Social media and its use in international business will be the focus for talk held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute this month.

The speakers at the event will be Mairi Mallon, managing director of specialist re/insurance public relations firm rein4ce Ltd., and Dan Gerber, chair of attorney and litigators Goldberg Segalla LLP's Global Insurance Services Practice Group.

Both have written and spoken extensively about social media and the insurance market and have extensive knowledge about using social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging in the global corporate world and have advised and helped implement social media strategies for re/insurance companies and their service providers.

They will be on hand after the seminar to answer questions and offer advice.

"Whether it is networking on LinkedIn, corporate blogging or joining in the conversation on Twitter - more and more companies are learning how to use the new and powerful tools of social media," said Mr. Gerber, whose firm is seen as a leader in the field with its legal reinsurance blog and their use of LinkedIn. Ms Mallon, a former Royal Gazette journalist who blogs and Tweets as 'reinsurance girl', has been called on to use her knowledge of the insurance market, communications skills and understanding of social media to help companies in the UK and Bermuda develop social media strategies.

"Many companies know they need to develop the skills to use these new tools, but don't know how to go about it," said Ms Mallon. "Many are risk-averse by nature and are struggling to work out how to use these tools sensibly. We are going to help people lose the fear and show them how to develop a workable strategy."

Ms Mallon and Mr. Gerber will be discussing the benefits and pitfalls of social media, showing what works - and what wastes resources. They will also discuss how companies can meet their legal responsibilities - and mitigate risk - while using social media.

The seminar will take place on Monday March 15, from 8.15 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.

Places are limited and cost $199. To register visit http://www.initioconsulting.co.uk/socialmediaevent/