For Immediate Release #42: The panel drones on

Today’s panel features Augie Ray, who leads the customer experience research team for Gartner; digital communication and social media marketing strategist Eden Spoden; and Inside PR co-host Joseph Thornley, CEO of Thornley Fallis. Our topics this week:

* Facebook’s latest algorithm adjustment elevates posts from friends and family, costing publishers traffic

* The FAA’s approval of commercial drone operation opens some opportunities for marketers

* YouTube has added live-streaming to its mobile app

* Ad-blocking’s growing momentum and the adoption of “calm design” as a better means of reaching audiences (or is it?)

* The payoffs and perils of cause-embracing CEOs

* Richard Edelman calls on brands to invest more effort in building relationships with customers

* Samsung’s default “beauty” setting for selfies damages relationships with customers

* Tech correspondent Dan York reports on a major Facebook Messenger update

Connect with our panelists on Twitter at @edenspodek, @thornley, and @augieray.

Links to the source material for this episode are on Delicious.

Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music.

About today’s panel:

Augie Ray is a Research Director covering customer experience for marketing leaders at Gartner. He has had a diverse career, including leading a digital experiential agency, directing social business at USAA and managing a global customer experience team at American Express. In his present role, Augie researches and advises clients on topics such as Voice of Customer, customer journey mapping, customer experience strategy and virtual reality.

Eden Spodek, founder & CEO, Eden Spodek Inc. is an award-winning digital communications and social media marketin

g strategist with more than 25 years of experience on the client and agency side in several verticals. In 2010, she launched her own digital consultancy practice and is a blogger, podcaster and community leader. In 2015, she worked tirelessly on a successful Kickstarter campaign and has been invited to advise on others. Eden co-developed the Digital Strategy and Communications Management certificate program at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. This week, Eden is hosting a free webinar, the A to Z Blueprint for Planning, Building and Launching a Crowdfunding Campaign. She’s an active participant in the digital community and was lead co-organizer of PodCamp Toronto for five years. A sought-after speaker, Eden is frequently invited to join panel discussions and speak at a variety of workshops and conferences.

Joseph Thornley Joseph Thornley is CEO of Thornley Fallis Communications, which comprises several well-known brands:

* Thornley Fallis Communications, a digital engagement and communications consultancy,

* 76design, a digital design and software development studio

* 76engage, an online public participation platform,

* 76insights, an analytics tool focusing on the resonance of social objects and gestures, and

* 76BrandFilms, a video studio.

Joe recognized early the power of social media to change extend and transform our relationships to one another and the institutions in our society. He actively uses social media to explore the evolution of those relationships. Since 2005, he has blogged a ProPr.ca, and is co-host with Gini Dietrich and Martin Waxman of the Inside PR podcast, which, since its launch in March 2006, is now the second longest continuously running public relations...