ADOTAS — Digital advertising and technology collide this week as Internet Week New York (IWNY) kicks off its 6th year exploring how new media has touched virtually every aspect of business, from food to fashion to healthcare and ed...
ADOTAS — Digital advertising and technology collide this week as Internet Week New York (IWNY) kicks off its 6th year exploring how new media has touched virtually every aspect of business, from food to fashion to healthcare and education.
Even if you’re not a techie, there are plenty of reasons to attend this year’s festivities.
The New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment launched Internet Week back in 2008 as a celebration of the city’s reputation as the hub for the nation’s advertising, fashion and technology industries. In particular, Internet Week aims to shine a spotlight on NY-based startups to showcase their technologies and provide a venue for networking and to get a sense of the markets and competition.
“Tech is playing an increasingly stronger role at everyone’s job, even if you don’t work in technology. Everyone has to be comfortable with it at a baseline,” said Caroline Waxler, Internet Week New York festival director. “Start-ups don’t really have a lot of opportunities to get exposure to agencies and brands.”
At Internet Week, she said, “you can network in a no-pressure environment.”
The core event at Metropolitan Pavilion will also have “Start-Up City,” which will highlight new companies. Waxler said Start-Up City will be more than just the standard rows of exhibit booths typically found at conferences. This area will be more like a “co-working space and digital playground” with free coffee and popcorn, free Wi-Fi, and a furnished workplace designed by Vault49.
Taking place on May 20-27, the festival is aiming to attract more than 45,000 attendees across its 250+ events and 150+ independent event partners across the city. Don’t forget to bring your shorts as Internet Week’s footprint and duration has grown a little wider this year, extending the festivities to the Hamptons over Memorial Day weekend.
Here is a quick and dirty guide to some recommended keynotes, sessions and events this week:
Monday, May 20
IWNY Welcome Address @ Stage A (9:25 a.m.–9:30 a.m.): Caroline Waxler, Internet Week NY Festival Director, welcomes attendees to Internet Week NY 2013, sharing highlights of the week and an exciting preview to the days ahead.
OMMA Social @ Internet Week Theater (8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.): Designed to guide marketers and agency execs through the terrain of social media and how it relates to their brand. Twitter, Macy’s, Expedia, Bravo Digital and other industry innovators will share secrets for connecting with and activating consumers via social media.
Keynote: Lauren Zalanick, NBC Universal Keynote @ Stage B (9:40 a.m.-10:10 a.m.): In Conversation With Jason Hirschhorn (The REDEF Group) Lauren Zalaznick is media and entertainment’s “triple threat,” having created and monetized film, television, and now digital content. Media REDefined’s Jason Hirschhorn will talk to Lauren about her plans and vision leading the “Department of Transformation” known as NBCUniversal’s newly formed Media Innovation and Cross Company Initiatives division.
Keynote: Pete Cashmore, Mashable @ Stage A (1:30 p.m.-1:50 p.m.): Pete Cashmore, Mashable’s founder and CEO, in conversation with Robyn Peterson, Mashable’s chief technology officer, about the importance of technology to a modern media company.
Official IWNY HQ Opening Party @ Metropolitan Pavilion (7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.): This year’s Opening Party is being curated in collaboration with Refinery 29 and Grandlife and features performances fromThe Juan Maclean (DFA Records), Benji B (BBC Radio 1 / Deviation UK) , Brendan Fallis, and HITS. The only way into this networking extravaganza of VIP’s and industry luminaries is with an Insider or VIP Pass.
Tuesday, May 21
Social Advertising: Sharing and Powering Relevant Conversations @ Stage B (10:15 a.m.-11 a.m.): The rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have made it even easier for us to connect, discover and share news that matters most to us. It has also provided brands an
