ZimmComm – New Media, LLC

A recent story on Podcasting News asks a pretty startling question. “Will the Internet Eliminate Local Broadcasters?”

Frankly, I don’t think so. Even with the surge in new media applications and consumer use I think our local radio and tv stations will still be sources of news and information. But only if they pay attention to what’s going on. For example, I only listen to a local station here in the Jefferson City area because they have a great show on Saturday mornings playing the music I like. Otherwise I only tune in to hear a local weather forecast if I’m in my car. The reason is that most music radio is boring. It seems like you can listen to the same station from coast to coast. Where’s the local news and programming? Even talk radio is the same (boring). But there are some stations that are getting it.

How would you answer the question? My good friend Steve has posted on this before.

I get asked questions all the time about resources for blogging and podcasting. My answer is a simple one. Google for it. You will be amazed at all the information that’s available out there.

But to make it easier I’ve added a series of resource links to our site. You can find them in the right sidebar. These are all destinations that will provide you with all the information you could ever hope to find in the time you have. Most are blogs and you can subscribe to them. I recommend NewsGator as a news reader btw.

With the advent of new media technology there are a lot of legal question marks about content such as patents and trademarks, etc. iPac was created to try to get lawmakers up to date on what’s happening as they consider legislation that will affect anyone using these tools.

iPac’s first mission is to send each U. S. senator an iPod pre-loaded with content that is free on the internet. So far they’ve shipped a few. You can find the content they included here.

Interestingly a couple of the senators who have received an iPod have returned them without giving a reason.

How’s this for a great program at the National Corn Growers Association, “STATE AND NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ALL STAFF MEETING?”

Breakout Sessions 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

How To: The Latest in Internet Applications
Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media

I’ll be heading out early in the morning to conduct a short workshop which will consist of an online explanation and demonstration of blogging and podcasting using real world examples. If you would like to have a workshop for your staff or members please feel free to give me a call.

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be blogging the Clean Cities Congress in just a few short weeks on Domestic Fuel. The event takes place May 7 – 10 in Phoenix, AZ. My coverage is being sponsored by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute and Southern California Gas Company.

More and more organizations are seeing the value in having their event “blogged.” Just look at the recent NAMA Conference or BIO 2006. Just call me the event blogger! It’s really a morphing of traditional media techniques with the world wide web. You’ve just got to be multi-media and multi-tasking capable.

If you would like to have your event blogged please call me as soon as possible. If we can’t do it on a ZimmComm blog let me create one for you. After the event you can continue to use it or just hang on to it as a perpetual online “media Kit” of your event. Although I’ve already got bookings during each month through October I still have lots of opening available. It doesn’t have to be a convention. How about a company event for your customers? They can’t all make it so why not let them experience it online?

Not in your budget? This makes a great exposure opportunity for a sponsor. Add value to a current event or convention sponsorship or create a new one.

Keep in mind that the pictures and interviews I post can be downloaded easily by reporters who can’t attend your event. Invite them to log on and use the content. The audio I post is digital quality and they can order hi-res images from me if they need them.

In case you didn’t know about it there’s a very interesting first time event going on this weekend called the International Podcasting Expo . It’s only $11 to particpate. I’m currently logged in as of this post. I’ll log in and out as I have time.

This event will run until tomorrow evening. If you want to know more about podcasting you can have me in to conduct a demonstration or get yourself logged in to this event.

The NAMA Conference is underway here in Kansas City.

It’s NAMA Connection Point time and we’re set up and ready for business.

Feel free to stop by.

We’re not the only people who think blogging is a good thing. Try about 35 million others. At least that’s how many blogs David Sifry says there are in his report on the “State of the Blogosphere.” There’s a lot of blogging going on. If you’re looking for some good information on blogging, here’s one to check out. He’s got some nice graphs you might want to look at. Here’s a summary of some of his findings:

Here’s some business communicators who are using the new media tools. They’re the International Association of Business Communicators. Their annual convention is coming up in Vancouver, British Columbia. Can’t make it? Me either.

But you can keep up on it with:

IABC 2006 Convention Blog: In Session

IABC 2006 Convention Podcast: ConferenceCast

I think this should become a “standard” for organizations in the future. It’s a great use of new media tools. You don’t have to do it yourself. That’s why we’re here. Call on the blogging and podcasting experts to help you out.

Here’s some upcoming projects we’re involved in:

This week it’s NAMA. Besides AgWired, I’ll be blogging the annual conference on the NAMA Blog.

In May, it’ll be the Clean Cities Congress where I’ll be blogging it on Domestic Fuel.

In June it looks like I’ll be blogging the Nashville Fan Fair on AgWired.

In July it will be the Cattle Indusry Summer Conference on AgWired and Beef Board Meeting.

August will find me in Norway at the IFAJ Congress and posting on AgWired.

We’re getting ready for the 2006 NAMA Conference and Trade Show. It gets started next Wednesday in Kansas City, MO. We’ll be exhibiting and doing blogging and podcasting demonstrations. If you’re there please stop by.

I’ll be blogging the conference on AgWired and the NAMA Blog. It’ll be almost as good as being there!