Blake Cahill of Visible Technologies

Posted by admin

September 30, 2009

Do you know Blake Cahill? For a long time, I actually didn’t.

Of course, being heavily involved in the local social media community I knew of him, but surprisingly, it wasn’t until recently that I spoke with him for the very first time. How did I know of Blake? Well, to put it simply, he’s a very “visible” guy. First off, he’s the SVP of Marketing at Visible Technologies, which is one of the premiere social media monitoring solutions companies anywhere. Besides that, I also knew of Blake as a co-host of one of my favorite social media podcasts, Socializing Media. Finally, I knew of Blake from being on the SMC Seattle board (as we’re both board members). But other than those three things, I honestly didn’t know much about him.

But recently, at an event in Bellevue I met Blake for the first time and have since spoken with him on a handful of occasions. Having done so, I can tell you this: he’s much more than the Visible Tech/SMC Seattle guy who’s on the podcast I like. Beyond being those three things, I’ve learned that Blake is a very devoted family man, an athlete, an artist, and most of all, a great guy with a solid sense of humor.

Please take the opportunity to get to know Blake Cahill. He can be found at many events around the sound and if you see him around, go say hey. You won’t regret it.

Thanks again, Blake!

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Blake Cahill

2. Email?
blake@visibletechnologies.com

3. What is your occupation/company?
SVP of Marketing at Visible Technologies

4. What is the best part of your job?
Working with leading brands and agencies that are defining engagement and measurement in the social channel with their customers

5. Originally from? When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
East Coast, Midwest, Europe…been here for 5 years and enjoy people, business climate and outdoor activities of the Northwest

6.How can people find you on the web?
@bcahill on twitter

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
The openness of dialogue and exchange of ideas

8. How do you utilize social media?
To stay connected, on top of breaking information, to share and to learn from others

9. What is one thing the main stream population should know about social media?
That it is such a rich source of insight and the most powerful way to connect with others

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
That I share interesting information about the social media space and pass along learning from others

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Vibrant and thriving – so maybe great brands doing things (Alaska, REI, Comcast, Microsoft, Starbucks) it’s amazing.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
The wow moment for me was winning the business of a major finance services firm over three years ago that philosophically understood then where we would be now and invested towards it. They are reaping the rewards for it.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Join, listen and share

14. Are you currently working on any projects which involve the use of social media? If so, what are they?
Too many to mention but am involved with UW on a couple of interesting things to support some of their classes and curriculums about new media, technologies and PR . Additionally, we did some very cool work earlier in the year with the AdCouncil around a site for Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
Here’s a link to a sample of things we are doing. http://www.visibletechnologies.com/events.html

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Triathlons, road biking, and painting

17. Favorite vacation spot?
Newport, Rhode Island

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Olivar

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Bike, Swim or run around Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish

20. Favorite quote?
“Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results” – Herman Melville

21. Guilty pleasure?
TopPot Old Fashion Glazed Donuts – they are the best!

22. Favorite actor/actress?
Robert Redford

23. I really like it when…
The sun is out!

24. One day I would love to…
Teach where I went to school

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Nelson Mandela