Lauren Cotton's blog

Ever been in that situation where you're sat, mid-flight, desperate for sleep and your neighbour is insistant on constant chit chat? Or ever had a mid-flight business pitch from a fellow flight passenger, when work's the last thing on your mind?

You'll be glad to hear, then, that Latvian airline airBaltic have launched the world's first airline social system called 'SeatBuddy', powered by Satisfly. The system, which aims to resolve this common issue, pairs you up with like-minded passengers during your flight.

It's finally here, just in time for the Olympics! Transport for London (TfL) has announced which stations across the Tube and Overground network will be covered by a WiFi service.

Around 80 Tube Stations will benefit from TfL's new partnership with Virgin Media, with WiFi available in ticket halls, corridors and platforms from this summer. We'll finally be able to plan journeys (and replan when services are cancelled & delayed) and access travel news whilst in the station! (Map attached below).

We held our first Careers Day as part of Digital Shoreditch on Wednesday 23rd May, supported by Vitamin T, and are extremely proud to say it was a brilliant success.

We've had some wonderful feedback from companies recruiting, mentors and job hunters alike and we're so glad that everyone found the day useful and productive.

Our CV Surgeries were particularly popular, with lines waiting outside the Little Top! If you missed out on a CV Surgery or couldn't make the day, the fantastic mentors have very kindly shared some of their advice below.

SoConBuzz Marketing Masterclass, taking place on Thurs 21st June, is designed to be an in depth look into buzz monitoring, with peer to peer learning sessions, including roundtables and workshops; and exciting masterclasses. 

We're delighted the organisers have offered 2 lucky Chinwaggers the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £99.99.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply fill in the form below by Monday 11th June and a ticket could be yours.

Youth Marketing Strategy (21st June 2012) is the industry summit that brings together the best minds, top brands and edgiest agencies involved in the fast-moving world of youth marketing.

Latest insights and experiences are shared, fresh ideas are discussed and invaluable new connections are made. If 16-24s are your target audience, this event can not be missed.

We're delighted the organisers have offered 3 lucky Chinwaggers the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £695.00.

Come along to Chinwag's Careers Day at Digital Shoreditch next week (23rd May), where you'll be able to meet the industry's leading employers including agenices, top brands and exciting start-ups.

If that wasn't reason enough, you'll be able to improve your job-hunt with a brillant programme of advice sessions, with Portfolio Reviews from Vitamin T, CV Surgeries with Chinwag Jobs and Creativity & Ideas Workshops by Hyper Island.

There's limited space, so make sure you book now!

Thinking Digital are holding their first ever Thinking Digital Startup Competition, chaired by Paul Smith (of the Ignite100 startup accelorator programme) and supported by Northstar Ventures, at this year's event.

To enter, the startup needs to have been created or started operating after 1st Jan 2011 and applications need to be in by Friday 11th May.

There'll be a total of 5 startups pitching for 3 minutes on Tuesday 29th May during Thinking Digital University (TDU). Chosen startups will get a free pass to Thinking Digital 2012 (or 2013 if you already have a 2012 pass).

As part of the global festival that is Social Media Week, taking place in 14 cities this September including our very own capital, we're asking you to represent London and capture it's unique British beauty. 

This contest will be taking place across all this September's host cities, including Barcelona, Berlin, Bogota, Chicago, Doha, Glasgow, Hong Kong, Jeddah, London, Los Angeles, Torino, São Paulo, Seoul and Vancouver.

In the coming weeks, Social Media Week will launch the Instagram Your City website, which will pull together the best photos. One "Best-in-Show" picture will be selected from these. Once selected, the winning contestant will be given the opportunity to travel to any Social Media Week city of their choosing during the September 24th - 28th event. 

The wonderful guys (and girls) at Ravensbourne have helped us during two Social Media Week London's, Feb 2011 and this February just past.

On the 13th & 14th June, Ravensbourne2012 will be opening its doors to industry and the public, to showcase London’s brightest new graduates. The two day festival, organised and designed by the student body, is a chance to see a collaborative showcase of graduate work, alongside other outstanding live events and installations. A graduate show like no other. And the invite is extended for you to attend.

The deadline for UKTI's high profile Trade Mission to China (taking place 28th May - 1st June 2012) has been extended to end of play, Wednesday 25th April.

The multi-sector mission, which will be led by Lord Green, Minister of State for Trade & Investment, is timed to coincide with the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) and will also include a "UK Day" Showcase with networking and bespoke b2b meetings, networking with Chinese government officials and more.

DemandCon, the conference dedicated to accelerating the sales and marketing funnel, comes to London on 28th May 2012. 

We're delighted the organisers have offered two lucky Chinwaggers the chance to win a free conference ticket worth £395.00 each.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply follow the link below and fill in the form by Friday 18th May and a ticket could be yours.

Digital Shoreditch Festival 2012 is thrilled to announce the release of tickets for this 2 week festival of digital creativity with an expected 10,000 attendance! It brings together renowned leaders in digital taking place in more than 200 sessions from 21st May – 1st June.

The aim of the festival is to facilitate the wide spectrum of individuals and companies to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas through an extensive range of events and activities.

Each day of the festival will be themed, including Chinwag's Careers Day on May 23rd.

This year's Search Marketing Expo - SMX London (15th - 16th May 2012) will be held at Chelsea Football Club and is being hosted by Chris Sherman and Danny Sullivan, the acknowledged industry thought leaders on search marketing. Joining the event will be Amit Singhal, head of Google's core ranking team, who'll be the opening keynote speaker.

We're delighted the organisers have offered two lucky Chinwaggers the chance to win a free conference ticket worth approx £890.00.

Entering the competition could not be easier, simply follow the link below, complete the form and a ticket could be yours. 

Come along and join us on Wednesday 23rd May for our Digital Careers Day, part of the Digital Shoreditch Festival 2012.

The day links leading employers to candidates seeking a career in the digital sector and gives HR professionals a unique opportunity to meet a large number of well-qualified candidates.

Job seekers will benefit from mentoring sessions, portfolio reviews and guidance offered by premier agencies, brands and start-ups. There will also be a networking lounge where recruiting companies and job seekers will be able to network, check emails, have a break and a chit chat.

The Earlybird is due to fly the nest! Yes, Earlybird tickets (at only £149*!) for Chinwag Insight: Psychology of Online Influence end this Friday 20th April, so make sure you snap yours up before it's too late!

// Buy tickets now!

The latest in the Chinwag Insight series, the Psychology of Online Influence, will be a half-day conference taking place on Thursday 3rd May.

With top speakers such as Nathalie Nahai (The Web Psychologist), Dr Barbie Clarke (Family Kids and Youth), Elizabeth Kessick (JustGiving), William Higham (The Next Big Thing) and more sharing their insight, you'd be a fool to miss out!