Summary: As government and elected officials join social media, they come face to face with citizens who are already there waiting for them. More than ever, social media is proving to be a useful platform for helping politicians connect to constituents, as well as citizens with their elected officials and government agencies. However, sometimes there is a disconnect between the two. Government officials have their agenda, but it isn’t always what people want to hear. On the other hand, constituents have expectations that politicians don’t know. The government and politicians need to share their personality and promise with citizens, whether they’re constituents or not. The more they use social media to engage and open up authentically, the more trust will be built. This webinar is an opportunity to explore with our expert panelists:How government can change to better relate to digital citizens?How government agencies can use social media to provide complementary communication and participation channels for citizens.What are the right channels to use to provide public service solutions and services, and interact with and conduct business with citizens.How people can use social media to improve how government works for politicians and citizens.About the Panel: Alan Rosenblatt is a digital/social media strategist, professor & thought leader and a Partner at Turner 4D. Alan taught the first college course on digital politics (1995), created and built the Center for American Progress’s social media program (2007-13) and trained 15,000+ people across the world in digital/social media strategy, including civil society leaders across the Arab world in 2009; executives at leading advocacy groups and news media outlets; Members of Congress and their staff; as well as a couple future kings. Alan has a Ph.D. in Political Science. He teaches digital political strategy at Johns Hopkins, American, Gonzaga & Georgetown Universities. Find him across social media @DrDigiPol. Lindsay Crudele directs the City of Boston’s award-winning social media program. Boston’s cross-departmental, platform-spanning social team uses creative, daily, digital engagement to improve quality of life and support public safety. After becoming the City’s first social media director, Crudele implemented its first enterprise social media strategy, driving policy, training, and central governance. In the past year, that strategy served an integral role through unprecedented crisis communications. Using social technology, Crudele has helped raise the national standard for accessible and participatory digital government. @thelindsayist Laura Bellinger is a communications professional with 15+ years experience in corporate communications, public relations and social media. Experienced in copywriting, television content development, media relations, community management, executive and internal communications, and integrated marketing, Laura understands how each of these areas are interrelated and can be collectively maximized through social. As a senior communications consultant at the CDC, Laura's work includes story development; content development for CDC Director monthly twitter #CDCchat; social promotion; and media outreach through social. In 2008, the blog she produced for CARE was honored with a Reuters "blog of the year" award. Past experience includes work for the American Cancer Society, CARE, Coca-Cola, CNN, Fox Sports, France 2, and Turner Sports. @madamebelle Paul Dunay, moderator, is an award-winning B2B marketing expert with more than 20 years’ success in generating demand and creating buzz for leading technology, consumer products, financial services and professional services organizations. Paul is the Global Vice President of Marketing for Maxymiser, a leader in web optimization and analytics, and author of five “Dummies” books: Facebook Marketing for Dummies (Wiley 2009
