New Media Jim, Tom Foremski & I together at SNCR Forum

I very rarely promote my speaking engagements, often to the chagrin of show producers. But this engagement, just finalized a few minutes ago just tickles me and may be worth your time to attend. It isn't me, that causes me to break this rule, it's who I'm speaking with and the relevance of the topic.

Jim Long has been an NBC cameraman for nearly 10 years. His current assignment is the dubious distinction of following George Bush. He goes where Bush goes in the world and that recently included  African. Jim has been behind the camera in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Those of you who use Twitter know him as NewMediaJim, one of the most popular, accessible and likable residence of Twitterville.

Tom Foremski, the former Financial Times tech business editor who now heads the team at Silicon Valley Watch, the insightful, provocative popular blog. When it comes to stories about business and technology, Tom has been there and done that and he talks about what he has seen with a sense of humor and occasional outrage.

Jim and Tom are two of the best story tellers I know and I am honored to be on the dais with them at the upcoming SNCR Forum in Sonoma April 22-5. We are going to talk about the social, cultural and business implications of the transition from old media to new. i knw they will be great because they are two of the best conversational story tellers I know. I was supposed to have a half-hour lunch with Jim at SXSW. It last nearly three hours. I've had more fun hanging out with Tom in a Palo Alto parking garage than I often have at planned Silicon Valley receptions.

We are going to talk about the transition from old media to new. It is not a panel. It is not a presentation, but a simple conversation. Each of us will talk for a few minutes, then hopefully attendees will join us in an open discussion.

I'm very juiced, because this is a new topic as far as I can tell. Yet it is one that each of us understands and almost everyone cares about. As we move from broadcast to conversation, what happens to news and even entertainment. Who gets to tell the stories that become history? What happens to that claim of journalistic objectivity. Jim schleps an NBC camera that costs many thousands of dollars. Then his footage is edited by experts. How does that compare with what some of you did today with a Nokia N95 and Qik?

Come see us. Seats are still available. If you want to come and are short of cash, seak to me. I may be able to get a break for special cases.

Comments

[Connie Reece]

Wow! That is a panel I would definitely want to attend ... except I won't be there. :( Sure hope it's captured on video.

[GeekMommy]

Is that what you were so excited about earlier today? Well now it makes perfect sense!
I would be too...
Wishing I lived in the area - or were indecently wealthy enough to afford to pop in for that conversation-event.
Any chance it will be recorded and uploaded?

[shel israel]

Actually, no GeekMommy, I was excited about something entirely different. It's been a Good News Day. I was due for one, and I got it. Maybe, we can try for two.

[shel israel]

Connie, Why not? This is an ideal place for yu to be. Sonoma is just beautiful this time of year and it is a real quality crowd. I think it's going to be a memorable event.

[Cheri Sigmon, CISSP]

Hey, and... Sonoma is wine country (@GaryVee). ;-) Hmm. Interesting.

-Cheri

[Adele McAlear]

I had the distinct pleasure of spending one-on-one time with both you and Jim Long recently at SXSW. Aside from your mutual love of coffee, you both know how to keep your audience engaged with stories that entertain and have relevance to the changing landscape of communications. I wish that it was possible for me to attend what will surely be one of the best speaking gigs of the year. Your only problem will be keeping your eye on the clock!

And I second Connie's request for video, either live via Qik or available after the event. Heck, with both you and Jim on the stage you could have dueling N95s ;-)

Adele

[Des Walsh]

Another here who would love to be there for that conversation and hopes it will be recorded - if not on video at least the audio. Do you know whether SNCR is arranging recordings of the sessions and if so whether they will be available to those of us who are not able to attend?