Last week Yahoo! Movies released the first full-length trailer for The Social Network, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher.

The film is an adaptation of the book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich. The Social Network is about the early days of Facebook, and addresses some of the issues facing the company today. The film also draws parallels from the fictionalized account of its start in The Accidental Billionaires.

Mezrich recreates the foundation and rise of the Facebook phenomenon, although loosely connected to real events, which tells the story of two Harvard undergrads who revolutionized how we connect to others. The road to the initial Facebook concept was paved with betrayal, vast amounts of cash and two friends who wanted nothing more than to be cool. It’s juicy, fast-paced and if the book is any indication, the film is going to be a must see!

What do you think of the trailer? Are you going to see the film in theaters this October?

For all you iPhone users in the event industry, here is a list of handy apps you should add to your event planning tool belt:

• AccuWeather- AccuWeather offers a GPS application to provide worldwide forecasting to “weatherproof” your event.

• Evernote- Create an electronic ideas scrapbook containing notes, photos and voice memos using Evernote, accessible at any time from your iPhone, computer, or the web.

• Foursquare- Keep tabs on your clients’ locations using the geolocation social networking site, and explore your city in new ways with the Foursquare application.

• Skype- The Skype download connects you to contacts anywhere in the world, which is perfect for destination events or long distance clients.

• LinkedIn – LinkedIn for iPhone allows users to access and share their professional profile with clients at the touch of a button, and connect with over 70 million professionals worldwide.

• Twitterific- Twitterific lets you update clients about the event planning process, and allows easy access to your business and social networks.

• Facebook- To keep track of and check in with clients and staff, Facebook quickly connects you to all of your networks.

• Alarm Clock- Though it seems simple, every event planner knows the importance of being on time, so ensure your punctuality with the Alarm Clock application.

How have these apps contributed to your event planning? Are there any other downloads every event planner should use?

The Facebook fan page is one of the most useful social media outlets for companies to promote and market services and information. A recent blog by the Social Media Examiner discussed 21 creative ways to increase your Facebook fan base. Of these 21, there are a few tips that every fan page should follow!

#1. Include a Link to Your Fan Page to Your E-mail Signature
• Add a link to your fan page in every e-mail you send.
• Use an application like Wisestamp to automatically include a link in your e-mail signature.

#2. Add a Badge or Button to Your Profile
• Create an interactive visual that links your personal profile to your fan page, as shown below.

#3. Link to Twitter
• Link your Twitter account to your fan page to automatically post Facebook content to your Twitter profile.

#4. Create an Attractive Welcome Video
• An appealing welcome video should explain what the fan page is about, who your audience is and an incentive to join.
• Feel free to incorporate a the message to “Click the Like button now,” as seen in a video for Steve Spangler, the Science guy.

While this next tip isn’t for everyone, it’s certainly useful for fellow event planners.

#5. Get Fans to Tag Photos
• If you host live events, be sure to take plenty of photos and later post them to the fan page, encouraging fans to tag themselves.
• This activity will be pushed out into their wall and News Feeds, providing exposure and visibility of your fan page and event to their friends.

These are just a few of the ideas floating around about how to increase your Facebook fan base, but we want to know, how you have you built your fan page following?

Over the past six years Facebook has grown into the world’s largest social network. Each month over 500 million users post and share 25 billion pieces of content, including links, news and blog posts, which generates traffic to other social media platforms. That means, for all of you that have not yet integrated Facebook into your social media repertoire, now would be a good time to start.

The ultimate goal of any social media platform is to create traffic and increase readership of a site. Recent Facebook page upgrades, such as the like and share buttons, circulate information posted from news streams and profiles. This information has the chance to be seen by hundreds of friends and in turn passed on to their friends. As a site receives more likes and increases the number of people within your Facebook community, the more traffic will ultimately end up back on your own site.

Facebook is no longer just a social network, but a platform for users to market and promote their sites and increase views. Statistics show that 90% of Internet users engage in at least one social network, so if you want to increase your site traffic, Facebook is the place to go. How are you using Facebook to market or promote your business?

This is a great opportunity!

On November 9th, 2010 – San Francisco will host the first international social media award show for Communication and marketing professionals, known as The Bees Awards. The Bees Awards will recognize the best social media firms.

“Social media is a growing phenomenon that calls for a new communication and marketing expertise. Contrary to advertising, social media is “real”: it involves real people, real conversations, real products, real companies and real brands. It has nothing to do with something that you create in a board room. David Ogilvy and Bill Bernbach would have loved it and would have jumped in right away!” Bastien Beauchamp, Founder of The Bees Awards.

The Bees Awards Launch from BeesAwards on Vimeo.

The Bees Awards will offer awards to these categories in social media marketing.

BEST 140 CHARACTERS (SMS, TWEET)
BEST USE OF A MICRO-BLOGGING PLATFORM
BEST USE OF A SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM
BEST USE OF MOBILE
BEST RELATIONSHIP WITH BLOGS
BEST CONVERSATION WITH CUSTOMERS
BEST USE OF ALTERNATIVE TOOLS
BEST USE OF MEDIA PRESS ROOM
BEST WRITING
BEST ART DIRECTION
BEST SOCIAL CRM
BEST STUDENT WORK
BEST INNOVATION
BEST CAMPAIGN
AGENCY OF THE YEAR
CLIENT OF THE YEAR

Social media competitors can start entering the event now and the deadline will be October 1, 2010. The nominees will be declared on October 21st. The event will be live-streamed on the internet for free!

For more information

Website: http://www.beesawards.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bees-Awards/
Twitter: @beesawards

Media relations:
media@beesawards.com

Calling all Apple lovers! On June 9th, during the World Wide Developers Conference, ABCey Events will be producing an event called INspired and is sponsored by Boxtone. As part of their expanding work in the mobile management space (now including the full Apple family of iPad and SnowLeopard server beyond the first enterprise-used device of iphone), BoxTone is giving back to the Apple community at WWDC 2010. They are big fans of Apple technology and wanted to share their excitement! They are celebrating by launching a new Apple “fan-based” iPhone/iPad application and throwing a big bash with an expected 400 attendees.

The Application: Dubbed INspired and sponsored by BoxTone, the application combines an on-device interactive tour of the history of apple technology with social media interaction where fans of Apple technology can share stories and meet-up online. The app is in Apple approval process now and they plan to launch on June 9th, subject to WWDC approval.

The Party: The Apple community is throwing an INspired Meet-up at the WWDC. The large event will be held at Mezzanine, which is near the Moscone and will run from 7pm-11pm on Wednesday, June 9th. This event will provide a mod museum style tour of the history of working apple technology dating back all the way to 1976 and the original Apple 1.There will be a real working Apple I and Apple II plus dozens of computers and devices all the way up to the modern iPad! You do not want to miss this event. Most people don’t even remember what the first Apple Computers looked like! We will also be providing food, drinks, music and a multimedia tour.

Space is limited to 400 people and all must pre-register to be able to attend this event. To register please click on this link INSPIRED LAUNCH PARTY and sign up! We look forward for this event and celebrating this new Apple “fan-based” iPhone/iPad application! Hope to see all of you there!

Over the past few weeks privacy has been the buzz over on Facebook Island. To leave, or not to leave has been eating away countless nights of sleep for many Facebook users –alas, all can be resolved with this parody video to help persuade you as to why you should be deleting your Facebook account…

As much as I hate hearing about the Hills, or how someone’s pigs and cows are doing in Farmville; I shall be retaining my account, for now… What about you? Still plan on keeping your account after watching this hilarious video?

If you haven’t heard of UrbanDaddy, then you should read this blog! It is a website that I use to learn more about what San Francisco offers. UrbanDaddy is a free daily email dedicated to delivering you the information you need to know every day about your city. You will receive details on the finest: food & drink, style, entertainment and travel.

Not only does UrbanDaddy offer the latest information in your city, but they also provide perks! UB’s perks can include: Invitations to exceptional parties, exclusive give-aways (we hear Aspen is great this time of year) and special sales with some of the most fashionable brands around. Currently UB members can sign up to win: a private meeting with Seinfield in Vegas, a free night in a poolside Bungalow at The Breakers in Palm Beach, and the best seats in the house for Green Day’s Broadway show! UB is also offering discounts for renting Lamborghini’s and 50% off for men at the luxurious Elysian Spa!

For more info, check out: http://www.urbandaddy.com/about#ixzz0pFfbvlVs
Make sure to download their Iphone application too!

Learn How Groupon Works! from The Point on Vimeo.

How can anyone refuse daily deals offered in San Francisco? These bargains include discounts at: restaurants, gym memberships, laser hair removal, cruises, events, and much more. Who doesn’t love a deal? Andrew Mason produced Groupon in 2008 to, “make it easier for people to enjoy the great things in their community…we do it by offering daily deals at unbeatable prices through the power of group buying.” Groupon offers stunning deals for cities all over the United States, Canada, and is currently expanding as I write. Groupons main focus is on “unusual, special and niche things in each market.”

Groupons deal today:

$15 for $30 Worth of Indian Fare and Drinks at Maharani Restaurant. Did I sign up for it? Of course I did! This deal works up to two people, but if you are not an Indian food lover, it can always be a gift for a friend who is. Maharani has also been listed as “one of the top 10 Romantic Restaurants in San Francisco” – About.com I’m looking forward to eating here and receiving this fabulous deal. Here is the website.

How does Groupon work?

A specific number of people must sign up for the daily deal, and if not enough people sign up to reach the minimum, then no one receives the deal. Just because you sign up for the deal does not necessarily mean you will receive it, which means you should encourage your friends to join!

Now that you are aware of this incredible website, Groupon, then there is no excuse not to sign up and receive these outstanding unbeatable deals. Enjoy!