The technology of the internet changes constantly, but that’s one of the things Clo Willaerts loves about it. The social media expert, who will be one of the guest speakers at this year’s PINC Conference in Sarasota on December 8, spoke to SRQ about how to keep up with the changing platforms of the web, and why it’s worth keeping up.

After seeing acquisition talks end with Twitter, should we presume that the social media platform is failing? Willaerts: That's jumping to conclusions...Twitter is a weird animal, and I understand that many of the big players don't see how they could integrate Twitter into their own business models. There's only room for two big mainstream players (current status: Facebook and YouTube) so the obvious outcome for Twitter is to stay and become a niche player. I like the fact that it's an excellent real-time news filter, for example. And I still think it's currently the only social media platform that teaches you new things (as opposed to: getting you stuck in your own interest bubble).

With so many social platforms now out there, how should marketers decide what works best for their clients? Map the online watering holes for your target group using only public social media. Focus on no more than three platforms and do those well. Cluster platforms that integrate well together, e.g. Facebook and Instagram. Measure, rinse, repeat. Start with a plan but be prepared to adapt it as soon as the results come in.

What impact does social media have within some of the less wealthy economies of the world? Has mobile tech changed access to media in these markets? I do a lot of volunteering in Southern Africa, including in very poor countries like Malawi. Mobile tech has changed access to media there, but the technology is different. Almost every important decision-making process and/or digital transaction is mobile first—but mainly through SMS. When it comes to media, I notice that new (media) players like Facebook are aligned to these local trends, but their news sites still look like if they were made in the ’90s. 

Learn More about PINC here

Welcome a world of color: embrace the crisp tones of fall and incorporate them into your day-to-day style. With a swipe of polish from the effervescent brand Smith and Cult, the maddening times of chipped nails will be no more. Found at Sarasota’s newest go-to luxury beauty store Bluemercury, Smith and Cult delivers not only flawless colors and brilliant shine but also ensures that every polish remains tough enough to last through the week chip-free. Stop daydreaming about the perfect shade of polish to match your outfit and pop by Bluemercury to see all the vibrant shades first-hand.

Photo: Courtesy of Smith & Cult.

Bluemercury, 500 Main St, Sarasota, 941-365-0020.

It’s Thanksgiving Day and although most will be enjoying a typical turkey dinner, others might want to step out of the box and indulge in an all-Japanese meal the day after. Chef Shaun Gingerinch from Jpan UTC whips up dishes for those craving Asian food this holiday weekend. For an attention-grabbing appetizer, Chef Gingerich prepares steamed pork dumplings stuffed with cabbage and carrots served with a side of sweet soy vinaigrette for a well-balanced taste. For the main course he introduces a tuna tataki—seared slices of tuna are doused in a light citrus soy sauce. Alongside the tuna, Chef Gingerich adds in a customer favorite: the Aloha roll. Rolled to perfection, this sushi includes shrimp tempura and cream cheese topped with mango slices and coconut shavings. If you are a sake lover, order their Mona sake mixed with yuzu (Japanese citrus) over ice with a garnish of shiso or perilla leaves for a minty kick. “This is our signature sake exclusive at the UTC location,” says Gingerich. Sake, dumplings and sushi—it doesn’t get any better than this.

Jpan Sushi & Grill, 229 North Cattlemen Rd., 941-954-5726. 

Jpan Sushi & Grill is a member of Nosh, the SRQ magazine content marketing program for local restaurants. 

Jpan Sushi & Grill

Keller Williams Realty Select has announced that Alicia Harrison and Terry Eldean have joined as real estate agents. Harrison has joined Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch team and brings her enthusiasm and real estate experience to the area to help people find the perfect place to call home, whether it be a year-round home or a vacation getaway. Eldean’s start in real estate was in 1978 as a young assistant to her family’s Arizona Land Business, and has spent the last four decades in various roles within the real estate industry.  

http://www.sarasotakw.com/

The Child Protection Center, Inc. has been awarded an $8,800 grant from the Dart Foundation benefitting the purchase of iPads for its Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (SATP). SATP provides specialized treatment services for children who are victims of sexual abuse and for their families, recognizing that child abuse is traumatic for the entire family. Through a combination of group, family and individual counseling for child sexual abuse survivors and for their families, SATP works to reduce the trauma caused by child sexual victimization to prevent further victimization from occurring and enables families to have healthy non-abusive relationships. 

Child Protection Center

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Inc. (SMART) received a $6,400 grant from funds generated through the sale of the Florida Support Autism Programs specialty license plates. The grant will support Therapeutic Carriage Driving scholarships for adults with autism. The Autism Services Grants Council awarded a total of $64,300 in grants to 12 Florida-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs for adults with autism and related disabilities. The funds available through grant opportunities offered by the Autism Services Grants Council, are generated through the sale of the Florida Support Autism Programs specialty license plates. 

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy