PR 2011-03-21 transcript

20:03 Alright, looks like we're a modest crew, but all the better 20:04 I'm calling the meeting to order 20:04 This is the first PPCA Public Relations meeting, so congratulations to us 20:06 It looks like we are facing an election very soon 20:08 So we're going to need some standard, editable fliers for this election 20:08 < SteveHenderson> All the better time to reach out to connections made in the past and suggest becoming members of PPCA. 20:08 Yes, that's a good point 20:08 I know a lot of ppca-sympathetic people who aren't members. we could use this election to lure them in 20:09 I'm wondering, are any of our attendees graphic arts oriented? 20:09 < ChrisOBrien> I'm not. I'm a IT geek primarily. 20:09 unfortunately no 20:10 I am not 20:10 I can do it if we have no one else. 20:10 < ChrisOBrien> That said, I'm good with editing. Not so good creating original art. 20:11 Cool. good to know. 20:12 What I'd like to do for this election is create a new standard in basic pirate party information 20:13 A brochure - "The Pirate Party and You" or "So you think you might be a Pirate..." 20:14 something consistant and tightly written, that we can distribute across canada 20:14 yeah or people can download / e-mail to friends 20:15 Yeah, we could toss it up on the website too 20:15 < ChrisOBrien> And this is for recruitment purposes I assume. 20:15 and toss the reddit / facebook / tweet buttons 20:15 < PirateFox> ohai thar 20:16 hi PirateFox 20:16 * PirateFox waves 20:17 I guess lets open this up to a bit of brainstorming, what information should we                 cover in the pamphlet? 20:19 We could either take the route of specific measurable promises eg. "reform copyright                 law" or we could take the broad, inclusive but vague promises like "take restrictions                  off of culture and technology" 20:20 < ChrisOBrien> I get the feeling that vague won't sell today. 20:20 More specific is better 20:20 < ChrisOBrien> They'd need to knwo exactly how it would impact them for action to be taken. 20:22 Alright, I agree with that 20:22 < ChrisOBrien> Like, "If make a youtube parody video..." 20:22 < ChrisOBrien> OK, that might be a bit too specific. 20:23 We could create different levels of text. For each subject: title/heading, summary in larger font and more details in smaller font. So depends on how detailed the reader wants to get into. 20:23 < ChrisOBrien> But if we can take everyday uses and tell how they are being opressed or                    misinformed or even how the slippery road of not having net neutrality will affect them, then good. 20:24 I like the "whats broken?" "how will we fix it?" model on the about page 20:24 yeah I agree 20:25 If there is attention grabbing news related to a subject, we can use it as an                      example also and include the source 20:26 I'll start a thread about this, and we can get writing on some specifics 20:26 < ChrisOBrien> I suppose you could also either make the brochure positive or negative. Here's                    what it will look like if you join. Or here's what Canada will look like if you don't. 20:26 I'm thinking we should write an extended version for the internet, as something that can be passed around online 20:26 then edit that down to a physical brochure 20:28 < ChrisOBrien> That'll work. 20:28 that way we can have a web version thats a little more in depth 20:29 if we have the web version, we can also update it as we see fit and link people to                 it on other ppca materials 20:29 < ChrisOBrien> And tweet it.. etc. 20:30 Something else I want to talk about is ridings that don't have candidates. A lot of                 them have pirates, but no one to vote for. How do we make ourselves heard? 20:31 Something we're hopefully going to be doing is internetmatters.ca 20:32 which is a website sort of pushing the idea that the internet matters in this election 20:32 with a list of good information policy MPs and a list of bad information policy MPs 20:32 < ChrisOBrien> Ah. I like it. 20:32 yeah 20:33 We could have a map for them to click on their riding 20:33 and see who is running and their track record 20:34 < ChrisOBrien> Yikes. Who would build that? 20:34 < ChrisOBrien> I mean, sounds good and all. But big. 20:34 I'd love to have that, especially for future elections 20:34 The amount of information combing required is large as it is 20:34 I think we were going to just pick 10 of each 20:35 put them side by side, including whatever pirate party candidates we have 20:35 oh ok 20:35 But if we had the means to do all of Canada, I would in a heartbeat 20:35 < ChrisOBrien> Well, I suppose if the framework were there it would simply be a matter of                    populating the information. 20:36 It would be very cool. 20:36 or we could do sort of like a wiki, people can contribute about MP in their riding. Hopefully it won't be abused though 20:36 < ChrisOBrien> OK, so an interactive map of Canada with clickable links to individual riding with pages comparing candidates. 20:37 It is possible, just a little complicated 20:37 < ChrisOBrien> Wikis are useful, just not terribly cool. And I suspect that we need to have a                    decent "cool" factor to gain new membership. 20:37 308 ridings, minimum of 4 candidates each 20:38 < ChrisOBrien> Actually, I think that the map is the hardest part. Not the number of ridings.. 20:38 < ChrisOBrien> erm.. if the map is the way to go. 20:38 The map should not be too hard. We can just use good old image map. 20:38 But probably not enough info to warrant a map at this point 20:39 We should put that in the idea bin for the next election, though 20:39 yeah 20:40 I really like to think of the Pirate Party as the political party that organizes information like that 20:40 makes it accessible and fair 20:40 I'm going to mosey onto Social Media 20:40 twitter, facebook, etc. 20:41 What is this nonsense and how do we participate? 20:41 < ChrisOBrien> All excellent ideas. 20:41 < ChrisOBrien> lol 20:41 lol 20:41 < ChrisOBrien> Social media is all about relevance and timing. It needs to be fresh and interesting. 20:42 < ChrisOBrien> Fresh in twitterland is measured in minutes. 20:42 < SteveHenderson> It could be cool to try and introduce viral ads through social media. 20:42 My thought is we should get one of those multi-updating things and try to find one that will let us put as many networks as possible on it 20:42 < ChrisOBrien> I'm a little bit of a social media butterfly. 20:43 < ChrisOBrien> Ah. Viral ads. Yes, we need to get to that discussion too.... 20:43 < SteveHenderson> I had an article I dug up on freenet about memetic engineering, though I can't                         find it. 20:43 < ChrisOBrien> umm.. what is a "multi-updating thing"? 20:43 < SteveHenderson> The concept should be looked at though. 20:43 < ChrisOBrien> Ooooo.. What a cool sounding concept. 20:44 < ChrisOBrien> WINNING! 20:44 That terminology is not correct, but I mean something like tweetdeck 20:44 that allows you to update more than one status at a time 20:44 < PirateFox> I think many people associated with the PPCA are too focused on 'social media' 20:44 < ChrisOBrien> OK. I found tweetdeck buggy though..,. But I get the concept. 20:44 < PirateFox> It hampers our focus and ability to reach out 20:45 how's that? 20:45 < ChrisOBrien> @PirateFox So, do you suggest we go traditional media? 20:45 < PirateFox> I suggest we focus more on it 20:46 < PirateFox> We've had events over and over which not many people show up to 20:46 < ChrisOBrien> I think that's an awesome idea once there are funds... 20:46 < PirateFox> The key is trying to break out of our core demographic 20:47 I am into introducing viral videos via social media- I guess the way to do it would be to make things that people already agree with so they pass it on 20:47 < SteveHenderson> You have to keep in mind that it's difficult to get good attendance at events, generally speaking. 20:47 < ChrisOBrien> Really? Have we tapped out our core demographic? I thought that's the people we                    wanted to focus on... 20:47 I think it's inevitable that there will be some discussion of the pirate party on the internet, and it's significantly better if we have a hand in it 20:48 In fact, considering that we are the closest thing to a Canadian internet party, I think it's essential we have a thoughtful and cohesive social media campaign 20:48 If a candidate or our party have enough funding then a properly placed billboard could be effective also. 20:48 <@scshunt> PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE! 20:49 There are ways to appeal to people out of our demographic 20:49 < ChrisOBrien> I'm sorry to sound like a broken record, but does the ppca have the funds for a                    billboard. I'm not arguing the effectiveness, just the feasability. 20:50 It's fair to say that currently we have very little funds. 20:50 < PirateFox> by core demographic I mean people very active online, power users, etc 20:50 < ChrisOBrien> Right. So social media and the Internet, being effectively free, are our best options I believe. 20:51 < SteveHenderson> It could be useful for us to get in contact with local music groups and make some friends, then hold concerts as a fundraiser for PPCA. This could generate funds while at the same time reaching out to music lovers and promoting the idea of pirates as                       supporters of musicians. 20:51 < PirateFox> which leaves us the issue of being locked into the group most in touch with thosew 20:52 < PirateFox> *those 20:52 Maybe a small concert at a park during summer 20:52 <@scshunt> svulliez: hate to interrupt, but will you be presenting a platform soon for us to review before Thursday 20:52 < PirateFox> Anyone else know how to fix the catch-22? 20:52 I like that idea Steve 20:52 < ChrisOBrien> +1 SteveHenderson 20:52 < SteveHenderson> I've got some friends involved with music over here, I've invited them to the next meeting in Calgary (though that date is still being sorted out). 20:53 < SteveHenderson> Possibly going to do something in late May. 20:53 < SteveHenderson> Hopefully* 20:53 < ChrisOBrien> Naturally in ridings with candidates. 20:53 < ChrisOBrien> At least first. 20:54 < SteveHenderson> Open to the entire public of course though. 20:54 PirateFox: I think you've got the wrong mindset. Most people are on the internet at least passively, and there is a lot of exposure to be had here 20:54 keep our social media campaign or even take it up a notch. And at the same time look for offline opportunity if we can afford it. Maybe a candidate will get lucky and have big contributor... 20:54 I think social media has to be kept up consistently no matter what, because we're the internet party 20:55 Do any of you guys have an interest in participating in the pirate party twitter? 20:55 < ChrisOBrien> @svulliez: I would. 20:55 cool. You're quite active on twitter, too, right? 20:56 so you're rather informed 20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Fairly active. 20:56 about the tweetculture 20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Yup. 20:56 I will send you a PM with some login details and guidelines 20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Okie dokie. I'm game. 20:56 I use tweet also mostly for news 20:57 < PirateFox> svulliez even for the more casual users? 20:57 < PirateFox> I would think there's a lot that may get past them 20:57 It's inevitable though, no matter what social stream we take 20:57 3 / 5 people aren't going to want to hear it.. at first 20:57 < PirateFox> ah 20:58 the trick is to convert internet enthusiasts to our ideology (which they'll already have                 an inclination to agree with) 20:58 the social aspect of social media will help us reach those untouched demographics 20:59 So... Campaign videos / viral videos. 20:59 I am going to animate a couple of these. Chris has volunteered to do the narration 21:00 < ChrisOBrien> So, on the topic of videos. Are there videos currently in production? 21:00 < ChrisOBrien> Sorry. Hit enter too quickly there... 21:00 I've drawn artwork for various incarnations, but there isn't anything concrete yet. 21:00 I want to make two 30 second tv spots 21:01 one that summarizes the ppca in the most flattering way possible 21:01 and one that just celebrates the internet, treats it like magic, and spooks people into realizing it may be in danger 21:02 Those will probably have to have the highest priority, for the election 21:02 because we get TV time 21:02 but I am really open to hearing other ideas 21:02 I want to have a stacked youtube channel by the end of the year. 21:02 < ChrisOBrien> Kinetic Typography. 21:02 < ChrisOBrien> Here's an example: http://vimeo.com/15412319 21:04 Yeah, that's neat 21:04 < ChrisOBrien> Also, what about a contest? I like the idea of the ppca being a grassroots party. If we had a contest for the best 15 second video of why the internet should be open. Called "My Internet". Or somesuch. 21:04 < ChrisOBrien> With the winner going onto the public spots. 21:04 < ChrisOBrien> Be funny. Be creative. 21:04 I like that idea too, maybe we should do that video first 21:04 get the wheels turnin' 21:05 we have very little in terms of prizes, but I still like the idea of shipping a UBB hard drive to a prize winner 21:05 I've posted a script on our forum. I am thinking something similar with keyword appearing kind of like the kinetic typography but more subtle 21:05 the 160 GB HD with the creative commons stuff 21:05 < ChrisOBrien> And to get them turning, maybe get the candidates to make their own videos and we                    post the contest video with their video saying "Do this only better." 21:06 < SteveHenderson> svulliez: Is anyone taking the minutes for this meeting? 21:06 < ChrisOBrien> The prize being recognition. :-) 21:06 < ChrisOBrien> lol. Minutes? 21:06 < SteveHenderson> chat lgo 21:06 < SteveHenderson> log* 21:07 SteveHenderson: psema4 is. 21:07 < SteveHenderson> sugoi 21:10 alright. So We should kickstart a contest. would you guys be willing to make some                  entries into the contest? 21:10 even if it was a shoddy webcam job, having some entries out of the gate will                  encourage people 21:11 sure 21:11 yeah and people can improve on it if they want 21:11 < ChrisOBrien> Autotune it!  lol 21:11 heh 21:12 alright so 21:12 < ChrisOBrien> Ask PegNorthPirate to do one.  He seems pretty outgoing. 21:12 Good idea, I like his style 21:13 BTW, is he running? 21:13 I'll see if I can get craignobbs out in langley to do one 21:13 but he is camerashy 21:13 < ChrisOBrien> Make Mikkel do one too.  Get the leader involved. :-) 21:13 I haven't heard anything saying he was running yet, unfortunately 21:13 but we do have some promising other candidates 21:14 I'd like to get every council member doing one 21:14 < ChrisOBrien> Yup. That would certainly kick-start it. 21:14 and every frequent contributor 21:14 < ChrisOBrien> I do have some experience with video editing and manipulation. Just FYI. 21:14 awesome. 21:15 Hm.. 21:15 me just basic. Just play around with built-in effects 21:15 we could also edit together the submissions into a commercial 21:15 < ChrisOBrien> So, strange as this sounds, you / we prolly need to create a mini-press release to                    the council / members.... 21:16 < ChrisOBrien> Yes. That would work too. 21:16 Yeah, good idea. I don't want things to get lost from lack of communication 21:17 alright so in the social media sphere 21:17 -chris helping on twitter 21:17 < ChrisOBrien> And specific guidelines. What message should they convey? Not wording, just answering a question, like - Why is copyright reform important to you? 21:17 < ChrisOBrien> etc. 21:17 -contest for tv airtime 21:17 -online brochure / tv ad / physical brochures 21:19 Alright 21:19 < ChrisOBrien> Anything going on with FB? 21:19 rock and roll 21:19 Nothing specific, we can use it in promotions 21:20 What powers do we have on facebook that we don't have elsewhere? 21:20 inviting people to events, public image galleries 21:21 It will help in spreading the contest and videos, for sure 21:21 I would like to move once again to the topic of merchandising 21:21 < ChrisOBrien> It's also a good way to disseminate information. Posting show up in your feed when you've "liked" the page. 21:21 < ChrisOBrien> Ok. 21:22 completely out of the spectrum of feasibility, what should we be selling in the store? 21:22 I think we ought to have some pirateboxes 21:23 t-shirts, stickers, hats 21:23 I don't much care for zazzle 21:24 I had an idea once- collecting up the written works of pirates on the subject of pirate issues 21:24 all creative commons stuff, or with permission 21:24 put it all together in a nice e-book with a pay-what-you-want model 21:25 < ChrisOBrien> That sounds cool. I'm not volunteering for that one though. 21:26 I may get that together. Once I do all my other stuff. 21:27 I think I'm going to call this meeting to a close, anything anyone wants to add? 21:27 I want to get started on the contest right away, and the online brochure 21:27 < ChrisOBrien> Is this group / committee responsible for the "copy" that will be put out for public consumption? 21:28 nothing to add 21:28 < ChrisOBrien> Or is that the responsibility of the leaders? 21:29 We're kind of breaking new ground with this PR committee 21:29 so it's hard to say 21:29 We would need the council's support or at least a majority vote to put something out there 21:29 < ChrisOBrien> OK, so the leaders vet the message... 21:30 but we'll be largely responsible for the text and all that 21:30 < ChrisOBrien> OK. 21:30 I think that's the way they would like it, but my opinion is 21:30 if they want to help with PR, they should join the committee too 21:31 I don't see us doing anything too far outside of the ideals of the leadership 21:31 < ChrisOBrien> lol. That's fair. And inclusive. 21:32 Alright, thanks for coming down folks, hope to see you at the next one. You're all on my                 PR shortlist 21:32 I will be sending you information soon. 21:32 < ChrisOBrien> k. cya. 21:32 < ChrisOBrien> Excellent. thx. 21:32 k 21:32 meeting adjourned smack smack 21:32 < ChrisOBrien> lol 21:33 lol