Social Mixer V13.0 draws a caring crowd

This past event drew a smaller (still a respectful 80 or so) but different crowd. On top of learning about Relief.Asia and it's disaster-supporting technologies from innnovative Edmon Chung, many had come to hear about The Library Project and how it's pioneering founder, Tom Stader, had managed to set up and run a charity in China.

Tom's photos and wonderful keynote slides kept the audience under wraps for over 30 minutes. We will be posting his slides here and on the Web Wednesday Group on slideshare within the next few days.

Apart from the usual networking and "advancing the digital cause", I was very proud to achieve our main goal for this event, which was to generate funding for The Library Project. Within the period of 24 hours, Tom had received funding commitments for 3 rural school libraries and HK$5,100 in cash donations!

Online Charity - Bid for Buddha!

Calling all digerati! A gentle reminder to come along to tonight's social mixer (our 13th) starting at 6:30 pm chez Q97, Basement, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong.
As the speaker topic is online charity, we'll be holding a live auction for the highly desirable and collectible buddha machine - even Guy Kawasaki wanted one! - generously provided by Zendesk who "bring web 2.0 to the help desk industry".



Opening bid is HK$250. All monies will go to The Library Project to pay for school books in China.

To get a free drink, don't forget to show your mobile coupon - download from our mobile website, m.webwednesday.hk - at the door

回头见！

Napoleon Biggs
Founder & Convener of Web Wednesday - Asia's Premier Internet Community

Fund raising via Twitter works!

At 11:10 pm last night, I used my mobile phone to post a fund-raising plea on Web Wednesday's Twitter channel to cover the cost of Tom Stader's flight from Xian to Hong Kong, who's flying down here on behalf of his charity, The Library Project.

Within 30 minutes, I'd received a sponsorship confirmation via SMS! OK, so the sum is not large - under HK$3,000 - but it worked!

And the generous sponsor? None other than Marcel Ekkel, who runs his own project management consultancy, SynergySynQ. Marcel deserves a little plug for his growing business which he describes as, "SynergySynQ synqronizes strategy and execution via consultancy, training and people in the field of project, portfolio and program management". And his giving doesn't stop there, apparently Marcel is also planning to "Adopt a Library".

Your'e a star, Marcel! Let's hope tomorrow's Web Wednesday event draws more of you generous givers out of the digital woodwork!

Digital Media promotes Web Wednesday V13.0

And here's the banner, created by Belle's team at Beansbox, that will be going out on Digital Media's weekly enewsletter that reaches 20,000 readers.

Social Media - What is it all about?

"Social media, tell me more. Is it that thing called, 'Facebook'?" A question put to me by an Irish aunt who's just got on skype (and loves to banter!). So here's one of the simplest explanation I've seen, produced by the people at Common Craft:

Locked into to Uniqlo Japan

Fascinating and strangely mesmerising use of music, dance and a simple clock by Uniqlo, a Japanese clothes brand.

Web Wednesday - Social Mixer V13.0 (11th June)

Welcome to all new comers of the Web Wednesday community, which has now reached 603 Asian digerati working in the internet and digital media space across Asia.

The cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in Sichuan continue to cause large-scale human tragedy. How are charities using the internet to generate awareness, raise funds and funnel donations to the right people?

We bring in two experts to give us their perspective:

Edmon Chung, CEO of DotAsia & Vice Chair of Hong Kong Internet Society, who set up Relief.Asia as an online platform for promoting and raising funds for relief efforts.

Thomas Stader, Founder of The Library Project, a charity that provides books to countryside schools in China.
A topical event so do come along with a full wallet ready to make some donations!

If you wish to join our bustling community, either send me an email or sign up for the Web Wednesday Group on Facebook. Feel free to “share the love” and invite others along. The event is free and open to all curious minds!

Looking forward to seeing old faces and meeting many new ones!

A finally, thank you to our sponsors (logos below) for their continued support: