[We're live-blogging our BlogWell event today from Minneapolis. Also be sure to check out the live-blogging coverage from the folks at Minnov8.]
1:00 — Andy Sernovitz welcomes the crowd of 300+ to BlogWell.
1:05 — Andy: This is our 6th BlogWell event. We are thrilled to be here.
1:06 — Andy encourages the crowd to blog, tweet, and share all they can, using the hashtag #BlogWell.
1:10 — Andy: Thanks to General Mills for all the wonderful goodies in our swag bags.
1:12 — Andy turns it over to Mark Belton, the EVP for Worldwide Health at General Mills.
1:13 — Mark: I just want to thank you all for coming. I want to thank the Social Media Business Council.
1:13 — Mark: I looked at the agenda today and it’s impressive. I’m actually a bit angry, because I should be here today.
1:14 — Mark says that when the meeting is over, he’s going to ask his team in attendance to debrief him on what’s coming, what can be built, and what will allow his team at General Mills to drive intimacy with their consumers.
1:15 — Mark explains his team is committed to developing intimacy with their consumers, and always have been.
1:17 — Andy takes back over the stage, gives a big shout out to the helpful sponsors who have helped make the event affordable and have helped bring it to Minneapolis.
1:18 — Andy introduces Dan Coates from Globalpark.
1:19 — Dan talks about the role of the companies and the members. Dan: This new space requires bravery and those that believe in the importance of social media.
1:20 — Dan describes General Mills’ Advocacy Network, and how Globalpark plays a role in measuring and supplying quantification for what goes on in their community.
1:20 — Dan awards a “platinum album” to General Mills for their work in generating engagement and conversations about their brand.
1:21 — Andy takes back over the stage.
1:21 — Andy: The Social Media Business Council is the group for big companies using social media. The key things you get: Fast answers, and real-time collaboration; a brands-only community; and a focus on your company — how you do it and how you grow it.
1:23 — Andy describes the big picture of why we’re here. Andy: Everyone knows social media is a path to something greater. Companies that start to do this are forever better, because they learn to be nice and learn to talk to people. That’s why we’re committed to this, not because it’s the cool new toy of the week, but because it’s fundamentally better.
1:24 — Andy: But it’s not that easy when you’re big, when you’re a 50-year old company. It gets complicated. Those that stepped up and said, “I believe in this. I’m going to fight to have this happen in my company. You’re going to hear from 8 of those people on stage, and meet a bunch more in the audience.”
1:24 — Andy: We underestimate the bravery it takes to start something like this at a big company. You’re fighting battles both internally and externally. It’s not going to happen the same way at big companies: It’s going to be harder and slower. But those stakes are what make this worth fighting for.
1:27 — Andy: This is why this is awesome. We’re at the start of better times. We’re at the start of a fundamental change that things can be better, and together we can make things better.
1:28 — Andy: It’s a worthy thing you’re doing. I’m very happy to be sitting in a room here with you.
1: 29 — Andy: Thank you all for coming!
