How the media is remembering 9/11 (10 years on)

September 11 2001 was a day history will never forget.

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we'll individually and collective decide how we'll re-live that experience.

The media will play a key role in this process.

With this in mind, I've taken a look at how the global media fraternity is remembering 9/11 which is being unsurprisingly shaped by online media channels.

How the media is remembering 9/11 (10 years on)

1. YouTube teams up with the New York Times - A bespoke channel has been set up on YouTube which is asking people to submit their memories of September 11. Special archived content will also be published in the lead up to the day.
2. History Channel to re-live 102 minutes of real-time terror - The History Channel is putting a lot behind its 9/11 anniversary coverage including this incredible interactive site which re-lives 102 minutes of terror from a number of angles (including footage from specific vantage points)
3. Comic strip artists planning 9/11 tribute - Major newspaper comic strips will have a 9/11 tribute flavour next week after several teamed up to produce special editions (more info here)
4. The Guardian asks the world to share 9/11 memories too - This crowd sourced attempt is aiming to create a unique record of the moment. Click here to contribute. 
5. American Express launches 9/11 volunteers Facebook app - Facebook isn't being neglected either as TNW reports: "The new app offers Facebook users a searchable 9/11 Day database, powered by HandsOn Network, and facilities sign ups for local volunteer opportunities. Once users have signed up, they can share their activities with their friends on Facebook, encouraging further participation."
6. BBC iPlayer: The Conspiracy Files (9/11 10 years on) - One-hour programme looking at the 9/11 conspiracy theories with the benefit (?!) of 10 years hindsight.
7. Two weeks of US TV - This link will provide you with the most comprehensive list of TV programmes playing tribute to 9/11. Oh, and you might also want to take a look at Understanding 9/11 - A television archive with more than 3000 hours of footage.
8. US Tennis Open top pay tribute - One of the bigger sporting events taking place over the 9/11 memorial period is the US Open and it will feature a televised tribute.
9. ABC News to honour the 10-year anniversary across all platforms and channels - You'll get almost back-to-back 9/11 tribute coverage on the ABC from 5-12 September including integration with regular programming.
10. 9 11 Day campaign on Facebook - 188,000 people have already joined this movement on Facebook and you can too.

These are just some of the examples I discovered from a little browse through Google and other sources.

What have you spotted?

Have you spotted any interesting examples of how the media will remember September 11?

If you have, drop the links in the comments section below and we can collate a bigger collection.

Thanks and let's pray we never have to endure a real-life version of 9/11 ever again.

Adam

20 of the web's best kept 'content gold mine' secrets

Whether you're a brand or an individual, consuming and sharing unique content is the best way to maintain your online freshness.

And, although the web is a big place, locating quality content that is original is no mean feat.

A good example is anything published by Mashable.

Yes, Mashable serves up quality content on a regular basis, but due to its large readership and avid fan base, sharing Mashable content isn't especially useful as the communities you operate in have probably read and shared the article before you have.

So, what's the answer then?

There's no silver bullet solution to this challenge, but there are some great online information sources that can help.

Here are 40 I refer to on a regular basis:

1. Thoora.com - Of all the automated content curation options, this is one of the most robust. Using a combination of keywords and feeds, you can create subject specific channels that update as new content in published.
2. SimilarSites.com - An easy-to-use search engine that helps you discover the best websites and alternatives on the web.
3. YouTube Trends Dashboard - Instead of re-sharing the latest 'viral video' play a role in creating some momentum for a new one with this tool - it allows you to locate emerging content by location and age group which helps with your targeting too.
4. Business Insider's 'Chart Of The Day' - A very specific example that can be applied universally. Blog posts and news articles aren't the only forms of content out there and visually-shaped content is a lot easier to consume.
5. NetVibes.com - This can and probably should be the hub for your content curation activity. NetVibes helps you create your own personal dashboard based on feeds from your favourite sources and helps you keep an eye on everything from your niche from the one place.
6. Trunk.ly - The biggest goldmine of them all? Browse through the links your friends recommend and re-share in all the right places. And, make the most of the 'tag' function.
7. +1's / Likes / Favourites - I'm not sure if this is consistent with everyone else, but I use Google +1's, Facebook Likes and Twitter Favourites as 'go back and read this later' tools - if you can spend 15 minutes a week reviewing these links you are likely to stumble across some content gold that you never thought you had.
8. Newser.com - The most traditional news aggregator site profiled so far, Newser.com lays out popular content from around the web in a gallery style interface and includes user-suggested picks.
9. TweetDeck columns - No matter your Twitter dashboard of preference, setting up keyword columns relating you your niche is a great way to find new content and sources. For example, follow industry-specific hashtags or accounts via a list.
10. Google Chronological Search - When conducting searches for content specific to your niche, use Google's search filters to review content published in the past 24 hours in date order. This tends to uncover some gems no-one else has spotted yet.
11. AllTop.com - Still the web's best 'magazine rack for blogs'. Alltop's biggest strength is that it makes it easy for you to search for posts by niche subject / topic area.
12. Wikio.com - The top blogs section of Wikio gives you another gateway to the freshest blog content by subject area.
13. Extension Factory - This is awesome. Extension Factory converts any RSS feed into a cross-browser add-ons. If you have some sites that you turn to more often than not, this is an easy way to check-in on your favourite content creators.
14. Knowem.com Networks - When people talk about niche online communities this dedicated section of Knowem.com is how you'd expect to see them laid out. Browse though each of the communities listed and assess whether they are ones you should be participating in and gleaning content from.
15. Niche Social News Sites - Depending on the subject matter you're interested in, there are a plethora of very subject-specific social news portals dotted around the web. Here's a list of 45 of them which are worth adding to your source list. 
16. Bookmarking sites - Don't ignore the potential discoveries of gold that lie within Digg, Delicious and  Reddit. For example, if you are looking for links in relation to the topic of 'golf', check out this Reddit community.
17. Hub Pages (Topics) - Hub Pages is an opt-in community where people submit content in exchange for readers which is then categorised by sub-topics making it a great place to browse for content.
18. ebiz / MBA - This site regularly features the worlds top sites as divided into sub-categories e.g. The world's most popular sports sites for August 2011
19. WordPress Tag Search - Catch the latest blog posts by users of the WordPress platform by referring to this site on a regular basis.
20. Klout Topics Pages - This is due to be released soon and will list key influencers by subject area which will be another great place to mine for content.

I hope you find this useful!

Adam

10 signs you work in PR - the London edition

I had a good giggle at Drew Benvie's 10 signs you work in PR - the UK edition this morning and thought a London-centric edition was called for.

So, here are my 10 nominations (in no particular order...kinda...)

10 signs you work in PR - The London edition

1. On at least one occasion in the last 12 months you've pitched an idea that involves a giant 'something' floating down the Thames
2. You've managed a media event involving Alesha Dixon, Mylene Klass or Jodie Marsh 
3. Your first lunch with a journalist to 'celebrate' Christmas normally takes place in October
4. For 12 weeks a year you don't accept invitations to networking (or client) events on Wednesday nights (The Apprentice has been blocked out in your diary for months)
5. You've had at least one Foursquare 'check-in' at Kaffeine (coffee shop) on Great Titchfield Street 
6. You've soiled the back of a London Black Cab (normally in December)
7. Like it not, you're forced to listen to Kiss FM's Rickie, Melvin and Charlie in the morning
8. You'll happily add 45 minutes to your journey if part of it can be spent above ground (just so you an access your emails)
9. You are (or desperately want to be) a member of Soho House or Shoreditch House (even though secretly you think the people who go there a pretentious [insert word]'s)
10. You support whichever London-based Football team that suits your needs at any particular time

Would you add any others to this list?

Adam

Update:

11. You have taken PR Week's Cathy Bussey for lunch at Byron Burger in Convent Garden (and sent her a mini table tennis set)