Thursday, 24th September – our fourth #EUinfluencer. While very different from previous years, it was more engaging than ever.
We’ve had 200 people #IRL at our event for the last three years. This year, #EUinfluencer was fully virtual and broadcast live on our website, Facebook and Twitter. At ZN, we like using our own events to test and optimize, so we can give our clients the very best when they need it.
The #EUinfluencer event brought together an amazing crowd of influential people to discuss hot topics of today and, of course, to be part of the grand reveal of the new #EUinfluencer ranking.
Jon Worth, #EUinfluencer from the very start and always a great debater, is ready for it.
Temporary interlude in tweeting about Kent and borders…
— Jon Worth (@jonworth) September 24, 2020
I will instead be tweeting about @ZNConsulting's #euinfluencer event from 1700 CET. Prep on Zoom currently… pic.twitter.com/5TwoPySNHx
As the show blasted off, #EUinfluencer Remco Timmermans announced its launch
We have liftoff! Follow hashtag #EUinfluencer for a live twitterstream of the event!
— Remco Timmermans (@timmermansr) September 24, 2020
And watch live on Facebook: https://t.co/9TZFdwQP4X pic.twitter.com/F5UC8OUfHr
Hot debates, great speakers and a ranking of the top influencers in the #BrusselsBubble are starting
Welcome to #EUinfluencer 2020
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Hot debates, great speakers and a ranking of the top influencers in the #BrusselsBubble 🔥 @liorakern will be checking your questions and comments. Share them now! pic.twitter.com/3oxZSvIF3D
And that is what #EUinfluencer Raquel Torres Prol was certainly looking forward to as she listened intently to Director-General DG Communication Pia Ahrenkilde opening the proceedings
Listening in to the first digital #EUinfluencer event & the opening remarks from @PiaAhrenkilde, Director-General of DG Communication. Looking forward to great discussions & comms debates! pic.twitter.com/Pdk5LlcnCB
— Raquel Torres Prol (@RaquelProl) September 24, 2020
Remco quoted Pia’s comment that “Community building via social media is an important part of our communication strategy now”
"Digital transformation and the green deal are key parts of the EU recovery path after the pandemic."
— Remco Timmermans (@timmermansr) September 24, 2020
"Community building via social media is an important part of our communication strategy now."@EU_Commission DG Communication @PiaAhrenkilde at #EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/bV0IIokqye
Pia thanked #EUInfluencer for having her and summarised her thoughts in a Twitter thread.
1/ Thanks for having me to #EUInfluencer to talk about trends emerging from digital communication, corona and the latest EU policies!
— PiaAhrenkildeEU (@PiaAhrenkilde) September 24, 2020
Here are a few thoughts 👇
Jon shared his thoughts on how not to engage on social media
#EUinfluencer Take the example of the Commissioner in the area I work on – transport and rail
— Jon Worth (@jonworth) September 24, 2020
Commissioner @AdinaValean is dull as ditchwater on Twitter. Never replies. Never engages. Never seems to learn. The Commission can do better than this surely!
And Remco added a comment about the importance of two-way communication
This is a key point. Too many EU officials use social media tools for one-way broadcasting. Community building is about making human connections, so using the 'reply' button more often! What are the EC social media policies for this, @defis_eu @PiaAhrenkilde? #EUinfluencer https://t.co/xcLiKLWYC6
— Remco Timmermans (@timmermansr) September 24, 2020
In the meantime, ZN’s social media team were beavering away in Luiza’s living room, covering #EUinfluencer across all channels.
A new take on social media war-room 👍🏼 We are activating the most anticipated event in the Bxl bubble, from the cozy living room of @LuizaFun #EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/RuAt9gPux5
— Irem Ates (@irem_trky) September 24, 2020
From her own living room, our project coordinator Evi gave everyone tuning in a heads up before the first panel discussion began. Influencers Pablo Perez, Jennifer Baker and Marco Recorder joined ZN’s Founder and CEO Philip Weiss and ZN’s very own hypermoderator Liora Kern to discuss the good and the bad of European Commission communications.
#EUinfluencer first panel with @pweiss @liorakern @BrusselsGeek @PabloPerezA & @marcoRecorder. Join us! pic.twitter.com/zY8X5Loi4C
— Evilenia (@evillenial) September 24, 2020
Multilingualism is a topic that #EUinfluencer Anna Holmen is very much in favour of. “oui, genau, hallelujah!” she exclaims.
#EUinfluencer panel mentions multilingualism as key in online communication – oui, genau, halleluja!
— Anna Holmén (@anna_holmen) September 24, 2020
And Pablo agrees that the Commission should speak to people in languages they understand.
"The Commission should speak to people in languages they understand, not just plain English" Indeed! @PabloPerezA pic.twitter.com/aaoZT6sFXe
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Marco meanwhile drew attention to the effectiveness of #EU communication, asking: “How do you address them?”
@marcoRecorder draws the attention to the effectiveness of the #EU🇪🇺 communication. The question is – how do you address them? #EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/hY8xPnNfSj
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
And Jennifer questioned whether forcing tech solutions on cultural problems is the answer
"We need to learn to have conversations with people we disagree with" says @BrusselsGeek #EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/7w7knYek67
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
#EUinfluencer Monique Goyens suggested EU institutions could use their bargaining power to put pressure on big tech over #GDPR compliance
#EUinfluencer EU institutions could also use their huge bargaining power as major users of platforms to pressure them to become #GDPR compliant. Could lead to great communication campaign to demonstrate that EU stands with people not big tech.
— monique goyens (@moniquegoyens) September 24, 2020
After the first panel discussion, the topic turned to how COVID has changed influence. Alice Stollmeyer gave some eye-opening insight into how websites sharing false information are getting more interaction that trustworthy sources. ESNO’s Ber Oomen was shocked!
#EUinfluencer what just is shared about the false information on websites instead of trust worthy such as WHO is shocking to me. pic.twitter.com/8VG76HDpbw
— ber oomen (@ber_oomen) September 24, 2020
Referring to COVID misinformation spread, she highlights that the current infodemic is “a wake-up call for the EU to start tackling misinformation”
.@StollmeyerEU continues: "The current infodemic is a wake up call for EU to start tackling misinformation at domestic and international level" #EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/Hg97KMbxJ3
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Fellow panellist Paul Nemitz was active throughout. During the previous discussion he had tweeted: “I do not trust #BigTech. We need proper laws”
The always fresh @BrusselsGeek nails it: Self regulation is no regulation. I do not trust #BigTech. We need proper laws. #EUInfluencer #PrinzipMensch
— Paul Nemitz (@PaulNemitz) September 24, 2020
With fun and engagement high on the agenda, Phil encouraged those listening in to join in too
Are you following the #EUinfluencer event? Tweet your questions, thoughts & comments using the hashtag #EUinfluencer.
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Our hypermoderator @liorakern will share them with @pweiss & our guest speakers! Tell us what you have to say👇👇 pic.twitter.com/Tk0Jm4Wx8o
Our third panel discussed today’s hottest topics: the protest movements and change
#ComPol | 🏆🇪🇺
— The EU Bubble (@eububbIe) September 24, 2020
Fantastic Annual Awards event #EUinfluencer #EUBubble
💫 The most enthusiastic panel was "Protests in Europe":
📌Founder of #BlackLivesMatter 🇧🇪
📌 Captain Europe
📌 jonworth
Rewatch from 1:13:40 👉🏾https://t.co/DugnUmq1AQ #EuropeNtheCity pic.twitter.com/vieNP1xIsf
Instagram influencer and one of the founders of #BLM in Belgium @Kriticos talked about fear and indoctrination
Hugh Annand spoke out against fascism.
#EUinfluencer @JusticeLeagueEU made a bold statement today. 🧐
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Do you agree? Let us know 👇 pic.twitter.com/jDJhbZ3hD8
Jon Worth tweeting about the discussion said he felt he ought to act towards others the way he’d expect them to act towards him
That – tying into the discussion with @KingKritick & @JusticeLeagueEU – is something I see as a responsibility.
— Jon Worth (@jonworth) September 24, 2020
That people gave me the benefit of the doubt to help me get a decent audience means I ought to act towards others the way I'd expect them to act towards me.
Following the debates came the big reveal – the #EUinfluencer category winners
📢 And now for the big reveal🥁🥁🥁
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Who will be on the #EUinfluencer lists? @ZNconsulting employees are, of course, excluded from the ranking😢
Stay tuned for the results!
Tada!
Here are the #EUinfluencer 2020 category winners 🏆🎇! Congrats @ktowens, @fleroy1974, @BBCkatyaadler, @astroehlein, @Gazzema, @eurohumph, @LotteLeicht1, @PaulNemitz, @BaldwinMatthew_, @DaveKeating and @timmermansr! pic.twitter.com/d84V9ExNjH
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
But it was our influencer ranking tweet that was the top tweet of the night
📢📢 The #EUinfluencer ranking 2020 is officially out!
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
Congratulations to all the Twitter #influencers who made the list this year. Thank you for making a difference and see you next year 🎇! pic.twitter.com/VRGAgHmtLD
And @Twiplomacy was one of the more than 100 who shared it
Who are the #EUinfluencers 2020?@ZNConsulting has released its annual list of 40 #EU tweeps to follow🇪🇺
— Twiplomacy 😷 ➡️following #UNGA #UN75🇺🇳 online👀 (@Twiplomacy) September 24, 2020
➡️DYK 14 of these follow @Twiplomacy 🙏 so we tagged those who don't follow us yet😉
Ping: @Quatremer @JeremyCliffe @YanniKouts @Tom_Nuttall @StollmeyerEU @Berlaymonster 👋 https://t.co/DrwEL4Yi0c pic.twitter.com/7hAWZKXmP3
And next morning by @POLITICOEurope Brussels Playbook
Thank you @POLITICOEurope Brussels Playbook for sharing the #EUinfluencer ranking 😊https://t.co/G4lTJO2dXr pic.twitter.com/3Hs8NHLjlV
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 25, 2020
Remco was chuffed to bits to see the new ‘space’ category
Thank you team @ZNConsulting for creating the new 'space' category, giving a more explicit voice to #EUspace and all its wonderful people on social media! I am humbled in the presence of these great names, and proud to represent the EU space sector in this group! #EUinfluencer https://t.co/TfropgGnUv
— Remco Timmermans (@timmermansr) September 24, 2020
And 45.7% of people who took the poll loved what they saw 😊 – while 15.2% did sadly hate it 🙁
The #EUinfluencer list is out! What do you think? 😀
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
#7 overall, @Guardian Brussels correspondent @JenniferMerode is one of the highest climbers
Number-7 #EUinfluencer is @JenniferMerode🏆
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 24, 2020
This @Guardian Brussels correspondent has managed to move up 15 positions in this year's #EUinfluencer list 🔝 pic.twitter.com/UeYus4fWpq
Perhaps the most contemplating #EUinfluencer
Thanks @ZNConsulting for running the #EUinfluencer event again this year, and I am happy to finally triumph over @berlaymonster 💪
— Jon Worth (@jonworth) September 24, 2020
But seriously, we need to think a bit more about this idea.
If I am influencing anything in EU affairs, it sure doesn't feel like it.
A thread…
And the one with the ‘sickest’ sense of humour 😜 was surely @DavidKeating
Pleased to have come 3rd in this year's EU social media influencer ranking by @ZNConsulting, though that label saying I came 1st in the COVID-19 category makes it look like I've been diagnosed! 😂#EUinfluencer pic.twitter.com/LtIuzRUVpB
— Dave Keating (@DaveKeating) September 24, 2020
With 2020’s top-ranked #EUinfluencer @quatremer celebrating in his native language 🥐🥇
L’effet Brexit! Tremblez anglophones ! 😎 https://t.co/4sU9LVbjmR
— Jean Quatremer (@quatremer) September 24, 2020
Before calling for more “tweeter en français”
Preuve qu’on peut tweeter en français et avoir de « l’influence »… https://t.co/uY4YkNIeTJ
— Jean Quatremer (@quatremer) September 24, 2020
And 2020’s top-ranked female #EUinfluencer calling for more women next year
Wow, I'm still #1 female digital #EUinfluencer 😊
— Alice Stollmeyer (@StollmeyerEU) September 24, 2020
Again ranking #6 overall #EUinfluencer, and this year #4 in the #HumanRights category.
I'll keep saying: Let's get more women next year! pic.twitter.com/jLoVfGbFRw
That night #EUinfluencer became the number-1 trending Topic on Twitter, announced Liora
#EUinfluencer, number-1 trending topic in Belgium. So proud of the @ZNConsulting team, happy with our great panelists and participans👏👏 pic.twitter.com/30J6Ruc4Iw
— Liora Kern 🌿 (@liorakern) September 24, 2020
Before she wrapped up the evening with #JackDaniels 🥃 and fries🍟
Frit-Flagey, sauce Brazil and whisky 🥃. A perfect way to end a successful #EUinfluencer day. 😋
— Liora Kern 🌿 (@liorakern) September 24, 2020
Next year I hope to have a drink with you @jonworth @JusticeLeagueEU @moylato @StollmeyerEU @BrusselsGeek @liliebayer @BrusselsGeek @marcoRecorder @PabloPerezA @Eurocentrique pic.twitter.com/mLt3JJJHh4
The discussions and celebrations continued well into the morning
#EUinfluencer speaker @KingKritick about fear and indoctrination.
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 25, 2020
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/fhEYtYdeCg
#EUinfluencer speaker @KingKritick about fear and indoctrination.
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 25, 2020
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/fhEYtYdeCg
🏆Yday I was nominated #EUinfluencer & top influencer on "migration". Thx @ZNConsulting for this great event & thx to my new colleagues at @ICMPD for giving me the opportunity to explore the world of migration narratives, policy & governance. There's still a lot of work to do! pic.twitter.com/FBETXLxLlD
— Marco Ricorda (@marcoRecorder) September 25, 2020
Thanks ! but hmmm…#1 Transport #EUinfluencer sounds border line unethical. Still, does it come with a shiny trophy and a big cash prize? 😳😬🤔 https://t.co/DfqLabfNCo
— Matthew BALDWIN (@BaldwinMatthew_) September 25, 2020
Did not see this coming. 😀
— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) September 25, 2020
Warm thanks, and huge congrats to all on this list -incl my wonderful @HRW colleague @astroehlein! 👏👏👏 https://t.co/w4sPLctq3e
All in all, the #EUinfluencer hashtag achieved more than 20 million impressions, 1200 mentions, and 400 retweets, gaining the ZN brand enormous exposure.
We once again showed the Brussels hemisphere our expertise in digital strategy, branding, influencer mappings and social media. And we made it fun, engaging … and, most importantly, #COVIDsafe!!
Before we go, if you want to see the full #EUinfluencer lists and ranking methodology, check out this article. And why not subscribe to our Twitter list to see the tweets of all the influencers in one go.
💡💡💡ALERT
— ZN 🌏 (@ZNConsulting) September 25, 2020
Subscribe to our #EUinfluencer Twitter #list to follow all our new digital influencers in one go👇🏼 https://t.co/C5BRvHoRMH
