Brand Camp ’13 – NYC:  Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference is a high performance learning experience designed to bring together talented minds to spark the creation and acceleration of ideas that sit at the intersection of technology, design and branding. Through a series of conversations, panel discussions and keynotes lead by respected thought leaders, Brand Camp is part conference and part transformational training ground.

This Year’s Theme Build, Innovate + Grow is geared towards sparking conversations in Austin, Boston, Detroit, Las Vegas and New York City that will spread ideas that matter around the world.

Conference Website:  http://bit.ly/bcunyc13

Three Segments of the Conference

Build Sessions

These sessions were designed to provide you with the essential building blocks to structure ideas built for the new economy.

Innovate Sessions

These sessions were designed to challenge and disrupt conventional thinking and approaches to solving problems.

Grow Sessions

These sessions were designed to stimulate the way you nurture ideas, people and businesses.

The conference content will be segmented into three threads building, innovating and growing.   and lead by thought leaders like Geoff Livingston, Jessica Lawrence, and Lynne d. Johnson to name a few.  We will converge on on NYC during Internet ‘Week NY’ and We look forward to seeing you on Monday, May 20th at the Riverside Theatre.

Brand Camp University – Blogging Internship

Description Brand Camp University is seeking interns with strong knowledge and understanding of the digital media landscape. The internship positions require the individuals to be a great storytellers with strong critical thinking skills and creativity who are passionate about developing great content. This is an unpaid internship but would create opportunities to network and to build their portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Create blog post for the Brand Camp University website
• Respond to comments on blog post that they create
• Online outreach and promotion using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more
• Conduct interviews for blog post they produce

Requirements
Students applying for this internship ideally would be marketing/business/communications or Language majors but relevant experience trumps everything. The individuals would be required to have their own laptop and WI-FI connection and could work remotely. Location: Ideally the individuals work live in the metro Detroit area but this isn’t a requirement.

If your interested email Hajj Flemings at speak[at]hajjflemings[dot]com

The 2013 Build, Innovate and Grow Conference Series is launching in NYC on May 20th at the Riverside Theatre hosted by Brand Camp University. Branding, entrepreneurial thinking and technology are driving the ideas, companies and organizations that we are all building and growing. The Brand Camp experience is a collection of conversations, panels and keynotes lead by thought leaders. It has become a collision of corporations, entrepreneurs, creatives and technology that enables people to collaborate. The ‘Build, Innovate + Grow’ Conference Series was designed to spark conversations in Austin, Boston, Detroit, Las Vegas and New York City that will spread ideas that matter around the world.

Conference Content Focuses Around Three Topic Areas

Build Sessions These sessions will discuss how to build ideas that are scalable in a digital economy through collaboration, digital storytelling and technology. Innovate Sessions These sessions will focus on transforming ideas, companies and startups in the innovation economy.

Grow Sessions These sessions are designed to inspire individuals to grow ideas, people and organizations.

Confirmed Speakers

Kathleen D. Warner – COO of Startup America Partnership
Hajj Flemings – Founder of Brand Camp University Mario Armstrong – CNN Contributor/Digital Lifestyle
Jessica H. Lawrence – Managing Director of NY Tech Meetup (NYTM)
Lynne d. Johnson – Digital + Social Media Strategist at Waggeneredstrom
Andrea Harrison – Director of Digital Engagement at Pepsi
Anneke Jong – VP of Business Development at Bread
Jesse Middleton – Co-Founder of We Works Lab
Eric Hamilton – Co-Founder of Around the Way App

Registration: http://bcu13nyc.eventbrite.com

Past Attendees

Startup America Partnership, Ford Motor Company, GM, IBM, Google, Dell, ABC News, O’Reilly Media, TechStars, Ogilvy, Coca Cola, Absopure, Chrysler, U.S. Paralympics, McDonalds, Boston University School of Journalism, Boston College College of Law, Syracuse University iSchool, Northeastern University, Detroit Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures, Foley Hoag LLP, and Boston Startup School. The Brand Camp University – Build Innovate + Grow Conference is an official ‘Internet Week NY’ Event. We look forward to seeing you at Brand Camp!

We are happy to announce ‘Early Bird’ pricing for the Brand Camp: Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference in New York on Monday, May 20th.

Brand Camp University ’13 – NYC
Branding, Entrepreneurship + Technology Conference
The Riverside Theatre – NYC
May 20, 2013
9:00am-5:00pm

Register: http://bcu13nyc.eventbrite.com
Cost: $75 (Early Bird Ends 04/20/13)
$150 (Full Price)

Conference Theme: Build, Innovate & Grow NYC.

The conference focuses on creating a transformational learning experience around 5-core areas called BETAs:

BETAs [Branding + Entrepreneurship + Technology + Aspiration + Startups]
Brand Camp is a gathering of thought leaders, technologist, geeks, and creative’s around a discussion on branding, entrepreneurial thinking, social media and the use of technology. The purpose of Brand Camp is to change how people build, launch, and grow ideas and use technology as personal brands, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs (employees), small businesses and corporations.

Confirmed Speakers
Hajj Flemings – Founder of Brand Camp University
Kathleen D. Warner – COO of Startup America Partnership
Jesse Middleton – Co-Founder of WeWork Labs
Mario Armstrong – CNN Contributor/Digital Lifestyle Expert
Andrea Harrison – Director of Digital Engagement at Pepsi
Jessica H. Lawrence – Managing Director – NYC Tech Meetup
Anneke Jong – VP of Business Development at Bread
Eric Hamilton – Co-Founder Around the Way App
Lynne d. Johnson – Digital + Social Media Strategy at Waggeneredstrom
Trevor Owens – Co-Founder of the Lean Startup Machine

Includes
Keynote sessions, panels, startup pitches and more.

Follow Online
Twitter: @BrandCampU
Facebook: http://facebook.com/brandcamp
Hashtag: #IWNYbcu13

We look forward to seeing you in New York.

I thought it would be interesting to write an article about interacting with people of influence and what makes them tick.  I am sharing from my own experiences, thoughts and missteps and here is what I have learned so far.  The Main Lesson: Less is better!!!!

At some point we will all have that moment when we are meeting a person of influence, a celebrity or an individual who is extremely significant.  Will you be prepared?  More importantly what will you in that brief moment you have because you probably won’t get a second chance.

You have to remember people are reaching out to them on the time and everybody wants something from them.  Most Joe Schmo walk up to them and ask them the same crazy, boring stuff so how do you Stand out?  I try to center my opening statement around something they can make an emotional connection to.   For example when I met MC Hammer our conversation centered around his musical connection to Detroit.  This allowed him to invest in our conversation, connect me with Detroit and my specific call to action.

Here are a Few Helpful Tips

Face-to-Face Tips

• Save Your Boring Story for your Mother: They don’t care about your life story so get to the point.  You Have 30-Seconds:  Think about what you are going to say that will make an emotional connection.
• Know Your Environment: Understand the protocol of the events or location.
• Quick Pictures:  If you take a pictures make it ‘QUICK’.  When you post it online link their social media handle so that you can create a digital footprint.
• Embrace the Gatekeepers:  Everyone wants contact with the celebrity or influencer.  They don’t have time, they don’t manage their own schedules and you probably won’t have a lot of direct contact with them.  Work to build a relationship with their assistants better known as the gatekeepers.  I also ask the celebrity for the contact person’s name, phone number and email address if I believe there is a ‘REAL’ opportunity.
• Evaluate if it is a Real Opportunity:  Everytime I meet a person of influence it doesn’t mean it is a good fit for a business opportunity.   Evaluate whether you feel there is a real opportunity to extend the interaction and take it to the next level.
• Don’t Jock: Once you get what you came for ‘LEAVE’ them alone! Don’t try to close deals when you are meeting them for the first time this is a turn off.

Email Tips

• Keep It Short: If you are emailing keep it short or it won’t get answered (even if it short it still might not get answered).  Please save the 5-paragraph emails with 3-attachments and 6-links to the four different businesses that you run.  Can you say information overload?
• No Assignments:  Don’t give them an assignment because they don’t have time and they won’t do it.
• Have a Clear Call to Action:  Make it easy for them to provide a ‘Yes’ in a way that makes them look good and it sounds like it was their idea.

Cameron Diaz Case Study:  I had the opportunity to meet Cameron Diaz at TED ‘12 in Long Beach, CA.  I wasn’t a huge fan but I follow her work and I said hey nobody I know is probably ever going to meet her so I went up to her and ask to take a picture with her.  Her response was, I just came to TED to be normal and not take pictures.  She said it in a very nice way, but inside I felt like a total idiot because she was right!  I didn’t take time to understand the environment at TED.  In building business relationships I believe you need at least three touch points to build trust.  It isn’t always about closing the deal when you are meeting people for the first time.  This is the most important point I learned from that experience…‘FANS’ can never be  ‘PEERS.’

Brand Camp ’12 Boston: Startup Pitch Competition  Sponsored by Dell

Calling all Boston startups.  Brand Camp is hosting its first Brand Camp Boston startup pitch competition. Six startups will pitch for 5-minutes for 1-prize.

Date:              Friday, November 16^th 1:10pm – 2:10pm

Location:             Foley Hoag, LLP.

Judges: 

• Kathleen D. Warner (COO of Startup America Partnership)
• Peter Shankman (VP/Small Business Evangelist for Vocus, Inc./Angel Investor)
• Bob Lentz (Chairman of Northeastern University IDEAS Ventures Accelerator)
• LaToya Collins-Jones (Small Business Sales Advisor at Dell)

Pitch Format:

• 5-minute pitch
• 1-minute feedback per judge per pitch
• [Note: 6-Startup Companies (Max) will be competing]

Pitch Competition Judging Criteria:

1. What is the problem?
2. Who is your target audience?
3. What is your solution?  Why is it better than other solutions?
4. Who are your competitors?
5. How will you monetize it?
6. Why are you the entrepreneur/team to launch this startup?

Prize:  Dell XPS 12 Tablet/PC (Pic:pic.twitter.com/XBHKM4QU)

If your interested contact Hajj Flemings via email: speak@hajjflemings.com

Brand Camp ’12 Boston:  Branding, Entrepreneurship and Technology Conference 

Theme:  Build, Innovate + Grow Boston

Coming to Boston:  Friday, November 16, 2012

Register at:  http://bcu12bos.eventbrite.com

The 2012 Brand Camp University- Branding, Entrepreneurship and Technology Conference will be hosted at Foley Hoag, LLP Law Office in Boston, MA in the Innovation District.

Brand Camp is a gathering of thought leaders, technologist, geeks, and creative’s around a discussion on branding, entrepreneurial thinking, social media and the use of technology. The purpose of Brand Camp is to change how people build, launch, and grow ideas and use technology as personal brands, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs (employees), startups and corporations.

Schedule

8:00am-9:00am Coffee, Registration + Networking 

9:00am-9:15am Kick-off

9:15am-9:45am The Startup You Economy:  How to Develop a Personal Brand that Matters in a Digital World: Hajj Flemings (Founder of Brand Camp)

9:45am-10:15am What is GOOD self-promotion, and when did it become not “icky?”: Peter Shankman (VP/Small Business Evangelist at Vocus)

10:30am-11:00am Lions, Tigers, and Bears: The Evolution of a 35-Year Old Startup: Laurel Ruma (Director of Talent at O’Reilly Media)

11:05am-11:35am Moving Boulders: Obstacles and Opportunities for Women and Minority Entrepreneurs: Kathleen D. Warner (COO of Startup America Partnership)

12:35pm-1:05pm IP Mistakes from the Start-Up’s Perspective, and How to Avoid Them (Prithvi Tanwar and Matthew Eckert (Associates at Foley Hoag, LLP.)

1:10pm-2:10pm Startup Pitches (Boston Startups – Pitch Competition) – Sponsored by Dell

Judges: Kathleen Warner (Startup America), Peter Shankman (H.A.R.O.), LaToya Collins-Jones (Dell), and Bob Lentz (Northeastern University)

2:15pm-2:45pm Content Growth Startegy: Tell Your Story & Be Amazing: C.C. Chapman (Author of Content Rules)

3:00pm-3:40pm How to Become a Player in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Boston
Speakers:  Tracy DeForge (Burst)- Moderator,  LaToya Collins-Jones (Dell), Bob Lentz (Northeastern University), Shaun Johnson (Boston Startup School), and Josline Mane (BostonTweetup)

3:45pm-4:15pm Using Marketing to Fail Faster: Mike Schnieder (SVP, Director of Digital Incubator for Allen & Gerritsen

4:20pm-5:00pm The Minefield – Navigating Value Creation an an Entrepreneur
Bryant McBride (CEO of Burst)

Conference Speakers

Hajj Flemings – Founder of Brand Camp University

Peter Shankman – VP/Small Business Evangelist at Vocus, Inc.

C.C. Chapman – Author of Content Rules

Kathleen Warner – COO of Startup America Partnership

Prithvi Tanwas – Associate at Foley Hoag, LLP.

Matthew Eckert – Associate at Foley Hoag, LLP.

Mike Schneider – SVP, Director of Digital Incubator for Allen & Gerritsen

Laurel Ruma – Director of Talent  O’Reilly Media

Bryant McBride  - CEO/Founder Burst

Tracy Deforge – Co-Founder at Burst

Bob Lentz – Chairman of Northeastern University IDEA Venture Accelerator

Shaun Johnson – Co-Founder of Boston Startup School

LaToya Collins-Jones – Developer at Dell

Joselin Mane – Co-Founder of BostonTweetup

Follow Us on Twitter:  @BrandCampu

Facebook Fan Page: Brand Camp University

Hashtag: #bcu12

L to R: Amy Kaheri (Detroit Soup), Veronika Scott (The Empowerment Plan), Hajj Flemings (Brand Camp U), Mark E. Gilman (Decus).

CC Chapman, telling awesome stories and becoming a new fan of Detroit culture.

Just a reminder, we are live streaming at LiveStream.

It’s great to see so many people coming together, flying in from all areas of the country to Detroit. We are about growing our communities with personal branding. This event is an outgrowth of the innovative minds around the metro Detroit area. How inspiring to see men and women from various backgrounds and expertise building our infrastructure. We are making not only a difference in our neighborhoods but in our online community as well. We are currently ranking #1 in trending topics on Twitter. See below:

#BCU12 is now the top trend in #Detroit! Awesome work@BrandCampU and @HajjFlemings! pic.twitter.com/tUiXDDaD

Mayor Bing is getting in on the action too!

Detroit is a great place to start your tech startup #BCU12

Hajj Flemings (moderator), Phil Cooley (Slows BBQ), Preston James (Dell), Maria LaDonne (Bizdom) on their panel, The Evolution of Business: Can Corporations and Startups Work Together?

Brad Feld speaking on Startup Communities, Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City.