Your Social Media Program: Insource or Outsource?

Jamey Shiels
Brigette Breitenbach
Andrei Slobtsov

Morning Breakout Session 10:00 – 10:45 AM
July 29, 2009, Italian Conference Center, Milwaukee, WI

A well-conceived and properly executed Social Media program for your company requires time and effort. The question every company needs to ask itself is whether they have the resources available to execute that program within their current staff, if they need to outsource the duties to an agency, or use a combination of both. The speakers at this session represent the two ends of the spectrum, Aurora Health Care who has built an internal team to carry out the company's Social Media initiative, and the Iron Horse Hotel who uses an outsourced solution.

Jamey Shiels is the Director of Social Media and Digital Communications for Aurora Health Care, an integrated health systems serving Eastern Wisconsin. At Aurora, Jamey is responsible for the strategic direction for corporate social media initiatives, 13 external web sites and intranet communications. Jamey has over 12 years of experience in marketing and digital communications most recently working in the digital marketing agency world with such brands as Kimberly Clark, Firestone and Wolverine Footwear. Jamey also served as the Community Relations Director for the Salvation Army where he oversaw the development of communication campaigns for Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Jamey also is the editor for Digital Pivot, a team blog about all things digital.

Brigette Breitenbach - Company B is a full-service marketing communications firm dedicated to complete brand development. Principal Brigette Breitenbach has worked in marketing communications for more than 20 years.  From establishing a corporate brand identity and complete marketing campaigns, to website development, environments and national media relations, Brigette has helped organizations large and small meet and exceed sales, marketing and communications goals. Brigette is also an owner of The Iron Horse Hotel, an all-encompassing role as owner/client with a personal interest in the success of the business. When she isn’t working, Brigette is jumping in a lake with her kids (iPod close by on the shore).
 

Andrei Slobtsov - Moving from Moscow to Milwaukee on the 4th of July 2003 to pursue a career in advertising and graphic design, Andrei serves as the Art Director for Company B. With an acute interest in all things visual and a macro view of social media and marketing, Andrei manages all aspects of the firm’s branding efforts.  Andrei stays in tune with grassroots communications and has helped Company B develop an expertise in social media networking, believing it is a fluid and ever-changing medium to reach customers. When he’s not a visiting professional teaching design classes at his alma-mater MATC, Andrei is snowboarding and rock climbing.