KCnext Event at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park Draws Over 400 Attendees
By: Micah Pratt, director, and Valerie Jennings, CEO
KCnext has been attracting crowds across the metro, specializing in mobile apps, software development, IT and investors. Silicon Prairie has grown up! We had the privilege of attending the event last night with our clients and friends Steve Roatch, CEO of Twentyseven Global; Mark Dryer, president of MDL Technology; T.J. Bloom, COO of MDL Technology; Greg Elliott, business development director at 1102 GRAND; and Todd Applegate, general manager at 1102 GRAND. We also had the honor of meeting with the editor and news editor at The Pitch, speaking with some of the area’s most influential technology pro¹s including Ryan Weber, who was recently named KCnext president.
Anytime you bring together like-minded individuals, you can expect great things to happen. It was great to see how strong the technology community in Kansas City has become and it’s always amazing to see people come together to share ideas on how to transform Kansas City into a technology hotspot. Events like these reinforce why Kansas City is in the running to be named the most entrepreneurial city in America.
I can’t wait until the next KCnext event, and I urge everyone to join! Check out their calendar, follow them on Twitter and “like” them on Facebook.
About KCnext:
KCnext – The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City is the recognized regional technology effort for the Kansas City area. The Technology Council is promoting the region’s tech sector, supporting its members and galvanizing the tech industry.
Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing, Featured on Entrepreneur Website MO.com
By: Micah Pratt, director of Jennings Social Media Marketing
I am very excited to announce that Valerie Jennings is now being featured on MO.com, a website that specializes in interviews with entrepreneurs from various industries including online marketing, PR and business development.
Valerie will be a subject matter writer, sharing her expertise and industry news on social media, Internet marketing, SEO and SMO. Valerie’s biography, as well as Jennings Social Media Marketing’s, can be found here. Make sure to bookmark the page below so that you can check her articles out in the future!
MO.com interviews entrepreneurs from all walks, across all industries, and from around the world. We focus on their habits and methods; what makes them tick. The primary focus of MO.com is entrepreneurship.
M.O. is the abbreviation for Modus Operandi or Method of Operating and we interview entrepreneurs to learn about their methods and to share their strategies and business philosophies with our readers.
Why Facebook Bought Instagram: How will brands leverage this powerful photo app?
Posted by: Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing
While I enjoy utilizing Instagram for my own personal photography like snapping photos on trips or catching my nephews or niece in a candid shot, I can see why the Instagram purchase was of extreme value to Facebook.
Facebook is about sharing beautiful, inspirational and entertaining content while incorporating the brand into the messaging. It also gives consumers an opportunity to share their perspectives, experiences and enjoyment, too. Ford has already utilized Instagram for a photo contest on Facebook, and I’m sure many other popular brands have incorporated the app into their consumers’ social media strategy as well.
Give Instagram a shot. We will be launching something new for our clients and perhaps JSMM via Instagram and Facebook.
Facebook Meets Instagram: What It Means for Your Brand
When it comes to Facebook’s $1 billion acquisition of Instagram, details are still coming into focus. In a public statement, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Instagram will continue to grow independently — but further details about how the platforms will eventually weave together have not been provided. Nevertheless, the Instagram/Facebook combo presents new challenges to and opportunities for marketers.
Instagram: Point, Click, SOLD! Facebook buys Instagram for $1 Billion!
Post by: Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing
Instagram, a photo app, was purchased for $1 billion this week by Facebook. I don’t know what else to say: congrats! While most consumers don’t know what or how it works, I will say that the app offers a lot of value. I personally use it for fun and think it was a great move on behalf of Facebook.
Here is the story.
How Instagram’s $1 Billion Sale Helps Other Photo-Sharing Startups
When Facebook decided to acquire Instagram for a whopping $1 billion on Monday, the two companies weren’t the only ones with reason to pop open a bottle of champagne.
The acquisition has lent legitimacy to a whole genre of startups — photo-sharing apps — previously accused of being a fad.
Jennings Social Media Marketing Reviews Pinterest Top Picks & Facebook Face-Off
Posted by: Valerie Jennings, CEO of Jennings Social Media Marketing
I think Pinterest just might be it for this year. I love this social networking site. Here are my favorite brands on Pinterest right now. Check them out and don’t forget to follow us!
I also picked a few new Facebook timelines that did an excellent job rolling out their brand, using a great cover photo, milestones and telling their amazing stories.
Pinterest Picks –
1. Kate Spade
3. Whole Foods
4. WSJ
5. Mashable
Facebook Face-Off –
2. Burberry
3. Coca-Cola
4. Old Spice
5. Red Bull
Valerie Jennings 
Cassie Stubs
Katie Stumpf
