March 11, 2011

Dinner with Kemp & Steff x Social Media Radio x Roundtable

Social media radio roundtable and dinner hosted by writer Steffani Cameron and social media instructor Kemp Edmonds with CBC consumer reporter Theresa Lalonde, Vancouver Sun digital writer Gillian Shaw, Rick and Kathleen Rake on March 9, 2010.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

Today's Vancouver Daze article is a little different. No party or event per se this week. Instead, I gathered with some social media elite to discuss digital journalism and media. My friends Kemp and Steff are starting a late night radio show and podcast for CiTR campus radio at UBC.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

They asked us all over for dinner to record a roundtable discussion on generational shifts in journalism for them to incorporate into their talk show.

Dinner with Kemp & SteffDinner with Kemp & Steff

Steff made a delicious, exotic dinner of Moroccan chicken pie, Fatoush salad, and homemade hummus. The gracious hosts wined and dined us finely. I have very little to say about this. Basically, yum. That is all.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

I was thrilled to be included in such fine company. Obviously, I am very attached to my mentor from CBC, Theresa (above, being goofy), who is easily the coolest person over 40 I know. Hands down. Her guidance when I was her social media intern was invaluable. I can never thank her enough.

Dinner with Kemp & SteffDinner with Kemp & Steff

Kemp and his social media knowledge and enthusiasm at BCIT were also essential to my path at journalism school. I had the pleasure of introducing them to each other when I helped Theresa produce a story for CBC that Kemp was featured in. I also met Steff on a story while at CBC.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

It was also great formally meeting Gillian whose work I have admired for a long time, especially after her talk at Remixology. It was a pleasure chatting with a former seasoned print journalist and reporter in Rick Rake and his writer and wine blogger wife, Kathleen.

Dinner with Kemp & SteffDinner with Kemp & Steff

Their insights proved interesting and thoughtful. Obviously, there was a massive knowledge and experience gap between myself (fresh out of j-school) and my dinner guests. I was very honoured to be included.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

The group talked about everything from the ethics of blogging, journalism vs. PR, citizen journalism, responsible reporting, revolutions in the Middle East, our influences, and life in general. We seldom agreed, but the discussion was fierce and engrossing. Theresa and (the other) Rick were probably the most vocal while Gillian listened intently, remarking "I'm a journalist. That's what I do."

Dinner with Kemp & SteffDinner with Kemp & Steff

It was a varied, and spirited conversation. Rick's vehement assertion that art and literature had no influence on his life annoyed me greatly as a culture lover, but more so because he kept bringing it up when I begged him to let it go.

Dinner with Kemp & Steff

I cannot say or reiterate how much I enjoyed discussing hot topics with this fine bunch. I was certainly in very fine company. I learned a lot. I pride myself on the great company I keep and that night was no different. I am truly blessed to be surrounded constantly by such smart and wonderful people.

Dinner with Kemp & SteffDinner with Kemp & Steff

Thanks again to Steff and Kemp for hosting us and Steff's outstanding cooking. It was a delight and I am very curious to hear how our recording turned out and how they will be used in their radio show.

Originally published in Vancouver Is Awesome.

0 reactions:

Post a Comment