09:00

Key social media trends in 2022

Paul will open #SMBelfast exploring the latest trends and developments in social media and how this can inform your social media marketing strategy. Paul will provide useful examples of social media success.

Paul McGarrity

Octave Digital

Doing good things; driven by data

Doing good things; driven by data Lucy will focus on Visit Wales’ approach to social and explain how flexibility and adaptation, linked to an emotional connection with potential visitors, is at the heart of the work. Using examples that will be applicable to businesses as well as to destinations, she’ll show how staying true to your brand is core to delivery.

Lucy Von Weber

Visit Wales

Public sector social media

This presentation will provide an overview of the Department of Finance’s social media strategy and engagement with the public and communicating to stakeholders through social media.

Ricky Thompson

Department of Finance

The Power of Gen Z: Trust and the future consumer

The latest Edelman research demonstrates that there is more to Gen Z than meets the eye. In fact, GenZers have constructed an entirely different narrative when it comes to consumerism, one based not on the self but on the authenticity and integrity of the brand. It is imperative that brands understand this if they wish to earn Gen Z’s trust.

Felicitas Olschewski

EMEA, Edelman

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

11:15

Social media in local government

Social media plays an important role connecting councils with residents. It can increase overall engagement for their services and empower citizens. Denis will provide an overview of Limerick City and County Council’s social engagement.

Denis Tierney

Limerick City and County Council

Innovative consumer engagement

Sharon is Head of Communication and Outreach at the Consumer Council. Social media and digital communications are vital for the Consumer Council; Sharon will talk about placing people at the heart of communications, the importance of collaborative working, and how making data driven decisions can drive audience-focused results.

Sharon Doherty

The Consumer Council

Walk in my shoes: Mental health and social media

Orlaith manages all social media channels for St Patrick’s Mental Health Services and the flagship education campaign, Walk in my shoes. Orlaith will share how the organisation raises awareness of both mental health and their services.

Orlaith Grehan

St Patrick’s Mental Health Services

Belfast Exposed: Connecting through social media

Belfast Exposed is Northern Ireland’s leading photography organisation. Aimee’s presentation will give an insight into how Belfast Exposed uses social to share their work and upcoming exhibitions.

Aimee Buckley

Belfast Exposed

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

14:00

Delivering important content on social

Nick will give the #SMBelfast audience an insight into the role social media plays in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s work communicating important public health messages to patients and the wider public.

Nick Carson

Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Building relationships and attracting potential students

Christine’s presentation will look at how The Open University uses social media as part of their overall communications strategy to engage and build relationships with current and potential students.

Christine Murphy

The Open University

#UnlockYourLockdown: Reaching women affected by domestic abuse

Domestic abuse reported to the PSNI increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 32,000 incidents recorded between 2019 and 2020. Social media played a major part of the Women’s Aid ‘Unlock Your Lockdown’ campaign, which provided female victims of domestic abuse with reassurance that vital help and support is available to them.

Sarah Mason

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland

Engaging an online audience in our digital world

Jonathan is Digital Editor at UTV and has experience in the online media industry. He will discuss how to engage your audience in the digital world.

Una McHugh

UTV

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

15:30

Conference close