@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of creative-brained-groundhog-loving @gregswan. Lets get this thing started!
Q – #1 So @gregswan, where did yo grow up? Where did you go to HS and where did you go for schooling after HS?
A: I grew up in Iowa. Attended @drakeuniversity where I studied public relations and the changing nature of journalism.
Q – #2 So after Drake U, what was your first job, and how did you end up at @WeberShandwick?
A: I’m really glad I grew up in a small rural community. Good grounding. And married my h.s. sweetheart @feebusfeet :)
While I was still in h.s. I started working at an ad agency. Was there 4 yrs. Learned a lot about branding, paid media.
It was an unrivaled experience to learn about a marketing concept at school in am then go to it in “real life” in pm
Later I wrote for what become @dmcityview then co-founded an arts mag where I was editor in chief http://bit.ly/i8cbek
My wife and I chose to move to Minneapolis, largely because of the opportunities, entertainment, music scene here
When I graduated, I sent out two resumes and got two jobs. I chose @kohnstamm, which was a fantastic experience.
Then I came over to @wsmpls / @webershandwick, and the rest is history. Almost 12 years working at agencies now.
Q – #3 Many may know about your music blog. What is it called, and when did you start it?
A: I started @perfectporridge, my music blog, about 6 years ago. It’s grown into a BEAST that demands to be fed every day.
Here’s the most recent review from this morning: “Loch Lomond get into the skin around my eyes” http://bit.ly/efJjhF
Q – #4 How has Social Media effected the “PR world” and how it helps companies?
A: Social marketing is a natural extension of the philosophy behind Public Relations as a discipline.
But in the words of Spiderman, w/ great power comes great responsibility. I wrote a post about it http://bit.ly/flOhvg
Because practically everything today is social, we must be operating in a post-social media mindset to stay relevant.
Q – #5 As part of your work, you get to do some traveling. What cities have you been to, and does SM help in your visits?
A: I travel all over for work in the 48 and as far away as Spain and Alaska. SM is great for staying in touch w/ my family
If you travel often, I recommend checking out @uppward, a new socnet for frequent flyers.
Q – #6 Great! Let now get some of your FAVORITES: Restaurant, store, winter activity, comfort food & TC’s neighborhood.
A: I live in historic downtown Chaska, which not many people know exists. It’s a century old community akin to Stillwater.
So my favorite restaurants would have to be locally owned Tommy’s Malt Shop, @puremarket and the new La Quebrada.
Since I have 3 kids four and under most of my free time is dedicated to wrestling, coloring, wrestling, and wrestling.
And @doughamlin wants me to share that I have a “You’ve Got Mail” ringtone for text messages that makes me extra cool.
Q – #7 You get “Geek Cred” for that! To end, what would you encourage people interested in getting into PR to learn about?
A: Advice to those interested in PR: get an education beyond reading books/blogs then balance with “real” experience.
And I’m off to a meeting. Someone else can spam your Twitter feed for the next hour or so. Thanks
@JoelECarlson – Thank you @gregswan for your insight and time today. I enjoyed your “Batman in Seattle” photo blog entries! Take care.