Alan Weinkrantz

Here's an update that will provide a few more details on motivation and plans for the 140 Characters Conference NOW Award.

The NOW Award arose as an experiment in tracking Twittersphere merit and to supplement follower count as the measure of merit status quo. The relatively mild endorsement reflected in following someone leads to the quality versus quantity dispute. The NOW Award nomination process offers a mechanism for strong endorsement, because the nomination happens after the fact of following and requires the proactive nomination step (#140Conf vote @ <nominee>). 

As a result, the NOW Award creates a "best of" followers dynamic. Multiple means for assessing merit make sense in a context like Twitter where the number of options make trial and error navigation impossible. The growing volume of people active on Twitter meant a NOW Award along the lines of the People's Choice Award rather than Zagat's expert opinion route. The NOW Award team did not even attempt to shrink the pool of candidates via filtering phase as in the case of The America Idol. 

A month from today Jeff Pulver will be in Los Angeles preparing for #140conf LA taking place at the Kodak Theater.  I will be working with Jeff on PR, along side Kodak's terrific PR team and their Agency, The Dowd Agency.

The “Cast of Characters” at #140conf represents a portion of the community attending the event. Characters will have full access at the event but there are no speaking roles being offered.

To be considered as a possible candidate Character to join the cast in Los Angeles:

1. Tweet out the reason you are a character, in the following suggested format:

- @140conf I am a Character. I want to be at #140conf because... (yes, you can improvise if needed. After all you are a Character!)

As an alternative approach, record a short video and make your case on video why you are a character. (12seconds is the recommended platform). When promoting a supporting video, use the format:

- @140conf I am a Character and should be considered for cast of #140conf. Watch (link to video)

2. Make sure you’re following @140conf and/or @jeffpulver, so you can be notified via Direct Message if you win.

At least one winner will be awarded daily. All Winners will be notified via direct message by midnight ET on October 9th. Travel and accommodation are not included.

Credentialed members of the media should click here to apply.

The 140 Characters Conference: Los Angeles (#140conf) will be taking place on October 27 and 28  at the Kodak Theater.

At the 140 Characters Conference we explore something Jeff Pulver calls: "The State of NOW."   The State of NOW looks at the effects of the real-time Internet on business. The core focus started by looking at the effects of twitter as a platform and what that meant to: Celebrity, The Media, Advertising and Politics. Over time the scope expanded to look at the effects of twitter on topics ranging from public safety to public diplomacy. Given the location of #140conf:LA, this event will have a special focus on the use of twitter in Hollywood.

The first #140conf in New York City brought together people with many diverse backgrounds but the one thing which everyone had in common was twitter. To get a feel of what you can expect at #140conf LA, please review the recorded videos from our NYC event over at:  http://nyc.140conf.com/140-vod.

The schedule for this two day event was unique and fast paced. It was Jeff's intention to provide a platform for as many people as possible to share their thoughts and engage in conversation with the attending delegates. You will find individual talks set to: 10 minutes; "Featured talks" 15 and 20 minutes and the various panel discussions are set for 15 and 20 minutes.

#140conf Los Angeles has a heavy focus on the effects of the emerging Real-time Internet on Hollywood and will be looking at various aspects of the Entertainment ecosystem. There will be a number of celebrities speaking at #140conf. But these are the people whose voices and presence are having a direct impact on the way Hollywood deals with the effects of the real-time Internet.

Some of the sessions on the #140conf LA schedule include:

- The effects of the real-time Internet on the Hollywood Box Office.
- Public Policy & Law
- Tweets, Tell and Tales: A look at the effects of twitter on Poker
- Hollywood Politics
- Twitter for Rockstars
- Google Wave and the Future of Communications
- I Tweet, Therefore I Am: Where Do Personal Identity and Brand Identity Meet?
- A look at how Hollywood Studios are leveraging the Real-Time Internet
- The Democratization of Information
- Digital Producers and Disruptors
- twitter and the Music Industry
- Hollywood Politics: The Making of a Twitter Cause Celeb
- How to fit 140 characters into your lifestream
- twitter and Comedy
- CMO's Roundtable: The Effect of twitter on MY Business
- twitter and Brands
- Retailers Building Social Communities Through Twitter
- Making. News. NOW!

In all, there will be over 120 speakers on ONE stage over 2 days. About 60 different sessions will be shared.

The first draft of the event schedule is now available for viewing at: http://lax.140conf.com/schedule

The take aways from this event will provide the attending delegates knowledge, perspectives and insights to the next wave of effects twitter and the real-tme internet will have on business. The event schedule is under development and will be updated in the days ahead. In the meanwhile please check out the "Cast of Characters" which is a reflection of some of the people whose presence will be felt in the community of people who will be at the Kodak Theater.

We're happy to have Kodak as the title sponsor for this conference.

Event registration is now open over at: http://lax.140conf.com/register

I hope you consider attending #140conf LA and help me spread the word about the event.

Media:  please log on to:  http://lax.140conf.com/press-request