In this FIR Interview, co-host Neville Hobson talks to Thomas Power, the founder and Chairman of Ecademy, during the MIPAA New Influencers Workshop on March 31, 2010, where both men were speakers at this UK motor industry event about public relations and marketing, social media and customer engagement.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Thomas explains his three books formula based around Free by Chris Anderson, Engage! by Brian Solis, and Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith to introduce the idea of why brands must build community and their own conversation system. He argues that the channel is more important than the content as companies should own the conversation around their own brands and involve staff at all levels to participate in the conversation. He explains his open, random, supportive approach to engagement and considers the differences in mindsets between the USA and the UK which, he argues, holds back innovation in the UK.

Thomas concludes with some clear recommendations to the UK motor industry (in particular) in how to see all the conversations that matter to them online, and what to do about them.

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About our Conversation Partner

Thomas Power is Chairman of Ecademy, a networked community he co-founded in 1998, now with millions of users of the site each year worldwide who share knowledge, build their network and grow their business.

Thomas was one of Sir Alan Sugar’s original apprentices in the 1980s. In 1988 he left Amstrad to set up his own marketing company, DMS Europe, and became one of the first internet experts. He is an internationally-acclaimed speaker and author.

In his own words: “I love hunting, scouting, meeting new people, asking questions, connecting people, making random connections, thinking, analyzing, pondering, reading, researching, contemplating, debating, teaching, travelling, walking, watching movies (iPod) and then changing peoples lives. Study, study, study, test, test, test, check, check, check is my motto.”

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This FIR Interview is brought to you with Lawrence Ragan Communications, serving communicators worldwide for 35 years. Information: www.ragan.com.

Podsafe music – On A Podcast Instrumental Mix (MP3, 5Mb) by Cruisebox.

(Cross-posted from For Immediate Release, Shel’s and my podcast blog.)