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Photojournalist for Social Media and Traditional PR at Felten Media Services, Jess Block an InterviewFelten Media Services.

jess_block

Tell me about your Company?

Felten Media Services delivers publicity through photojounalism. We use both traditional and social media to generate awareness effectively and affordably. I’ve always said Felten Media Services get clients the attention they deserve.

What was your first experience of social media?

In 2007 I began recommending social media marketing to my clients. Felten Media Services provided them with an array of social media services, including creation, building and monitoring social media outlets for their businesses. But my first experience with the power of social media began in 2002 I ran the viral/guerilla marketing product launch for Toyota Scion in LA and Boston. The entire campaign was built around getting the “right” young people, including myself, to talk up the product – across any medium possible – and it was a great success. The whole point was for people to hear about it through someone they respected and had the right image. In 2002, I also worked as a photojournalist for a major newspaper. I watched the newspaper completely restructure. Instead of talking about circulation, they had to think about how many “clicks” they were getting.

What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie in social media?

Social media is tremendously helpful, informative, and lucrative. When potential leads see your company across multiple media platforms it raises your profile and credibility. Best of all, social media can be used for all kinds of good causes simultaneously. Right now I am:

1. scheduling a green fashion show,

2. raffling off for free $200 tickets to an autism conference,

3. calling for submissions to a philanthropic event,

4.promoting and eco-friendly pilates studio, and

5. getting the word out about a financial planner who offers free services to families with disabilities

What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t?

Advertise. I don’t think advertising works very well for small to medium-sized businesses. If it did, I wouldn’t have a job. Public relations gets clients much more legitimate exposure, at a fraction of the cost, especially now with social media.

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t?

I’m not a big fan of the personal monologue-style blog. I know blogs like that can be wildly popular, but I like blogs that are informative. I’m just not that interested in the life of a person I don’t know.

Where do you see growth in the social media field?

In corporate social media. There was a time when every company realized they need a website. Right now, every company who hasn’t already is realizing that PR is more important than ever, and that on TOP of their traditional press coverage, they need a facebook, a twitter, a myspace, and a person to monitor all that stuff who knows how to get them a return on their investment.

What new ideas are advertisers coming up with to take advantage of new trends?

I heard of a really cool yellow pages pay-per-call plan that I am piloting with one of my clients. I also like betweeted.com for twitter.

What do you do to improve the world?

An Autistic Kids Cooking Class. This year I launched a new program where we host 1-2 philanthropic events a year, with event planning, coordination, and publicity donated by Felten Media Services. The event raised money and awareness for Autism Speaks. Felten Media Services also donates 3% of the company’s gross income to charity.

What do you do that is green?

I work with and understand green companies on behalf of my clients. Most of the services we offer can be done remotely, cutting down on emissions. I am working on incorporating even more green principals into Felten Media Services.

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

I got a new lease on life after almost drowning last summer in a rip-tide.

What is on your iPod?

Tons of photos of my son, climbing photos, rock, and bad hip hop

What are your contact details (email, company, blog, facebook, myspace, forums, etc)?

[email protected]

@jessbphoto

www.feltenmedia.com

myspace.com/feltenmediaservices

profile.to/feltenmediaservices

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessblock

What events do you go to?

I go to a lot of my client’s events. Just last week I photographed a low-income Latina mentoring program.
I love to eat, especially ethnic food, so we go out to lunch and dinner a lot.
I go to my son’s field trips, client meetings, photo shoots, to the climbing gym, and to the beach.

How do you prefer to communicate?

Email is best. [email protected]

Who would you recommend, and why?

@cnnbrk the most twitter-savvy news outlet

@barackobama the nation’s first president to use twitter

@elliottdotorg national geographic’s reader advocate

@cloud21 social media marketer local to los angeles

@autismspeaksla great autsim resource for families

@playback_cloth green clothing company with a great purpose

@greenlivingidea daily green ideas and links

@metabella green pilates studio in studio city with an amazing space and even more amazing earth conscious ideas

What is one thing people can do for you?

1. Spread the word about what PR can do.

2. Contact me for a free consultation and social media evaluation.

3. Follow me on twitter @jessbphoto- retweet my posts if you like them or you think your followers would be interested.

Thanks to Jess Block, Photojournalist for Social Media and Traditional PR at Felten Media Services!

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