INDO AMERICAN PRESS CLUB proudly presents for the first time in the history of Media Conferences, Social Media Influencers- their challenges and scope. We are presenting selected social media influencers to share their thoughts and challenges, on a seminar and panel discussion during the International Media Conference at Connecticut USA during October 7-9th, 2023.
A Social Media Influencer is a user on social media who has established credibility in a specific industry. These content creators have access to a large audience and can share information to persuade others through their authenticity and reach. Social media influencers often partner with brands, promoting products or services, or promote various thoughts on media, literature, visual media, gardening, cooking, motivation etc. Now these social media influencers and the public are syncing and glued to the smartphone screens.
SHAJAN SCARIA
Shajan Scaria, is an Indian Journalist and writer, Founder Editor of Marunadan Malayali and British Malayali. He is the former Sub-Editor of Deepika. Shajan has more than 25 years of experience in the field of Journalism. He holds MA Sociology, PG Diploma in Journalism, and after which he was working as a freelance Journalist for a number of South Indian Publications. Now as an advocate specializing in Cyber Law and defamation and he is currently pursuing an MA in Criminology.
Shajan Scaria, and his online news channel, Marunadan Malayali are currently grappling with a series of accusations and legal challenges instigated by the government. These actions stem from Shajan’s bold critiques directed at the ruling party and his fearless approach to uncovering the illegal activities of the corporate leaders, businessmen, land and drug mafias, political leaders, and terrorist groups whose works are deeply rooted in Kerala society.
A true journalist must report on stories that are relevant to the communities they serve, that is Shajan Skariah doing everyday boldly.
KORASON VARUGHESE
Korason profile Columnist with Malayala Manorama the leading Malayalam News, Interviews notable personalities with Kalavedi TV named Valkannadi. Regional Director, Y’s Men International Club and UN Representative, Past IAPC Executive VP, General Secretary, and Active political and Church engagements. First book published in 2016. FOKANA 2022 Media Excellence Award, Emalayalee Popular writer Award, Kalavedi USA Award for media presentations.
DR. ALICE MATHEW
Dr. Alice Mathew, Ph.D has been a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for the last five years. Before that, she was a tenured professor in Ohio and relocated to Las Vegas near her son and grandkids. She has been teaching for 16 years. She is well-known as an inspirational professor and a motivational speaker. She has conducted many podium and poster presentations throughout the U.S. and won many prizes. She did PhD in Education at the age of 60 and started a YouTube channel at the age of 66. She has revolutionized backyard gardening in the desert of Las Vegas. To proclaim that achievement, she started the YouTube channel. Now, her channel is a hit for her motivational talks. She is passionate about cooking, gardening, and traveling. She participated in Udan Panam Chapter 4 in Mazhavil Manorama. She is a recipient of the International Women’s Day Award from NADE in 2023.
MEERA NAIR
Meera Nair donned many hats, including those of Cine actress, poet, dancer, writer, and media person. She holds an MBA, M Com, and a Diploma in Journalism. She holds a first rank and gold medal in journalism from the Press Club, Trivandrum. Meera has been writing poems and short stories from a young age. She published her first book of poetry in 2015. The book Grey, born when black invaded white (Authors Press 2015), won her second place at the Muse India YoungWriters Award 2015. Meera went on to bring out more volumes of poetry and stories, published by Penguin. Meera’s poems have been adapted for the stage. She was chosen by Alliance Francais along with the Embassy of France in India for an Indo–French poetic collaboration. Meera’s poem titled ‘Woman’ was adapted to the stage as a dance drama on women empowerment and performed by the students of JG College of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad. Her poems have been displayed at ‘Crossing Boundaries’ an International Art Exhibition in Sweden.
Meera is now increasingly making a name for herself in the world of cinema. Her debut was in the Sathyan Anthikad movie Njan Prakashan. She has thereafter acted in several movies.
NISHA JUDE
Nisha Jude has been working as a nurse in New York for the past eighteen years. Her family, close friends and relatives are always encouraging and supporting her little writings on social media. That’s why, from writing small notes on Facebook since 2008, social media has slowly taken her to the circle of friends, reading, and many writers who love Malayalam from all over the world, big and small, famous and rising to fame.
She says “I’m still a child-like wonder at the wider world of reading rather than the world of writing. The reason for that is that honest world- class creations happen in the world of writing when every single piece of writing is accepted by the whole world without thinking about who wrote it and for whom it was written!”.
