Sep

9 Professional Certifications For New Media Gurus

As a media professional, are you looking for unique ways to differentiate yourself in this economy? Here is a great idea—certify yourself company certification programs. Certifying with Adobe, Apple, or in Google are great ways to differentiate yourself from the pack in PR, digital media, journalism, or even social media. Here are nine certifications that would be a huge boost to your resume:

Adobe Certifications

1. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Demonstrate your Adobe product expertise by becoming an Adobe Certified Expert. Use Adobe Certification as a way for getting a raise, finding a job, or promoting your vast expertise.

2. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) for Developers

Do you create solutions using LiveCycle Enterprise Suite, ColdFusion, or Flex? Review certification requirements that you can complete to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise with Adobe developer products and technologies.

3. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

An Adobe Certified Associate credential certifies individuals have the entry-level skills to plan, design, build, and maintain effective communications using different forms of digital media.

4. Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI)

Further your knowledge. As an Adobe Certified Instructor, you can take your classes — and yourself — to the leading edge of Adobe technology.

Apple Certification

5. Apple Pro Applications Certification

Apple’s professional digital applications are the standard for professional photographers, filmmakers, editors, sound designers, music producers, and multimedia artists. Certifications are available for all applications, including Final Cut Pro, Motion, Logic Pro, and Aperture. Learn More

6. Apple iWork Certification

Apple’s Associate Certification program was designed with educators and students in mind. Earn Apple Certified Associate status for the iWork application suite to demonstrate entry-level skills and build credibility. Learn More

7. Apple Certified Trainer

Share your knowledge. If you’re an industry expert or training professional, or simply passionate about sharing your Apple technology expertise, consider becoming certified to deliver Apple’s curriculum as an Apple Certified Trainer. Learn More

Google Certification

8. Google App Certification

The Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist exam certifies IT professionals who demonstrate the fundamental skills and knowledge required to deploy, configure, and migrate to Google Apps for Business. Candidates who pass the exam receive the Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist certificate and badge. http://certification.googleapps.com/

9. Google Ad Words Certification

Whether you’re an individual or a company, you can demonstrate your proficiency in AdWords by joining the Google AdWords Certification Program. It’s a globally recognized stamp of approval which showcases knowledge of the latest AdWords tools and best practice techniques and will enable you to effectively manage AdWords campaigns. http://www.google.com/adwords/professionals/

If anyone knows of other certifications programs that I may have missed, please share them with me below. Or if you are certified, share why your certifications has or hasn’t helped you.

Sep

Corporate Storytelling in the Digital Era and its Effects on the Brain

I have been scouring the web searching for ideas for my senior thesis. I’ve been infatuated by stories. Not just stories but how companies use stories to get their brand, their image, and their customers to become converted. As of now, my thesis is about “Corporate Storytelling in the Digital Era and its Effects on the Brain.”

In my research I’ve found evidence that the human brain organizes information using narrative structure—a story. If there is no story, it’s just facts. No one ever remembers facts. But what I want to study is how you include stories in company branding and advertising, how you create emotion and connection with your customers, and its effects on the brain.

In other words, I want to see how to create multi-sensory engagement with your key audience. What is interesting is corporate stories impact the whole organization internally and externally. While a story speaks to your customers, it focuses executives, creates synergy in marketing, and makes a unique cohesive culture around your brand.

Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And, if you want to know more, here is an article that might get your creative juices flowing around neuroscience and storytelling. Peace out.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/positively-media/201104/transmedia-storytelling-neuroscience-meets-ancient-practices

Aug

Qwiki: Let the Story Search Engine Begin

If you haven’t found this internet “snack” yet it certainly is delicious. It’s a new internet search platform, called Qwiki. I found it a few days ago and it has some interesting investors tied with it. Such as: Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, Groupon co-founders Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky, and YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim.

I love this new storytelling generated search engine format. It has been hailed as the “next Google.” It’s still in its alpha release stage but was released to the public in January 2011. By far the human aspect certainly makes this experience far superior than other search engines. Rather than be a text based search engine it gives you a multimedia experience. It’s like a mix between Google, YouTube, and Wikipedia but with voice.

Here is what ABC News is saying:

Qwiki, whose goal is to forever improve the way people experience information, intends to “deliver information in a format that’s quintessentially human — via storytelling instead of search,” according to the company’s website.

Qwiki turns text based search into a multimedia experience that is similar to combining search results of Google, YouTube and Wikipedia all on the same page.

I don’t think this is a contender with Google yet because it is only word search driven, not sentence driven search. The other downside to this platform—and why it won’t compete with Google yet—is that the video and voice are time consuming. But the upside is you have a more interactive, entertaining, and visual experience.

Obviously, Qwiki has a long way to go to make Google worried. Its multimedia style of presentation is more pretty than it is useful for in-depth information. But Qwiki has its shining places. It is naturally suited for people and places, as well as entertainment, scientific and educational subjects.

Here are a few things that make me “GEEK OUT” over this tool:

The social media potential of Kwiki can be the hub of any particular subject, which extends to conversation between interested parties.
Qwiki also said that it will provide a service later this year that allows people to merge their Facebook and LinkedIn data, along with other online content, into a personal “Qwiki.” (I like this idea!)
It can be used as somewhat of a mob

For PR, marketing, and digital media this could be huge to promote products, brands, celebrities, cities, tourism, and new film launches. Qwiki has future potential in the search world but for now it is something to keep a media tab on, especially anyone in digital media.

(Also, I look forward for the chance to chance the voice.)

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