Seminar’s focus: how to leverage social media

Advertising and new media marketing executive David Saunders has a phrase to describe social media Web sites LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

He calls them "The Holy Trinity of Social Media."

LinkedIn, the oldest, and Facebook are the father/son, said Saunders, president of Madison + Main Advertising & New Media. Twitter is the Holy Ghost, because "people are still mystified by it," he said.

Saunders is one of several speakers scheduled to participate in the "Leveraging Your Social Media Networks" seminar Thursday at VCU's Center for Corporate Education at the School of Business.

The one-day interactive marketing seminar is for executives.

"We're going to focus on brand awareness, and using Twitter as a customer service platform," Saunders said.

He said good social brands are the ones that succeed. Technology giant Dell employs three full-time Tweeters, he said. Its Twitter page generates 1 percent of the company's sales.

The $495-per-person seminar fee includes instructional materials, parking, continental breakfast and lunch. The seminar, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will be in room B3189 of VCU's Snead Hall at 301 W. Main St.

To register, call (804) 828-3165.

-- Iris Taylor