As a community supporter, LunaWeb is concerned and aware of environmental issues happening in the city of Memphis. To encourage the community to work together to better our city, LunaWeb created EcoMemphis.com, a site dedicated to highlighting local environmental issues. EcoMemphis.com provides a platform for visitors to submit eco-related questions, ideas, writing, photography and video.

EcoMemphis staff attended Shelby Farm’s annual Earth Day Celebration: Down to Earth. Visit the EcoMemphis blog for more videos and photos of the event.

 Watch this video about the Earth Day celebration from Eyewitness News 24.

Check out the Social Media Memphis Facebook group to see pictures from yesterday’s breakfast!

“Analytics” was the keyword of the morning for our second Social Media Breakfast. Bob Hazlett and Emily Joyner discussed social media analytics, varying in topics from Facebook and Google to RSS Feeds and Social Bookmarking.

All attendees, even the newbies, participated at a high level, whether it was exchanging a new idea, bringing forth questions or admitting when they needed a little more explanation of a new tool or social network! The constant conversation and the open-flow of new ideas represent the spirit of the un-conference, which is highly encouraged at the breakfasts.

Soon, we’ll schedule a date for May’s Social Media Breakfast #3 and will definitely post in on the blog, as well as the Social Media Memphis Facebook group! 

This afternoon, we’re gearing up for tomorrow morning’s second Social Media Breakfast Memphis! The first breakfast was well-attended and provided great conversations and networking, so we only expect things to grow and move forward as we continue to meet.

Once again, the spirit of the “un-conference” will be alive, as attendees are encouraged to openly suggest topics and lead discussions when they have knowledge or ideas to lend. Memphis joins other big cities who are among the first in the nation to hold Social Media Breakfasts, including Boston, New York, Austin and the Twin Cities. Bryan Person, who created Social Media Breakfasts, does a wonderful job in promoting and lending expertise through his blog.

Social Media Breakfast #1 was covered in a Commercial Appeal article, which–no doubt–will help continue spreading the word about this trend in technology and how Memphis is keeping in stride with the rest of the country. Tomorrow’s breakfast will include a panel discussion by Bob Hazlett, Dave Barger and Emily Joyner. Attendees will also have a chance to discuss new tools they’ve found to be useful online, SXSW attendees will share their experiences and we’ll discuss opportunities for online interaction and networking among the Social Media Memphis group.

We look forward to a great turnout and productive discussion!

During our 13 years of business, LunaWeb has become an established web design company in Memphis, TN. Throughout the years, community support has always been a priority. Because of our dedication to local organizations, we will create posts from time to time featuring our clients and events happening within their organizations.

Most recently, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center had two events which we have featured below. LunaWeb staff attended each of these Flag Raisings so that we could do a couple of things:

1. Show our support for this organization
2. Help increase public awareness of the organization and the terrible events by micro blogging live during the ceremony and capturing still photos and video to post online

Not only does the use of social media increase awareness and outlets for spreading that awareness, but it also adds value to the organizations taking advantage of these beneficial new trends. By attending the Flag Raisings and working with the MCAC to use social media, we are adding value to both the organization itself and our relationship with the client.

Local Non-Profits We Support:

• Brooks Museum of Art
• Cotton Board
• Crime Stoppers-Memphis
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Memphis Child Advocacy Center
• Memphis Humane Society
• Memphis Literacy Council
• Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission
• National Foundation for Transplants
• Urban Arts Council
• YWCA of Greater Memphis

This morning, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center had a Flag Raising as a result of yet another needless death of an innocent child. Six-year-old Charlis Flemming and his seven-year-old playmate were playing with a gun inside an apartment, when Charlis was shot in the face and killed. Parents and caretakers must remember to take all measures to keep kids safe.

Sadly, for the first time ever, two flags are now flying side-by-side at the Memphis Child Advocacy Center on Poplar Avenue, after last week’s Flag Raising for the Dotson children who were brutally killed in their home. Below is an excerpt from the Children’s Memorial Pledge, which is read aloud at each Flag Raising.

“We promise to protect the children in our care. We promise to believe children who say they have been hurt. We vow to tell the authorities if we suspect child abuse. We promise to do everything in our power to keep children safe.”

Four-year-old Cemario and two-year-old Cecil Dotson were memorialized by the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, Friday, March 14. The two brothers’ deaths were the result of a horrific and brutal crime that occurred in their home March 3. Now known as the “Lester Street Murders,” this gruesome story will not be forgotten by Memphis residents for quite some time.

Their young lives, as well as the lives of 4 adults in the home, were taken by the hands of their uncle, who now stands accused of their murders as well as the near-fatal assault on their three siblings, ranging in age from 2 months to 9 years old.

The Memphis Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit organiztion providing therapy for children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse, raises the Children’s Memorial Flag any time a child in the Memphis/Shelby County area dies as a result of abuse. The flag not only memorializes the child who died all-too-young, but also increases community awareness about the rampant problem of child abuse. Visit www.MemphisCAC.org to learn more about this organization.

World Karate Champion Dr. Clay Morton and Dave discuss Phase II of his website. We took a “risk minimizing” approach by launching Phase I with measurement tools (industry buzzword = “analytics”) in-place to gauge the acceptance of training videos by “Dr. Clay” before investing in Phase II (to launch by March 19). We used Web 2.0 sites like YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook to promote Dr. Clay’s new presence, accessibility, and videos.

We’re leveraging video for the purposes of promotion, the product itself, and as ongoing training in unique ways conceived by Dr. Clay and his father. Seriously. Where else can you do this?

Upload a video of your Karate routine and receive an online video critique of your performance by a World Champion.

Day 2 at SXSW and quick shout-out to attendees at Small Business Chamber “Lunch & Learn” March 14th.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a multidisciplined (interactive, music, film) festival held in Austin, TX. Four of us from LunaWeb narrowly escaped the big Memphis blizzard and made it to the festival. SXSW Interactive activities include traditional keynote speakers, panels, group discussions, and lots of parties.

It’s inspiring to be in the midst of thousands of peer professionals from all over the world who are passionate about so many aspects of the ever evolving sphere of the interactive Web.  These conversations behold not only the latest in the current phylosophy of interactive, but also visions of how society and commerce will be affected by the social aspect of the web.

Here are a few photos from the first day at SXSW. 

The primary interest in LunaWeb’s attendance is on Social Media, Social Networks, and the integration with we’d likely consider the traditional Web. It is quickly evolving into a wonderful new paradigm of conversation.

Embracing “Community”
The concept of Communities to include those of Employees, Customers/Clients, and any other group of people having a commonality is turning classic realms of Marketing and Public Relations inside-out. In essence, we’re realizing a promise made by the Web made back in the 90’s wherein the Web was thought my many of us to be the great democratizer between consumers and the large corporations “commanding the airwaves”. Instead the playing field was leveled between the small business and the corporate behemouths. Now, because of the democratization of production (of content whether it’s “experiences” or “opinions”),  the democratization of the platforms (where the content can reside like YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr and thousands more), and the ensuing conversation of consumers online, the market is gaining control and it’s power is in numbers. The enormity of what is essentially word-of-mouth marketing cannot be overpowered by even the grandest of Marketing / PR spin campaigns. As such, organizations are compelled to “join the conversation*.”

* Also a book by Joseph Jaffe, Join the Conversation: How to Engage Marketing-Weary Consumers with the Power of Community, Dialogue, and Partnership