Internet Geek Girl

Tomorrow evening I’m joining Marian Salzman, Peter Shankman and 100 of PepsiCo’s top communicators for a Twitter conversation about global trends. I hope you can login and join us for part of the time. It’s from 7.30 – 9 pm EST tomorrow, Wednesday April 1st. Sign up now. The hashtag is #peptrends.

How cool to have so many smart people talking together on Twitter about important issues that face marketers (and consumers) today. BTW – Marian is a internationally recognized “trend spotter.” Here’s a little taste of what’s to come. We’re excited to hear your thoughts and feedback tomorrow night.

From Marian:

Right now, consumers are being shaken awake to confront a pretty gross reality: We (and our natural resources) are overextended, overweight and overwhelmed. We are spent in more ways than one. Our reaction has been to pull back and say less, less, less. We crave a simpler existence. The push away from megaconsumption is the megatrend of the moment. Thrift is high prestige. Credit feels faulty and uncertain while cash is solid and sensible.

At the same time, technology is booming, and short is what’s happening. Social media is the communicator in a time of less is more. It brings far-flung people together cheaply and instantly around a shared interest. It gives us all the power to make news and break news, share thoughts and share links. Short and simple can say so much. That’s why I’ve chosen Twitter as a tool for our talk Wednesday. Short is smart and powerful. It sparks conversations, connects thinkers, shrinks distances and engenders change.

Some trends I’ll be talking and tweeting about:

•Total Convergence: Old familiar boundaries and categories are dissolving, blurring black and white into shades of gray. Private with public; fact with fiction; news with entertainment; young with old; life with work; home with office; offline with online.

•Tapping Social Media: The potential of social media as a business asset is hardly yet determined. Smart companies are now leveraging switched-on (younger) employees to help understand and shape it.

•Local Is Now Global: Today, home is the safest yet most exotic destination of all. You’re always just a click away from anywhere in the world. And just down the road you can find people and cuisine from every continent.

•A Return to Value and Values: What’s it really worth and how is it really important to me? These are the questions that rein in our impulse purchases in times of recessionary living. Followed by thoughts of, which stores or brands will supply what I need?

Check out the neat twtvite widget!

Tara Hunt has so much whuffie, it exudes from her online and off. And that’s why she is one of my favorite people.  She brings her generosity and creativity to all that she does.  Tara and I have been working together in this industry for awhile now. I’ve gotten to know her as a friend and colleague. A true geek girl, with a girly girl spirit and an intellect that let’s her navigate diverse topics with easy. From co-working to developer platforms and APIs, to identity politics – Tara always adds value and ideas that shine.  Check out her vision for a fantasy application that frees you from “house arrest” and let us know what you think!

For those of you that know him, you know David Armano loves wearing his cowboy hat. When I met David for the first time in NYC, he had his hat on. Not typical for a good Italian guy from Long Island. Be sure to read his very entertaining bio here.

As his blog, “Logic & Emotion,” hints, David approaches the creative sphere with laser-focused strategic thinking. His fantasy mobile application represents this dichotomy. It both delights for its playfulness and hits on a real business opportunity that taps into people who LOVE THEIR PETS! Be sure to watch the video and comment on Magnify (btw – it’s a rare appearance WITHOUT his cowboy hat).

It’s FollowFriday. And if you are not following @gapingvoid by now, you should be. Hugh Macleod is one of my favorite people in the whole world. He’s brilliant, kind and genuinely in love with Texas. I proudly carry my “Jersey girl” hugh card with me wherever I go. You can read lots about Hugh online and view all his great work for Microsoft, Stormhoek, his lithographs and 4×8 foot paintings (he just finished Desert Manhattan).  His newsletter, Crazy Deranged Fool is probably the best way to keep up with this prolific artist-cum-marketer.

When I met Hugh he had just landed in Silicon Valley from Scotland and was beginning the journey that would lead him to Alpine, Texas. I haven’t been there, but when I do go, the first place I will stop is Harry’s (seriously – check out Harry’s webpage, you will crack up).

Hugh’s fantasy application is representative of his passion and empathy – an app focused on enhancing his experience as an artist that can be used by artists everywhere to help them achieve their dreams.  Like the title of his new book implies, “Ignore Everybody, and 39 other keys to Creativity,” Hugh’s message helps others tap into their own brilliance and unleash it on the world. I know it’s true, because, he did that for me!

Here’s to Hugh.  Now go rank and comment on his fantasy app (especially if you are an artist).

Day 1 of my 9 days of Fantasy Apps series. Charlene Li is an amazing woman. You can read her bio, but in a nutshell, she’s one of the most respected thought leaders in the social technology arena. The co-author of the book Groundswell (which is doing very well btw) and former analyst at Forrester Research.

Now for the story that’s not on the about page. Last January I hosted a 10-day tour of Silicon Valley for students from Luther College (my alma mater). These students had the opportunity to visit Facebook, Google, Apple, Pixar and hear from leading industry speakers, like Guy Kawasaki, Robert Scoble and … Charlene Li. Charlene met us at a restaurant in Palo Alto (Zibibbo, one of my favorites). Charlene spoke eloquently about what it means to *really* live the entrepreneurial lifestyle: the hard work, the sacrifice, the rewards!  I especially appreciated hearing her perspective as a woman and a mother. Charlene (together with her husband) has been able to both prioritize family and be incredibly successful in her professional life.  I think striking that balance is truly having achieved success – and Charlene’s done it!

Watch her video and your hear more about how Charlene thinks and strives for more productivity!  Don’t forgot to comment on the magnify site for your chance to win a FUZE!