From Pirate Party of Canada
20:03 < svulliez> Alright, looks like we're a modest crew, but all the better
20:04 < svulliez> I'm calling the meeting to order
20:04 < svulliez> This is the first PPCA Public Relations meeting, so congratulations to us
20:06 < svulliez> It looks like we are facing an election very soon
20:08 < svulliez> So we're going to need some standard, editable fliers for this election
20:08 < SteveHenderson> All the better time to reach out to connections made in the past and suggest
becoming members of PPCA.
20:08 < svulliez> Yes, that's a good point
20:08 < svulliez> I know a lot of ppca-sympathetic people who aren't members. we could use this
election to lure them in
20:09 < svulliez> I'm wondering, are any of our attendees graphic arts oriented?
20:09 < ChrisOBrien> I'm not. I'm a IT geek primarily.
20:09 < trailblazer11> unfortunately no
20:10 < trailblazer11> I am not
20:10 < svulliez> I can do it if we have no one else.
20:10 < ChrisOBrien> That said, I'm good with editing. Not so good creating original art.
20:11 < svulliez> Cool. good to know.
20:12 < svulliez> What I'd like to do for this election is create a new standard in basic pirate
party information
20:13 < svulliez> A brochure - "The Pirate Party and You" or "So you think you might be a Pirate..."
20:14 < svulliez> something consistant and tightly written, that we can distribute across canada
20:14 < trailblazer11> yeah or people can download / e-mail to friends
20:15 < svulliez> Yeah, we could toss it up on the website too
20:15 < ChrisOBrien> And this is for recruitment purposes I assume.
20:15 < svulliez> and toss the reddit / facebook / tweet buttons
20:15 < PirateFox> ohai thar
20:16 < trailblazer11> hi PirateFox
20:16 * PirateFox waves
20:17 < svulliez> I guess lets open this up to a bit of brainstorming, what information should we
cover in the pamphlet?
20:19 < svulliez> We could either take the route of specific measurable promises eg. "reform copyright
law" or we could take the broad, inclusive but vague promises like "take restrictions
off of culture and technology"
20:20 < ChrisOBrien> I get the feeling that vague won't sell today.
20:20 < trailblazer11> More specific is better
20:20 < ChrisOBrien> They'd need to knwo exactly how it would impact them for action to be taken.
20:22 < svulliez> Alright, I agree with that
20:22 < ChrisOBrien> Like, "If make a youtube parody video..."
20:22 < ChrisOBrien> OK, that might be a bit too specific.
20:23 < trailblazer11> We could create different levels of text. For each subject: title/heading,
summary in larger font and more details in smaller font. So depends on how
detailed the reader wants to get into.
20:23 < ChrisOBrien> But if we can take everyday uses and tell how they are being opressed or
misinformed or even how the slippery road of not having net neutrality will affect
them, then good.
20:24 < svulliez> I like the "whats broken?" "how will we fix it?" model on the about page
20:24 < trailblazer11> yeah I agree
20:25 < trailblazer11> If there is attention grabbing news related to a subject, we can use it as an
example also and include the source
20:26 < svulliez> I'll start a thread about this, and we can get writing on some specifics
20:26 < ChrisOBrien> I suppose you could also either make the brochure positive or negative. Here's
what it will look like if you join. Or here's what Canada will look like if you
don't.
20:26 < svulliez> I'm thinking we should write an extended version for the internet, as something that
can be passed around online
20:26 < svulliez> then edit that down to a physical brochure
20:28 < ChrisOBrien> That'll work.
20:28 < svulliez> that way we can have a web version thats a little more in depth
20:29 < svulliez> if we have the web version, we can also update it as we see fit and link people to
it on other ppca materials
20:29 < ChrisOBrien> And tweet it.. etc.
20:30 < svulliez> Something else I want to talk about is ridings that don't have candidates. A lot of
them have pirates, but no one to vote for. How do we make ourselves heard?
20:31 < svulliez> Something we're hopefully going to be doing is internetmatters.ca
20:32 < svulliez> which is a website sort of pushing the idea that the internet matters in this election
20:32 < svulliez> with a list of good information policy MPs and a list of bad information policy MPs
20:32 < ChrisOBrien> Ah. I like it.
20:32 < trailblazer11> yeah
20:33 < trailblazer11> We could have a map for them to click on their riding
20:33 < trailblazer11> and see who is running and their track record
20:34 < ChrisOBrien> Yikes. Who would build that?
20:34 < ChrisOBrien> I mean, sounds good and all. But big.
20:34 < svulliez> I'd love to have that, especially for future elections
20:34 < svulliez> The amount of information combing required is large as it is
20:34 < svulliez> I think we were going to just pick 10 of each
20:35 < svulliez> put them side by side, including whatever pirate party candidates we have
20:35 < trailblazer11> oh ok
20:35 < svulliez> But if we had the means to do all of Canada, I would in a heartbeat
20:35 < ChrisOBrien> Well, I suppose if the framework were there it would simply be a matter of
populating the information.
20:36 < svulliez> It would be very cool.
20:36 < trailblazer11> or we could do sort of like a wiki, people can contribute about MP in their riding.
Hopefully it won't be abused though
20:36 < ChrisOBrien> OK, so an interactive map of Canada with clickable links to individual riding with
pages comparing candidates.
20:37 < svulliez> It is possible, just a little complicated
20:37 < ChrisOBrien> Wikis are useful, just not terribly cool. And I suspect that we need to have a
decent "cool" factor to gain new membership.
20:37 < svulliez> 308 ridings, minimum of 4 candidates each
20:38 < ChrisOBrien> Actually, I think that the map is the hardest part. Not the number of ridings..
20:38 < ChrisOBrien> erm.. if the map is the way to go.
20:38 < trailblazer11> The map should not be too hard. We can just use good old image map.
20:38 < trailblazer11> But probably not enough info to warrant a map at this point
20:39 < svulliez> We should put that in the idea bin for the next election, though
20:39 < trailblazer11> yeah
20:40 < svulliez> I really like to think of the Pirate Party as the political party that organizes
information like that
20:40 < svulliez> makes it accessible and fair
20:40 < svulliez> I'm going to mosey onto Social Media
20:40 < svulliez> twitter, facebook, etc.
20:41 < svulliez> What is this nonsense and how do we participate?
20:41 < ChrisOBrien> All excellent ideas.
20:41 < ChrisOBrien> lol
20:41 < trailblazer11> lol
20:41 < ChrisOBrien> Social media is all about relevance and timing. It needs to be fresh and
interesting.
20:42 < ChrisOBrien> Fresh in twitterland is measured in minutes.
20:42 < SteveHenderson> It could be cool to try and introduce viral ads through social media.
20:42 < svulliez> My thought is we should get one of those multi-updating things and try to find one
that will let us put as many networks as possible on it
20:42 < ChrisOBrien> I'm a little bit of a social media butterfly.
20:43 < ChrisOBrien> Ah. Viral ads. Yes, we need to get to that discussion too....
20:43 < SteveHenderson> I had an article I dug up on freenet about memetic engineering, though I can't
find it.
20:43 < ChrisOBrien> umm.. what is a "multi-updating thing"?
20:43 < SteveHenderson> The concept should be looked at though.
20:43 < ChrisOBrien> Ooooo.. What a cool sounding concept.
20:44 < ChrisOBrien> WINNING!
20:44 < svulliez> That terminology is not correct, but I mean something like tweetdeck
20:44 < svulliez> that allows you to update more than one status at a time
20:44 < PirateFox> I think many people associated with the PPCA are too focused on 'social media'
20:44 < ChrisOBrien> OK. I found tweetdeck buggy though..,. But I get the concept.
20:44 < PirateFox> It hampers our focus and ability to reach out
20:45 < svulliez> how's that?
20:45 < ChrisOBrien> @PirateFox So, do you suggest we go traditional media?
20:45 < PirateFox> I suggest we focus more on it
20:46 < PirateFox> We've had events over and over which not many people show up to
20:46 < ChrisOBrien> I think that's an awesome idea once there are funds...
20:46 < PirateFox> The key is trying to break out of our core demographic
20:47 < svulliez> I am into introducing viral videos via social media- I guess the way to do it would
be to make things that people already agree with so they pass it on
20:47 < SteveHenderson> You have to keep in mind that it's difficult to get good attendance at events,
generally speaking.
20:47 < ChrisOBrien> Really? Have we tapped out our core demographic? I thought that's the people we
wanted to focus on...
20:47 < svulliez> I think it's inevitable that there will be some discussion of the pirate party on the
internet, and it's significantly better if we have a hand in it
20:48 < svulliez> In fact, considering that we are the closest thing to a Canadian internet party, I think
it's essential we have a thoughtful and cohesive social media campaign
20:48 < trailblazer11> If a candidate or our party have enough funding then a properly placed billboard
could be effective also.
20:48 <@scshunt> PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE!
20:49 < svulliez> There are ways to appeal to people out of our demographic
20:49 < ChrisOBrien> I'm sorry to sound like a broken record, but does the ppca have the funds for a
billboard. I'm not arguing the effectiveness, just the feasability.
20:50 < svulliez> It's fair to say that currently we have very little funds.
20:50 < PirateFox> by core demographic I mean people very active online, power users, etc
20:50 < ChrisOBrien> Right. So social media and the Internet, being effectively free, are our best options
I believe.
20:51 < SteveHenderson> It could be useful for us to get in contact with local music groups and make some
friends, then hold concerts as a fundraiser for PPCA. This could generate funds while
at the same time reaching out to music lovers and promoting the idea of pirates as
supporters of musicians.
20:51 < PirateFox> which leaves us the issue of being locked into the group most in touch with thosew
20:52 < PirateFox> *those
20:52 < trailblazer11> Maybe a small concert at a park during summer
20:52 <@scshunt> svulliez: hate to interrupt, but will you be presenting a platform soon for us to review
before Thursday
20:52 < PirateFox> Anyone else know how to fix the catch-22?
20:52 < svulliez> I like that idea Steve
20:52 < ChrisOBrien> +1 SteveHenderson
20:52 < SteveHenderson> I've got some friends involved with music over here, I've invited them to the next
meeting in Calgary (though that date is still being sorted out).
20:53 < SteveHenderson> Possibly going to do something in late May.
20:53 < SteveHenderson> Hopefully*
20:53 < ChrisOBrien> Naturally in ridings with candidates.
20:53 < ChrisOBrien> At least first.
20:54 < SteveHenderson> Open to the entire public of course though.
20:54 < svulliez> PirateFox: I think you've got the wrong mindset. Most people are on the internet at least
passively, and there is a lot of exposure to be had here
20:54 < trailblazer11> keep our social media campaign or even take it up a notch. And at the same time look
for offline opportunity if we can afford it. Maybe a candidate will get lucky and
have big contributor...
20:54 < svulliez> I think social media has to be kept up consistently no matter what, because we're the
internet party
20:55 < svulliez> Do any of you guys have an interest in participating in the pirate party twitter?
20:55 < ChrisOBrien> @svulliez: I would.
20:55 < svulliez> cool. You're quite active on twitter, too, right?
20:56 < svulliez> so you're rather informed
20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Fairly active.
20:56 < svulliez> about the tweetculture
20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Yup.
20:56 < svulliez> I will send you a PM with some login details and guidelines
20:56 < ChrisOBrien> Okie dokie. I'm game.
20:56 < trailblazer11> I use tweet also mostly for news
20:57 < PirateFox> svulliez even for the more casual users?
20:57 < PirateFox> I would think there's a lot that may get past them
20:57 < svulliez> It's inevitable though, no matter what social stream we take
20:57 < svulliez> 3 / 5 people aren't going to want to hear it.. at first
20:57 < PirateFox> ah
20:58 < svulliez> the trick is to convert internet enthusiasts to our ideology (which they'll already have
an inclination to agree with)
20:58 < svulliez> the social aspect of social media will help us reach those untouched demographics
20:59 < svulliez> So... Campaign videos / viral videos.
20:59 < svulliez> I am going to animate a couple of these. Chris has volunteered to do the narration
21:00 < ChrisOBrien> So, on the topic of videos. Are there videos currently in production?
21:00 < ChrisOBrien> Sorry. Hit enter too quickly there...
21:00 < svulliez> I've drawn artwork for various incarnations, but there isn't anything concrete yet.
21:00 < svulliez> I want to make two 30 second tv spots
21:01 < svulliez> one that summarizes the ppca in the most flattering way possible
21:01 < svulliez> and one that just celebrates the internet, treats it like magic, and spooks people into
realizing it may be in danger
21:02 < svulliez> Those will probably have to have the highest priority, for the election
21:02 < svulliez> because we get TV time
21:02 < svulliez> but I am really open to hearing other ideas
21:02 < svulliez> I want to have a stacked youtube channel by the end of the year.
21:02 < ChrisOBrien> Kinetic Typography.
21:02 < ChrisOBrien> Here's an example: http://vimeo.com/15412319
21:04 < svulliez> Yeah, that's neat
21:04 < ChrisOBrien> Also, what about a contest? I like the idea of the ppca being a grassroots party.
If we had a contest for the best 15 second video of why the internet should be open.
Called "My Internet". Or somesuch.
21:04 < ChrisOBrien> With the winner going onto the public spots.
21:04 < ChrisOBrien> Be funny. Be creative.
21:04 < svulliez> I like that idea too, maybe we should do that video first
21:04 < svulliez> get the wheels turnin'
21:05 < svulliez> we have very little in terms of prizes, but I still like the idea of shipping a UBB
hard drive to a prize winner
21:05 < trailblazer11> I've posted a script on our forum. I am thinking something similar with keyword
appearing kind of like the kinetic typography but more subtle
21:05 < svulliez> the 160 GB HD with the creative commons stuff
21:05 < ChrisOBrien> And to get them turning, maybe get the candidates to make their own videos and we
post the contest video with their video saying "Do this only better."
21:06 < SteveHenderson> svulliez: Is anyone taking the minutes for this meeting?
21:06 < ChrisOBrien> The prize being recognition. :-)
21:06 < ChrisOBrien> lol. Minutes?
21:06 < SteveHenderson> chat lgo
21:06 < SteveHenderson> log*
21:07 < svulliez> SteveHenderson: psema4 is.
21:07 < SteveHenderson> sugoi
21:10 < svulliez> alright. So We should kickstart a contest. would you guys be willing to make some
entries into the contest?
21:10 < svulliez> even if it was a shoddy webcam job, having some entries out of the gate will
encourage people
21:11 < trailblazer11> sure
21:11 < trailblazer11> yeah and people can improve on it if they want
21:11 < ChrisOBrien> Autotune it! lol
21:11 < svulliez> heh
21:12 < svulliez> alright so
21:12 < ChrisOBrien> Ask PegNorthPirate to do one. He seems pretty outgoing.
21:12 < svulliez> Good idea, I like his style
21:13 < trailblazer11> BTW, is he running?
21:13 < svulliez> I'll see if I can get craignobbs out in langley to do one
21:13 < svulliez> but he is camerashy
21:13 < ChrisOBrien> Make Mikkel do one too. Get the leader involved. :-)
21:13 < svulliez> I haven't heard anything saying he was running yet, unfortunately
21:13 < svulliez> but we do have some promising other candidates
21:14 < svulliez> I'd like to get every council member doing one
21:14 < ChrisOBrien> Yup. That would certainly kick-start it.
21:14 < svulliez> and every frequent contributor
21:14 < ChrisOBrien> I do have some experience with video editing and manipulation. Just FYI.
21:14 < svulliez> awesome.
21:15 < svulliez> Hm..
21:15 < trailblazer11> me just basic. Just play around with built-in effects
21:15 < svulliez> we could also edit together the submissions into a commercial
21:15 < ChrisOBrien> So, strange as this sounds, you / we prolly need to create a mini-press release to
the council / members....
21:16 < ChrisOBrien> Yes. That would work too.
21:16 < svulliez> Yeah, good idea. I don't want things to get lost from lack of communication
21:17 < svulliez> alright so in the social media sphere
21:17 < svulliez> -chris helping on twitter
21:17 < ChrisOBrien> And specific guidelines. What message should they convey? Not wording, just
answering a question, like - Why is copyright reform important to you?
21:17 < ChrisOBrien> etc.
21:17 < svulliez> -contest for tv airtime
21:17 < svulliez> -online brochure / tv ad / physical brochures
21:19 < svulliez> Alright
21:19 < ChrisOBrien> Anything going on with FB?
21:19 < svulliez> rock and roll
21:19 < svulliez> Nothing specific, we can use it in promotions
21:20 < svulliez> What powers do we have on facebook that we don't have elsewhere?
21:20 < svulliez> inviting people to events, public image galleries
21:21 < svulliez> It will help in spreading the contest and videos, for sure
21:21 < svulliez> I would like to move once again to the topic of merchandising
21:21 < ChrisOBrien> It's also a good way to disseminate information. Posting show up in your feed when
you've "liked" the page.
21:21 < ChrisOBrien> Ok.
21:22 < svulliez> completely out of the spectrum of feasibility, what should we be selling in the store?
21:22 < svulliez> I think we ought to have some pirateboxes
21:23 < svulliez> t-shirts, stickers, hats
21:23 < svulliez> I don't much care for zazzle
21:24 < svulliez> I had an idea once- collecting up the written works of pirates on the subject of pirate
issues
21:24 < svulliez> all creative commons stuff, or with permission
21:24 < svulliez> put it all together in a nice e-book with a pay-what-you-want model
21:25 < ChrisOBrien> That sounds cool. I'm not volunteering for that one though.
21:26 < svulliez> I may get that together. Once I do all my other stuff.
21:27 < svulliez> I think I'm going to call this meeting to a close, anything anyone wants to add?
21:27 < svulliez> I want to get started on the contest right away, and the online brochure
21:27 < ChrisOBrien> Is this group / committee responsible for the "copy" that will be put out for public
consumption?
21:28 < trailblazer11> nothing to add
21:28 < ChrisOBrien> Or is that the responsibility of the leaders?
21:29 < svulliez> We're kind of breaking new ground with this PR committee
21:29 < svulliez> so it's hard to say
21:29 < svulliez> We would need the council's support or at least a majority vote to put something out
there
21:29 < ChrisOBrien> OK, so the leaders vet the message...
21:30 < svulliez> but we'll be largely responsible for the text and all that
21:30 < ChrisOBrien> OK.
21:30 < svulliez> I think that's the way they would like it, but my opinion is
21:30 < svulliez> if they want to help with PR, they should join the committee too
21:31 < svulliez> I don't see us doing anything too far outside of the ideals of the leadership
21:31 < ChrisOBrien> lol. That's fair. And inclusive.
21:32 < svulliez> Alright, thanks for coming down folks, hope to see you at the next one. You're all on my
PR shortlist
21:32 < svulliez> I will be sending you information soon.
21:32 < ChrisOBrien> k. cya.
21:32 < ChrisOBrien> Excellent. thx.
21:32 < trailblazer11> k
21:32 < svulliez> meeting adjourned smack smack
21:32 < ChrisOBrien> lol
21:33 < trailblazer11> lol
