Less than two weeks ago, Organic’s Group Director, Global Business, Lori Laurent Smith was approached on Twitter by a friend of the organizer of the International Twitter festival (aka Twestival) asking if she could organize the Twestival event for Detroit. Within hours, the Detroit Organic office found themselves in the midst of their own social networking experiment: how quick and how much money could be raised to benefit the 1.1 billion people worldwide who don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water?

Our original goal for the night was to raise $4000 to build a well and provide at least one community with clean, safe water.  Thanks to the lightning speed, viral nature of Twitter, Facebook and Linked in, the volunteers of the Detroit Twestival are thrilled to let you know that last night’s event raised more than $4600 to benefit www.charitywater.org. Detroit played a major part of this historic social media event - participating along with 175+ cities around the world to raise money for this social cause: http://twestival.com/

Once we hear the details of total proceeds earned for charity:water around the world, we’ll be sure to forward that info as well! In the meantime, here is a sample of some of the great articles on other Twestivals held around the world yesterday:
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7888773.stm
SkyNews: http://tinyurl.com/awpzr4
Calgary Herald: http://tinyurl.com/cnkul2
New Zealand: http://tinyurl.com/b4v85p

The generosity of the Detroit advertising and technology community continues to prove the true resilience of our city! A very special thank you to all attendees, raffle ticket purchasers, and donors. Thank you again to our silent auction, raffle and food / beverage sponsors all listed below.

Detroit Twestival Donors:
Organic
Ricardo Cotto
Michael Zadoorian
Ann Quinn
Communicore
Tom Helland
Clint Snider
Sandy Marsh
Janice Milhem
Lori Bender
White Castle
Jumpstart Automotive
AutoTrader
Angelina’s
Kutz
Laurie Tennant Photography
Marcia Levenson
Laurette Yarmy
Shooterz
Yahoo
Skidmore Studio
Edmunds.com
Kyle Raetz
Ann Perry & Partners
Google
Impatto
Otterbase
Herbal Essence Smoke Shop
ShawneTV.com
Lesley Page
Nebulaz design
Five River Studios
MSN.com
Specific Media
Continental Canteen
Kathy Goss

Four handcrafted bibs courtesy of Natalie Zebula. To view more of Natalie’s products, visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9144

Online social networkers show the power of social media for social good.

TOMORROW. Thursday, 12 February 2009 at 6.00pm the Detroit Twestival kicks off at Organic.  Founded in 2008 in London by Amanda Rose, a Twestival is simply a group of Twitter users meeting in the real world, and raising awareness about the mission of and funds for charity: water.

Detroit Twestival attendees donate $10 towards Charity: Water, either at the door or online at amiando.com. Attendees will be able to participate in the silent auction for all the wonderful goodies you see on the blog. We will accept all payment types (cash, check and credit cards). 100% of the money goes to charity: water

The Detroit Twestival 2009:

• Venue: Organic
• Address: 2600 So. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
• Time: 6pm - 8.30 pm
• Registration: http://www.amiando.com/twestivaldetroit.html

For more information, please contact:

Lori Laurent Smith @llaurentsmith

email: llaurent-AT-organic-DOT-com

Traci Armstrong @tannarmstrong

email: tarmstron-AT-organic-DOT-com

Handcrafted Swarovski Crystal Jewelry by Lesley Page. Thank you Lesley!

Handcrafted Swarovski Crystal Jewelry by Lesley Page.
Thank you Lesley!

This original ink drawing is from Clinton Snider’s Topography of Obstacles Series, Drawing #9.

Clinton Snider is an artist living in in Michigan. He earned a BFA in painting at The College for Creative Studies 1997. In 2001Clinton created a huge installation at an exhibition titled “Artists Take on Detroit”, a tricentennial anniversary exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Clinton has shown his painted constructions throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area and in Chicago. In 2004 Clinton had a one person show at the Susanne Hilberry Gallery in Ferndale, and later that year showed in Berlin, Germany, as part of the “Shrinking Cities” exhibition.
To view more work by Clinton Snider:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/78709397@N00/collections/72157613358391998/
or http://www.clintonsnider.com

Thank you for this kind donation, Clint!

One Hour Workshop:  Networking is for Neanderthals™: A Radical Transformation in Your Hidden Desperation; Ideal Business Investment

Networking is primal. It’s biological. We need it. We crave it. And most of us don’t do it well. Are you ready to get authentic? Are you ready to connect with people at the deepest level and take your business to a new realm of possibility?

During this one-hour workshop, media pro and networking expert Shawne Duperon of ShawneTV, shows you how to clean out your networking closet and finally create relationships that last. This event will catapult you to a bigger network: media. You’ll discover the same skills you need one on one at an event, are the same skills you need with reporters, editors and producers! “Networking is for Neanderthals™” will radically transform your existing notions of networking. You will never see networking the same again. You will never network the same again, For more information on Shawne Duperon, visit www.shawnetv.com

Value $2500

Genuine Hookah pipe with case. Courtesy of Lindiwe Vinson and the Herbal Essence Smoke Sop.

Two tickets for the Tuesday February 17 Pistons’ versus Milwaukee.  Fantastic seats:  center court, 10th rows.  Value $500.  Courtesy of Otterbase. Thank you Paul Papcun!

Photo Credit: Salvester

A premium martini basket courtesy of Impatto.  For more information on Impatto, visit: www.impatto.com Thank you Mary Gabriel!