Comments on: The Sad State of Social Media in Canada http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/ Thoughts on Startups, Entrepreneurs and the Web Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:25:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mark Evans http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-240676 Mark Evans Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:47:43 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-240676 Jack, You're right, the social media landscape in Canada has changed a lot since last year. It's not quite a torrent but there's a healthy amount of activity. Thanks for the comment. Mark Jack,

You’re right, the social media landscape in Canada has changed a lot since last year. It’s not quite a torrent but there’s a healthy amount of activity. Thanks for the comment.

Mark

]]> By: Jack Liang http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-240639 Jack Liang Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:37:46 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-240639 Thank you for the insight on the current state of social media in Canada. Looking back to your post from a year ago, things have really changed. More and more companies are adapting to social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. And, it's only going to get bigger. If you have a great idea, just run with it. Who knows, you might end up being the next big thing, once the market opens up. Keep for the good work Mark and best of luck. -Jack Thank you for the insight on the current state of social media in Canada. Looking back to your post from a year ago, things have really changed. More and more companies are adapting to social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. And, it’s only going to get bigger. If you have a great idea, just run with it. Who knows, you might end up being the next big thing, once the market opens up. Keep for the good work Mark and best of luck.

-Jack

]]> By: Jason Peetsma http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-234741 Jason Peetsma Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:01:19 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-234741 I would agree with you Mark. This year however, we have seen an increased demand from Canadian corporations seeking professionals who can build and lead a social and even mobile media strategy. What we have found in the market is there are plenty of social media professionals, but they fall short when it comes to corporate experience. Many of the talented ones we have found are in the services side. (i.e Agency) Nevertheless, we are always looking for A Players. I'd love to hear of any A Player in social and mobile media who can do a 2-3year strategy plan for an organization. Please send me a note to jason.peetsma@odgersberndtson.ca if you know of anyone. We currently have a retained mandate right now in this area. Thanks Jason I would agree with you Mark. This year however, we have seen an increased demand from Canadian corporations seeking professionals who can build and lead a social and even mobile media strategy. What we have found in the market is there are plenty of social media professionals, but they fall short when it comes to corporate experience. Many of the talented ones we have found are in the services side. (i.e Agency) Nevertheless, we are always looking for A Players. I’d love to hear of any A Player in social and mobile media who can do a 2-3year strategy plan for an organization. Please send me a note to jason.peetsma@odgersberndtson.ca if you know of anyone. We currently have a retained mandate right now in this area.
Thanks
Jason

]]> By: Corporate Twitter Toolbox: Twitter Tools for the Enterprise | twitterblogger.net http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-193626 Corporate Twitter Toolbox: Twitter Tools for the Enterprise | twitterblogger.net Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:31:18 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-193626 [...] The Sad State of Social Media in Canada (markevanstech.com) [...] [...] The Sad State of Social Media in Canada (markevanstech.com) [...]

]]> By: Connie Bensen http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192646 Connie Bensen Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:22:13 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192646 Hey Mark, It was great to meet you at BWE! I am optimistic too. Over the past few months I've met many Canadians that are actively interested in implementing online communities or listening practices. I think that the state of affairs is far better than you think. Let me know how I can help. I'd love to come up to Toronto! Hey Mark,
It was great to meet you at BWE! I am optimistic too. Over the past few months I've met many Canadians that are actively interested in implementing online communities or listening practices.

I think that the state of affairs is far better than you think. Let me know how I can help. I'd love to come up to Toronto!

]]> By: markevans http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192177 markevans Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:06:18 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192177 I'm happy to hear that you're doing a lot of social media work this year; it's good to hear some Canadian companies are getting engaged. Still, I'll stand by my thesis that there's not as much happening as there should be. When you've still got major brands still on the sidelines or doing just a little bit, that can't be seen as a good thing. And we're talking about large, Canadian-based companies. I'm hoping the business that you're doing is an indication that there is activity but I still think more should be happening. Thanks for the comment. Mark I'm happy to hear that you're doing a lot of social media work this year; it's good to hear some Canadian companies are getting engaged. Still, I'll stand by my thesis that there's not as much happening as there should be. When you've still got major brands still on the sidelines or doing just a little bit, that can't be seen as a good thing. And we're talking about large, Canadian-based companies. I'm hoping the business that you're doing is an indication that there is activity but I still think more should be happening.

Thanks for the comment.

Mark

]]> By: Boyd Neil http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192176 Boyd Neil Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:39:16 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192176 Forgive me for taking a contrary point of view, but I am not sure you or the follow on comments are right. Three facts to take into account here: First, compare the size of our economy to that of the U.S. and use that ratio to assess penetration of social media into Canadian companies on a per company or per GDP basis; Second, consider the number of Canadian companies with head offices (and hence communications budgets) in the U.S. where decisions about social media might indeed be made given their borderless impact ; Third, the communications consultancy I work for has completed about 45 separate Canadian social media assignments (many with large retail, technology and oil & gas companies) in the last nine months alone. Not too bad really, and we aren't even a branded social media firm. Don't you think it is a bit solipsistic to extrapolate about the use of social media in Canada from personal experience alone. Forgive me for taking a contrary point of view, but I am not sure you or the follow on comments are right. Three facts to take into account here: First, compare the size of our economy to that of the U.S. and use that ratio to assess penetration of social media into Canadian companies on a per company or per GDP basis; Second, consider the number of Canadian companies with head offices (and hence communications budgets) in the U.S. where decisions about social media might indeed be made given their borderless impact ; Third, the communications consultancy I work for has completed about 45 separate Canadian social media assignments (many with large retail, technology and oil & gas companies) in the last nine months alone. Not too bad really, and we aren't even a branded social media firm.

Don't you think it is a bit solipsistic to extrapolate about the use of social media in Canada from personal experience alone.

]]> By: martinbyrne http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192160 martinbyrne Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:53:40 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192160 Great post, I think this is another symptom of a larger issues which is a continuing failure by general brand leadership in Canada to innovate on any front weather they have the authority to or not. As Andrew said, ecommerce came out of the gate slow, even in-spite of the astounding number of successful examples from markets around the world. And even more concerning retailers such as Canadian Tire, The Bay and others have recently abandoned their ecommerce programs rather than transform their organizations to embrace it. I also agree with Brian in that many of these decision makers are only interested in “buying” message through channels they've used over and over for decades and are failing to recognize let alone accept that the priority and nature of societies communications channels have changed and are no longer for sale. The risk here is not only the delayed adoption of social media in Canada, but a continuing pattern of innovation malnutrition caused by the bottle neck of outdated brand management executives who threaten our economies ability to compete on a global scale. In a rapidly shrinking world we can't hope for future Canadian generations to enjoy the prosperity we have when they are half a decade behind the rest of the world in sociotechnical innovation. Great post, I think this is another symptom of a larger issues which is a continuing failure by general brand leadership in Canada to innovate on any front weather they have the authority to or not. As Andrew said, ecommerce came out of the gate slow, even in-spite of the astounding number of successful examples from markets around the world. And even more concerning retailers such as Canadian Tire, The Bay and others have recently abandoned their ecommerce programs rather than transform their organizations to embrace it.

I also agree with Brian in that many of these decision makers are only interested in “buying” message through channels they've used over and over for decades and are failing to recognize let alone accept that the priority and nature of societies communications channels have changed and are no longer for sale.

The risk here is not only the delayed adoption of social media in Canada, but a continuing pattern of innovation malnutrition caused by the bottle neck of outdated brand management executives who threaten our economies ability to compete on a global scale. In a rapidly shrinking world we can't hope for future Canadian generations to enjoy the prosperity we have when they are half a decade behind the rest of the world in sociotechnical innovation.

]]> By: Michael Cayley http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192151 Michael Cayley Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:32:55 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192151 Here is a real quote from a Canadian SVP with a brand that you know ... "We are not adopting social media and if we were, that decision would be made in the US." Remarkably this comment was made in an email on an introduction thread initiated by an influential who is well connected to journalists. What insights does this contain? The SVP has no fear that the comment will reflect their lack of initiative, their knowledge, their lack of responsibility for the Canadian market - they perceive no threat. Even if they are sick of getting too many introductions to talk about social media, why put a comment like this in an easy to spread email to a hack & a blogger? Perhaps some demographics at work in Canada that heighten the new digital divide? <a href="http://bit.ly/DrRui" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/DrRui</a> Clearly there are very tightly bound social networks in pockets across Canada that make this guy feel safe and can stifle innovation. <a href="http://bit.ly/ysjB" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/ysjB</a> I don't think the recession has anything to do with it. Its cultural. We are spending billions to cope with the recession & the most imagination that we can show is digging ditches (uh, oh ... building infrastructure) & spending $1.4 million per job to save GM. Andrew - I think that you are saying that social media with become completely integrated into marketing. I agree. Marketing is being completely re-architected because of social media. Global leaders are adopting Enterprise 2.0 right now. <a href="http://bit.ly/ePgs" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/ePgs</a> Gov 2.0 is happening. <a href="http://changecamp.ca" target="_blank">http://changecamp.ca</a> Predictions Markets are being put to work. <a href="http://bit.ly/CNUXt" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/CNUXt</a> But Mark is right - Canada is not leading or even fast following. Our SVP working for a big American brand is not really the problem. 95% of the Canadian economy is driven by small business that has difficulty adopting to radical change like we have witnessed since broadband over took slower connections in 2004. How about a government tax break aimed at helping these businesses scale to the global opportunity instead of encouraging me to use my own money to paint my house? Here is a real quote from a Canadian SVP with a brand that you know … "We are not adopting social media and if we were, that decision would be made in the US." Remarkably this comment was made in an email on an introduction thread initiated by an influential who is well connected to journalists.

What insights does this contain?

The SVP has no fear that the comment will reflect their lack of initiative, their knowledge, their lack of responsibility for the Canadian market – they perceive no threat. Even if they are sick of getting too many introductions to talk about social media, why put a comment like this in an easy to spread email to a hack & a blogger?

Perhaps some demographics at work in Canada that heighten the new digital divide? http://bit.ly/DrRui Clearly there are very tightly bound social networks in pockets across Canada that make this guy feel safe and can stifle innovation. http://bit.ly/ysjB

I don't think the recession has anything to do with it. Its cultural. We are spending billions to cope with the recession & the most imagination that we can show is digging ditches (uh, oh … building infrastructure) & spending $1.4 million per job to save GM.

Andrew – I think that you are saying that social media with become completely integrated into marketing. I agree. Marketing is being completely re-architected because of social media.

Global leaders are adopting Enterprise 2.0 right now. http://bit.ly/ePgs

Gov 2.0 is happening. http://changecamp.ca

Predictions Markets are being put to work. http://bit.ly/CNUXt

But Mark is right – Canada is not leading or even fast following.

Our SVP working for a big American brand is not really the problem. 95% of the Canadian economy is driven by small business that has difficulty adopting to radical change like we have witnessed since broadband over took slower connections in 2004. How about a government tax break aimed at helping these businesses scale to the global opportunity instead of encouraging me to use my own money to paint my house?

]]> By: Andrew Jenkins http://www.markevanstech.com/2009/10/15/the-sadstate-of-social-media-in-canada/comment-page-1/#comment-192146 Andrew Jenkins Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:05:29 +0000 http://www.markevanstech.com/?p=5190#comment-192146 Great post and so true. I couldn't agree with you more about positioning yourself as a marcom and branding strategist. Social Media is being hyped right now but will simply become an everyday part of marketing. Where companies continue to fail is in developing a comprehensive and integrated strategy that incorporates social media rather than relies on it entirely. Sadly, a great deal of time has been and will continue to be spent on educating the Canadian marketplace re Social Media with little money changing hands between teachers and students. It was the same with e-commerce ten years ago. I worked for a Canadian software company specializing in e-commerce software. 90% of our revenue came from the US. It was only after three years of validation in the US that we started making real progress in the Canadian market. Great post and so true. I couldn't agree with you more about positioning yourself as a marcom and branding strategist. Social Media is being hyped right now but will simply become an everyday part of marketing. Where companies continue to fail is in developing a comprehensive and integrated strategy that incorporates social media rather than relies on it entirely.

Sadly, a great deal of time has been and will continue to be spent on educating the Canadian marketplace re Social Media with little money changing hands between teachers and students.

It was the same with e-commerce ten years ago. I worked for a Canadian software company specializing in e-commerce software. 90% of our revenue came from the US. It was only after three years of validation in the US that we started making real progress in the Canadian market.

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