Sharknado & Twitter: The Perfect Social Storm

#sxsw #Sharknado

It was the social media event of the summer, at one point generating 5k tweets per minute, but how the hell did that happen? For the first time Syfy and Twitter come together to present how, through the power of Twitter, Sharknado went from campy film to cultural phenomenon.

Presenters

Dana Ortiz

NBC Universal/Syfy

Dana Ortiz was named Vice President, Brand Marketing, in April 2010.

Ortiz has been an innovative force in television marketing and communications for 15 years. Most recently, she spearheaded the multiplatform award-winning consumer marketing campaign for the successful two-screen transmedia series Defiance.

In addition to developing award-winning campaigns, Ortiz has developed and pioneered programs such as Syfy Mobile, the first use of a Twitter Character to promote a television series, as well as the first television partnership with Shazam.

Recognizing the advertising and spending power of the Hispanic audience, Ortiz has implemented marketing campaigns to attract this very tech savvy and growing young audience to Syfy.

Ortiz has also successfully aligned Syfy with the TED Conferences, expanding the channel's awareness and exposure among some of the most influential innovators around the world.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

Fred Graver

Head of TV

Twitter

Fred Graver is a writer and technologist who leads the TV Team at Twitter. The TV Team is responsible for integrating Twitter into broadcasts and networks, extending the reach of shows and talent, innovating new ways of storytelling, and giving millions of Twitter users a new way of enjoying television.

Prior to joining Twitter, Fred was a comedy writer and producer (Late Night With David Letterman, Cheers, In Living Color, Jon Stewart), interactive producer (The MY Vh1 Awards, ZoogDisney), and created shows that spanned web and television (Best Week Ever). He has 7 Emmy Nominations (including one for the post-9/11 "Concert for New York City) and 3 Emmys, as well as a NAACP award and a Webby.