Britt Technology Impact Series

Tech@Tuck is the crown jewel event of this year’s Britt Technology Impact Series, which is titled, “The Business of Social: Engagement, Innovation and Collaboration.” The Tech@Tuck’s panel discussion focused on social technologies and how they are affecting the enterprise. From how internal collaboration happens, to how companies build their brands and reach out to their customers and shareholders, social media and social networking are changing how corporations function. How effective is ‘social’ as a tool for organizations? How much of a loss of control of message do they feel? Is ‘social’ now an essential factor in facilitating and supporting collaboration within the enterprise? The following industry experts considered these questions and more:

• Ben Edwards, VP, Digital Strategy and Development, IBM
• David R. Godsman, VP, Global Web Strategy, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
• Gary Grates, President and Global Managing Director, Edelman Change and Employee Management
• Sam Howe, CMO, Time Warner Cable
• John Gallant, SVP and Chief Content Officer, IDG Enterprise (panel moderator)

Relevant vendors displayed their products and services:       

Ben Edwards, VP, Digital Strategy and Development, IBM
Ben Edwards is Vice President of Digital Strategy and Development at IBM. In this role, Ben leads the strategy, design and development of IBM’s marketing and communications within the digital realm – including web, mobile and social media. Ben’s digital leadership team directs digital marketing worldwide, the development of ibm.com and the corporate intranet, digital content strategy, the development of IBM’s social media teams and IBM’s global digital agency, Euro RSCG 4D. Ben was appointed to this position in March 2010. Prior to this role, Ben was Executive Vice President of The Economist Group, a $500m diversified media and information-services company. In this role, he set the digital strategy for properties within The Economist brand family and was responsible for the global P&L of The Economist online, a fast-growing and dynamic digital media business. He was appointed to this position in March 2007. As Publisher of The Economist online, Ben managed a global leadership team responsible for setting the strategy, building the technology platform, designing and producing the customer experience, building and operating the advertising platform and acquiring and converting the customers.Prior to joining The Economist Group, Ben was Director of New Media Communications at IBM. In this role, he drove the application of a wide range of social-computing technologies at IBM, both for external communications and for internal enterprise transformation. Before IBM, Ben enjoyed a 15-year career as a financial journalist at Euromoney Publications and at The Economist, where he spent ten years as Finance Reporter in London, Tokyo Bureau Chief, and the magazine’s American Business Editor, based in New York. Ben holds a BA degree from the University of Oxford and received his Postgraduate Certification in Economics from the University of London. Ben is a frequent public speaker on digital technologies, digital brand communications, digital marketing and the future of media.

David R. Godsman, VP, Global Web Strategy, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide 
David R. Godsman joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc in June 2006 and is responsible for the execution of Starwood´s global digital strategy across the 9 brands and the SPG loyalty program. Most recently, Mr. Godsman has been leading the development of Starwood’s global social media and mobile strategy for its global brands and more than 1,000 properties worldwide, along with the development of strategic new media, content and technology partnerships. Prior to joining Starwood Hotels, Mr. Godsman was CEO of Leading Interactive Reservations, LLC, the five-star online travel company and joint venture partner of The Leading Hotels of the World. Under his leadership, the company successfully launched 6 luxury centric travel sites, a global vacation packaging tour operator business and global net rate distribution business. Prior to joining Leading Interactive, Mr.Godsman served Vice President of Business Development for Citigroup´s online and banking division, Citi f/i, as well as Vice President of Marketing for Traveler´s Group. Prior to that, he served as Director of New Business Development for Grey Advertising. Mr. Godsman holds a BA in Business & Economics from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA.
Gary Grates, President and Global Managing Director of Edelman Change and Employee Engagement, Edelman
Gary F. Grates is President/Global Managing Director of Edelman Change and Employee Engagement, the organizational communications counseling practice of Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations/communications counseling firm and the third largest overall. He has more than 25 years of corporate, marketing/brand, labor, and strategic communications experience with a particular expertise in change management/employee (internal) communications. Grates has counseled more than one hundred organizations including PepsiCo, Starbucks, Guardian, General Motors, Volvo, Nissan, Caterpillar, Shell, Visa International, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, British Airways, ITT, GE Healthcare, eBay, and Dell, to name a few. Grates has developed a number of innovative processes and techniques to better align business strategy to employee behavior including Strategic Roadmap, Situation Room and DNA of Messaging. A frequent lecturer and author on issues facing corporate management and communications professionals, Grates has been referred to as the “thought leader” in change management communications and effective employee-management relations. He has published more than 100 articles/white papers on the strategic importance of communications in achieving business excellence. He speaks at industry conferences and corporate meetings around the world. He is an adjunct professor at Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, a visiting professor for ABERJE, the Brazilian Public Relations Association, a trustee of Utica College of Syracuse University, and a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, PRSA, IABC, National Corporate Directors Association (NACD), and the Institute for PR Research (IPR).
Sam Howe, CMO, Time Warner Cable
Often cited as an instigator of change, Sam Howe has been on the forefront of a number of new marketing initiatives in cable industry. Whether in the introduction of bundling for TeleWest in the UK in 1995, or the launch of Digital Phone for Time Warner Cable in 2003, Sam has been on the forefront of some classic cable innovations. As Chief Marketing Officer at Time Warner Cable, Sam continues to lead in areas of competitive response, segmentation approaches, database development, bundle evolution and branding. Other company and work experiences include Centel Cable, Cox Communications, TeleWest plc (UK), eTour.com (an internet company), Turner Broadcasting, and a couple of radio disc jockey jobs at the start of his career. Howe received a B.A. in History from Bowdoin College and a MBA in Marketing and Finance from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern.

John Gallant, SVP and Chief Content Officer, IDG Enterprise 
Panel Moderator
John Gallant brings more than 25 years’ of editorial and technology experience to his role as Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer of IDG Enterprise. In this role, Gallant oversees the editorial leadership at CIO, CSO, Computerworld, InfoWorld, ITworld and Network World to set content strategy and ensure that the brands continue to serve their respective audiences with the best products and services in the industry. Gallant also helps drive IDG Enterprise’s strategic efforts around social media. Gallant, one of Network World’s founders, was formerly CEO and editorial director for the company, where he guided content and business development for print and online, as well as Network World’s seminars and events programs. Gallant is highly visible in the marketplace and frequently speaks at industry conferences. He has been named by Technology Marketing magazine as one of the most influential people in computer journalism, and was cited as one of the “most visionary editors-in-chief” by Press Access. Gallant was also cited as Best Conference Host by Conferenza for his role as Executive Producer for the Vortex conference. Gallant’s expertise in covering the technology industry has been tapped by top-tier television media outlets, including CNN, CNNfn, CNBC, NPR, and Bloomberg. He often hosts roundtable discussions on technology and other topics for a wide variety of organizations, including leading vendors, I.T. buyers and industry associations. Gallant also co-chairs the executive committee of the Boston College Technology Council and is on the board of Dream Big, a non-profit that helps underprivileged girls build confidence through sports.

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“Social & The Enterprise” Panel

Enjoy highlights from the panel discussion.

Social & The Enterpirse” Panel

Part 2 of the panel discussion.

Sam Howe, CMO, Time Warner Cable

CDS Fellow Elissa Kline T’11 interviews Sam Howe, Part 1.

Sam Howe, CMO, Time Warner Cable

Part 2.

Gary Grates, President and Global Managing Director of Edelman Change and Employee Engagement

CDS Fellow Sara Russo T’11 interviews Gary.

John Gallant, SVP and Chief Content Officer, IDG Enterprise

CDS Fellow Sara Russo T’11 interviews John Gallant.

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