Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt) has announced that the organization's first industry symposium, scheduled for January 13, 2010, 1-5 pm at the Greensboro/High Point Marriott, will focus on consumer products marketing.

"Corporate Strategy, Integration & Investment in Social Media" is a half-day symposium that begins with an up-to-the-minute overview by Emily Riley, senior analyst, Forrester Research Inc., who will examine online digital behavior and marketer activity; key tools, tactics, and terminology; leveraging behaviors and tools to create sales opportunities; creating an implementation roadmap, who to hire or work with, and how to get started.

Subsequent case studies in strategy and application will feature Maggie Fox, CEO of Social Media Group, research and implementation agent for Ford Motor Company. Fox will highlight best-in-class processes and platforms used to aggregate digital content, success metrics, structuring resources and staff, realistic implementation costs as percentage of sales, bottom line results, expected return on investment, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

A working panel led by moderator Leslie Carothers, principal of The Kaleidoscope Partnership, a social media conversational marketing company working exclusively in the home industries, will explore how to strategically reallocate marketing dollars to more effectively engage consumers and drive bottom line.

Attendance cost is $100 per CEO, and $80 for each additional executive team member. Deliverables include Forrester research and specific application strategy intelligence. Sponsorship opportunities include an exclusive 1-hour working session with Forrester and corporate presenters, and dated Webinar rights subsequent to the symposium. Registration is available through www.withit.org.