Seattle Social Media Profiles » Corporate Social Media

Blake Cahill of Visible Technologies

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:21:33 +0000

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

Blake Cahill Links:

Blake Cahill talks with Jeremiah Owyang

Blake Cahill talks with Charlene Li

Tac Anderson of Waggener Edstrom

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:09:16 +0000

If you’re like me, you’re constantly amazed by the flow of amazingly bright people within Seattle’s social media scene. It seems every week, there are more and more just truly brilliant people to meet and a perfect example of that is Tac Anderson.

It was just about two months I first met Tac Anderson in Bellevue. After having talked on Twitter (have you heard of it?), we decided to meet one day for lunch and it was over that chat I learned a lot about him; he’s a recent transplant to the Seattle area, works as a Social Media Director at WagEd, and he’s a devoted family man, just to name a few things.

Since then, I’ve seen Tac at what seems like a thousand different events and each time I do, I walk away having had spent the time chating with him. He’s a great guy who’s brilliant when it comes to social media. In fact, Tac’s NewCommBiz blog is a regular in my rotation and one of my favorite blogs to recommend.

As a guy who’s very active and adds a lot to our community, I think everyone should take a second to get to know Tac Anderson. You won’t regret getting to know him.

Thanks again, Tac!

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Tac Anderson

2. Email?
tac@newcommbiz.com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Social Media Director at Waggener Edstrom

4. What is the best part of your job?
Helping our clients use social media to achieve their business goals.

5. Originally from? When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
I am most recently from Boise, Idaho where I was working for Hewlett-Packard. I was recruited by Waggener Edstrom for this position and they moved me out here 3 ½ months ago.

6. How can people find you on the web?
Search for Tac Anderson on any search engine and I’m at least the first 5 SERPs. Or you can just go to my blog www.newcommbiz.com or on Twitter @tacanderson.

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
I’m a people watcher. I love communication. I love the Internet. It’s a perfect match. Back in the mid 90’s I started studying Computer Mediated Communications and have always been fascinated by the space.

8. How do you utilize social media?
It’s pretty much everything I do. It’s how I communicate, how I learn, what I do for a living. It’s a bit all encompassing.

9. What is one thing the main stream population should know about social media?
It’s not that hard or scary.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Lots of links. I share things I find interesting.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Very friendly and active. I’ve only been here 3 ½ months but everyone’s been great.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment? What was it?
I’ve had a lot of them but the one that put me on the path I am today happened a little over 5 years ago. I heard a webinar with Steve Rubel and the founder of the now dead-pooled PubSub and they were talking about how in *theory* companies could use things like RSS and blogs to reach their customers directly. Everything clicked and that’s when I decided this is what I was going to do.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media? Could be specific or broad.
New users should get comfortable using the tools. RSS, social bookmarking, blogging and microblogging should be worked into your workflow.

14. Are you currently working on any projects which involve the use of social media?
LOL! All of them. That’s literally all I do.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
BlogWorld is going to be a blast everyone should go to that. It’s in Vegas, in October and I’ll be speaking. http://www.blogworldexpo.com/

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Hanging out with my wife and 3 kids. Music and Mountain Biking.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
The mountains. Mountain bike

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Right now it’s probably The Flying Pie Pizza in Issaquah.

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
The coast is amazingly beautiful. My kids love the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Aquarium. It’s also a goal of mine to make it to a Sounders FC game.

20. Favorite quote?
I have 3

Benjamin Franklin
I have always thought that one man of even moderate abilities can create great change and leave a powerful legacy if he has a good plan, stays focused on it and dedicates his life to making that plan a reality.

Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Alexander Graham Bell
When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

21. Guilty pleasure?
Post-apocalyptic, Steam Punk and Cyberpunk Science Fiction.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
Don’t have a favorite.

23. I really like it when…
I learn something new.

24. One day I would love to…
Meet everyone and know everything.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Anyone reading this.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I have many leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. (j/k) I think this interview covers it.

Tac Anderson Links:

Tac Anderson Explains Social Media ROI

Jeremiah Andrick of Logitech

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:19:45 +0000

*** Apologies about the dark video. I #blamedrewscancer. ***

The name Jeremiah Andrick first popped on my radar at BarCamp Seattle 2009 when I saw a fiery-haired man with dark-rimmed glasses standing on a bench in the lobby area of the Adobe Center. He was reading off conference center rules and normally this wouldn’t be worth mentioning, but this was different. He was reading off rules that anyone would already understand, yet all of the attendees were locked on him as if he were emitting some gravitational pull to which they were powerless. “Don’t… or I’ll punch you in the throat.” Each time, the entire room would explode with laughter. “This is going to be a great weekend,” I thought to myself. Turns out I was right.

BarCamp Seattle was one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences I had in 2009; it was stimulating, educational and involved some of the most engaging and honest conversations that I’d experienced in some time. How does this relate to Jeremiah? In just a few minutes, Jeremiah set the tone for what turned out to be an amazing weekend, and I think without him standing on that bench, it may have been a very different experience altogether.

Get to know Jeremiah, wouldja?

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Jeremiah Andrick

2. E-mail?
jeremiahandrick at gmail dot com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Online Customer Acquisition Manager for Logitech.

4. What is the best part of your job?
I love the people and their passion for the products. We are really hungry to create great customer experiences with technology.

5. Originally from?
Crosby, North Dakota; a small town in the middle of nowhere with lots of wonderful Scandinavians. I moved here in 2005 when Microsoft hired me.

6. How can people find you on the web?

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
I love meeting new people, and I find that the social media helps connect us to a more diverse set of people. But more than that, I enjoy the speed of communication and diversity of voices it attracts.

8. How do you utilize social media?
Mostly to connect with friends, plan events, and share industry information.

9. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
It can be revolutionary at a personal level. You can reconnect with your past, build a future, or make yourself a complete tool. But ultimately, like all forms of communication, it comes down to how you use it.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Lots of hipsters, sushi, and a fair amount of travel-related chit chat.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Upside down pineapple cake… I love that people are interested in social media, but I would rather focus on the tech scene at large. Is social media making our tech community stronger? Are we creating new things and changing the world, or are we just being cheerleaders of the passe? I have more questions than answers, but I think that as a community we need to move away from the cheerleading. To be fair, I wrestle with this knowing I am just as guilty of it from time to time.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
I don’t. There have been a series of moments in the last three years that I have seen projects or experiments just blow up online. For example, I raised $500 for a charity earlier this year in less than 14 hours by using Twitter and a blog post.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Humans are broken and prone to err. Don’t worry about being polished; don’t obsess about your brand; just have fun and be yourself.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
I am always working on some kind of project that probably involves social media or the web. I have a big idea right now that I am trying to flush out, but I will keep it to myself til I figure out if it is worth pursuing.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
I am really excited for Interactive Strategies 2009 in Houston. I am speaking on digital blight. www.is-conference.com

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Cooking, hockey, and hiking.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
I haven’t had a real vacation in five years. But if I had to pick a place, it would probably be somewhere with a beach and no crowds.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Rikki Rikki in Kirkland.

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Hiking—I love the outdoors and really enjoy getting away to the mountains.

20. Favorite quote?
“Hammers don’t talk, Hammers don’t try, Hammers don’t promise, Hammers just do.” - A Scandinavian proverb

21. Guilty pleasure?
Gossip Girl… But don’t tell.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
hmmm… Tough question because people will read a lot into the answer. I love the Big Lebowksi, so I would say Jeff Bridges for his portrayal of “the dude.”

23. I really like it when…
“… a plan comes together.”

24. One day I would love to…
Be charming and talented.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Lord Horatio Nelson. Obscure… Yes, but I have read a few books, and he was a very interesting and innovative leader.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
Sometimes, I carry. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Jeremiah Andrick Links:

VIDEO – Jeremiah Andrick: Google PR Sculpting and Nofollow Debate

Jeremiah Andrick: Google PR Sculpting and Nofollow Debate - The funniest bloopers are right here

Kristy Bolsinger: RealNetworks

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:27:20 +0000

If the Real MF (More Fun? Mildly Ferocious? Mas Fantastico?) Gnomedex After-Party is anything like it’s employees, then the Real MF Kristy is awesome. And believe me, she is.

Intelligent, witty, and real (no pun intended) are just some of the many words I would use to describe Kristy Bolsinger. As a Social Media Marketing Strategist with RealNetworks, it’s Kristy’s job to know a thing or two about social media, but believe me, IMO, she knows way more than that. When Kristy isn’t working hard at RealNetworks, she can be found at many events around town, including SMC Seattle meetings, and has also been known to frequent areas in which karaoke may be occurring.

I absolutely recommend you get to know Kristy—she’s funny, kind, and is yet another great example of why the social media community in Seattle is full of awesome.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Kristy Bolsinger

2. E-mail?
kristybolsinger at gmail dot com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Social Media Marketing Strategist with RealNetworks.

4. What is the best part of your job?
That it doesn’t feel like one. I love what I do and who I work with. I am extremely passionate about social media and I work with a lot of great people who “get it.” Working on the front line with the customers and being given the support to do it right makes work an amazing place to be!

5. Originally from?
I’ve lived in Oregon my whole life in a variety of different places. Last summer while completing my MBA, I took an internship at RealNetworks doing some search engine optimization work. Throughout the course of the next year, I worked with them on a variety of social media initiatives while finishing grad school. After graduation, I was exploring several different opportunities and determined that returning to Real was the best thing to do. So, here I am.

6. How can people find you on the web?
Twitter: @kristy

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kristybolsinger

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristybolsinger

E-mail: kristybolsinger@gmail.com

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
I like the idea of the conversation that can happen in social media with and around brands. It’s something that’s been taking place in word-of-mouth marketing for quite some time, but online social media activities take it to a new scale. Social media has forced brands to humanize themselves and come to the customers… work with them and for them. Also, in the social media space, there’s a great mixture of PR, advertising, and traditional marketing. Sure, there’s always been overlap there, but the increasing prevalence of social media has greatly increased it. Having always been someone who was really interested in all three, for me, this is an amazing area to be working in.

8. How do you utilize social media?
Social media is what I do—and not just while I’m at work. I was reading about, participating in, and blogging on social media before there was ever a paycheck involved. Personally, I use it to meet new people, keep in touch with friends, plan events, discover new content, kill time, and keep up-to-date with what’s going on out there in real life. Professionally, it’s a different ball of wax. Professionally, its more about monitoring conversations within the industry and around the brand, engaging with our customer base, increasing the company’s reach with new consumers, and developing brand personality, for starters.

9. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
That it’s not a fad that’s going anywhere. Yes, a great deal of the hype surrounding it will dissipate as it becomes more fully integrated into our daily operations and expectations. As this increase happens, the space will certainly develop a stronger under-belly. During my time on Twitter, I’ve seen it go from a small community to a large ecosystem. Now, complete with massive amounts of spam. I guess the point is to be judicious in your social media consumption.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Oh wow. Well, I interact with a lot of different types of people online. I’m really passionate about SEO and social media, so you’ll see me passing around interesting links about those types of things and talking to people in those spaces. But it’s definitely not all business. My account walks the line between professional and personal. I have to admit, I’ve even tweeted what I’m eating for lunch before. Please don’t judge!

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Amazing! The people in the social media space here in Seattle are warm, welcoming, and extremely willing to help out a newcomer. I’ve heard of the “Seattle freeze” before and I was either lucky enough to dodge that bullet or it just doesn’t exist anymore. I’ve been here such a short time it seems and I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people, many of which I consider friends. Every event I go to, I end up meeting even more amazing individuals. It just never stops, and I love that about this city! There is a great group of people here, and you should all be proud!

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment? What was it?
I don’t think I’ve had one single “wow” moment actually. It’s been a definite process for me. I have been involved in social media on a personal level for years now and have been able to watch the evolution in the brand space as it’s unfolded and continues to do so. Social media has been such an ingrained part of my adult life that it really feels second nature. Watching companies come meet the consumer on their level and genuinely listen and engage has been extremely exciting as both a marketer and a purchaser.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Crawl before you walk, walk before you run. For individuals, this process is far quicker than it is for companies, but I believe the principles hold true. Crawling is listening and observing—figure out how the medium works and what types of conversations are taking place and where. Walking is where you start to determine where you want to get involved. Running is where you dive in and get involved.

Once you’re involved, remain genuine and open to different points of view and ways of doing things.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media? If so, what are they?
Everything I do really involves social media. Outside of work, though, my biggest hobby and project is my blog: www.kristybolsinger.com. It took me awhile to get it started, but I really do love playing with it and developing it as a place to share what I am learning. I’m sure every part-time blogger probably says this, but I really don’t get to give it enough time.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
The SMC Seattle events are always worthwhile. The website for those events is www.smcseattle.com.

For those who are interested in the Internet-marketing world outside of just social media, I’d really consider looking into attending PubCon in Vegas (www.pubcon.com). It’s coming up in November, and for the money, it’s totally the best investment you’ll make all year. The quality of content, level of speakers, amount of networking, and overall bang for the buck is unbeatable for those interested in search engine optimization, pay-per-click marketing, social media marketing, and Internet marketing.

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Blogging, reading, and spending time with friends and family… I’m really quite boring in the hobby department. No jumping out of planes or off of mountains…just simple stuff. I do want to take sailing lessons sometime soon, though.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
The next one. I try not to vacation at the same place twice, so the next vacation spot is always the favorite. I like to do a variety of things. Depends on why I’m taking the trip. Sometimes, I just want to relax and lie on a beach. Sometimes, it’s a sightseeing road trip or hiking up a mountain somewhere. Always different.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Tako Truk counts as a restaurant right? Yeah, totally Tako Truk!

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Baseball at Safeco. BBQing with friends. Sailing. Hard to pick just one thing. The summers here are just so amazing.

20. Favorite quote?
Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting.

- Aldous Huxley

21. Guilty pleasure?
Buttered popcorn Jelly Belly jelly beans, bacon on my garden burger, and new shiny things.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
Hmm. Not sure I have just one favorite. I do love Sarah Jessica Parker. That’s probably because I have an unhealthy addiction to shoes and handbags, though.

23. I really like it when…
-I can see the entire rainbow.

-I drop my toast and it lands butter up.

-My favorite song comes on the radio.

-The leaves turn orange.

-I become mayor of some place on Foursquare.

-A new box of books arrives from Amazon.

You know, that kind of stuff.

24. One day I would love to…
Be able to say I’ve done everything on my “list.” It’s a big list and has things like “learn how to play the cello” and “learn french” on it. Things that will take me forever to do. Especially if I don’t start soon. So yeah, finish all of that. J

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
If you know me, you’re probably expecting to hear Dave Matthews or Patrick Kerney, and while those are true, I’d like to be a little more profound and substantial here. So, in an effort to impress the lot of you, I’m going to go with Eleanor of Aquitaine.

In all seriousness, I really would LOVE to sit down with that lady! She had an amazing story.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I love ponies. Also, when I say ponies, I actually mean horses. It’s a term of endearment.

Kristy Bolsinger Links

Jenni Hogan: KIRO 7 Traffoxy Traffic Tweeter

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:16:14 +0000

BTF (Best Twitter Friend), Traffoxy, and perfectolicious; what do all of these words have in common? I had never heard any of them until I met Jenni Hogan.

As the KIRO 7 Traffic Anchor, Jenni’s main job is to get commuters to their destination, whether that be to work or away from it. But for all of us Seattleites, we know that can be a big job! Between 405, I-90, I-5, and 520, there are a lot of ways to make our morning commutes even longer, slower, and more frustrating; thankfully, there is now one more way to get that traffic information: @JenniHogan. That’s right; she’s on Twitter. But on Twitter, she does more than just tell us about the roadways; she uses it to interact with the community, give people behind-the-scenes looks into the TV world, and has even invented #fashionfriday!

Please get to know Jenni, KIRO 7’s Traffoxy Traffic Tweeter!

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Jenni Hogan

2. E-mail
jhogan@kirotv.com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Traffic Anchor KIRO 7 Seattle.

4. Originally from?
I was born in Adelaide, Australia. The first time I came over to Seattle was when I was competing on the Aussie National Rowing team in the Windermere Cup. The University of Washington coach offered me an athletic scholarship and Seattle became my new home. The trip sure changed my life.

5. How can people find you on the web?

Social Media:

6. Why do you like social media?
It’s a great way to connect with viewers and make new friends. The hardest thing for me about being on television is breaking through the one-sided relationship wall. People invite us into their home and we tell them information, but they can’t talk back to their TV’s. Well, they can, but we can’t hear them. With social media, we open it up to a two-way relationship. It allows people to talk to us while sitting on their lounge chair or computer seat. It’s nice.

7. How do you utilize social media?
I utilize social media to connect with people. I’m on air every 10 minutes for 2.5 hours each morning. With social media, I can connect with viewers anytime, not just while I’m live on air. I use it during reports and after the show is over. Traffic doesn’t stop, so being available to commuters and viewers shouldn’t just stop once the camera is off. I also love knowing I have a little army of amazing people out there that have my back and I have theirs. It’s nice to look at the camera and see different faces in my head; it’s sort of comforting to know my friends are watching.

8. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
Social media is like rubbing your dog’s belly. It takes a little effort, but you get a bunch of love back in return.

9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
To be called my BTF and know I take that seriously! That stands for Best Twitter Friend. I appreciate you opening up your life to me and caring about mine. I enjoy the interaction and learning about new people, so yes, there will be many replies on my feed, mixed in with a guaranteed early morning tweet (to make sure you wake up with a smile) plus candid behind-the-scenes moments.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
It’s like an amazing high school clique that welcomes people in with open arms! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a ton of Seattle tweeters and every single one has such a beautiful, unique soul that shines through on their tweets and in real life. I think this scene is growing at the hands of brilliant-minded people, and I’m excited to see where it goes in the future. I feel lucky to be a part of it.

11. Do you have a good social media success stories or “wow” moment?
Almost every day, I have a “wow” moment online. It blows me away how powerful social media is. From being able to help a friend fill her fundraising event with a simple re-tweet or posting to asking for advice and getting flooded with replies of people that have my best interest at heart. It’s wonderful.

12. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
***NOTE: This was this past weekend. Look for the next Bonza Bash on their website***
The Bonza Bash is going on this weekend, Saturday August 22. It’s organized by @bonzabash and benefits the Humane Society. It’s not really a tweetup, but it could be called one. It happens to be my birthday, so I’m going to be there along with a ton of BTFs. Come along.

For more information, go to www.bonzabash.com.

Just For Fun:

13. What are your hobbies?
Trying out new fun restaurants with my husband, tweeting or meeting up with BTFs, and attempting to train my dogs to put a treat on their nose and sit still (that last one is a @chrispirillo challenge that I promised I’d get my dogs to do—may be working on it for a while).

14. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Adelaide, Australia, because I get to hug my parents. In the United States, it’d be Las Vegas because it’s like a Disneyland for adults, and I’m a little kid at heart.

15. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
The Palace Kitchen. I am addicted to its chicken wings. If I could only eat one food, that’d make me a happy girl for life. Yes, I even lick the plate. You HAVE to try them.

16. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Find a friend with a boat and relax on the lake. That reminds me, I still need to make those “got boat?” t-shirts before summer is over.

17. Most embarrassing CD you own?
I love all my CD’s and would proudly pump NKOTB, Britney, Hanson, and Vanilla Ice, so I’m going to change the question to the most embarrassing CD that played at my wedding… The DJ in Australia didn’t know what 50 Cent’s “In the Club” was when we requested it, so he downloaded it online—the only problem was he downloaded the unedited version. Let’s just say the dance floor emptied and parents were covering their children’s ears. Oopsie daisy, where is the bleep button when you need it?

18. Any hidden talents?
I used to make all the jewelery I wore. Once, a guest on a talk show I was working behind the scenes on bought a pair of my earrings out of my ears. The next week I woke up and she was a guest on the Today Show! Yes, my earrings were on the Today Show! She ordered five more pairs and tried to talk me into starting a side biz.

19. What would you like everyone to know about you?
That I’m not related to Paul Hogan, Crocodile Dundee, although it’d be super cool to be able to say that I am.

Jenni Hogan Links

TwitVid: Behind-the-Scenes Video

YouTube: Jenni Hogan – How I Explain Twitter

YouTube: Jenni Tweeting

Travis Petershagen of The Seattle Podcast Network & Microsoft Studios

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:48:46 +0000

If you’re like me, there’s nothing more enjoyable than listening to a great podcast on my mp3 player. Whether I’m at the gym or in my car, I love being able to listen to a podcast on just about any topic of interest, and the beauty is, there is something for everyone. Sports, marketing, science, languages—there’s a podcast for every passion.

But what if you’re interested in doing more? What if you want to start your own podcast but don’t know how to get started? Luckily for you, we have a great resource right here in town called The Seattle Podcast Network (SPN). One of the guys behind SPN is Travis Petershagen and not long ago, I had the great opportunity to speak with him at the Gelato Tweetup. Being a thought leader in the Seattle podcasting space, I thought it would be great for you guys to get to know him and, thankfully, he allowed me an interview.

Please take a moment to get to know Travis. He’s a really good guy and can be found at many social media events around Seattle. When you see him, be sure to say “Hello!”

The Basics:

1.What is your name?
Travis Petershagen

2. E-mail?
Travis at crapmonkey dot com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Digital Media Services Manager – Microsoft Studios

4. What is the best part of your job?
Finding creative new ways to create and deliver digital media content to audiences both live and on-demand.

5. Originally from?
I grew up in Federal Way, Washington, so I haven’t wandered all that far from the nest (though it sometimes seems like a very different world).

6. How can people find you on the web?
www.crapmonkey.com. Also, just add the social media service as a subdomain of CrapMonkey (example: facebook.crapmonkey.com). If I’m on the service, you’ll find me that way.

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
I love being able to reach a much larger social community over a much greater geography than would otherwise be possible without social media. It’s great to know what people are doing and what their interest are in near real time.

8. How do you utilize social media?
I use tools like Twitter to keep up with people that have common interests and interesting perspectives. Connecting with hundreds of people who share your passions and interests is like having a finely tuned global antenna that keeps you aware of things and people that matter to you. I use Facebook to better connect with a smaller network of current and childhood friends. I use blogging and podcasting to express my opinions and share insights that may or may not be interesting to anyone other than my cat.

9. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
It’s not about the tools (Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc), it’s about what they allow you to do. The buzzwords may be a fad, but the underlying concepts and connections are here to stay. Don’t let the hype turn you off.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Occasional links to news about new media, marketing, and the craft beer industry. Occasional status updates about the tasty beer I’m enjoying on some patio in the Seattle area—sometimes accompanied by a picture of said beer or patio.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Alive and kicking. The Seattle social media scene rocks!

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
I don’t have a single “wow” moment. I remember podcasting for the first time and thinking, “Wow, so the content will just show up automatically?” I remember seeing Myspacefor the first time and thinking, “Wow, so one friend will pass this to fivefriends, who will pass this to their fivefriends, who will pass this to their five friends?” I remember seeing Twitter for the first time and thinking, “This is stupid. Why would I use this?” The second time I saw Twitter, it started to make more sense; now, I’m hooked.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Not every aspect of social media will appeal to you, but do give the tools that seem promising a fair shot. Use them for a few days or a couple of weeks because, often, they make more sense after you’ve used them for a bit. Also, don’t engage in anti-social media tactics. Don’t be a spammer and don’t just tell me about special sales at your online store.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
Nothing that anyone would find very interesting (though I’m always interested in seeing your best Karate Kid pose—submit them to www.karatekidpose.com if you’ve got them).

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
We have Seattle Podcasting meetups about once a month and all podcasters or podcast enthusiasts are welcome (podcast.meetup.com/22), and of course, Seattle Social Media Club events are a must. If you like beer, keep your eye out for the next Seattle Brewmuster (www.seattlebrewmuster.com) in the fall or winter.

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Disk golf; beer tasting; camping; dinking around on the computer with video, audio, and blogs; and gadgets.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Zihuatanejo Mexico—relax and enjoy the sunset, snorkel occasionally. Nothing beats a delicious cup of coffee in the morning on a patio or beachfront in Mexico as you gaze out at the ocean.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Toss up between La Carta De Oaxaca and Ocho in Ballard.

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Hang out at Golden Gardens in Seattle and enjoy the breeze and the view.

20. Favorite quote?
Frank Sinatra: I feel sorry for people who don‘t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.

21. Guilty pleasure?
Landjaeger and string cheese.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
Christopher Walken, Winona Ryder.

23. I really like it when…
Great people come together for good conversation over a nice meal and a good beer.

24. One day I would love to…
Open a brewery.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
I’d choose alive; dead people don’t have as much to say.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I’m a nice guy (usually ), if you see me, come say “Hello.”

Travis Petershagen Links:

Shauna Causey: SMC Seattle, Jolkona, & Comcast

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:58:25 +0000

They say Superwoman is merely a character of non-fiction. I tend to disagree. I say she is very real and lives in West Seattle.

Among bright and passionate people in social media—or anywhere, for that matter—if Shauna Causey isn’t mentioned in the bunch, clearly you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her. Always beaming with energy, Shauna is one of the most involved people I know. Besides doing her normal job as a communications and community relations for Comcast, she’s also an advocate for non-profits and serves on many boards, including SMC Seattle, Leadership Tomorrow, Reel Grrls, and Jolkona. And I don’t think this even covers it all—for one, I know she’s also involved with Twestival Seattle.

How does she find the time do all of that? Super powers. Yep, it’s true.

Get to know Shauna, wouldja?

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Shauna Causey

2. E-mail?
ShaunaCausey@comcast.net

3. What is your occupation/company?
SMC Seattle Communications Director, Communications/Community Relations for Comcast, Washington state. I also serve on four non-profit boards.

4. What is the best part of your job?
Learning, promoting, simplifying and sharing great ideas, connecting people, working with non-profits, and having the chance to be involved in social media and work with some incredibly dynamic people.

5. Originally from?
I was born in Seattle and have never left. I live in West Seattle near Alki Beach.

6. How can people find you on the web?

Twitter: twitter.com/ShaunaCausey
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shaunacausey
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ShaunaCausey
Mister Wong article: tinyurl.com/mua7s8
FriendFeed: friendfeed.com/shaunacausey
YouTube: www.youtube.com/shaunacausey
UStream: www.ustream.tv/ShaunaCausey

I manage the Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook accounts for Comcast, Washington state:

Boards:

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
The rapid acceleration of new ideas, the stage for new voices, the vehicle for social action. Making the world a little smaller by connecting people from all over the world.

8. How do you utilize social media?
It’s a major part of how I communicate both for work and personally. I listen and share information about high-tech and Comcast-related news, Social Media Club Seattle, and non-profit board service.

9. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
Technology is becoming personalized and social media is the venue to get information that matters to you. In its best use, it’s not simply a life-casting tool (“what are you doing now”)… It’s a way to share and receive ideas and mobilize people into action.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
I’m a news junkie and I like social media and tech news and best practices, new ideas, stories, and anything relating to Seattle-area startups. You’ll also get Social Media Club Seattle info, non-profit and Twestival news and every once in a while, and something about what I’m doing (if it’s interesting enough to tweet). Probably around 90 percent news and ideas and 10 percent personal.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Michael Arrington, Founder of TechCrunch,was recently in Seattle and joked about us being too nice in this city. Others say there’s a Seattle “freeze”and people in Seattle are difficult to befriend. I’d say yes, we are nice. Yes, it can be hard to break into some Seattle niches. But, Seattle’s social media scene has a transformative power that is melting that urban myth that there’s a “Seattle freeze” and helping us here in Seattle become more honest and transparent.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
Early this year, I planned a social media non-profit training (as part of a massive volunteer event called Comcast Cares Day#CCDay). I was unsure if it would be a success. In the end, we had around 25 seasoned social media people training 20 non-profits. Our hashtag was one of the top 10 words on Twitter across the world that day (thanks in part to the social media tent) and we garnered over 2,000 live-streaming views. I realized that using social media to forge opportunities, involve creative people, and reach an audience of interested people is extremely powerful. In this case, Chris Pirillo, Brad Butner, Charl Pearce, Kenji Onozawa, Jodi Church, Mike Foley, Doug Winfield, and so many others made it a great event. I am in awe of our social media community here.

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Be generous with your time and attention. Listen. Remember that even though it’s a web-based tool, it’s still 100 percent about the people behind the avatar.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
Yes, there are quite a few. I am always working on a few different projects that involve social media for work and for fun. I just joined the board of directors for Jolkona, an amazing local non-profit that does a great job of using social media. I am hosting a new show for Seattle 2.0, where we’re interviewing Seattle-area startups, called “Startup Builders.” I’m in the midst of planning the next Comcast social media training for non-profits (@Voluntweetup). I’m also helping Doug Winfield with Twestival, a non-profit event planned and executed on Twitter and working with Chris Pirillo to help with Gnomedex, a local tech conference. I’ve been having a great time helping some of our Seattle-area elected officials learn how to use social media. I’ve also got another idea in the works and hope to announce that soon.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?

Ongoing:Social Media Club Seattle monthly meetups. Info is at www.SMCSeattle.com.
August 20:Comcast Social Media Non-Profit Conference (twitter.com/Voluntweetup on Twitter). We hope to have these ongoing.
August 20-22: Gnomedex twitter.com/Gnomedex on Twitter or www.Gnomedex.com.
September 12: Twestival Seattle twitter.com/TwestivalSea.

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
Beach volleyball, snowboarding, reading hyperlocal blogs like the West Seattle Blog, volunteering, and helping with local non-profit and tech events. I also enjoy perusing the real-estate market by using companies like Zillow and Redfin to find properties for friends.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal is a favorite. The other one is a surfing and fishing village: Sayulita, Mexico. Great taco stands and the beach volleyball is always fun.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Umi Sake House

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Play volleyball on Alki Beach, relax in a hammock on the deck, and take my dog, Roxy, for walks around the neighborhood.

20. Favorite quote?
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” –Andy Warhol

21. Guilty pleasure?
Movies. I watch quite a few movies and enjoy watching them from my living room (On Demand). I also love anything with ice: snow cones, slurpees, frappacinos, and margaritas.

22. Favorite actor/actress?
That’s a tough one. Jeremy Piven, maybe.

23. I really like it when…
I see other people put somebody else’s needs before their own.

24. One day I would love to…
Volunteer for a service project in another country. I worked at an orphanage in Costa Rica for a few weeks in college and it was incredibly tough to pull myself away from civilization and technology at first. In the end, it was a life-altering experience that is one of my favorite memories.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Wow, I’ve had some amazing friends and mentors that I’ve already been lucky enough to know. Other than that, I guess the famous people would be Jesus, Jim Gaffigan, Brian Regan, Tim Russert, Bruce Springsteen, Oprah, and Stephen Colbert. A pretty big mix of faith, news, comedy, music, and one zany personality.

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I’d rather know more about other people.

BONUS QUESTION: Who would you like to see featured on Seattle Social Media Profiles?
I’d love to see Tracy Record and Charl Pearce. They are dynamic amazing women and we’re lucky to have them in Seattle. Their Twitter updates are a wonderful mix of news and information and a great funnel for, in my opinion, the most interesting information in Seattle. Also, Kenji Onozawa. Have you heard of that guy?

SHAUNA CAUSEY LINKS

VIDEO: Shauna Causey at SMC Seattle

Matthew Woodget: Microsoftie & Avid Photographer

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:24:44 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting the next featured member of the Seattle social media community through Jeris Miller, a good friend of mine. His name is Matthew Woodget, and let me tell you, in getting to know him over just a couple of hours, he is seriously a brilliant dude. And when it comes to social media, he knows his stuff.

When he’s not working at that little company called Microsoft, Matthew can be found out in the world, taking amazing photographs of it. Let me tell you, he’s got loads of talent. SERIOUSLY. If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself!

Please get to know our next featured member, Mr. Matthew Woodget.

Thanks again for the opportunity, Matt.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Matthew Woodget

2. E-mail?
Twitter @mattwoodget and ssmp at fluidpixel (.com)

3. What is your occupation/company?
Sr. Product Manager, Microsoft

4. Originally from? When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
England, United Kingdom. Relocated to California from the United Kingdom. with Intel in 2004. Relocated from California to Seattle with Microsoft in 2007.

5. How can people find you on the web?
www.fluidpixel.com or just Bing “Matthew Woodget.”

Social Media:

6. Why do you like social media?
Social media facilitates getting things done by helping me connect with information and to people that share personal or professional interests. Most social media approaches and tools do this in rich and compelling ways. Due to the rapid and responsive natures of the medium, it is easy to measure your success and quickly identify if approaches are not working. This enables tactical changes in how you are engaging to assist you in getting to results faster.

I like how social media takes advantages of the connected technologies from a human perspective. The ever-increasing development of technology from a broad range of companies has resulted in a collection of engaging approaches to social interactions on the web. By no means is this journey over. That in itself is inspiring; what’s next!

7. How do you utilize social media?
I utilize social media for personal and professional purposes.

For the latter, I have used it as a way to reach out to customers and partners to support my mission as an effective corporate citizen. From a project-based perspective, I’ve used it to supplement traditional approaches with our marketing.

For the former, I use it to promote my personal projects, primarily photography. I also use it to connect with and share information with like-minded people. I’m starting to experiment with ways to use it to help me either get my two sci-fi novels published or deliver them in a new, creative way via social media itself. Stay tuned.

I also use social media as a way to seek to play as valuable a role as possible as a “node” in the global network that is humanity. An example of this would be helping to promote the plight of a friend of a friend of ours who lost his job and health benefits while laid up, awaiting open-heart surgery (For full and accurate details of the story, see digg.com/people/Nate_s_Story). I didn’t do much, but every little helps. It’s something I would encourage everyone using social media to do. Ultimately, it’s about network effects. We are all worth more together than the sum of our parts.

Although I’ve explored some approaches to social media, I’m very much aware of the vast wealth of other uses of the medium, which I will continue to experiment with, time permitting.

8. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
It doesn’t bite to try it out. It’s here to stay. It’s a part of the evolution of technology, the Internet, media, and communication. If not used properly, it can bite, though, so always use the best common sense available to you and your faculties.

9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
A snapshot of things I see as valuable. You might like most of it or very little of it. You probably won’t hate it all, but you probably won’t love it all either. We are all different and that is the value we bring—that you bring. It’s the potential of all the little overlapping Venn diagrams that activates the value of the network. I’m doing the best I can on my little node. Oh, and a part of “doing your best” is realizing there is always more to do and ways to do those things better.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
The overarching theme is that people are really cool, very engaged, very passionate, and very welcoming. I guess that’s four themes. Either way, they all roll up into a unique approach. Maybe it’s the fresh air, the love of the outdoors (What are we all doing online then? ), or the interface between the hippie-esque undertones of the Northwest and the progressively pervasive technology we all thrive on here that results in a particular flavor of social media junky in Seattle.

11. Do you have a good social media success story or “wow” moment?

Getting customer service issues resolved quicker than was possible by calling customer support lines with major companies and brands. Let alone the countless times the network has helped answer my questions from a VOC-free paint purchase to unblocking drains.
The personal connection with customers that social media affords.
The countless creative media outreaches by companies that “get” social media.
Getting connected to people and events that I never would have thought to specifically “search” for by using the Internet or traditional methods.
People’s generosity.

12. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about? Please include dates, locations, etc. Where can more information be found?
Check out www.smcseattle.com for upcoming events.

Just For Fun:

13. What are your hobbies?
Diarist. Traveller. Food and drink aficionado fan. Technology lover. Photographer. Sci-fi writer (when I get a chance) that has produced two, as of yet unpublished, novels.

14. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
There is this really nice planet in the Milky Way, third out from a rather average star, where all sorts of life has sprung up. The life has shaped the world in wonderful ways. There is always something to do. The locals are, by in large, fantastic, great hosts and good food is never far away.

In all seriousness, I’ve been to around 33 countries so far and I feel like there is just so much of this wonderful planet left to see, its people to meet, and its beauty to photograph.

P.S. I would be remise as an ex-pat of the United Kingdom if I didn’t suggest you visit there to enjoy the vast tract of history, real beer, and some lovely countryside.

15. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
I can’t reveal my favorite here, DM me @mattwoodget if you want to find out. My wife has me under strict instructions not to share it for fear of the small, independent eatery losing that certain Je Ne Sais Quoi.

I’ve been known to be partial for Indian and Mexican cuisine. That’ll throw you off the scent of our favorite restaurant, too.

16. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Make the most of the outdoors.

17. Most embarrassing CD you own?
CDs? What are those?

18. Any hidden talents?
I can juggle with three balls for almost 30 seconds or so.

19. What would you like everyone to know about you?
That I think you are great!

Matthew Woodget Links

Eric Weaver of Tribal DDB, Part-Time Ninja

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:17:03 +0000

There are people who know social media and then there are people who know social media. Eric Weaver would fall into the latter.

A long-time veteran of the online marketing world, Eric has spent a large portion of his career “teaching (companies) how to speak to and engage their audiences by using digital tools.” He’s had some fantastic opportunities, which include webcasting former Ford CEO Jac Nasser; successfully pitching CEOs from Yahoo!, Mattel, and Taco Bell; & having work reviewed by Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Jack Welch.

When he’s not doing his social thang, Eric can be speaking at all sorts of social media/online marketing/communication events. In fact, Eric will actually be speaking today at the PRforPeople event. It’s open to the public and just $15 at the door! SWEET!

Seriously, though, go talk to Eric while you still can, as the opportunities are slipping. He’s going to be heading north of the border in less than a month! He’s a brilliant dude who knows his stuff and he’s got a great sense of humor. You won’t regret chatting it up with him.

Tell him the Secret Gaijin sent you.

The Basics:

1.What is your name?
Eric Weaver

2. E-mail?
social@(myname).com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Account Director/Digital Strategist for Tribal DDB (as of July 15, 2009) – www.tribalddb.ca

4. Originally from? When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area? (if applicable)
I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then became a digital tumbleweed. Have lived in NYC, Washington DC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Columbus, St. Louis, and Detroit. Moved to Seattle from Orange County, California, in 2001 after meeting my wife on Kiss.com.

5. How can people find you on the web?
One profile to rule them all! profile.ericweaver.com

Social Media:

6. Why do you like social media?
It’s a chance to truly get to know people, beyond the standard business meeting or casual conversation. Finding things in common—sometimes random things—brings us all closer together, and the world needs more of that! Social media also supercharges our existing connections, events, and experiences.

7. How do you utilize social media?
I use it to be found and to share. I’m sharing work-related thought on branddialogue.com, twitter.com/weave, and slideshare.net/weave, and personal stuff on flickr.com/photos/weave and ericweaver.com. I use Facebook for both personal and biz and probably get the most interaction there: facebook.com/earache.

8. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
It’s not a fad and it’s not going away. I constantly hear (from the older generation), “Is this a fad?” (I know, right?) I was also asked in 1988 if Prodigy was a fad, in 1994 if Internet e-mail was a fad, and now social media.

9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Social media and social good topics. I rarely stray into personal stuff on Twitter: it’s almost always professionally related material.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
HOPPIN’! This town has it goin’ on! I hear it all the time, both from transplants and visitors. Given our tech, coffee, and literacy strengths, it only makes sense that we’d embrace memes that leverage those strengths.

The other cool thing is that this town has a lot of people who want to give back, so we’re seeing an incredible blending of social good and social media here.

11. Do you have a good social media success story or “wow” moment?
I have two. The first was the AOL MIDI Jam Project, which members of my composers’ forum started in 1991. One person would upload a melody in MIDI code; 10–20 people would download the melody and add drums, bass line, maybe some strings; and then upload those as MIDI. Another 100 would download those versions and then add even more parts. People all over the country were composing together without ever having met or even spoken. And the songs were crazy-cool!

The recent death of Neda Agha-Soltan is a sad and eye-opening social media event, because after Neda was killed, someone grabbed the photo of a similar-looking woman named Neda Soltani. This has evidently resulted in the living Neda being in danger from the Basij and governmental forces because her face has unintentionally become a symbol for the current uprising. You see pictures of both women everywhere. For me, that shows the amplifying power of social media, both for good and for bad. It can spread confusion and misinformation as quickly as the good stuff. And even the best intentions can impact innocents in very bad ways, i.e., think before you post! Take nothing for granted.

12. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about? Please include dates, locations, etc.
God, there’s a lot of great events nowadays, almost too many, really. The 140 conferences (both Jeff Pulver and Parnassus versions) sound like they were really great. OMMA Social was one I absolutely hated to miss. And in my line of work (advertising/marketing), the Forrester Marketing Forum (in Florida this past spring) blew me away and set the bar VERY high with a monster list of powerful attendees and super-smart, eye-opening thinking by the folks at Forrester. Also, this August, we’ll be sponsoring a Social Media Camp (formerly PodCamp) at the University of Washington. I’ll have more about that at podcampseattle.com.

Just For Fun:

13. What are your hobbies?
Photography (I founded the Seattle Flickr meetup, which is getting close to 1700 members and something I’m incredibly proud of), karate, music composition, hiking, travel, and graphic design.

14. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Ireland. I love the people there. And in the countryside, it’s sad, sweet, passionate, and a little raw with tons of history. I hike, meet the locals, even play along with ceili bands. It’s grand, lovely, brilliant!

15. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
Metropolitan Grill, of course! I’m a Michigan boy, so big steaks, single malts, and cigars are my weakness. Also, the Tin Room Bar in Burien is my local watering hole. It’s amazing.

16. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Take my kids kayaking on Lake Union. Hike in the Cascades. And my fave: complete detox at our lakehouse on Lake Crescent.

17. Most embarrassing CD you own?
Probably a pop-metal trash band like McAuley Schenker Group or Skid Row.

18. Any hidden talents?
I do voices and accents. It drives my wife nuts… tee hee!

19. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I believe life is incredibly, stunningly short. Many of us waste years of it, close minded to change, unconsciously paralyzed by our worries, or obsessing over absolutely stupid stuff. I try to get people to take charge and DO something, rather than just talking about it. No need for others to waste decades like I did!

Eric Weaver Links:

VIDEO: Eric Weaver Talks About Social Marketing (2008)

VIDEO: Eric Weaver at CES

Marcus Schmidt: Windows Online Community Manager

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:52:13 +0000

Microsoft. Inevitably, when you think of that ginormous company out in Redmond, often times you can’t help but think of one of its top competitors: Apple. Why? Because the debate about which is better is such a polarizing one. Either you’re a Windows fanboy or you’re an Apple fanboy—there’s no inbetween, gray area, or sitting on the fence on this one. You have to choose a side.

As for me, I’m a big fan of both. They both make great products that are valuable to me. On the Mac, I love iMovie 09. Have you tried it? I wish I had a Mac just so I could use it. Seriously, I would probably give up two of my kidneys and a lung just so I could play with it for 15 minutes. I love it.

At the same time, I still got mad love for Windows. I’ve been a huge fan since I discovered Windows 95 (Ski Free anyone?). You can imagine then, how stoked I am that Windows 7 is almost ready to roll out. Honestly, it’s pretty gangster. It’s got a slick interface, accessible features, and I love the simplicity of it.

For me, the question of which is better, Mac or PC, is one I don’t even address because I think there’s room for both, and as a consumer, I love to see healthy competition. There is no light side or dark side of the force to debate here.

Now that we’ve gotten the disclosures out of the way, one thing that has impressed me specfically about Microsoft has been their usage of social media tools. From Bing, to Xbox, to Zune, to Windows, many of their teams have fully embraced it and it’s something I love seeing.

For me then, having the opportunity to speak with Marcus Schmidt, Online Community Manager for the Windows team, was an incredible opportunity. We spoke about a variety of topics ranging from social media to his job as an Online Community Manager to South Dakota. It was a fascinating discussion and I’m sure you’ll think so as well.

Get to know him Marcus. He’s a great guy and he’s a gamer to boot!

Thanks again, Marcus.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Marcus Schmidt

2. What is your occupation/company?
Senior Marketing Manager and Community Manager at Microsoft.

3. Originally from?
South Dakota

4. When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
Came here in 1997 to work for Microsoft.

5. How can people find you on the web?
@marcusatmsft on Twitter and marcusatmicrosoft.spaces.live.com. I also cotweet on @MSWindows and @windowslive.

Social Media:

6. Why do you like social media?
I really like the immediate personal relationships you can create with people around a specific topic or interest.

7. How do you utilize social media?
I would say 80% of my social media time is related to work and about 20% personal. I primarily blog and tweet, but also have done some podcasting and v-logging. I also do Facebook and LinkedIn, but not as much as I probably should.

8. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
Social media happens with or without you. People are talking about your product, service, company, issue, or interest and it’s up to you if you want to listen and/or engage.

9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
Information about Microsoft stuff, mostly Windows related. Plus a few tweets about baseball, maybe something about my plans for the weekend. And they can absolutely expect responses to their @’s and DM’s. If you have questions about Microsoft stuff, I’ll try to help as best I can.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Vibrant and growing! Working on the board of the SMC Seattle group, I’m amazed by the passion and interest around social media. Our events are always sold out, which is a great reflection on the interest level.

11. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
Probably one of my biggest “wow” moments was when I blogged and tweeted a question about “Why do you use a Windows PC?” and got like 68 comments within a day. What an amazing response!

12. Are you currently working on any projects which involve the use of social media?
My whole job is social media. My top projects right now are focused on building community activities on our own website with a site called the Clubhouse (which I’ll explain more during the interview), a site called Answers (more on this in the interview too), and a new part of our Windows website that helps bring those two community activities together along with our other social media work on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other communities on the web.

13. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
Just keep in touch with SMC Seattle on our website (www.smcseattle.com) or Twitter account @SMCSeattle.

Just For Fun:

14. What are your hobbies?
Travel, Washington wines, cooking, reading, photography, playing Xbox, and gardening.

15. Favorite vacation spot? Things to do there?
My wife and I took a great trip to South Africa a little over a year ago. We loved the whole country, but I really liked taking photos on the safari. I shot about 3,300 pictures.

16. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
Herb Farm in Woodinville… love anything with fresh herbs. But make sure you set aside a lot of time for the multicourse meal. It’s a must-do at least once—kind of expensive, but worth it!

17. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Sit in the sun and read.

18. Most embarrassing CD you own?
Hmmm. Hootie and the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View?

19. Any hidden talents?
Hmmm… none come to mind.

20. What would you like everyone to know about you? Other interesting facts?
My wife and I have two guinea pigs as pets. Great pets for busy people.

Marcus Schmidt Links:

VIDEO: Marty Collins (@SeattleGirl) talks with Marcus Schmidt

VIDEO: Twitter Roadtrip’s Interview with Marcus Schmidt