Even though THIRTY of you have already RSVP’d on Facebook to tell us that you’ll be attending Social Media Club Columbia: MARCH MADNESS (starting at 7pm, located in GraySail, be there or be there on foursquare) before we even announced the topic (high five, you guys!) now we’re here to… announce the topic!
We managed to wedge into Lauren FitzHugh’s astoundingly packed schedule, and she’s going to come speak to us on the topic of the Economic Viability of Social Media.
For the fives of you who may not know her, Lauren FitzHugh is the Founder and Chief 
Strategist at 4971 Communications. Last year she founded the communications consulting firm to share her passion for connecting great people and ideas. She is a high-energy, creative consultant who works with clients to transform the way they connect with their audiences.
4971 Communications delivers clever, catchy, and compelling strategy and content to its clients. They offer communications solutions employing marketing, advertising, public relations, digital presence, and creative services. Their expertise helps clients leverage new media to earn traditional media coverage and deliver messages in new ways. They are communications for better communities.
Lauren’s current projects include Pub Politics, a live weekly web show, One Columbia, the official promotional arm of the city for Columbia’s cultural community, Salute from the Shore, the largest air parade in the US, and Famously Hot New Year, the best new year’s party in the southeast. She also works with a number or political clients including state legislators, governmental agencies, and non-profits like the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics and the Anita Hill Party. Other highlights of her professional experience include Food Truck Food Court, numerous food trucks, better living agencies, cultural organizations, and more.
Lauren maintains an avid social media presence personally and professionally. She maintains two blogs, one focused on new media communications and another that chronicles life as the city girl. She is known for being a local busybody, attending events and happenings all around the Columbia area, and snapping photos of her adventures to share on her blog.
Not only has she been communicating since she could talk, she has worked in development and fundraising, marketing, sales, and management in both the non-profit and private sector. Before founding 4971 Communications she worked at Cromer’s P-Nuts, a 76 year-old Columbia institution and “Guaranteed Worst in Town” where she arrived after her time at EdVenture Children’s Museum, the largest children’s museum in the Southeast. Prior experience took her from development to sales at a number of different jobs.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she studied Art History and French. Her hobbies include drinking champagne, crossword puzzles, shoe shopping, reading great books, and cooking really great for food for even better friends. She currently lives in Columbia’s historic Rosewood neighborhood.
Connect with Lauren on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Foursquare, LinkedIn, YouTube, Skype, Instagram, Spotify, Google+, Ustream TV, the new myspace, and whatever else is hip and cool.
Lauren will be speaking to Social Media Club Columbia on Thursday, March 21, at 7:00pm. RSVP on Facebook.
Thursday May 17th 6:30pm
We’re looking forward to the next few months’ meetings with the Social Media Club Columbia.
