Social media continues to shape the way people and brands communicate with each other while presenting hidden challenges and opportunities for both. The 11th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference will bring two of the nation’s top communicators, Lee Odden and Shonali Burke, ABC, to discuss best practices and newest trends in this influential media. The conference takes place on Friday, April 20, in 鶹Ƶ’s Franklin Hall.
The conference will open with Odden, marketing strategist and CEO of TopRank Marketing, as the morning keynote speaker. His topic is “Participating Marketing: The Social World of Content, Influencers and Integration for PR.” Ranked as one of the top content and social media marketing influencers in the world by Onlaytica, Odden has evangelized a customer-centric approach to marketing at over 200 events in 17 different countries. His team of consultants are pioneers at developing and implementing “best answer” marketing strategies that integrate content, search, social, influencer marketing and online advertising.
Burke, the first Indian woman named to PRWeek’s “Top 40 Under 40” list, will provide the lunch keynote, “Harnessing People Power to Dismantle the Digital Divide,” where she will discuss how to effectively bridge the space between your organization and its publics through the true promise of social media: people, personalities, and the communities they form.
For over two decades, Burke has used her unique, community-focused philosophy, tech savvy, and metrics-based approach to move the practice of public relations forward. In 2015, Burke founded The Social PR Virtuoso®, which provides individual and group training and resources in integrated, community-focused and measurable Social PR.
“We are so fortunate to have these two powerhouses come to 鶹Ƶ,” says Luke Armour, co-chair of the conference and assistant professor of public relations at 鶹Ƶ. “What you want in a keynote presenter is the ability to inspire and show the attendees how constructive and essential social media is in all aspects of public relations. These two bring all that and more.”
The annual YouToo Social Media Conference is organized by the Akron Area Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the 鶹Ƶ Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Registration closes on April 16, or sooner if the event sells out as it has in the previous four years, with early bird discounts ending April 6.
Presented by State and Federal Communications this award-winning conference includes morning, and afternoon breakout sessions that cater to college students, new pros and seasoned professionals.
Conference proceeds support PRSA student scholarships, 鶹Ƶ PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter. For more information about the conference or to register, visit youtoosm.com and follow #YouToo2018 and #YouTooSM.
To be a sponsor, visit .
If you are interested in presenting as an industry thought leader ad this year’s conference, email Luke Armour, conference co-chair, at larmour1@kent.edu.
About Akron PRSA:
The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations.
About YouToo:
The YouToo Social Media Conference is an annual conference hosted by the Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America and the 鶹Ƶ Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. The conference puts communication professionals in the same room as students studying similar fields to discuss the latest developments and trends in social media and digital communication. Since its creation in 2008, the conference has discussed various topics including ways to stand out in the digital space, data analytics, real-life case studies, using social media to increase ROI and more. Conference proceeds support the YouToo Scholarship Fund, 鶹Ƶ PRSSA Chapter and the Akron Area PRSA Chapter.