It’s possibly late notice, but I wanted to inform our Yin&Yang readers of a fantastic conference taking place in London (as well as Berlin, and New York) today and tomorrow, the Influencer 10 Conference. The Influencer Conference is a two day event bringing together tastemakers/influencers in music, art, fashion, marketing and entrepreneurship to “discuss the current and future landscape of Influencer culture”. Panelists and moderators include Shamadean Reid (Wah Nails), Ry Morgan (Enternships.com), Kathleen Alder (Wildcat PR), Jacqueline Shaw (Africa Fashion Guide) and Adrian Hall (Social Media Trainer). Conference partners include the British Council, Frukt, Protein and the Collective. It’s a big deal! Hit the jump for further details on the event and a slight rant on why I think you should attend!
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Below I’ve selected two of what I believe to be the best talks taking place over the next two days, however you can hit up the website for further information on other events. Tickets are still available for most events.
I’d actually been informed of this event a couple of days ago as my good friend and “fashion eclectic”, Richard Mkoloma is moderating ‘The Unconventional New Trends of Fashion’ this afternoon at 3.45 pm. However it wasn’t until this morning that it really struck me how important it is that other creatives (or creative thinkers/promoters) attend this conference. I work as in social media for a digital agency and we regularly hold conferences of our own where we invite clients and suppliers to talk on ‘the future’. As with most discussions or panels in the digital industry – the information given was pretty redundant, I’d either already read it on Mashable – or it was something that as a young woman obsessed with technology and advertising – is just obvious to me. Anyway, enough ranting – the head of digital for a huge (HUGE) media organisation was there to talk about data and insight analysis – and how his company uses it. It was quite interesting what he said, but what really hit me during this mornings panel was how scary the creative media industry’s obsession with data is. Social media has enabled companies to track which content/advert is the most popular, where people viewed it from, how long for, whether they shared it, did they purchase anything afterwards, what colour underwear were they wearing whilst they viewed it…I digress.
I tweeted earlier that there is a thin line between creating innovative trends based on the knowledge gained from smart insight and forecast analysis; and simply following the ‘requirements’ of customers/readers based on data. If every creative outlet is going to create content based on what they believe the consumer wants, we’re simply going to end up going around in a downward spiral into a microwave-ready packet of beige slop. As an artist, musician, writer, videographer, fashion designer, marketer, developer heck even video model – it is your responsibility to create what YOU want. Originiality and innovation is not born out of succumbing to others supposed desires or wants, which we can never actually be sure of. Anyway to cut it short, today is a conference on the world of the influencer, “the creators of the styles and the movements that others adapt. Regarded as leaders by their peers, influencers incrementally shape global initiatives and people’s behaviour beyond ephemeral trends and superficial actionism.” (sorry but they worded it much better than I can). Anyway, if you are interested in determining and creating future trends, as opposed to consuming them – or are aspiring to work in a creative field and want to learn more about becoming influential in their field – then you should most definitely attend!
About Tara
Music discoverer, explorer and lover! I enjoy traveling, politics, film and all things creative! Follow me on Twitter for rants, food & Hip Hop and check out my other blog!