“Twitterers” from Birmingham’s business and social networking communities joined with cities around the world to host a charity event for members of the increasingly
popular micro-blogging service, Twitter. BrumTwestival, held at Poppyred in the Arcadian Centre, saw over 150 local Twitterers join members from 175 other cities in a night of fundraising. The global event, described as “a ‘tweet -up’ with a social conscience,” raised over &pound1,500 for charity: water, a not-for-profit organisation bringing clean water to people in developing nations. The popularity of Twitter has mushroomed recently as politicians and celebrities such as Barack Obama, Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross have started using the site to keep in touch with the public. Newspapers such as the Birmingham Post are now active in the online community, using the service as a new way to distribute content and Twitter members often “twitter” unfolding events, meaning the site has become a source of breaking news. Politicians are also starting to embrace Twitter with Cabinet Office Minister Tom Watson (Lab, West Bromwich East) leading the way in the West Midlands. Birmingham has a very active social media community and this has grown through Twitter to include users from a variety of backgrounds including local MPs, university staff, artists and bloggers.
Birmingham Twestival was organised by volunteer Twitter members who work for a wide range of local businesses. John Newbold, creative director of 383 Project and one of the Twestival organisers, said: “We were delighted to see so many people join us.