Experts to discuss and debate social media's impact on news at
DigitalJournal.com's Future of Media event in Toronto

TORONTO, Aug. 25 /CNW/ - On Sept. 8, influential leaders from the media, tech, mobile and social networking industries will take part in a panel event in Toronto to discuss how social media is changing journalism and media consumption.

Happening at DigitalJournal.com's annual "Future of Media" event, the panel includes executives from Facebook Canada, The Globe and Mail, Global News and more. Speakers will explore how media organizations are adapting to the Web, how social media services have influenced news, and what the future holds for media professionals. DigitalJournal.com's Future of Media gathering will include a panel discussion and debate and will end with an interactive Q&A with audience members and users on Twitter and Facebook.

This highly anticipated event will take place Wednesday September 8 at the Drake Hotel Underground (1150 Queen Street West) at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and admission is free and open to the public.

Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Last year, Future of Media was completely sold out.

The Future of Media panel is made up of a diverse group of industry leaders:

• Jordan Banks, Managing Director of Facebook Canada
• Anjali Kapoor, Managing Editor of the Globe and Mail Digital
• David Skok, Senior Producer of Online Content for Global News
• Kunal Gupta, CEO of Polar Mobile
• Mark Evans, a digital marketing/social media strategist and co-founder of the MESH conference.

The Future of Media will be moderated by DigitalJournal.com

Panelists will address how social and digital media are changing traditional journalism; why social services such as Facebook are increasingly being regarded as a discovery point for news; how journalists should adapt to social media's increasing influence; and how changing media consumption habits offer a glimpse into the future of media.

"Social media has fundamentally changed the two most important aspects of traditional news, namely breaking news and commentary," says Jordan Banks, managing director of Facebook Canada. "As a result, it is no longer sufficient just to provide the news. The expectation of the masses is now to be able to participate in the news, to share it, shape it, comment on it, define it and to use it as a tool to democratize the entire creation and dissemination process."

The Future of Media event is sponsored by Queensway Audi, Toronto's No. 1 Audi dealer; Suite 66, Canada's largest independent online advertising sales organization; Dell Canada; Rogers Wireless; Flip Video; Palm; and CNW Group, Canada's leading newswire provider.

At The Future of Media event, sponsors are providing many high-end gadgets and tech toys as raffle prizes to attendees. The prizes include: a 32GB Apple iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G courtesy of Suite 66; a Dell Studio 15 notebook with artist lid courtesy of Dell Canada; 5 Flip Ultra HD camcorders courtesy of Flip Video; a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate smartphone courtesy of Rogers Wireless; and a Palm Pre smartphone with Touchstone Charging Dock courtesy of Palm. Wireless plans for devices are sold separately.

About DigitalJournal.com:
DigitalJournal.com is a global digital media company and online news outlet read by millions of people. Headquartered in Toronto, DigitalJournal.com covers breaking news from around the world and is a recognized leader in social news with 25,000 reporters in 175 countries around the world. DigitalJournal.com also consults news organizations on how to empower their audience to acquire content, drive revenue and increase engagement from digital media properties.

About The Future of Media:
DigitalJournal.com started its annual Future of Media event in 2009 to bring media executives, entrepreneurs, developers and journalists into one place to talk about changes in the media landscape. As the only free event of its kind, The Future of Media is widely attended by the who's who in Canadian media and business.

For further information:

More info on the event can be found by visiting DigitalJournal.com/djfom or on the Future of Media's social media release.

For images, interview opportunities, press passes to the event, contact Digital Journal CEO Chris Hogg at 416-410-9675 or [email protected]