Business leaders and social media experts are teaming up to form a new Social Media Academy to boost knowledge and expertise in this fast growing field. The first Spring 2009 Leadership class starts January 23^rd. Close to 1,000 people participated in the initial intro webinars. The Academy is designed to help business managers and consultants to get a comprehensive education on Social Media in the area of strategy development, planning, execution, tools, resources and behavioral changes in our society.

Academy founder Axel Schultze, an accomplished entrepreneur, author and social media expert said: “It is our intention to provide the best possible education, engaging the top talents as instructors to give the industry the best educated social media managers and consultants.” Founding faculty director and advisory board member John I. Todor, Ph.D. says: “I am very excited to be a part of the Social Media Academy. Axel Schultze’s vision for the Academy is timely and relevant because social media is already having a profound impact on how customers use it in a business environment.” Dr. Todor is a psychologist and author and has studied the social media development since its inception.

Connie Bensen, another founding faculty member said: “I enjoy sharing best practices in the emerging role of community building & look forward to contributing to the vision of the Social Media Academy.” Bensen, a former teacher, has been working in the social media space for several years and insiders consider her as a leading expert in social community management.

All classes are provided online in order to avoid travel expense for the students and allow a broader reach for the academy. The first class already has students from all over the US and some from Europe. Tom Swift, Texas, who will attend the first leadership class in January, said: ”Using social media gives business leaders the listening tools, understanding and direction they need to make this change.” Tim Moore, another student of the first leadership class, from Missouri, commented: “Becoming a certified Social Media expert that can genuinely help people and their business, is why I am here.” Nancy Chou, who also signed up for the Spring 2009 class, said: “As a marketing professional, I believe in investing in myself by gaining a deep understanding of social media.”

More information can be found on http://www.socialmedia-academy.com.