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Snyder '94 rings bell to open NYSE

Opening bell
Opening bell Pete Snyder of New Media Strategies rings the NYSE Opening Bell on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext
Social Media Day
Social Media Day Pete Snyder speaks at NYSE Social Media Day on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext
Media expert
Media expert Pete Synder of New Media Strategies rings the NYSE Opening Bell on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext
New media
New media Pete Snyder and employees from New Media Strategies on the trading floor of the NYSE. Photo by Ben Hider/NYSE Euronext

William & Mary Alumnus Pete Snyder ‘94, also a member of the Board of Visitors, had the honor of ringing in the opening bell last week on the New York Stock Exchange.

Snyder, founder of New Media Strategies, joined co-workers from his company to open trading Nov. 3, 2011. The following day, Snyder participated in Social Media Day at the NYSE. Snyder founded New Media Strategies in 1999. The company, headquartered in Arlington, Va., is known as a pioneer in social media marketing and online intelligence. For three years in a row, it was named to the “Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America,” by Inc. Magazine.

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Snyder, who received his bachelor’s degree at William & Mary in government, was appointed to the College’s governing body this past summer by Gov. Robert McDonnell. On the Board, he serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Alumni Relations.  He is also a member of the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, the Committee on Athletics and the Committee on Academic Affairs.

It was the stock exchange’s first Social Media Day. Later in the day, Snyder appeared on Fox Business News and discussed how social media can be used effectively by businesses. He also spoke about social media’s role in the ongoing “Occupy Wall Street” protests.

“It’s a debate that has to happen in this country and I think social media can really help bring Wall Street and Main Street closer together,” Snyder told Fox News host Stuart Varney.