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ME Consulting was started by Mark Evans, whose experience includes more than 15 years as an award-winning technology newspaper journalist and three Internet start-ups – Blanketware (a natural language search service that he co-founded), b5media (one of the world’s largest blog networks) and PlanetEye (online travel planning). Mark is one of Canada’s leading social media experts, an entrepreneur and enthusiastic blogger.

Mark writes several blogs, including Mark Evans Tech and Twitterrati, as well as a regular column for the Globe & Mail. Last year, he was named one of Canada’s best technology bloggers by ComputerWorld Canada. He’s also one of the organizers of Canada’s leading Web conference, mesh, and its sister events, meshU and meshmarketing.

Mark’s professional experience includes 15 years as a technology reporter for the National Post, Globe & Mail and Bloomberg News.

Mark is an experienced and energetic speaker who has appeared at many conferences, seminars and workshops. He combines insight about social media, content and technology with an informative and engaging speaking style.

His strength is explaining in a user-friendly way how the Web and social media are changing how we live, work and play. Evans will explain the web’s impact on the media and the challenges/opportunities for start-ups and fast-growing businesses.

Recent presentations include PodCamp Toronto, MagNet, the IABC World Congress, NXNEi, WordCamp Toronto, MaRS and the Burlington Economic & Development Association.

Presentations Include:

Social Media 101 Workshop:
There is a lot of buzz and hype surrounding social media but what is really happening and what are the social media services that need to be explored and possibly used? This high-energy, interactive and engaging workshop take an in-depth look at the social media landscape: focusing on the benefits, the realities and myths, and the keys that companies need to consider when getting into social media. The workshop explores each of the major services - blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. It provides details about the benefits of each service, as well as offering examples of Canadian companies successfully using them. At the end of this workshop, you'll have a solid foundation to effectively start leveraging social media.

Social Media’s Impact on Marketing and Sales:
Social media is dramatically changing the relationship between companies and consumers. It used to be that companies talked to consumers; now consumers can talk back. This presentation looks at the reasons why social media is having such a major impact on how companies operate, and the key issues that companies need to consider when looking to embrace social media. It also takes a look at the Canadian social media landscape, the companies successfully leveraging social media, and some of the key factors that can lead to success or failure. For anyone looking for an enlightening and thought-provoking overview of the social media, this presentation will provide valuable insight and a road map to go forward.

Core Messaging - More Important Than Ever
Core messaging is more important than ever. At time when there is more information being created and consumers have more demands on their time, clear and well-articulated core messaging is invaluable. With effective core messaging, companies have a rock-solid foundation upon which they can build their communications, marketing and sales activities, including Web sites, social media, videos, marketing and sales collateral and advertising.

In an engaging and informative presentation, Mark Evans provides insight the importance of core messaging, how companies can strive to develop strong core messaging, and the key considerations that should be embraced and avoided.

The Myths of Social Media:

While social media tools such as Twitter and blogs are free, the reality is doing social media successfully requires a strategic plan, a lot of work and resources (people, money).