I am pretty savvy when it comes to most technical things but admittedly, I’m absolutely clueless when it comes to the backend of websites; servers, hosting etc. With that being said, I enthusiastically decided to switch my blog over to an actual server instead of the default WordPress-hosted one. I did not quite know what I was in for and before I knew it, I was sitting there for days as my blog was down looking things up, scratching my head and needing help.

My hosting-inept self did not know that I would be needing an entirely new WordPress account and basically start over with everything. Finally I received the help I needed and now I sit here with the content imported but a generic WordPress theme and absolutely no time to customize it.

On that note, WELCOME to my accidental new blog! Same content, different downgraded look! Bear with me as it undergoes some changes; hopefully looking better than it did before. For now it will remain an aesthetically amateur site desperately needing some love. Feel free to retweet any of my old posts since all of the notices that it has at some point been retweeted, are now gone. Although comments remain, my blog looks quite uneventful and lonely. This shall change!

My time as Community Manager for Panasonic's LivinginHD.com has sadly come to an end. We are parting ways but I will still be an active participant of the community! Being able to get my hands dirty in Community Management about a year and a half ago when this kind of job wasn't necessarily recognized as a needed role by many, was quite the learning experience. I was able to truly learn the ins and outs of serving as a liaison between a brand and its consumers - both potential and current. Putting your name, image and voice out there on the front lines can be difficult for many but was easy for me as I always remained passionate about the brand and its offerings.

While serving as community manager, things became very personal for me. Many of the members I developed authentic friendships with; ones that will continue indefinitely. In saying this, I believe that having someone who can truly connect with your customers as well as humanize the brand is vital. As a community manager, one receives messages of kindness, anger and even personal messages. There can be a gray area when dealing with members but it is up to the individual who has been entrusted with such responsibility to find that middle ground without crossing any lines; a ground that will best represent the brand while maintaining a good reputation and overall online rapport. I was able to meet such dynamic individuals and make connections that will last me a lifetime. Additionally, I got to work with one of the best companies that exists. Thankfully, crayon (now known as Powered) had enough faith in me to bring me on board to begin with and for that, I thank them endlessly. Being chosen to represent a worldwide brand and their new effort was a surprising honor for me. I served many hats during the process and was able to not only partake in the community side of things but also other efforts that included marketing, outreach and more.

I can genuinely say that I love Panasonic and its customers. I truly do. I may not be the Community Manager anymore but I certainly will always be an avid fan.

Thank you to everyone whom I've had the honor of meeting during this fantastic experience!

(Below is my official goodbye video:)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvm8aqoBu7I]

I will admit, the new iPad is a cool device with great functionality, but functionality we've all witnessed before and what many of us already have in our possession.  It seems Apple rushed out an item they hoped to be the most desired item, but in my eyes I see it as being ridiculously redundant. Word about the iPad has been rampant on Twitter since yesterday's announcement from Apple.

@kevinelliott It's not a replacement for a computer, nor for a phone! It's a flashy, expensive, superfluous device! #iPad #redundant

My sentiments, exactly, Kevin.  The device seems a tad excessive -- particularly for those who already own MacBooks and iPhones.  Others seem to be yapping about how it is going to aggregate all things digital.  I beg to differ.  It seems the Apple minions are running towards the stores to buy it in droves.  Steve Jobs wanted to make something that is "more intimate than a laptop but so much more capable than a Smartphone," but who truly needs an in-between device? My Macbook Pro serves me just as well (except that it lacks a handy touchscreen) without having to drop another $500 during a recession.  The fact that you'd have to spend extra on a monthly data plan for yet another gadget seems unnecessary.

On a more superficial note, the name doesn't draw me into buying it (particularly as a woman).  "I'd like an iPad please!"  This Washington Post article hit the nail on the head:

"Are there NO women in the Marketing or Biz Dev department of Mac?" wrote one user, speculating that "iPad" would pass muster only with a man. No women were present on Apple's panel at the San Francisco announcement."

It seems Apple was simply in a rush to release a product that would be the Kindle & Nook killer, while seemingly reproducing their iTouch product with a few more features and a bigger size.  However, after finding this brief article in February of 2008, it seems the current design and name of the product was leaked nearly two years ago.  Strange.  With two years of production and concept modification, you'd think they would have come up with more features and uses for the device that would blow the iPhone/iPod Touch out of the water.

The day I see an iPad with a full Mac OS (and option to make calls on), I will run immediately to Apple.  Until then, I won't be needing you, iPad.  I've got more useful pads at home.

I have to admit - the frequent lack of time and writer's block as of late has me not writing much of anything.  For that i feel guilty.  However, I found a new way to share my thoughts and interesting photos/sites etc in an easier and quicker fashion.  I've created www.BitsofKate.com  - There you can find daily bits and musings from me.  You may find it to be far more interesting then (possible) senseless rambling that goes on here sometimes.  I shall come back here and revive it in due time though.  Don't Fret.

It's still new so have a little patience...

We all know that conversation is vital in our lives; both professionally and personally and the conversation for each one of us all began with our first word or with a company's first move towards social media.

Well recently my daughter Adria has begun her lifetime of conversation. It's a great reminder of how we must listen first and then communicate. Sometimes I feel like there's too much talking (both on and off the blogosphere) and not enough listening which provides far less value than what a true conversation can provide. Ask questions..listen for feedback and listen well By doing so, we can truly learn something new each day. With that, here's a video of my mini-me saying "Mama". (Oh and please excuse the sound of my gross cold+sinusitis voice.) Let the conversation begin Adria!

[dailymotion id=k4oJm1ljIUGXTFV6JR]

This is not tech related or business related whatsoever but I wanted to extend a congratulations to my friend Scott Herman who is now on the Real World: Brooklyn.  The season premier was on Wednesday at 10pm and it looked pretty juicy!  Although I haven't watched the show in about 5 or 6 years, I will certainly be watching this season.  What makes Scott so great is that despite his ridiculously good looks, he's unlike most "jocks" you see on TV (especially Real World).  He's a guy that has big dreams and will achieve them the right way.  He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and is a great friend!  So kudos to you Scott..may all your dreams come true!

It's official.  I fell off... 

I'm working on getting back on.  

Things are a bit hectic on this end and I will return to this beloved blog once I've sorted things out. 

If you or anyone you know has a job opportunity with the web/new media marketing field, please comment below with your email address.  Actively job searching and am open to relocation.  

 

Thanks for being so patient everyone.  I'll be back soon.

*Update: Now I posted this almost 3 years ago. Fortunately nothing has happened since but after spending time there, I do see the threat as being possible but maybe not successful.* Also please note that this blog post was written purely from my standpoint based on the research I did. This post should by no means be considered 100% accurate nor serve as any solid evidence for any causes. Please respect eachothers' opinions.

I will be traveling to South Africa from July to about December or so -- living with my significant other who is from there.

Tonight I was informed of a very real threat in South Africa. It is said that there is a planned mass genocide on the white people of South Africa after Nelson Mandela dies. Nelson Mandela supports peace between all Africans....however, after his passes -- thousands upon thousands are expected to flood into the city and blockade the streets of Johannesburg to slaughter the whites. A couple years back, it was said that they did a practice run as it was written on the taxis that came into the city "UHURU" which translates into "Night of the Long Knives" according to them. (also known as Operation Vula/Operation White Clean-up/Operation Iron Eagle/Red October campaign).

They have openly said -- "WAIT UNTIL MANDELA DIES".

The UK supposedly has jet planes ready on stand by for when Mandela dies to pick up many of their residents that live within the country.

BASICALLY - I'm rather terrified. He mentioned this before but it wasn't until now that I've done some research and the threat is more than real...... Mandela is old as dirt now... and will go any day. I arrive there in July and will be there for quite a few months..... once that day comes they will be blockading all petrol stations, airports and all of that. Ugh.
------

Video:

Here is an article I found below:

White slaughter
in South Africa?
Plans made to conduct campaign

*Note: It was written in 2004
Editor's note: Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin is an online, subscription intelligence news service from the creator of WorldNetDaily.com – a journalist who has been developing sources around the world for the last 25 years.

© WorldNetDaily.com

While former South African President Nelson Mandela, 85, scoffs at rumors of ill health, plans are being made by the nation's Communist Party to slaughter all whites in the country upon his death, G2B sources say.

One of the operations planned entails 70,000 armed black men "being transported to the Johannesburg city center within an hour" in taxicabs to attack whites.

The plans are variously dubbed "Operation Vula," "Night of the Long Knives," "Operation White Clean-up," "Operation Iron Eagle" and "Red October campaign."

Operation "Our Rainy Day" was to be carried out after the death of Nelson Mandela and would have entailed blacks being transported to the largest cities in taxis.

The assailants were expected to "take over" fuel points and massacre whites. The attacks would lead to a coup.

Sources say most blacks in the country are aware of the plans. When racial disputes occur, blacks often tell whites, "Wait until Mandela dies."

"White people in South Africa can deny it to the end of the earth, but we are in real danger," one resident said. "This is no joke and any person with half a brain can see that this rumor has spiraled out of control."

Many whites are now convinced a vicious campaign of ethnic cleansing will follow Mandela's death whenever it comes. Some are making preparations for retreats.

"I have prepared myself and we have a gathering place where we can fortify for four weeks after Mandela's death," said one white South African. "If nothing happens it will be a miracle."

The Red October campaign is allegedly a Communist plot to oust President Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki would be replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa.

"I was starting to think I was going nuts!" said another white South Africa resident. "'Operation Uhuru' or 'Operation White Clean-up' is definitely no rumor. I spoke to someone who told me that some blacks in Zimbabwe have also confirmed that this 'event' will take place. My cousin stays on a farm in Mpumalanga, not too far from Johannesburg. A black police officer in that district told his white colleague that they are going to kill us like flies, and there is nothing we can do about it. And that they also don't care if we know."
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What is most disheartening, is that it was reported in February of this year, that Mandela may be extremely ill and in a coma in Mozambique and his death my occur any day now. With the US primarily focused on the war on Iraq, while other genocides are occurring in the world -- they pretty much have no other choice but to turn their heads away from this one as well. We simply do not have the resources to give to something like this if it happens -- too much on our plate thanks to Bush.

Most would just tell the South Africans to run away and flee, however it is easier said than done. They've developed their own country and culture and now day by day since the end of the apartheid, their culture is diminishing. A recent article was written by the Christian Science Monitor about the Afrikaans people. You can't help but feel for them.

Can one honestly say that the masses in SA will calmly think through the consequences of something like UHURU before engaging in rioting and full scale violence. Look at Sudan, Rwanda, Congo, Nigeria, Marocco, Zimbabwe, Moçambique - If that does not show that this can happen in a blink of an eye -- than I don't know what can.

For the optimists looking for Western help - it takes 30 days for international troops to mobilize and arrive in war zones in Europe - how long do you think UN help will take to arrive at the southern tip of Africa to help stabilize things. Hopefully this won't be a reality once Mandela sees his last day.

I want to know why I of all people have encountered two of the most elaborate scams that any one that I've ever known has encountered.

Scam artists have become so thorough these days, that even the most intelligent people can fall for them. Last year I was subjected to an employment scheme which involved interviewing with a man regarding a job that would be done at home (yes, those jobs exist as I currently do freelance internet marketing/promotions on the side). It was so elaborate that I, along with hundreds of others received extensive paperwork that was typical for any job and applied for it accordingly. All of our information was taken but fortunately enough never used. His real identity was revealed and he technically was not liable to be charged unless he had physically done something with the identities. He never did, so I was lucky. (Unless of course I realize 10 new accounts are opened under my name next year.) With my luck - that will happen.

Tonight I witnessed another scam that makes me indescribably disgusted. I nearly tore this woman's head off over the phone. A few weeks ago I was contacted by a marketing company at work. I knew it was a marketing company because our work has a business caller ID. Since I'm quite familiar with focus groups and market surveys, I agreed to do a harmless one that they had offered. After doing the survey, they thanked me and said that in turn, they were rewarding those involved with an all-inclusive cruise. I said (Ha! I'll believe it when I see it.) They simply asked me for my cell phone number and full name and said that I would be receiving a phone call soon. Obviously I did not get excited because I wasn't sure what this was all about anyways but figured maybe somehow it was possible for this to occur.

Today I missed a call from an unknown 800 number and tonight I called this number back. There was automated man's voice on hold thanking me for calling Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines and to please hold - a representative would be right with me.

A woman picked up and knew my name right away. Apparently, they had a caller ID system that enabled them to know exactly who was calling based on previously "registered" participants. She then spoke to me about this lavish all-inclusive trip. I asked question after question - including "What is your website so that I may look at this information?" She replied, www.VacationMoments.com. I looked it up, and there before me was a very bootleg site that as a person who is somewhat proficient at designing a website, thought was extremely unprofessional. I then asked them who exactly they were. She replied that they were indeed Imperial Majesty. Obviously that actual cruise line has their own damn website.

I questioned her on that. I told her that I needed to be cautious naturally and she was so sweet and understanding insisting that she liked that I was asking her, because too many people these days aren't cautious enough. She continuously tried to relinquish any doubts that I may have had. On the other hand, she was pretty stupid in saying that her crappy website was given to people because the original website did not include the "Virtual Tour". Think she can pull that one on me? Why would any company not put a virtual tour on their professional main site and then put it on some half-assed website made in 30 mins? Disgusting.

I then googled some more to see that it was indeed a scam. And the original site is really

www.MYVacationMoments.com Haha, funny - she forgot the "My" in front of the rest of the URL.

By that time, I had already hung up and said I'd think about it, after she had already pushed me to give my credit card number to pay only for the port taxes. ($59) She even said that my call (while giving my credit card info) would be recorded for "security purposes". She said she would forward it over to a "specialist". (Wow the lies kept getting better and better.)

I tried to call back but because of the caller ID, that automated voice spoke over and over again for about 10 minutes, so naturally they did not take my call.

I am sick to my stomach. I cannot believe the multitude of heartless people that actually can live with themselves while scamming every-day hard working people out of their money. Most of these people probably cannot even afford it. They become so excited about going on a cruise because they have never in the past been able to afford one. (I've never been on one either actually). I am not a violent person, but after something like this happens to you personally, one could say that some con artists deserve death penalties. They ruin lives. Absolutely ruin lives - all while remaining calm, cool, collected and sweet. They lie through their teeth, hearing excitement in people's voices only to know their soulless selves are about to steal massive amounts of money from you. If that is not the devil in disguise, I do not know what is.

I wanted to call her back and say the most horrible things to her in the most calm tone. I just cannot believe the great lengths people go these days to benefit themselves.

Hopefully this article will prove to help others out before it happens to them.

Notes:

BEWARE of anything that is "FREE". Nothing is ever fully free.

NEVER give out your credit card information over the phone. Even if they insist that your information will be protected.

ASSUME it is a scam. Better to be safe than sorry.

Those folks will get their day . . . karma is a bitch.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/security/New_Ramada_Inn_Vacation_Cruise_Scam]

(I took this down before...but since it's been getting so many hits...here I am reposting it!) Hopefully he will be okay with it. Bill - you are the MAN. (To put it bluntly.) This is not for personal promotion but simply to promote a great person that I am proud to have interviewed.

While this is not really the norm of this blog --- I decided to post it anyhow. Not many of you necessarily know too much about me (with the exception of friends of course), but I figured I would share the interview that I somehow scored with the great Bill Geddie who is great friends and co-workers with Barbara Walters. He works with her on her long-running show "The Barbara Walters Special" as well as the ever so popular daytime talk show - "The View".

Enjoy!

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Bill Geddie Interview

As I walked into the ABC building on 66^th street, I was a bit nervous to meet the man behind such television shows as "The Barbara Walters' Special" and "The View". I reminded myself that this was an interview that is certainly not easily obtained. I waited for a few moments in the "The View" offices and was then instructed to head into Mr. Geddie's personal office. Upon entering, I admired the collection of framed promotional posters and photos of Barbara Walters and various specials she had done from years prior. It was a comfortable office and "homey" by office standards. As we sipped on hot coffee, Mr. Geddie opened up to me about how he went about succeeding in such a competitive television field. My first question was what his current job title was and what exactly it entailed. He stated that he is the Executive Producer of both shows previously mentioned and that he oversees the creative aspects and the management of the programs. He continued to explain that while Barbara Walters and him have equal power, that he normally undertakes the day to day operations due to Barbara's hectic schedule. When speaking about how long he has been in the business, he proceeded to answer many of my questions in one fell swoop. Thirty years he had spent working his way up and becoming the successful man he is today. He attended the University of Texas and received his first formal experience immediately thereafter, at a local television station. They hired him as a camera man working on film cameras which were "relatively liked but very complex" he said. He spoke of the change in the types of cameras and how when the video cameras came into use, many of the film cameramen wanted no part in the new technological advancements. He called himself a "low man on the totem pole" upon receiving the job that no one else wanted anymore. He mentioned that these new cameras were very heavy and not easily used by smaller guys, but as a bigger guy he was able to operate them with ease.

A very interesting story that he told to me, which opened my eyes about screenwriting, was the story of his film "Unforgettable". He thought as a college student that screenwriting was his dream and said "almost everyone I know, at some point thinks they're going to be a screenwriter." He stated that he had written a script and sold it to Hollywood. His script was passed around and re-written "a hundred times", and he had no control on how the final product turned out, nor did he know any information on when and how the movie was being executed. He only heard one day that his film was out, so in turn he called a publicist at MGM and asked if he could set up a private screening. He was excited to do so until the publicist said seven dreadful words; "You may want to see it first". He was then extremely nervous but he took a few friends and family to view the film he had written years ago. He said "for the first forty-five minutes, I say - it's my movie! Then weird stuff starts to happen and then people start laughing, and it's not a movie where you're supposed to laugh – it's a thriller." He then started to question why certain characters were missing, and why some he was unfamiliar with started to appear. The film started going in a completely different direction than what he wrote it as. "By the end, my wife and I stand up in shock, and make our way out up into the lobby, and there were a few girls out smoking cigarettes about your age, and I remember very clearly her saying - who writes shit like this?" he said. He spoke of how humiliating such a film was since he was given sole writing credit. It used to hurt to see it, but now he is "well over it" he said in confidence. He said that very rarely is your film an Oscar winner and although he believes what he initially wrote was worthy of an Oscar, it was ruined by the industry. He then said "I found out that I don't have the stomach, or the patience to be a screenwriter. I don't want to work on something today that I'm going to see the fruits of in seven years." I then proceeded to ask him if it is really even a good idea to be a screenwriter if you ultimately have no true control over the hard work you have put forth.

An essential piece of advice that he then gave, was that if a screenwriter wants to write a script, that it is simply not worth it to sell it to a company who will produce the film themselves. If you truly want to have complete control over your project, he says it is better to raise the money and finance it yourself. He made it quite clear that it is not in your best interest to spend an immense amount of time on a script, only to have all your efforts go down the drain due to such big changes in the initial writing. He says to "stay away from that system, because you're not powerful enough" in regards to the control you have. As someone who has thought of writing a script, this is very useful story that he told me. Although we have talked much about financing our own films within class, this reinforces such a suggestion due to the fact that it is real proof that it is truly wise to do so. He spoke of how if he ever undertakes writing a script in the future that he will certainly raise the money himself since he learned the hard way rather young.

I wanted to get more into the mind of Mr. Bill Geddie, so I asked him a fun question about which television programs were his favorite growing up. He replied that he liked "anything with guys that were cool" like "The Mod Squad", "Combat!", and very well-known "boy shows" – anything with secret agents, soldiers and more to the likes of that. He revealed through those few answers that he was certainly a man's man. It was quite interesting and ironic to see that those were his favorite types of shows since he ultimately created such a female-focused program such as "The View". He also revealed that he is still a kid at heart since he loves playing video games such as "Resident Evil" and "Metal of Honor". In a both equally surprising and not so surprising turn, he stated that he was obsessed with talk shows. I then realized how it came to be that he had the initial idea for the show he currently produces. His loved for talks shows began with Johnny Carson which easily believable with him being such a timelessly funny and entertaining man. "I thought and still think he is the greatest talent ever." Bill said. He then spoke of another talk show where the producer would sit on the side and look through the curtain and he thought that was the "coolest thing". Although I did not inquire, that may explain why Mr. Geddie is often seen and mentioned in the audience of various shows of "The View". "I never knew I'd end up producing a talk show" he said. Judging by his past, I probably would never guess it either.

I was very interested in knowing how he met the legendary Ms. Barbara Walters, so I inquired. It was explained to me that he had initially met her while field producing for Good Morning America. A producer had left at the "Barbara Walters' Special", and someone from her offices had given him a call. He went in for an interview and offered to do one of her upcoming specials stating that it was the only project he was willing to take if needed. She liked the idea since she did not know him that well, and agreed to it. He then worked on it, and while that was being worked on, a new special would come up, and then another. It soon turned out that he just fell into the job fully. He then told me how "The View" was created. Back in 1997, a day time opening was available, so he went to Barbara and suggested the creation of such a show. She agreed to be a part of it and it has been going strong for almost 10 years.

I then asked him what his advice to someone such as myself, would be to get into the business and be very successful. His response was that one must figure out exactly what it is that they want to do – "how you ultimately see yourself" he states, so that "when somebody asks you what you want to be when you grow up, that is it most serious question anybody could ask you." he continued. He made it clear so that this point forward once you have decided what it is you want to be, that you have to tell it to everyone. This reminded me of the class where we spoke about business cards and how it is in our best interest to put a job title on our cards that we would someday like to ultimately have, whether or not we have reached such career heights yet. I told him that my professor had said that and he agreed and stated that he did the same thing when he was younger. He said "You can't be ashamed of it and if you're not visualizing it, it's never going to happen." I must say that I could not agree more. He explained that you must figure out which ladder you want to climb as there are many. Surprisingly enough, he informed me that producers do not in fact make as much money as you would think. This was certainly valuable information to know considering that it is the profession I am gearing towards. He said "to show that you have no disdain for the lowest form of the industry is what you need to do", and I must admit that I personally do that on a day to day basis at MTV.

My last question was "What is your greatest accomplishment?" I truly loved his answer, as it was different than I had expected. He explained that his greatest accomplishment was not one particular show or project, but more so the ability to be able to "make something out of nothing"; the ability to have such a creative mind and on a daily-basis be able to concoct ideas for shows and specials. He also spoke of how if you are not passionate about what you are working on, that it is simply not worth it. He now produces only segments that he himself would watch and suggests that other producers to the same. He said it will never work if you are producing for a demographic that you are not familiar with. "Never work on something that you think certain people will like". It will never work out he explained. Throughout this interview, I could certainly see why this man is as successful as he is today. He is humble, yet confident, intelligent; all while open to new ideas and overall, he offers great insight into the world of producing. It was an honor interviewing him and I can only hope to someday be half as successful as Bill Geddie!

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