Archive for May, 2009

Yesterday Donna and I delivered a session on ‘marketing your organisation’ for third sector groups on behalf of B.Strong, the stronger communities partnership. You may remember that I blogged about it a while ago, desperately asking for sources of support that I could recommend to groups when they are left to their own devices. More – Marketing session at B.Strong

Firstly, April Fools Day was nearly two months ago so this is not a joke. Secondly, it has been widely reported so it must be true! The sales of the humble cassette tape are on the rise, with 1 million blank tapes being sold in the first four months of this year by the market leader, TDK.

More – Cassette tapes? What are they?

Digital Birmingham is working with Birmingham City Council and the Press Club to introduce some new awards into this year’s Media Awards event.  The new awards will help to reflect the recent changes in new-media and digital reporting.

Award 1. Birmingham City Council Digital Innovation Award will help to identify the best use of digital technology and platforms to engage with different audiences

Award 2. Online Campaign – People’s Choice Award – this award will help to recognise an individual or group that have used social media to make a difference.

So all you campaigning bloggers – if you’ve been involved with a story that’s changed people’s lives why not find out more & apply here.  Closing date is 1st June 2009

Digital TV - Switching over is easier than you think

Had a good meeting with the Digital UK switchover guys yesterday, and all looks well for the Central regional switchover planned for 2011.  One region ‘Copeland Cumbria’ has already gone through switchover and everyone else will be learning from their efforts.  If you fancy a good read, (or just the summary) check out the report here - One interesting fact I learned from the meeting was that the oldest TV that has been successfully switched over was 78 years old (all it needed was an updated aerial). – there are however con-men galore, looking for the opportunity to swindle dosh out of our old and unsuspecting.  Switchover is far easier than most people think,  a twenty quid freeview box from your local supermarket will usually do the trick.    So get out there and sort your Grannies and Grandpa’s out, before the con-men do!

Talking and blogging at JEECamp. Pic by Kasperbs

I can’t recall a time when there was so many events related to digital media and social media happening in Birmingham. The first half of this year has seen a frenzy of activity both by those whose job it is to organise such events and those who take it upon themselves to organise stuff for the hell of it. And as someone who had previously only ever attended formally organised events I’ll be off to my third ‘unconference’ in as many weeks at the end of this month.

More – On becoming more unorganised

With our aim to be a leading European digital city in 2010, it is not surprising that we have developed strong links with our European cities to exchange information and collaborate on project work, debate digital city developments and exchange experiences.

Whilst we may have a lot to learn (and the pace of technology change means that won’t lessen), we also have a lot to offer and collaboration has got to be key here to get the best from technology and promoting greater digital inclusion. Already we are a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) that was established to increase the global competiveness of European business, Chair of Eurocities Knowledge Forum and participate in European funded projects such as DEHEMS (trialing of a smart meter to assist home energy efficiency and change behaviour).

More – EU Commission comes to town

Listening to the BBC Breakfast News yesterday, while getting ready for work, didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. Is that because I am always one step ahead when it comes to breaking news? No, it is because I am working at Digital Birmingham!

Wading through all the information about the ministerial expenses debate, Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid turned their attention to innovation in the terms of smart metering and intelligent transport – both of which Digital Birmingham supports in the local area.

More – Keeping on top of new developments

John’s already given his report on the National Digital Inclusion Conference 2009, so I thought I’d reflect on the work put in by the two Birmingham groups who were there.  Representing the voluntary sector, we had We Share Stuff who were “there to share” and to demonstrate to people at the conference the benefits of social networking tools.  Representing the public sector, we had Digital Birmingham and its partners, who are founder members of the DC10+ Network, the co-sponsors of the event.

There was a session centred around the work being done by grassroots organisations to tackle social exclusion using digital technologies.  For this, Digital Birmingham got Priara and Shazia from Saathi House down to talk about their “A Conversation About Diabetes” project which teaches English skills using digital technology in order to improve access to health .  Priara is a very impressive speaker and for many of us was a highlight of the conference as she was able to talk about a practical example of digital inclusion from personal experience. More – Birmingham at #ndi09

I was writing an email to B.Strong today about how digital media can be used to help voluntary organisations market themselves and generally do whatever they do more effectively.

B.Strong (part of the Council) provides organisational development support and capacity building training to voluntary organisations and community groups and is putting on a series of workshops for voluntary organisations that support excluded communities, especially BME, Migrant, Refugee and New
Communities. Donna, my colleague, and I offered to help them include some training in using online tools for marketing in their programme following a meeting last week.

Now here comes the ‘crowdsourcing’ bit: More – Crowdsourcing: support for voluntary organisations