Today marks my 10 year anniversary at the World Company and just over 10 years of living in the United States.

A lot has happened here at the World Company over those 10 years. Perhaps the most significant changes are in the technology we have at our disposal and how the company has embraced both those technological advances and changes in the media industry itself. It’s been exciting to be part of this process.

I’ve spent those 10 years employed in the Advertising Department, being responsible for the company’s major and national advertising. In the last year I assumed a dual role, taking on the position of Social Media Manager in addition to my existing responsibilities.

Social Media is a real passion of mine. To be able to make that part of my workday was a great opportunity and since then I’ve enjoyed working with all divisions of the World Company in developing social media strategies and helping make social media a primary focus of our future plans. It was also a chance to form a social media department within the World Company, the first new member of that team being Whitney Mathews who joined us to run the client services side of social media.

2010 is going to be a big year for the World Company, and it’s great to see the significant role social media will play in that. Of course we have the Free State Social conference coming up in April – a real testament to the importance this company places on social media. There are many other projects in the works that are truly groundbreaking. We’ll share details on those when we can.

As part of this process I am making some changes as far as my position here goes. As of next week I will no longer be part of the Advertising Department. Both Whitney and I will become part of World Online, the online division of our company. I will no longer be working with our major and national advertisers and will be dedicated exclusively to the role of World Company Social Media Manager.

While I will truly miss my colleagues in the Advertising Department and the clients I have built strong relationships with over the years, it’s a great opportunity to be able to focus solely on social media and make that a key component of everything we do at the World Company. Next week Whitney and myself will relocate to the News Center along with Kris, our intern. It’s a big adjustment, but a great opportunity.

I am so grateful to work for a company that recognizes the vital role social media plays in the future of our industry and our community.