We'd love you to meet Jenni Beattie, Director of Digital Democracy. Jenni recently launched her consultancy which combines social media with her expertise in public relations, communications, knowledge management and market research. Not only does Ms Beattie know her stuff, she's has one of the most impressive shoe collections around...
So what's your story?
I grew up on the South Coast of NSW lived across the road from the beach so it was fantastic. I moved to Sydney many years ago to do my degree at UTS (Information Science and Mass Comms) and I now live in the inner-west of Sydney. I have two children 8 and 12 which keeps me busy as well as a feisty cattle dog that demands two walks a day! I recently resigned my roles as Director of Digital Consulting and opened up my own social media consultancy called Digital Democracy.
Can you tell me a little more about Digital Democracy?
Yes. Digital Democracy fills a gap in the market by looking at Social Media very wholistically. As I have a background in pr, communications, knowledge management and market research. I view Social Media with those eyes and help organisations get the most from the tools. I am passionate about basing creative ideas on tangible research foundations.
Where did the name Digital Democracy come from?
Now that many people have access to the web we all have the ability to comment, create and review media online. Technology today has given consumers the ability to have a voice whether it is about politics, brands or services – hence digital democracy.
You mentioned working in varying fields can you tell us more about that mix of sectors?
Yes, over the past 20 years I have worked with a great range of organisations and across the marketing field. For example, I worked at News Ltd as a research manager, with McCann Erickson Advertising as a researcher, worked at Media Monitors as a Communications Manager and at Network PR as a Online Research Manager developing their online engagement methodology. More recently I worked at the Digital Edge as the Director of Digital Consulting where I developed and managed online research communities.
What clients have you worked on in the past?
While at Network PR I worked on Paramount Pictures social media strategy for their films – that was very entertaining! At the Digital Edge I set up online communities for Kelloggs, Weight Watchers, Sara Lee, Kimberly Clark and others.
What type of work are you doing now?
Six weeks in and I am working with companies on sales collateral, running social media courses for pr agencies, developing social media strategies for a film currently in development and doing research projects for agencies. Lots of variety!
Right now I'm:
Reading... too many blogs and also a few guide books on Japan
Eating.... mandarins – I love this time of year.
Listening... to Brian Eno
Planning.. a trip to Tokyo for three weeks in September (hope North Korea behave themselves)
Buying... birthday presents for my 8 year old son – it’s a sleepover party so it’s going to be …energetic!
Enjoying... seeing my business grow even in recessionary times.
Drinking... strong coffees in the morning and herbal teas in the evenings (and a few glasses of wine in between)
Media monitoring
