by Rebecca Perl

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed American marketer, speaker and author Mark Schaefer is returning to Bournemouth.

He came to the town last year to headline the first, Daily Echo-backed You Are The Media Conference and is returning for a special event next month.

Mark Masters of Poole content marketing company the ID Group started his You Are The Media project in 2013 as a weekly email. It has extended into a podcast and a thriving monthly lunch club with guest speakers.

The second annual conference will take place at Shelley Theatre on Thursday, May 23, with Mr Schaefer’s visit on Friday, May 10, acting as a warm-up.

Mark Schaefer will be speaking about his new book, Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins, for a workshop-themed afternoon.

Asked why he was returning to Bournemouth, Mr Schaefer said: “I was in the neighbourhood! I’m doing an event in Poland and connected with Mark Masters about coming back to the seaside. Mark is one of my best friends in the UK and he was the first call I made when it looked like a European trip was a possibility.”

He added: “The main idea of my new book is that the world has changed in some unexpected ways and businesses are unwittingly falling behind. The customer is in control and is the marketing department. It’s a fascinating topic. We’ll also have a special guest, an executive with the UN, and a workshop on the need for belonging and the role of companies in this new world.”

Mr Schaefer sees a kinship with the You Are The Media audience in Dorset. He added: “The thing I love about the You Are the Media group is that it is a true community. This is a rare thing in the business world. Building a sense of belonging is a key idea in my new book and the Bournemouth group is a living case study.

“I have made so many friends in Bournemouth. Many people stayed connected with me since my visit last year. It will be great to back in your beautiful town and talk about the new world of marketing.”

The event is supported by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bournemouth chartered accountants Hixsons and Bournemouth University.

A handful of tickets are at bit.ly/seasideschaef

Information about the You Are the Media conference at Shelley Theatre is at youarethemedia.co.uk