Social Media – Leveling the Marketing Playing Field

One of the numerous aspects of social media that I find compelling is the way it (the movement and the technology) has brought the more forward-thinking members of the marketing industry together – agencies, brand managers, technology providers, suppliers, competitors, you name it.   Obviously, social media brings all sorts of like-minded people together, regardless of the industry.  The camaraderie you find across a number of more creative industries is fueled by social media-driven connections.  Sure, people may meet at conferences or tradeshows, but lasting connections are forged in social media.  How else are you going to stay in touch these days?

I recently came across an interesting project called The Project 100:

What is The Project 100?

100 authors.  400 words each.  1 Collaborative Book on “Project 100: Marketing in the Social Media Era.

I have been involved in modern digital marketing since its inception, but I have never seen marketers from all walks of life – from behemoths like P&G to the smallest non-profit – rally around something like they do social media.  People certainly rallied around the web back in the day, but this is a more narrow slice of the digital channel that people are seemingly dedicating their working existence to for the sake of marketing.

Marketing people and companies are carving out their niche, and in doing so, are using social media to weave vast networks of other like-minded marketers – regardless of their place in the marketing world.  The guy with the Facebook app is befriending the CMO of the beverage company.  The outspoken blogger is earning the respect of the blogging CPG Marketing Director.  All because of a mutual respect for and belief in the opportunities around social media and some mutual success.  Finally, we have an amazing set of tools for casually and painlessly maintaining these relationships.

Would the CMO typically give the Facebook app developer the time of day if they were forced to rely on phone calls, email and in-person meetings?  No way.  But we happen to have the perfect meshing of mutual interest, admiration, tools, and most importantly, the need to innovate in marketing.

If I am just being naive, just let me be.  I am just going to enjoy.