Going to Camp, That is RetailCamp

Stylesight presentation on fashion forecasting.

Do the terms Instagram, SEO, Quora and Klout leave you dazed and confused? Then it might be time to head to RetailCamp. This weekend technology gurus, PR experts, bloggers, retailers and fashion brands gathered at Woodbury University to learn how to bridge the gap between fashion and technology.

The event was developed by Fashionably Marketing.Me with the support of WWDMAGIC, Woodbury University and Fashion Group International of Los Angeles. It was a powerhouse weekend with experts across the fields of public relations, technology and blogging. The objective? To stay on top of the ever-changing world of technology and social media to achieve success in the online “Wild, Wild West.”

The first day focused on social media as well as online retail and business strategies. Speakers included Guillermo Zalamea, Partner, HL Group, Ruth W. Staiman, Cofounder and President, The Fashion Office; Dylan Whitman, Founder, TabJuice; Aaron Kronis, SEO Evengelist, Wpromote; Tim Homuth, CEO, Redfoot Social; and Lyndsey Wong, Trend Director, Stylesight.

Zalamea helped put the internet and public relations in perspective with the opening presentation “Modern Fashion PR: Traditional, Digital and Celebrity Media Relations.” The basic premise? New channels, same game. PR basics, roadmap strategies and the power of celebrity were all key points. Other presentations covered topics such as the future of Facebook retail, Twitter dos and don’ts, the socialization of luxury and how the Internet is changing fashion forecasting.

A panel titled “Marketing Trends of 2011: What are the Hottest Trends in Marketing,” discussed concepts such as the growing importance of mobile apps, how online communities are impacting consumers’ buying habits and developments in online advertising for today’s market. Panelists included Staiman; Yuan Zhang, Co-Founder of Lookville; Natasha Kahn, ModCloth; and Adam Berke, Vice President, AdRoll.

Bloggers were the focal point of Day 2. At Blogger Camp, established and aspiring bloggers got tips from the pros. Attendees learned how to transform a blog into a business, the legal side of blogging and options for mobile applications. Speakers and panelists included Staci Riordan, Fox Rothschild Law; Udauak Oduok, Uduak Law Firm; Yamini Gupta, Genwi; Hilary Peterson, Lyst.com; Jennine Jacob, Independent Fashion Bloggers; Macala Wright Lee, Founder and Publisher, Fashionably Marketing.Me; Marie Denee, TheCurvyFashionista.com; Valerie Elizabeth, SocietyStylist.com; Tina Craig Kelly Cook, BagSnob.com; Mary Hall, Recessionista.com; and Erin Weinger, Editor-In-Chief, StyleSectionLA.

Marketing trend panel: Adam Berke, Vice President, AdRoll; Ruth Staiman, Cofounder and President, The Fashion Office; Natasha Kahn, ModCloth; and Yuan Zhang, Co-Founder of Lookville

Redfoot Socials' Tim Homuth brings the audience into the 21st century.

Luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton are launching into the digital age by developing events and corresponding campaigns that are promoted online, photo courtesy of ilvoelv.com

What can retailers learn from ketchup? Successful Facebook promotional strategy.

(Presentation by Redfoot Social.)

Guillermo Zalamea, Partner, HL Group talks modern fashion PR.