FUEL LINES Fueling Ad Agency New Business Through Social Media

I was in my office at The Maryland Group, a full-service ad agency located in Brentwood, TN when I learned of the first plane striking the  North Tower of the World Trade Center.  All of our staff  were glued to watching live televised reports of the tragedy as it continued to unfold. We scanned the web for additional information.

There was also lots of misinformation being reported, such as the the possible bombing of our own State Capital Building in Nashville.

Little work was done that day. Our minds and hearts were with the people of the city of New York.

I want to bring to your attention a post written by, Eric Hyman,  for his ad agency’s blog, Where were you on 9/11? My Story Began With a Pitch.  Eric, is from New York, and currently serves as SVP, Business Development JWT Communications, Entertainment and Technology Practice.

“I often say, half seriously, advertising is a silly business. But I’m proud to be in it, and to have made it my life’s work. So I am forced to view the world through my own stilted marketing infused lens. Like it or not, this is they way I experienced 9/11. It began for me with what at the time seemed to be an important new business pitch; a meeting which in the grand scheme of things now is seemingly meaningless.

But not to me. My name is Eric Hyman. I blog and tweet as ericadman. I grew up in Manhattan and called the city home 9 years after graduating from college. I’ve been in Atlanta now for 17 years and love my adopted home. But I am still a New Yorker. It was 8 years and a few hours ago that the events we call 9/11 took place. But it still seems like yesterday. And my New York adman’s heart goes out to all who feel the same way.”

I encourage you to read Eric’s entire post: Where were you on 9/11? My Story Began With a Pitch

Cathy Taylor shared her comments to Eric’s posts:

“Really beautiful Eric. One thing that’s resonating with me on this 9/11, is that we have so many tools with which to share where we were and how we felt — things we couldn’t do through social media in 2001. I’m glad that so many people are finding ways online to honor all of those who died, and honor our memories of that horrible day.”

An additional post that may be of interest as you reflect on this day: Remembering 9/11 Through Social Media,  … 2001, social media was still in its infancy, but now we have such an easily accessible global communications to share our own memories … social web sites are being used as gathering places today for those remembering the September 11th attacks.