Welcome to my first ‘Incomplete Guide to Newcastle’s New Influencers’ list for 2010. It’s populated with a lot more local Newie bloggers (including business blogs) and a few Newcastle expats.

But, I’m still on the look out for a local user-generated site (please help).

So, if you have time please go and visit as many of our new influencers as possible. And when you get there, don’t be afraid join the conversation. Make a comment.

Some write often. Some don’t. Some use images. Some use words. Some are on radio and most are not. But, they all look at the world in a very different way.

Life In General & Armchair Philosophy

Blackbird Corner, The Spice Rack, Crow’s Garage, pryorcommitment, the best of all possible worlds, Mitchell Davies Blog, My kid is too funny, Belinda-Jane,  Miss Kool, Killing Mind, Glen Evans, Puff Pieces, Adam Purcell.com, Whalen Flynn, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think, An Account of Social Commentary, Five Thumbs Down, That Ducati Guy, Lexxie Couper, The Rant-O-Matic, Tonight,Captain?, Miss Koolmeister, BryAntics, My Take On It,

Art, Technology, Design & Entertainment

eCommerce and Online Shopping Systems, Trends in Communication, Peter Bower, Just Creative Design, Deanjrobinson.com, RocksolidPR, Newcastle Music Directory, The Plastic Age, Matthew Packer, Deadly Bloody Serious, Ivan Vanderbyl, One fine Day, I’m With The Band, Newism, Zen Harris, Living Light, Steve Happ, Jacob Talbot, Hunter Arts Network

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I don’t know where to start with this blog. My blogging mate Mathew Packer told me…warned me…& F@#K he was right.

It’s a great provocative blog…I like her style.

Have a look at Young Machete Mafia >>>>>

Union Jack
Originally uploaded by sopheava

Will Australia follow the UK’s push to make it a crime for companies to misrepresent themselves as consumers in their online marketing.

According to the GAWKER online magazine, it’ll be an offense in the UK to blog, use brand ambassadors or seed viral ads while "falsely representing oneself as a consumer."

From my perspective, I am all for the proposed laws. Critics may talk about free speech, but in the end blogging is about trust.

Surely, it must place Australian bloggers who are contracted to set-up fake blogs that hype UK owned products open to prosecution, fines and ultimately, gaol.

So, what of Australia? The fact is I haven’t heard anything in our local press or the blogosphere.

In order to maintain the trust of consumers, we need to start a solid and sensible debate to bring in good laws that fit with the realities of the blogoshere. Rather than wait for a scandal that’ll be used as a political football.

Read the GAWKER online magazine article and if, like me you agree with the UK’s new laws, please write a post on the subject. Lets lead the debate!

Franck Muller
Originally uploaded by Andrew Kung Photography

Game on!

At last, Drew McLellan has announced the timetable for the 275 co-authors to complete their piece of the Age of Conversation; "Why don’t they get it?" book.

Even though this is a global project comprising of 275 of the leading market brains, I’m proud to say little old Newcastle, in regional NSW has two contributors – Craig Wilson (Media Hunter) and me. Craig Wilson is the owner and driving force behind the succesful Advertising Agency – Sticky Advertising.

Each author has been asked to select one of eight topics that falls under the "why don’t people get it?" theme. 

In the next day or two, Drew will send out the submission guidelines and the release that needs to be signed and returned by each co-author. There is still 35 authors that have not signed up for a topic, but that won’t be a problem.

But for now….here’s the schedule (our best educated guess):

Age of Conversation ‘08 schedule

1. March 15 Authors announced, topics introduced
2. March 23 Author list publicized
3. March 26 Reminder of Bum Rush sent
4. March 29 Bum Rush
5. April 1 Topic list closed
6. April 12 Release sent to all authors/"rules" sent to all
7. April 14 Topics assigned to anyone who has not selected their topic
8. April 15 Topic list sent to all authors (so you can see what your topic is)
9. May 15 All chapters due
10. May 16 Editing/reviewing entries begins
11. June 15 Edits/requests for re-works etc. out to authors
12. June 30 All copy finalized
13. July 15 First design/layout due
14. August 1 Layout finalized
15. August 15 Lulu proofs in hand, final edits made
16. August 21 (or so) Book is released

Source: Fastcompany.com

Fastcompany.com’s video talks about how the 2008 US presidential candidates are using social networking as a means to expand their web presence, gain valueable contributions and eventually influence supporters.

Watch and listen…it will explain how you maybe able to harnessing the new world of blogging, rich media, and social networking sites by usng the social media strategy called “starfish”.

Bloggers are mad on blogging lists…its how we promote ourselves very quickly.

Here’s a few of my favourites (I’m only on one list):

The Twenty Best Financial Blogs

British Blogs Top Ten

The 50 best business blogs

Top 10 Best Designed Blogs

Power 150 Top Marketing Blogs

Top 10 CMO Blogs

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