Social Media Takes Centre Stage At Shannon Chamber Seminar

Monday, 30 August 2010 09:38

Written by Noel Cotter

Conscious of the increasing interest in social media networking, Shannon Chamber will host a half-day training seminar on the topic to help businesses in the Shannon reap greater rewards from this fast-growing business tool. The seminar will take place on Thursday, 9 September at the Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon, from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As Helen Downes explains: “Social media is taking on a new momentum; it’s the topic of the moment. How it is and can be used by a business is all down to a number of variables – the relevance of online marketing to a business; the ability to allocate resources to web-based marketing; how it can/will complement other marketing activity and; how its use is monitored and controlled to avoid legal pitfalls.This training seminar will comprehensively examine both sides of social media – its use and control, particularly in SMEs and multinational corporations, with larger employee numbers.”

Edel Mee from Embrace IT, Clarecastle, will illustrate how companies can benefit from using Web 2.0 technologies in business, particularly how to use social networking tools to increase brand awareness, generate leads and sales and keep in touch with or up-sell to existing customers. Screenshots and examples of how the tools work will be demonstrated, and how tools can be integrated in order to save time and resources when using multiple tools.

Social media’s legal challenges will be covered by Clare-based Andrea Martin, a media law consultant with Eugene F. Collins, Solicitors, who will give practical tips on the management of legal risk online and advise on the steps that can be taken to protect intellectual property, brand and image. She will discuss social media usage policies, data protection law and privacy policies, clearance procedures for online content, and the steps that can be taken when defamation, trademark or copyright infringement occurs online. A lecturer on media law at NUI Galway, Andrea is much in demand as a trainer for radio, television and print media outlets. She is a frequent contributor to radio and television discussions on topics related to media law.

“We are amazed at the interest in this seminar,” says Helen Downes. “Perhaps it’s down to a combination of wanting to use social media but a fear of not knowing how to or of wanting to be aware of the legal aspects associated with introducing it into a business.”

Bookings for this very pertinent seminar can be made with Cathy O’Brien or Aine Sheehan at 061 708341 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it