuffing for next year). A little like herding cats, I think.

Also .. is there any possibility of getting trackbacks enabled on this blog? Would make keeping track of conversations a little easier!

Hey Kate, I think I managed to turn the trackbacks on. I look forward to you helping us next year! You will be a great addition to the group.