SLIM to host discussion on ‘Why marketers, admen cannot ignore social media’

Recognising the fact that most Sri Lankan marketers are still entrenched in the traditional media and are yet to realise the full potential of social media, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) will host an evening with author of Chat Republic and business communication guru Angelo Fernando on 18 June at the Kingsbury Hotel at 6:00 p.m. This will be followed by a vibrant panel discussion on ‘Why marketers and admen cannot ignore social media,’ that will provoke and provide thought leadership on the new medium.

The panel discussion will be moderated by long standing marketer and adman Bates Strategic Alliance Chairman and CEO Nimal Gunewardena. Joining him will be corporate elites such as JWT President Himanshu Saxena, Etisalat Digital Services and Enterprise Solutions Head Channa Munasinghe, Fortuna Global CEO Suren Kohombange, Quantum Research COO Roshani Fernando and Google Country Consultant of Rohan Jayaweera as well as the Author Angelo Fernando.

“Our objective for this year is to add value to the marketing fraternity at different spheres of the marketing discipline by introducing new concepts which would benefit the students, general public, the marketing fraternity and staff of SLIM,” SLIM President Gamika De Silva said. “One such initiative we have taken, is to invite Angelo Fernando to come and share his valuable input on generating conversations through social media and demonstrating the importance of making the transition to social media.”

Many local marketers are still reluctant to acknowledge the importance of social media, not realising that an increasing number of consumers spend more time on social media. Since Asia is making strides into digital media, no company can now afford to sit in the sidelines anymore. Therefore, to educate the marketing fraternity that digital media can no longer be ignored and encourage them and their ad agencies to embrace this new platform and medium, Sri Lankan born author Angelo Fernando will talk about his brand new book ‘Chat Republic’. And why it is time for marketers and admen to consider social media.

“My new book, ‘Chat Republic’ is the outcome of eight years of covering the growth of digital media, and 18 years of work on the intersection of technology and society,” Angelo said on his blog. The book ‘Chat Republic’ is about a very young place with an unpublished constitution. While social media is a work in progress, it is used to codify deep and fragmented conversations. While Chat Republic draws insight from interviews done with thought leaders at facebook, Pitch Engine, Ogilvy, the Occupy Wall Street movement, the US State Department, Google and many more organisations in North America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Angelo Fernando plans to prepare the audience for the time when socially enhanced conversations will become inseparable from day to day work. This discussion is open for all marketers, admen, media specialists, social media enthusiasts and students. Tickets are priced at Rs. 1,750 and can be reserved by contacting Lahiru on O727 735 063.