I'm joining Proof Digital Media as a Managing Director and Crowd-sourcing my title

OMG I got a job! I'm joining Proof Digital Media as Managing Director of ____. (Scroll down for job details)

I'm crowd-sourcing my title, and I'd love to have your opinion. Please take the poll in the left column and tell me what I should call my new role.

I don't want to have social media in my title because social media is just a set of tools which will continue to evolve until they are simply regarded as part of the marketing toolbox. And there's no way I would ever use the words "guru", "ninja," or "expert" in my title. Puh-lese!

I don't want to have a silly title, or one that makes people's first response "What's that?" So my dear readers, what do you think I should have as my title? If you have suggestions other than the ones in the poll, please add them in comments on this post.

Once all suggestions are in, I'll set up voting on my new title here.

The J-O-B Deets
I've accepted a terrific offer to join Proof Digital Media - the new digital marketing arm of Burson-Marsteller. I'll report to Proof CEO Jay Leveton, and have been given the opportunity to help guide the agency into the forefront of new media agencies.

I'll continue writing What's Next Blog, which is an Ad Age Power 150 blog, writing for AdAge DigitalNext, Digiday Social, Social Media Today and others. And I'll continue as co-founder and blogger at the pet lovers' site Pawfun.com.

Three's a trend!
My particular brand of ignorance is very much in demand, and headhunters had been ringing me up in droves lately. Hiring long-time independent consultants is part of a fast-growing trend among agencies. Proof made me a great offer, to work with and learn from, a terrific team.

My friend David Armano, recently joined Edelman, and Neville Hobson joined WeissComm.

Clients are scrambling to add social media to their marketing mix, yet there is a major dearth of consultants and agencies who actually walk the walk and have case studies to prove it.

I've had my own business since 1981, and I've been helping major corporations including IBM, McGraw-Hill, American Greetings, Ford Motors, Simon & Schuster, Meijer, and Cendant integrate social media into their marketing since 1995.

Although I've been in my own business for decades, it's clear that the climate and timing are right to join a major organization with the resources and talent to become the leading agency in the digital space. It's an opportunity not only to help guide Proof's growth, but also to interact with the biggest companies in the world to help them engineer the sea change that marketing is undergoing.

And, I think it's going to be fun.

Cartoon by Hugh Macleod

Managing Director - Community

You do have to admit that 'Managing Director of Ninjas' would be a cool title. Think of all those campaigns against pirates you could plan ;)

OK try these Managing Director of ....

Conversations
Market Engagement
Interactions
Dialogue
Public Engagement
Constituent Services
Relationships

how's that for now?

God damn it.

I totally wish I had thought of this.

Congratulations! I have cast my vote and look forward to hearing about the great work I know you will accomplish in your new role!

I can't think of anyone more talented and deserving, congrats to you!

BL congrats! and congrats! to the smart people at Proof Digital Media for their vision to bring you on board.

I think you should retain your brand equity. It's perfect: "Managing Director of What's Next in Media". They are fortunate to have you.

Congrats, hope you enjoy the new corporate life.

Look forward to working with/learning from you, BL! (Burson-Marsteller, SF)

Thank you for these kind wishes and good ideas!

Cheers to you Managing Director of Ultimate Commnique....ok I had to try! Really best of luck to you.

Managing Director of Intelligent(er) Conversations and Customer-Centric Awesomeness wouldn't work on a card, but you sure fit the title :-)

Dear BL, I can't be happier about this. After so many "duh" moves, big communications companies NEED to grow up and recognize the value that extraordinary professionals like you will add to their structures.

From outside it's a concept that seems so easy to grasp, one can't explain why they took so long to act on it.

Dear amiga, my best wishes to you, and kudos to BM for waking up mid-morning.

Kiss!
AB

Hi BLO,

Congrats!!!

I have just suggested one (SMS :) ), hope you gonna like it.

With best wishes
Helen Thomas

Hey BL,

Dennis Spring here. I'm one of the PR headhunters that DIDN'T call you about a social media job. Sorry 'bout that. Although, you certainly would have been first on my list of people to call. Best of luck in your new job. Your new title is the easy part. Readjusting to corporate life will be the tough part. As always - HEAD DOWN, ANTENNAE UP! If you hit a snag along the way, call Job-itis. Dennis

Can't think of a title, but this is fabulous news. Super congrats, BL!

Congratulations my mentor! I'm so proud of you and I am sure you'll do a splendid job. They're lucky to have you.

I can't think of a title until I know what they expect you to accomplish for them.

How are they going to measure your performance. What exactly will you be doing for them on a daily basis? What goals do they have for what you manage?

In your wildest dreams, what would you want to accomplish in this job role?

What is their weakest spot, what Achilles heel do they wish to buttress and make strong?

Who is their main competitor and what are they doing that is better or more advanced or more viral?

What is your core competency? What is your shining triumph in marketing?

What is the greatest thing you've ever done for a client that you hope do for Proof Digital?

What is their biggest problem right now? What do they want to be known as, how are they differentiating themselves from other PR firms specializing in social media?

I struggled with similar questions, just for my new revised business card. "What am I -- really?" I grilled myself constantly.

I decided I'm a business writer.

I can write any form of business communication, but prefer to develop content for websites and blogs. And I specialize in social media, because that's where I spend a lot of time and use it to promote client blogs and my own music and opinions and favorite links.

Social Media is a noble term, it's not going away anytime soon, it's expanding.

Manager of Social Media Strategies is a possible title for you. Simple. Direct. Clear. Expansive. Familiar.

I will keep pondering as I inspect the Proof Digital website and your own work.

Congrats, B.L. -- Proof is going to become a powerhouse, and they're lucky to get your expertise.

Kudos, BL! They couldn't have found anyone better.

You've led the social media charge for ages now so it's got to be exciting for you to take it to a different level. As long as you're still writing your blog... which I've found invaluable since you segued from PR to social media.

Oh....title...I like the first one with emerging media.

How about: Managing Director, Emerging Media

BTW, Congrats Hugh. I've been a big fan for a few years now. Well done.

Hey BL,
Great news and congrats on the awesome new role. Proof Digital is indeed lucky to have you - someone who has seen it all and knows what works and what is smoke and mirrors. Great that they are letting you keep the blog and PawFun - definitely the mark of a company that 'gets it' in today's world that they are buying a unique, multi-faceted asset and not just your time at a desk.

I suppose I have to take my shot at the contest. How about MD of...
- New Engagement
- Creative Connection
- Evolving Media

Best of luck in your new role!

Graham.

Oh my goodness, I'd missed this earlier in the week. Congrats to Proof Digital Media for scooping up one of the GREATEST in this social media/new media/emerging media/conversation space. Whatever you want to call it, clearly they know you ROCK! This is fantastic news for all.
Title? I'm partial to "new media" for two reasons - it's in my title and there is always going to be something "new" out there.
Wishing you all the best in this adventure, my friend!

How about "Managing Director of Eponymy"? ;-)

Seriously, as long as you're happy with the work and the pay, your title can be less about you and more about the clients--not a statement of your organizational responsibilities, but of the value you provide, and their understanding of your position. Like your brand, such a public-facing title might be "What Your Clients Think It Is". That includes both internal and external clients.

But, of the choices given, I actually like "New Media". There's nothing wrong with "media", it's just changed. There's still magic in the word "New". It counteracts the bad connotations of "media", without scaring customers who are just edging into the new world order. For that reason, I'm not a big fan of "Emerging", which implies "still on it's way" vs. "New" which means "It's here, and it's BIG."

"Social" media is new, but so is "mobile" media, as are "new" takes on traditional media (3D TV, tablet magazines, embedded ads or whatever). Like you said, these are just tools--or, if you will, each one is a medium.

Regardless, congrats and wishes for best adventures!

I vote for Managing Director of Market Engagement.

Congrats on the job, Hugh. I have enjoyed reading your stuff for a while now, I hope you continue your excellent work, and we still get to learn from it!

It's *me* who got the job. Hugh did the cartoon in the post.
BL

Congratulations on the new gig.

Suggestions:

Managing Director of...

- Enabled Conversions
- Brand Connections
- Connecting People with Brands
- Connections

CONGRATULATIONS BL! I am excited and very happy for you! :D There's NO telling what is going to happen in this space now! Proof Digital Media = Lucky.

You are an inspirational and influential creative thinker AND doer. And you're also pretty darn persuasive too. For it was YOU who played a big part in my decision to officially jump on the social media train a few years ago and I've been learning from you ever since. So, I am glad to hear that that will continue to be the case.

And leave it to you to crowdsource your title! I'm with you on not using Social Media in the title. I don't mind New Media though - and it's safe. Emerging Media is okay. But it doesn't take into account Existing Media though, does it?

So let's see…hmmmm. Managing Director of…

Social Web Marketing
Digital Media Strategies
Digital Media Marketing
Digital Media ROE
Social Web Strategies
Engagement Media
Digital Media Marcom
Interactive Web Strategies
Interactive Media
(I know this can technically apply to online and offline - but it's generally associated with online…and because you are in Digital Media Division I don't think it'd be an issue.#.

Or if you feel like shaking it up a bit, you can ditch the MD part and go with:
Digital Media Dot Connector #hey! I just saw the "proof" dots in their logo) HA

Heh. Well, even with all this great change, it looks like you can still count on some things to stay the same, "Hugh." [or should I say, Mr. Ochman?!] :D

Best wishes,
Jaculynn

Congratulations on the job. I cast my vote (Being serious), but think an earlier commenter has a point - 'Managing Director of Ninjas' is a super-cool job title!!!

Managing Director of Online Engagement.

The M-Doe.

WOW, BL! Exciting news. They are fortunate to have you. I wish I could be creative and help you crowd-source your title, but it's late in the day for me and my brain is out of ideas. ;-)

Congratulations! They are ridiculously lucky to have such an amazing brain on board. Hmmm. Maybe that could be your title:

BL Ochman, Amazing Brain

You likey?

:)

Hello, I just found you through "25 Women That Rock..." Congrats on your new job! I am rebooting my career after 10 years off as a stay-at home mom. Do you have any advice for women returning to work? And, it may be old-school, but I still think plain ol' "Managing Director" sounds good.

Hey, BL.
How sweet! Great start for a new decade.

And I' second the suggestion of aligning your brand. After all they chose you. Actually, that was my thought from first hearing of your new adventure and the crowdsourcing of your title. But I wasn't here early enough.

Guess I'll have to get up b4 noon.

Managing Director of What's Next [in Media].

Best of luck.
Who is walking Bennie?

Congrats in the new gig, and echoing Stuart Foster, you are crowdsourcing in a most ingenious way, Ms. Managing Director of Stakeholder Alignment.

Many congratulations from the UK!

I agree with a comment above - keep "brand you" in people's faces - Managing Director of "What's Next?"

hugs

Jeff - the getting up early part is the only part i'm not nuts about. :>)
Benny is walking with a couple of his buddies. I'd sure like to have him there with me. We've never been separated before.

Tricia - thanks! I need to be Managing Director of something since there are many managing directors throughout the company in various disciplines.

Can't advise about returning to work, sorry. I've had my own business for decades. So i'm always working. i guess the key is to keep learning.

Whoa! These comments totally make me look forward to having you as a colleague, BL.

Forget @chrisgee's suggestions for Heelies to get you from one meeting to another! We should be investing in Astral Projection to have you in every meeting we have!

Happy first week!

joy

Congratulations, BL! They are so lucky to have you. I like emerging, because new things will continue to do so. I'm also fond of Engagement Strategies. Much deserved!

I'm honored and happy to hear that i inspired you.
don't forget, my title has to fit on a business card :>)
and i don't want people to ask "what does that mean?" when they hear it.
so i'm aiming for real clarity.
xo
BL

Andres - you are so sweet! after all, who else on the planet would be on IM with me at 1 a.m. to help me get gmail set up?
Mid-morning indeed!
Besos!

I dig Catherine's "Engagement Strategies" designation -- seems like that's continually the missing link at digital agencies.

Anyway, hope they got you a beeper!

Congrats BL. Empress of Epiphanies.

Director of Dialogue (for semi clarity).

Have fun.

Glenn
Revealer of Value

First of all I would like to say Congratulations on the new JOB.

You have a great blog, design and layout is just awesome.

BL, Congratulations on your new career path!
my thought for your new title is:

Managing Director, Internet Communication

I feel like "new media" wont always feel so new. in fact, i'm not sure "new media" is even new anymore.

"emerging media" is interesting, but the Internet (which i see as THE media for what you do) has already emerged, making this one old as well.

"Queen of the internet" is cute. but not really.

i see your specialty being... simply... communication. your medium is the internet, and your difference is your ability to see past the less-than-genuine communication that dominates most corporate messaging and present a concise, simple, and most importantly REAL communication to your audience.

hope this helps! i cant want to see WHAT's NEXT for YOU!!

David - that's an interesting point of view. Emerging has won and I think it's the right one because my job is to be ahead of the curve.
Thanks for the kind good wishes!

Wow, BL, this is great for you! Being self-employed has its advantages, no question, but working with a creative team and a "real" budget is FUN! Enjoy it all.

Managing Director of Digital Footprints :-)

Ok, a bit naff. Look forward to working with you at B-M!

Abha
ASDA'A B-M
Dubai, UAE

Why not just managing director? Why pigeonhole yourself?

There are Managing Directors in every area of the company. We all have specialties.

Kudos BL,

Your work is highly revered and I am sure you will do very well in this new venture.

@BL Ochman
My bad, sorry! Hope all is going well!