The Importance of Viral Influencers

One item on my To Do list this week is to update my media database, something anyone who works with the media and/or brand reputation management should do at least quarterly, if not monthly. Besides traditional media, I have a column for blogs, blog authors, Twitter accounts for national, West Virginia, and tri-state media… but this time I’ve decided to add a new column per media market: Influencers.

Ever since Klout has come about, I feel it’s critical for any business, political campaign, etc… to identify those people on social networks whose opinions/tweets/Facebook posts engage and influence others.

Haven’t heard of Klout? It measures one individual’s influence across the online social-sphere. According to CrunchBase, “Klout allows users to track the impact of their opinions, links and recommendations across your social graph. Data is collected about the content users create, how people interact with that content and the size and composition of their networks. Klout identifies influencers and provides tools for influencers to monitor their influence.”

What kind of influencer am I? According to Klout, I’m a Broadcaster, which means “You broadcast great content that spreads like wildfire. You are an essential information source in your industry. You have a large and diverse audience that values your content.” (Thanks for the ego-boost this morning, Klout!)

Why is this important? Viral is the number one source of message dissemination, be it negative or positive, in today’s media ecosystem. And where does viral start? Social networking sites. Where can viral turn into a frenzy and spin out of control? Social networking sites. Therefore it’s extremely important to identify influencers in each media market. Depending on what content a business, campaign, or individual puts out, an influencer might take the information and put out contrasting content. If that business does not respond, they become less reputable over a short period of time. Even more alarming, if the message is not controlled, a brand, business, candidate, etc… can be discredited almost completely.

And just in case you were wondering… how influential is Klout? See for yourself.

Politics of White Water Rafting

Yesterday I went white water rafting for the first time with Class VI, who I am extremely happy to say tweeted with me several times prior to the trip and afterwards!

After swimming through some rough water with the rest of our boat, my boyfriend, a Pittsburgh native, looks at me and says, “This is one of the best things about West Virginia.” I must admit I felt bad for not taking advantage of one of our best outdoor activities for so long, but now I’m addicted and cannot wait to take on more rapids!

It occurred to me while paddling through class three, four, and five rapids that I should probably consider myself an adrenalin junkie, as all I wanted to do was paddle through more! This is similar to the feeling I have after an election is over: you don’t know what to do with yourself until campaign season starts up again!

I’d compare the lower New River to a State Senate or House of Delegates campaign. From what our amazing guides told me, the lower Gauley River would be more like a Congressional, U.S. Senate, or gubernatorial campaign: a lot more paddling and many, many more rapids. Our guide Tate, a Pinch native, told me the upper Gauley River is intense and something that must be worked up to. Hmmm…sounds similar to the experience you need before jumping on board with a national campaign.

It’s evident the political bug bit me and I’m addicted, the same goes with golf (shoes and fashion are a given and require no explanation). But now, I do believe I’m hooked on rafting, just need to find a way to have better looking shoes!

West Virginia and the Need for Young Professionals: Stop Talking and Start Marketing

For the last two years all I’ve heard is “We need more young professionals in West Virginia.” And that’s pretty much all I heard today at Generation West Virginia’s Young Leaders Conference. Well West Virginia, it’s time to shut up and roll up ‘yer sleeves on this one.

It seems we spend so much time focusing on the need for young professionals in wild, wonderful West Virginia that we can’t see the forest for the Spruce, Maple, and Oak trees.

What do young people look for in a potential new homeland? Progress. Movement. Energy. And more progress.

We’ve laid the foundations for current young professionals in our beloved Mountain Mamma with the creation of Generation West Virginia, Generation Charleston, Generation Putnam, Generation GAP, Generation Greenbrier Valley, Huntington Young Professionals, Generation Morgantown, North Central Young Leaders, OVConnect, Pendleton County YPC, Young Professionals of the Eastern Panhandle, Young Emerging Leaders of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Vision Shared, and several other organizations.

Furthermore, we’re making progress by drafting legislation to improve our state’s future that’s being introduced and passed in the West Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates. This legislation is being sponsored and moved along by members of the organizations above who serve in the House, such as Delegates Amanda Pasdon and Doug Skaff. This progress wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of several amazing young professionals, and the advice of a few “older” ones.

This is our biggest marketing asset. Rather than talking about the need for young professionals, it’s time we showcase our progress and ask the rest of the nation’s young people to join our movement. Why did so many youngsters from sea to shining sea hop on Obama’s 2008 campaign bandwagon? Because they saw progress being made and they had a call to action. (While I know this isn’t a proper comparison, the marketing tactic is the same.) They were inspired.

Once someone comes to West Virginia, it’s hard for them not to fall in love with all our state has to offer. West Virginia is inspiring, full of possibilities and huge feats that need to be accomplished.

I see pretty much the same people and hear the same names over and over again at leadership conferences in West Virginia. These are the founders of West Virginia’s future, now it’s time for us to ignite this passion in others by marketing our progress and giving the nation’s young people a call to action: come to West Virginia and join our movement to build something better than anyone’s dreamed.

You’re probably thinking, “Okay, we need jobs.” “Yikes Cartney, too many regulations and there isn’t a Neiman Marcus here…. HELLO!” Or maybe you’re saying to yourself, “This girl is way too tired from the special election and needs a vacation.”

Wake up West Virginia, we need to move to the second phase of recruiting young people to our state.

While I’m all for West Virginia students going to in-state colleges and universities, we have to make sure some of our best and brightest leave, because they need to bring back the ideas and energy to West Virginia to create something so unfathomable, it will put our state on the map for even greater things.

Let’s tell the nation about what great things we’re accomplishing here in West Virginia. Let’s focus on spreading our passion to our friends who live out of state and get them here. It might start off small, but when a raindrop falls on Cheat Lake… it produces a ripple.

With Honesty and Open Government for All

Since falling head over stilettos with Twitter, it’s a known fact I strongly advocate open government and increasing government transparency (especially via social media).

But tweets, Facebook posts, and Youtube videos alone obviously aren’t enough. Government transparency begins with the most simple of principles: always tell the truth. Sometimes the truth isn’t always the prettiest thing in the room, but it takes someone with integrity and a strong moral compass to do the right thing.

Over the last two years, I’ve observed several politicians and candidates across this state and across this nation in regard to their stand on open government. Some are pretty disappointing… but with West Virginia’s 2011 special gubernatorial election, one candidate stands out from the pack with a strong record on increasing government transparency: Jeff Kessler.

“We’re going to tell the people the truth,” he constantly says, referring to anything from why he’s running for governor to issues with legislation to any questions that arise from the press.

Not only is this principle ingrained in his character, he has an exceptional record for open government. Kessler sponsored and passed legislation that put West Virginia on the map as the first state in the U.S. to regulate 527 political groups requiring them to disclose sources of political funding.

Furthermore, this past legislative session, the West Virginia State Senate was able to pass ethics reform legislation requiring disclosure by paid public officials and prohibiting public office holders from lobbying for twelve months after they leave office.

Now I’ve heard many a tall tale from politicians in my sky-high stiletto days, but Jeff Kessler is grounded in honesty, integrity, and transparency.

Your vote is a terrible thing to waste

Ghandi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

We have an opportunity in 47 days to take the high road and put West Virginia on the map to be one of the leading states in the nation.

I’ve been traveling quite a bit in the last couple weeks, and there is a repetitive phrase I keep hearing, “Your candidate is the best guy for the job… He’s the most qualified for the position…”

And then there is a pause, followed by, “…but my daughter works for Candidate X and she needs to keep her job, so I guess I have to vote for them.”

West Virginia, your vote is not something to waste, nor is the future of your children and grandchildren. This election is a game changer for our state, and to vote for someone you don’t have faith in is nothing short of unacceptable. It puts West Virginia’s future at a disadvantage.

When you go vote, be it on Election Day or for early voting, think about who you’re voting for and why. Don’t think of today, think of where each candidate will lead us ten, even twenty years from now.

Your vote is a terrible thing to waste.

First Official Female 2011 Gubernatorial Campaign Manager Named By Democrat Jeff Kessler

Gubernatorial candidate Senator Jeff Kessler named Kathy Brown as his campaign manager earlier today, but who on earth is Kathy Brown?

The first official female campaign manager on the Democratic side, Brown currently maintains her own law firm, located in Charleston. Inheriting her work ethic, stubbornness, and determination from her father, she paid tribute to him by opening her own law firm on what would have been her father’s 88^th birthday, March 8, 2009. Not only have l admired Brown for her amazing organization skills and variety of talents (from law to the news), but it would seem we’re both daddy’s girls.

Prior to starting her own practice, Kathy formerly worked at WSAZ, moving to West Virginia in 1980 to take the noon news anchor position. She also worked as an investigative reporter. (And just a piece of advice, you can tell her you remember her face, just don’t say you grew up watching her on the news.)

All that investigating must have turned on a light blub in Brown’s head, as she attended WVU Law School while continuing to work at WSAZ. In addition, she clerked for West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman, when Workman had a private practice. Brown received her law degree in 2001.

Not only does the first official female campaign manager on the Democratic side have a solid background in law and broadcast journalism, she’s worked on several campaigns, and is someone this Politico in Stilettos cannot wait to work with.

Disclaimer: While I am aware that Natalie Tennant hired Julie Sweet, I haven't officially heard if Sweet is her Campaign Manager or not. If so, then Senator Kessler hired the second female campaign manager. More power to politicos in stilettos in West Virginia!

The First 2011 WV Gubernatorial Straw Poll....

The first straw poll for the 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial race took place yesterday evening in Charleston, and the results shed light on how the people of Kanawha County may vote.

Senator Jeff Kessler received over 22% of the vote, following Treasurer John Perdue and Speaker Rick Thompson. Kessler is the only gubernatorial candidate from the northern part of West Virginia, as the other five candidates live in or south of Charleston. For the only northern candidate to receive over 22% is nothing short of spectacular!

The most shocking number of the evening was the 6.2% that acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin received.

Overall, the evening was quite interesting. Attendees heard everything from serious campaign speeches, to the word “crossroads” used 1,000 times, to the Speaker singing “County Roads” while playing his guitar. I must admit I kept waiting for the doors of the Women’s Club to open and none other than former Governor Bob Wise to come in clogging!

There are several more straw polls already scheduled around the state between now and May 14^th, and after last night, this Politico in Stilettos feels like she hasn’t seen anything yet.

For more information on the straw poll, check out the article in today’s Gazette.