Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet

Just Shy of 18 Hours before 'Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet' the Panel

You spend months toying with an idea, putting it up for vote and after a long process have a chance to turn it into reality.
In my case, even though I had hosted a number of speakers and discussions in my few years at the helm of the Northern New Jersey group of Company of Friends (Fast Company's readers network), I did not realized fully what I set myself up for when I committed to offer this topic for South by Southwest Interactive.
I don't think it would have gone so far if it had been all inspiration and no perspiration.
For those of you who cannot attend, you are welcome to ask questions Online.
I plan on continuing the voyage after the 1 hour session.
After all it would be silly to address online participation (of early boomers in our case) and let the conversation die after a one hour live session.
I am grateful to Janet, David, Rhea and Ted for agreeing to get aboard this ship.
We will make it worth your time for those of you who join us. The Just Over 50 and Not dead Yet takes off at 11:30 am and lands at 12:30 pm, Saturday, March 8.

South by Southwest: What the 'Just Over 50...' Panel will cover...March 8

Since we are about 2 weeks away from this event, I thought I should share the scenario with you.

Feel free to give us your take on what will be covered.

Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet

Panel Discussion at South by Southwest Interactive (Austin, Texas) on March 8, 2008 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Speakers:
Rhea Becker   Writer,   The Boomer Chronicles
David Markus   CPO,   TeeBeeDee
Janet Greenlee   SVP Sr Partner GM,   Fleishman-Hillard
Ted Cohen   Managing Partner,   Tag Strategic
and yours truly, Serge Lescouarnec aka Serge the Concierge

There is life before and after 18 to 35.
More U2, New Order or Talking Heads than Tony Bennett.
Rewire rather than retire.
Life is short, let's enjoy it! Don't just consume food, cook some mean dishes.
Rekindle passion. Travel. Read. Slow down. Take a nap.
Who and what is online for people in their late 40's and early 50's and why are some sites targeting baby boomers failing to deliver?
What difference does it make to be over 50 and have a presence on the web?
How does it change the way you work, consume, live?
What do early boomers spend their time and money on? Travel, restaurants and food, financial products? How do companies and marketers reach out to them?
Are they successful? Are they using the right approach?
How can writers, musicians and movie makers tap that audience?

Old is a state of mind. (you're as old as you think you are -- up to a point...)

Visit this site for details and updates or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Not to be dreary, Neil Gaiman offers 'Template Will' for Creative Types

Writer Neil Gaiman (not quite 50, just 47) reminds us of something a number of us neglect doing, a will.
In Important and pass it on he offers a template for a will , good for writers residing in the US.
It was drafted by California lawyer and Sherlock Holmes enthusiast Leslie Klinger.

Try not to hate them, French women (over 50) Get Lucky

Her title might sound like a come on, don't let it stop you...Read French Women Don't Get Fat and Do Get Lucky by Pamela Druckerman (Washington Post).
Amongst the reasons she finds for French women 'Just Over 50' and beyond better luck is not obsessing on the perfect partner and being less conservative in their thinking and attitudes.

Life is Short, A few Sound Bites on being Just Over 50

More U2, New`Order or Talking Heads than Tony Bennett
Rewire rather than retire
Life is short, let's enjoy it
Don't just consume food, cook some mean dishes
Rekindle passion
Travel
Read
Slow down
Take a nap

Just over 50 and still kicking!

The fact that I passed the 50's bar not long ago made me look harder at marketing, perceptions and where I stand personally.
It seems that the online universe tends to repeat the modus operandi of network TV which is that "the hot segment is the 18 to 35 years old".
Let me question their wisdom and ask who buys books, goes to the movies, eats out and even still pays for music.
That's where I start today!

What do you mean? Just over 50 and...

In the heat of the summer we had the impulse of offering Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet (in a nutshell, the online world is not populated by 20 somethings) as a panel idea for South by Southwest Interactive (2008).

A week ago we learned that we were selected and now the fun/hard part has to start.
Here, in this hot spot we will update you on the panel and share ideas that are percolating while we are working on it.
Feel free to jump in and add your grain of salt.

Related: Just Over 50...Online and Not Ready for AARP.