Pivot Conference Announces Brian Solis as Editorial Director and Host

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Best-selling author and social media thought leader Brian Solis will be heading up Pivot Conference as Editorial Director and Host for 2011 and beyond. Solis will take over the reins from Chris Shipley, a leading technology and product analyst, who will be focusing on her position as chairman and CEO of Guidewire Group.

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The announcement follows on the heels of critical success for Pivot 2010, held October 17-19 at the Crowne Plaza in New York. The conference attracted 700 brand marketers (anticipated attendance was 500), and a diverse array of insightful speakers including Arianna Huffington, David Kirkpatrick, Douglas Rushkoff and Henry Blodget.

"There are many conferences that present marketers with case studies, best practices and panels on social media. And while learning from these experiences is important, Pivot is different," explained Solis. "This conference is not just about following the examples of others, but rather finding the inspiration to blaze a new trail for everyone to follow. And that makes Pivot better."

"We're all charting this new territory together," he added. "We learn from our successes and failures. We inspire and are inspired. And in the conversation, we all become social media experts: it's just people talking to people, but with an intention."

Coined the "TED of Marketing" by author Douglas Rushkoff, Pivot was formed to help brand marketers and their agencies bridge the gap between the buying and influencing behavior of Social Consumers, and the way media is being bought and offered. In the new two-way dialogue of social media, the brand no longer represents just a series of impressions, but in addition becomes an integral part of a customer's own self-expression.

Successful marketers are pivoting to this new way of thinking — and beginning to engage in authentic and transparent interactions with young consumers. Pivot helps Brand Marketers raise their own social capital, and pivot their brands and companies.

"Chris and the entire Pivot team did an incredible job laying the foundation for Pivot and we're excited to see where Brian will take the conference in years to come," said William Lohse, Founder of the Tomorrow Project, which owns Pivot.

"I can't imagine anyone who speaks with more passion and eloquence about the intersection of brand marketing, consumers, and social media than Brian. He is the perfect fit to help inspire individuals and lead brands through the unchartered territory of social conversations and social capital," continued Lohse. "We're so lucky to have him helping our attendees at Pivot."

Solis has been at the forefront of the socialization of business, consumers, and media since the mid-90's and was among the original thought leaders to formalize the "Social Media" movement as a definitive media category. Through Pivot, he hopes to continue exploring the evolution of technology, social sciences and human behavior — as well as help businesses learn what it takes to identify and engage with consumers and those who influence them.  

About Brian Solis

Brian Solis, @briansolis, is the author of Engage, the complete guide for businesses to build and measure success in the new web. He is globally recognized as one of most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist, Solis has influenced the effects of emerging media on the convergence of marketing, communications, and publishing. He is principal of FutureWorks, an award-winning New Media agency in Silicon Valley, and has led interactive and social programs for Fortune 500 companies, notable celebrities, and Web 2.0 startups. BrianSolis.com is among the world's leading business and marketing online resources.

About the Pivot Conference

The Pivot Conference is a new kind of marketing conference singularly focused on helping brand marketers and their agencies bridge the gap between themselves and the Social Consumer. At Pivot, brand marketers can gain essential confidence in their power to inhabit the culture, conventions, and conversations of today's Social Consumers. Major sponsors of Pivot 2010 include Yahoo!, Say Media, Glam Media, Go800, Looppa, BzzAgent.

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