Social media has added an entirely new dimension to the age-old profession of journalism. Our panel of professional journalists will discuss how they and their peers are using social media to uncover stories, leverage their network for research, access sources, connect with their audience, distribute news, and more. Attendees will gain ‘behind the scenes’ access to learn how journalists... [read more]

Social media has added an entirely new dimension to the age-old profession of journalism. Our panel of professional journalists will discuss how they and their peers are using social media to uncover stories, leverage their network for research, access sources, connect with their audience, distribute news, and more. Attendees will gain ‘behind the scenes’ access to learn how journalists use these new communications tools, and walk away with a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges they present for today’s journalists.   Panelists: Brian Shields (Online News Manager, KRON 4 Television) Brian Shields is the online news manager for KRON 4 TV, where he is reponsible for managing all of KRON 4's on-line efforts. He has over 25 years of media experience that has included reporting and editing, producing, blogging, podacasting, and supervising web operations for local and national news organizations. You can learn more about Brian on his website, and find him on Twitter and Facebook. Chris O’Brien (Columnist, San Jose Mercury News)Chris O’Brien is a business and technology columnist at the San Jose Mercury News, where he covers events, trends, technologies and companies in Silicon Valley ranging across topics such as the Internet, information technology, biotechnology and green innovations. You can read his column here, and find him on Twitter and Facebook. Kym McNicholas (Anchor/Reporter, Forbes)Kym McNicholas is an anchor/reporter for the Forbes Video Network. She has covered business and technology news for much of her 13-year broadcasting career, and has interviewed top company executives, analysts, and other experts on technology and the markets, and covered the tech boom/bust/re-emergence in the Valley as well as the energy crisis/recovery. She was recently named 'Star Reporter of the Year' by an industry insider who released a list of '15 Members Of The Press You Need To Know,' Plus, and received her first Emmy nod by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, San Francisco Chapter. See her articles on Forbes.com here, and find her on Twitter andFacebook.Jolie O’Dell (Journalist, Mashable.com)Jolie O'Dell is a journalist and startup veteran with a decade of experience in writing and editing the news. Formerly a writer and community manager for ReadWriteWeb and a writer and editor for tech blogs and various print publications, Jolie now reports on web development, web design and mobile technology for Mashable. She graduated from Shenandoah University with a B.A. in Media Studies in 2004, and she returned to school to study Java and object-oriented programming in 2010.Read her articles on Mashable here, and find her on Twitter and Facebook. Julie Watts (Consumer Reporter/Anchor, CBS5) Named Best News Anchor by the Associated Press in 2010, Julie is also an AP & Emmy Award winning Reporter and Meteorologist. She filled all three roles at CBS-5 before taking on the consumer franchise, CBS 5 Helps You.Watch her ConsumerWatch series on CBS-5 here, and find her on Twitter. Moderator:Jennifer Neeley (Principal, The Influence Project | Host, The A-List Podcast) Jennifer Neeley is a social media strategist, speaker and new media pioneer, who spearheads a variety of social media functions and programs for her clients. An Emmy-nominated media veteran who has worked for the “Big Three” TV networks, she earned her Masters from Columbia School of Journalism and Bachelors from Cal Berkeley. Jennifer is also the host of the popular podcast, The A-List. On The A-List, Jennifer interviews social media and journalism influencers and thought leaders about what they do, how they got there and the passions that fuel their journey. Listen to The A-List with Jennifer Neeley here, and find her on Twitter and Facebook.   Refreshments and snacks will be provided. Getting to the event: The San Jose Mercury News building is located at 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190. Exit Hwy 880 onto E. Brokaw Road, and take the first right onto Ridder Park Drive. Attendees should drive around to the back of the Mercury News building to park, and enter through the employee entrance. After entering the building, attendees should take a right down the first hallway, and walk down past the restrooms. The assembly room is on the left. About Social Media Club Silicon Valley: We bring together people and organizations interested in social media to learn from one another in monthly events. Follow us at http://socialmediaclub.org/chapter/silicon-valley and http://twitter.com/smc_sv   Questions?  Email chapter leader Brian Remmel, bremmel@gmail.com.