From Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Prize winning work and the grand opening of One World Trade Center to the Ebola outbreak and Ferguson riots, 2014 was a year of epic highs and devastating lows.
From the final episodes of long-standing shows like The Colbert Report, How I Met Your Mother and Sons of Anarchy to the crowning of Germany as World Cup Champions, there was plenty to keep the world buzzing.
Traditional and digital media became even more entwined as people made mobile devices an essential component of their daily lives. Connectivity was a given, and marketing professionals from all industries are transforming their craft.
As we stand on the cusp of the New Year, we present you with our 6th annual list of top digital media strategists to follow as they reveal and react to what is sure to be an exciting 2015.
Digital Marketing
Jason Falls, Founder at Social Media Watch, (@jasonfalls)
Falls’s straight talking nature provides honest tips about digital marketing and social media.
Avoiding The Pitfalls Of The Small Business Do-It-All-Yourself Mentality – Useful from @ducttape‘s team: http://t.co/kj6trZh0Zs
— Jason Falls (@JasonFalls) December 8, 2014
Tom Fishburne, Founder and CEO of Marketoon Studios, (@TomFishburne) In his past time, he creates poignant cartoons on the world of digital marketing and advertising.
“Innovation Catch-22” – new cartoon and post on thinking inside the box http://t.co/aerBZeZ7gl pic.twitter.com/gMtWEzx8kA — Tom Fishburne (@tomfishburne) November 23, 2014
Sophie Brendel, BBC’s Head of Digital Communication, (@sophiebr)
Brendel pairs her personal views mixed with tech news, innovation and – of course – the latest in BBC happenings.
“Only requirements are access to the web, willingness to experiment & an idea” BBC launches games maker kit for kids http://t.co/yOUrk3pbpy
— Sophie Brendel (@sophiebr) December 1, 2014
Jessica Northey, (@jessicanorthey) If you’re a music junkie interested in social media, get your fix here.
join @isocialfanz @danielnewmanUV & me for LIVE VIDEO CHAT right now-talk’n social media & life stuff. #TimeForThat https://t.co/yWTZTI1TWg — Jessica Northey (@JessicaNorthey) December 8, 2014
John Paul Aguiar, (@JohnAguiar)
Aguiar helps businesses and bloggers alike turn social media content in to monetary results. He was also listed as one of Forbes top social media bloggers in 2013.
The 5 Key Dimensions of Brand Personality http://t.co/OqQU5nsT7y by @richiekawamoto
— John Paul Aguiar (@JohnAguiar) December 8, 2014
Media
Jennifer Preston, VP of Journalism at Knight Foundation, first social-media editor at NYTimes, (@JenniferPreston) Preston’s news heavy twitter feed gives followers a large does of the latest and greatest in media consumption.
Stunning findings by @cjchivers on how American & Iraqi troops were exposed to chemical weapons hidden years before. http://t.co/b1C4nqXvAW? — Jennifer Preston (@JenniferPreston) October 15, 2014
Sree Sreenivasan, Columbia Journalism School professor, (@Sree)
Sreenivasan is a professor at Columbia who pairs the latest digital news with his academic insight.
IBM will train & certify 10,000 consultants on a global basis to be experts of the Twitter platform – @alistair_rennie tells @editorialiste
— Sree Sreenivasan (@sree) December 8, 2014
Jack Shafer, Slate media columnist, (@jackshafer) Shafer is a well-regarded columnist that translates his amusing, bright writing style into 140 characters. Follow him if you like your media news with a large does of sarcasm and witty commentary.
An entire magazine written in technobabble: Make it happen. — Jack Shafer (@jackshafer) December 8, 2014
Public Relations
Stephanie Florence, Edelman, (@StephanieFlo)
Florence describes herself as a PR girl who can “talk to a brick wall and dance to a kazoo.” Check out her page for honest and personal stories about the world of public relations.
When I grew up I wanted to be a “businesswoman” who was the boss. Read how that turned out: http://t.co/enmBGrvfIu pic.twitter.com/hKE9XQFAMU
— Stephanie Florence (@StephanieFlo) December 4, 2014
Katie Gerber, 451 Marketing West Coast Vice President of Public Relations, (@ktgerber) Gerber’s quirky tweets have no bounds: she addresses everything from clip art to Grumpy Cat.
Get on it, Lola! – Grumpy Cat Has Earned Her Owner Nearly $100 Million In Just 2 Years http://t.co/I1kbIUR5eT via @bi_contributors — Katie Gerber (@ktgerber) December 8, 2014
Richard Laermer, CEO at RLM PR,(@laermer) Laermer is a media junkie who addresses “all things askew”. Visit his twitter for the latest in thoughtful quotes and quirky commentary on the latest in digital news.
What if I don’t like a broken Internet? — Richard Laermer (@laermer) November 16, 2014
Sarah Evans, Chief Evangelist at Tracky, (@prsarahevans)
Evans offers valuable opinions on the latest digital trends and tech items.
I love when brands encourage the “giving” spirit of the holiday season. Well done, @Cabelas! https://t.co/so2wyq1cE2
— Sarah Evans (@prsarahevans) December 3, 2014
Mark Ragan, CEO at Ragan Communications, (@MarkRaganCEO) Leave it to the head of Ragan Communications to offer the best in digital media and communication news.
Facebook doesn’t suck, your content does http://t.co/roamRQpZdv — Mark Ragan (@MarkRaganCEO) December 8, 2014
Ashley McCollum, VP Business Development & Communications, (@McCollumAshley)
As the Chief of Staff at Buzzfeed, McCollum’s commentary on media news is anything but banal.
The word “traffic” is generally pretty infuriating. It’s millions of people whose lives are (hopefully) different bc of what we publish!
— Ashley McCollum (@McCollumAshley) December 8, 2014
Technology
John Battelle, Founder and Chairman of Federated Media, (@johnbattelle) With Battelle’s tweets, he shares a lot of information with little words. Check out his page for the latest musings in search and technology.
How Medium Is Trying to Bring Back the Web We Lost | Mediashift | PBS http://t.co/cLEtio2QYQ via @pbsmediashift — John Battelle (@johnbattelle) December 3, 2014
Chris Anderson, Wired magazine editor, (@Chr1sa)
If you consider yourself a geek, Anderson’s twitter feed is your new home. Follow him if you love getting the inside scoop on the latest tools and tech.
Things to Consider Before Buying That Drone http://t.co/38f7rGMAvz
— Chris Anderson (@chr1sa) December 7, 2014
Advertising
Mark Duffy, written for buzzfeed and vice (@copyranter) Known as the “most acerbic ad critic”, Duffy does not spare words in taking down some of the most notable ads in big branding.
this headline via AdAge represents everything that is wrong with the ad industry right now. pic.twitter.com/UOVzSktBd1 — Mark Duffy (@copyranter) December 6, 2014
Dave Trott, Chairman of The Gate Worldwide, (@davetrott)
Trott’s Twitter account gives the best advice from chapters out of the book of campaigns and advertising.
And this is what’s wrong with the awards culture (r/t @faris) http://t.co/U4xATjQGB8
— dave trott (@davetrott) December 6, 2014
Martin Weigel, Head of Planning at Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, (@mweigel) Weigel’s playful and sarcastic tweets offer a refreshing take on some of the most serious global and advertising news.
Why does every stranger wanting to “connect” on LinkedIn overlook the simple truth that ‘networking’ is a by-product of value exchange. — Martin Weigel (@mweigel) November 25, 2014
Ryan Wallman, Wellmark head of copy, (@Dr_Draper)
Wallman has been lauded as “the great advertising cynic”. Look to him for bitterly honest commentary on the world of advertising.
I’ve developed a new creative briefing document that will save everyone a lot of time. pic.twitter.com/lKlOrDM9kl
— Dr Draper (@Dr_Draper) October 8, 2014
Jerry Daykin, Global Digital Director at Carat, (@JDaykin) Daykin shares his thoughts on digital campaigns from top brands, comments on advertising from peers and competitors.
What is ‘Dark Social’ and is it something marketers need to worry about at all? It might not be so dark after all… https://t.co/mpVEfd9FmR — Jerry Daykin (@jdaykin) December 7, 2014
Andy Nairn, Founding Partner of Lucky General, (@AndyNairn)
A veteran of the advertising industry with more than 20 years of insight and a funny bone to boot.
People making childish jokes about #peterpanlive should grow up.
— Andy Nairn (@andynairn) December 5, 2014
Brian Carter, SEO and PPC manager of Fuel Interactive, (@briancarter) Carter shares some advice from his newest bestseller, The Cowbell Principle, as well as what’s happening in the advertising and copywriting industry.
New Post: How To Write Copy & Content That Sells http://t.co/dr9uqGDcaH — Brian Carter (@briancarter) December 8, 2014
Thought Leaders
Claudine Collins, Managing director at MediaCom UK, (@ClaudineCollins)
Collins gives us a peak into her world as a managing director, which includes jet-setting, networking and the wonderful insights that come from it.
Love listening to @MikeSoutar talking about negotiation on #yourefired.We have sat across the table and negotiated many times in our careers
— Claudine Collins (@claudinecollins) December 3, 2014
Paul Frampton, CEO of Havas Media UK, (@Paul_Framp) Frampton’s feed is a mix of marketing news and sensible branding philosophy.
Interesting view of #strategy as an algorithm. What do you think ? http://t.co/LBQAT1BMdC — Paul Frampton (@Paul_Framp) December 6, 2014
John Legere, CEO and president of T-Mobile US, (@JohnLegere)
Legere’s tweets are brimming with pride and inspiration. Look to him for positive quotes and original musings (oh yea, and T-Mobile updates). Dear @Twitter, please develop a sarcasm font! Brilliant, right?? — John Legere (@JohnLegere) December 8, 2014
David Armano, Managing Director at Edelman Digital Chicago, (@armano)
Armano’s candid nature gives an interesting view into the day in the life of a managing director.
Finally got around to doing a career mapping exercise. Very helpful to know where you’ve been and where you want to go.
— David Armano (@armano) December 1, 2014
AJ Gerritson, Founding Partner, 451 Marketing, (@AJGerritson) Gerritson joins the list as an experienced marketer who shares his insights on the industry through a variety of media outlets.
Study says social-media analyses are off target – Computerworld http://t.co/lwHlTlG9nB — AJGerritson (@AJGerritson) November 29, 2014
What do you think of our list? Let us know who is on your list – tweet us at @451Marketing!
