The system and method determine an activity associated with a user. An action associated with a media type of the activity or a role of the user within the activity is determined. For example, the activity can be how much the user talks during a conference call or if the user's role is that of a moderator. In response to determining the action associated with the media type of the activity or the role of the user within the activity, a presence state of the user is modified. The modified presence state is then communicated to a second user. This allows for a more accurate presence state of the user. It also allows other users to make contact at times where the user is more likely to communicate.