Last week I had the sincere pleasure of attending a great social media event in Boston, a live taping of Wine Library TV. Gary Vaynerchuk is not only perhaps the most passionate wine enthusiast out there, he's hilarious and has a personality fit for a burgeoning online TV show. His book tour (for Gary Vaynerchuk’s 101 Wines Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World) brought him to Boston, where after filming the show he conducted a live Q&A. His show and website encompass everything about community, and Gary himself mentioned he spends 18 hours a day working with his community. (He's actively responding to folks on Twitter and popping up on many blog posts from the event, among other things). Bottom line: he has an uncanny knack to bring people together. I met too many people to mention who I had previously only known on Twitter or through the Social Media Breakfast series in Boston (I'm still searching for a one-word term to describe that).
Gary's site leverages everything Web 2.0 has to offer and is clear proof that good content is best served online, where a community can gobble it up. Thanks Gary, for sharing your experiences with the Boston social media crew, and thanks to Dmitri Gunn and the PerkettPR team for organizing. Thanks also to the many sponsors (Barnes & Noble - Boston University, Mzinga, Matchmine, Pour Favor, Select Wine Imports, and Beautiful Things by Charise) for running a great night.
Even if you've never had wine before I'd recommend watching this and signing up to see future episodes.
...wish I went to that one Adam.
Maybe I'll start twittering him in the wine store for selection help.
Posted by: Eric Karofsky | June 27, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Adam - great post. You are so right about Gary Vee - he's a community guy disguised as a wine enthusiast (and quite down to earth). It's also nice that a guy that has become the poster child for how to do community right is gaining such popularity on shows like Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Ellen. It makes the job of those of us that work in the community/social media world that much easier!
Best,
Aaron | @astrout
Posted by: Aaron Strout | June 27, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Eric - next time a similar event comes to town I'll hunt you down. It was a great way to see community building in action. And Gary's show really is good content, if you are looking for affordable, good wine recommendations there's nothing better.
Aaron - 'poster child for how to do community right' is spot on. He's been picked up by late night shows, local news segments, you name it. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets picked up and syndicated as a regular segment on a show. With a community backing him (and continually growing) there's no telling how far he can go. Cool to see he's providing examples for folks in the community/social media biz!
Posted by: Adam Cohen | June 27, 2008 at 09:14 AM