Interactive Planners, Where Are You?

[John Keehler]

Are planners with interactive experience hard to find? We've been looking with only limited success. Any suggestions?

[Michelle O'Mahoney]

You looking in the UK? I have interactive experience, are you referring the web?

[John Keehler]

Yeah, referring to the web. We're looking in the US, but mostly, we're just trying to find planners with a passion for online... it's been tougher than I thought it would be.

[Charles Kouns]

At what level(s) are you looking?

[John Keehler]

Open to any levels, but primarily folks between 3-5 years of experience.

[Katie Chatfield]

I'd have to say that the best place to start might be planning blogs: any one passionate about the medium would be joining in the conversation.
There are also a number of planning coffee mornings right across the States ( you can find the list on Russell Davies blog).
Good Luck!

[iaintait]

Hey John,

I just think it's really hard to know where to look. Recruiters are struggling with it too.

There's some good people in digital agencies, but I think a lot of them aren't really 'planners' in the traditional sense. As for people from traditional backgrounds with really good extensive interactive experience there's a few out there, but they're the ones running round writing their own paychecks right now.

Go and mine some blogs and make some friends that way - honestly it's the way that we've managed to find some really good people recently.

And post about it on your blog, I'm sure you've got some good readers who'd be up for working with you. (One thing that amazed me is how backwards some people can be in coming forwards, they might need a little nudge to put themselves forward...).

Good luck.

Iain

[John Keehler]

Thanks for the comment Iain!

[michelle1303]

Hi John,

I have interactive experience on planning, it's what I've decided to specialise in the last few years or so, there aren't many of us in London either, but it's growing.

What are you looking for?

I've been working as a marketing and advertising consultant for quite a few years now, but interactive planning is my 'spiritual' planning home, although I also have extensive integrated experience too.

I'm keen to get out of the UK to be honest if the opportunity was right.....

[zach Braiker]

Consider creating a contest, or an opportunity for them to share their creativity. Perhaps you could host a pecha-kucha event for planners in your city. If you show your fun, creative side, you'll attract the same. My advice is to go to them rather than expect them to come to you...read their blogs, find their meet ups and engage in meaningful, authentic conversation.

If you like the pecha kucha idea, you should throw one: http://www.pecha-kucha.org/

Best,
Zachary

[DanielaL]

Hi there!

Funny, I was just reading an AdAge article earlier today about the import of digital talents, here http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=126180. They're not refering stricly to planners, though.

Well, here in Romania digital is just booming, so no people with 3-5 years experience you're looking for. There are seniors, but either planners, or online specialists, however rather technical.

Good luck !

[Jen Stumbles]

Like Iain my first port of call would to be start scouring the web for strategic & interactive thinkers, they may not be working in traditional planning roles on the agency side, but there's a lot of strong interactive thinkers out there who write great blogs.

I saw this post some time ago for a 'T-shaped planner' which I thought was great, Amelia was looking for a planner with breadth of strategic experience & competence, that went deep on the interactive side. An interesting thought, you may like to check out the post

http://ameliatorode.typepad.com/life_moves_pretty_fast/2007/10/t-sh...

[Jonathan D. Cohen]

John,

I feel given the current advertising environment, it would be hard to find a planner who didn't seriously consider the implications of digital on his or her work.

I'd find someone smart. Chances are, they know as much about interactive as someone with "digital agency" experience. If you can find someone who is smart, hire him. Don't focus exclusively on digital experience; you'll limit yourself unnecessarily.

We all have digital experience unless we've been living under a rock.

Warm regards,

Jonathan