Shauna Causey: SMC Seattle, Jolkona, & Comcast

Posted by admin
July 20, 2009

They say Superwoman is merely a character of non-fiction. I tend to disagree. I say she is very real and lives in West Seattle.

Among bright and passionate people in social media—or anywhere, for that matter—if Shauna Causey isn’t mentioned in the bunch, clearly you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her. Always beaming with energy, Shauna is one of the most involved people I know. Besides doing her normal job as a communications and community relations for Comcast, she’s also an advocate for non-profits and serves on many boards, including SMC Seattle, Leadership Tomorrow, Reel Grrls, and Jolkona. And I don’t think this even covers it all—for one, I know she’s also involved with Twestival Seattle.

How does she find the time do all of that? Super powers. Yep, it’s true. ;)

Get to know Shauna, wouldja? :)

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Shauna Causey

2. E-mail?
ShaunaCausey@comcast.net

3. What is your occupation/company?
SMC Seattle Communications Director, Communications/Community Relations for Comcast, Washington state. I also serve on four non-profit boards.

4. What is the best part of your job?
Learning, promoting, simplifying and sharing great ideas, connecting people, working with non-profits, and having the chance to be involved in social media and work with some incredibly dynamic people.

5. Originally from?
I was born in Seattle and have never left. I live in West Seattle near Alki Beach.

6. How can people find you on the web?

I manage the Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook accounts for Comcast, Washington state:

Boards:

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
The rapid acceleration of new ideas, the stage for new voices, the vehicle for social action. Making the world a little smaller by connecting people from all over the world.

8. How do you utilize social media?
It’s a major part of how I communicate both for work and personally. I listen and share information about high-tech and Comcast-related news, Social Media Club Seattle, and non-profit board service.

9. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
Technology is becoming personalized and social media is the venue to get information that matters to you. In its best use, it’s not simply a life-casting tool (“what are you doing now”)… It’s a way to share and receive ideas and mobilize people into action.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
I’m a news junkie and I like social media and tech news and best practices, new ideas, stories, and anything relating to Seattle-area startups. You’ll also get Social Media Club Seattle info, non-profit and Twestival news and every once in a while, and something about what I’m doing (if it’s interesting enough to tweet). Probably around 90 percent news and ideas and 10 percent personal.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Michael Arrington, Founder of TechCrunch,was recently in Seattle and joked about us being too nice in this city. Others say there’s a Seattle “freeze”and people in Seattle are difficult to befriend. I’d say yes, we are nice. Yes, it can be hard to break into some Seattle niches. But, Seattle’s social media scene has a transformative power that is melting that urban myth that there’s a “Seattle freeze” and helping us here in Seattle become more honest and transparent.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
Early this year, I planned a social media non-profit training (as part of a massive volunteer event called Comcast Cares Day#CCDay). I was unsure if it would be a success. In the end, we had around 25 seasoned social media people training 20 non-profits. Our hashtag was one of the top 10 words on Twitter across the world that day (thanks in part to the social media tent) and we garnered over 2,000 live-streaming views. I realized that using social media to forge opportunities, involve creative people, and reach an audience of interested people is extremely powerful. In this case, Chris Pirillo, Brad Butner, Charl Pearce, Kenji Onozawa, Jodi Church, Mike Foley, Doug Winfield, and so many others made it a great event. I am in awe of our social media community here.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Be generous with your time and attention. Listen. Remember that even though it’s a web-based tool, it’s still 100 percent about the people behind the avatar.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
Yes, there are quite a few. I am always working on a few different projects that involve social media for work and for fun. I just joined the board of directors for Jolkona, an amazing local non-profit that does a great job of using social media. I am hosting a new show for Seattle 2.0, where we’re interviewing Seattle-area startups, called “Startup Builders.” I’m in the midst of planning the next Comcast social media training for non-profits (@Voluntweetup). I’m also helping Doug Winfield with Twestival, a non-profit event planned and executed on Twitter and working with Chris Pirillo to help with Gnomedex, a local tech conference. I’ve been having a great time helping some of our Seattle-area elected officials learn how to use social media. I’ve also got another idea in the works and hope to announce that soon.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Beach volleyball, snowboarding, reading hyperlocal blogs like the West Seattle Blog, volunteering, and helping with local non-profit and tech events. I also enjoy perusing the real-estate market by using companies like Zillow and Redfin to find properties for friends.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal is a favorite. The other one is a surfing and fishing village: Sayulita, Mexico. Great taco stands and the beach volleyball is always fun.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Umi Sake House

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Play volleyball on Alki Beach, relax in a hammock on the deck, and take my dog, Roxy, for walks around the neighborhood.

20. Favorite quote?
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” –Andy Warhol

21. Guilty pleasure?
Movies. I watch quite a few movies and enjoy watching them from my living room (On Demand). I also love anything with ice: snow cones, slurpees, frappacinos, and margaritas.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
That’s a tough one. Jeremy Piven, maybe.

23. I really like it when…
I see other people put somebody else’s needs before their own.

24. One day I would love to…
Volunteer for a service project in another country. I worked at an orphanage in Costa Rica for a few weeks in college and it was incredibly tough to pull myself away from civilization and technology at first. In the end, it was a life-altering experience that is one of my favorite memories.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Wow, I’ve had some amazing friends and mentors that I’ve already been lucky enough to know. Other than that, I guess the famous people would be Jesus, Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan, Tim Russert, Bruce Springsteen, Oprah, and Stephen Colbert. A pretty big mix of faith, news, comedy, music, and one zany personality.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I’d rather know more about other people. :)

BONUS QUESTION: Who would you like to see featured on Seattle Social Media Profiles?
I’d love to see Tracy Record and Charl Pearce. They are dynamic amazing women and we’re lucky to have them in Seattle. Their Twitter updates are a wonderful mix of news and information and a great funnel for, in my opinion, the most interesting information in Seattle. Also, Kenji Onozawa. Have you heard of that guy? ;)

SHAUNA CAUSEY LINKS

VIDEO: Shauna Causey at SMC Seattle

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Corporate Social Media, Non-Profit Organization, SMC Seattle Board Members

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  • Shauna's a sweetheart. The world needs more people like her.
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