Intelligence People: Jim Reynolds of Socialgist

This week, The Social Intelligence Lab meets Jim Reynolds, Head of Global Alliances for Socialgist...

When did you first become involved in the ‘social intelligence’ sector?

2008 - Lead Sales & Community Marketing for Techrigy (Alterian SM2)

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A fighter jet pilot or radio personality - in a perfect world it would have been both.

What, in your opinion, are the key benefits of social data analysis for organizations?

Understanding the behavior of your audience in the wild.

What aspects of your work do you most enjoy?

Helping people discover and find the ah-ha moment in their data.
What are the biggest challenges in your day-to-day work?

Reminding partners that social data is more than just Twitter & Facebook. Real conversations happen in niche communities.

Are you worried about regulatory restrictions impacting on your work in the future?

No, the market needs to grow up and respect the rights of the consumer. Like other datasets, the consumer has the right to be forgotten.

Which social data analysis tools do you use? Do you have a favorite?

I’ve had the chance to use nearly all platforms, that being said I naturally have a bias towards my former employer's tools SM2, Brandwatch, Crimson Hexagon & Buzzsumo. Still proud of that those teams have built.

As for a forward-facing view of the market. Lots of cool technology emerging using network mapping, proper NLP and I’m bullish on the segment that Graphika, Turbine Labs, Zignal Labs & Blackbird.AI play in. I think they will solve the signal to noise ratio that most platforms see today in social each in their own unique ways.

Do you think the ‘social intelligence’ community needs its own professional body?

Yes, if the only perception of the industry is Cambridge Analytica if the market wants to be respected it needs to show how it can help the business world for real.

Name a book you would recommend to others.

Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Name a social account that everyone should follow.

For Lolz: https://twitter.com/bestofnextdoor

For Inspiration: https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to follow you on social?

Hunter Thompson (but only if I could have an authentic conversation).

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