I’d like to thank Andreu Llabrés for the invitation to take part in a swimming event organized by the Balearic Association for Multiple Esclerosis (ABDEM) on the pool of Hotel Horizonte in Palma de Mallorca on July 11th.

It was an excellent opportunity to both become aware of a disease that affects over 2,000,000 people, and to support (even in the smallest of ways) a great cause. A superb event by the people behind ABDEM, the hotel’s staff, and everyone who came to get wet! And thanks to everyone who participated in similar events across the pools and beaches of the island.

I can guarantee you that this summer alone, there are tons of events and activities in your town organized in support of a great cause. And thanks to the great work of all the volunteers, organizers and sponsors, that number is only increasing every year. You don’t need to know anyone personally to take part or feel like getting involved (I didn’t before this event). So please get out there and take part in one of hundreds of events happening this summer!

Can you think of a better way to enjoy your favorite activity than by supporting a great cause in the process?

Here’s a great video put together in support of Multiple Esclerosis with an inspiring song by U2:

Thank you Spain! For many things, but above all, for making me feel like a child again.

These images were filmed during the celebration of the World Cup in the Cafeteria Mistic in Arenal, Mallorca, Spain. I simply don’t have words to describe the emotion and feeling of having seen first hands how people from all backgrounds came together to celebrate such a special night.

Special thanks to Noelia and Pedro, to everyone who came out to celebrate the World Cup, and to the National Spanish Team for making history.

The song:
The previous day I had the pleasure to watch David Bisbal sing the song “Wavin’ Flag” from K’NAAN, in a concert in the middle of the Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring) of Palma de Mallorca, as hundreds of flags were waved, and in that moment I knew I wanted to make something special with this song.

As I edited the video (and tried to hold back tears of emotion), this song kept playing in my head as it described best the feeling we all experienced together on this special night.

Thank you Spain for an unforgettable experience,

-Franklin

A day to celebrate the revolution of media becoming social.

Here in Palma de Mallorca, we had a great event right by the waterfront, and it was a blast to meet and connect with so many different people while enjoying the views from the terrace of the BLD Restaurant.

I wanted to mark the occasion with a video timelapse of the event and here’s the final result.

Filmed in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Music “Shout” by Lulu and the Luvvers.

Special thanks to BLD Restaurant, the organizers of Social Media Day Palma, Mashable and everyone who joined in the fun!

Here you can see all the Mashable Meetups Worldwide.

I care about a clean energy future and as Google says it best, “this is a commitment that starts at home”.

Now, I am convinced that there are many issues and reasons why we should pay more attention to our environment, and in the process help to preserve what we have. As a photographer I love nature and snapping photos of the beautiful places our planet has, but this is not the only reason for me personally. As a business owner, I am also forced to look after the financial benefits of every step we take in business, and here’s what I’d like to share with the business owners who believe being sustainable is just for hippies: if you become greener and make clean energy one of your top priorities in your business strategy, you can become even more profitable than you are today.

Gone are the days where looking into clean energy initiatives was innovating. There are multiple technologies today that can help you find ways to become more efficient and they are here to stay.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most clean energy conscious businesses over the past few weeks in Europe, especially in Germany where it’s become a top priority for the government, and I have seen up close the financial benefits adopting these initiatives has brought each of these businesses, not to mention how much better they all sleep at night.

There is still much to be done in this area in Europe and the rest of the world, and I personally invite you to take a minute to research what you can do in your business to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply look for ways to become more energy efficient in your office. This is an area where even the smallest of efforts matter, such as changing your light bulbs for more efficient ones, or improving the insulation of your building/home. And don’t just do it because it feels right. Do it because it also makes sense from a business standpoint.

Today is Blog Action Day and the theme is Climate Change. It’s a great initiative and I am glad to see so many bloggers around the world participating, in addition to some of the largest media companies getting involved as well.

I personally am committed to riding my bike more often to get around town, as well as helping people understand how they can improve the quality of both their personal and business lives by becoming more energy efficient. Also, in my businesses, I am making a commitment to work exclusively with like minded people and businesses who also do their part in cutting their carbon footprint down as much as possible. It starts with us individually, but it’s as a group that we can really accomplish something great in our future.

Here are a couple of videos that I hope you enjoy.
 

 

 
Thank you for the ear time and tell me what you think about all this.

-Franklin

Call it Social Media, Web 2.0, or anything you prefer, the Internet and its endless array of tools allow us to be connected to each other and form part of a Social Network called Humanity. And within this social network, we are beginning to discover that we can achieve things that we never imagined before.

The “tipping point” has undoubtedly been the impact and success that Barack Obama and his team reached with their social media campaigns. A positive example of the power of the online masses, where the American people felt heard and vinculated to his message of hope and change.

A couple of weeks ago, and on a sadder note, it was the Iranian people who had to come together and try to face a harsh reality. And social media provoked a wave of support that has reached all continents.

More than a decade ago we could not imagine this, much less that we could have a say and be taken into account by our governments. These developments, coupled with thousands of others that we are living every day, are opening our eyes to the social power that we can generate when we get together online for a common cause.

At the risk of being branded as a dreamer (I hope so!), I bet we are slowly building a better world. A world where Social Media is a tool that not only keeps us informed, but one that also helps us in the decision making process and when rapid action is most needed.

I hope that along this path we continue to realize that after all, our governments are also made out of people, just like their cities and countries.

-Franklin