Internet Geek Girl

A lot of people don’t know this about me, but in addition to be a leading expert in online marketing, I am one of the most informed sports fans out there. I’m talking every sport – football, basketball, baseball and surfing. I know it all. Stats, the names of the players, the colors of the outfits, the cities they play in, everything! I’m a sports fanatic. Now – I made a big mistake by making a bet with Chris Brogan regarding who would win last night’s record-making game between the NY Giants and the NewEngland Patriotz. I should have known better b/c that Chris Brogan seems to have insider information on EVERYTHING.

The game was an exciting one. Twitter was a flitter! @geniune @jasoncalacanis @mackcollier @dogballs @trishussey @chelpixie and many more were all callin’ the game. Bryant Gumbel could barely keep up with the Twitter crowd.

Always a good time on the social media merry-go-round. The game was close. As a true blue Jerseygirl, I had to stop and wonder – why did my team LOSE? It’s just not fair. So I took all my deep knowledge and expertise about online marketing and football and put together a list of why the Giants lost to the Patriots:

#10 – The Patriots obviously spend more time practicing and less time working on their website. Check out the Giants homepage today – all updated and ready to roll with real-time data and shiznit! The Patriots homepage has an out-of-date record front and center and they haven’t even put up the score or recap from last nights game!! Those web slackers really know how to throw the ball.

#9- The Giants have a twitter account (or someone started one), and the Patriots don’t. come one now. Everyone knows that if you waste your time twittering all day, you won’t be very good at making touchdowns!!

#8 – Although the Patriots have some issues with their online presentation skills, I have to say – their fans seem to be more passionate and therefore they are sending more online good karma and winning wishes to the team!! The Facebook applications by Watercooler reveal quite a differential. The NY Giants app has 1283 daily active users, while the NE Patriots App has 5014 daily active users. Since everyone knows that NYC Metro (that includes Jersey btw) is much more fun and exciting than New England (wherever that is?), you can see why more fans sit around watching football and playing with silly online applications to support their team. Guess that’s why they are 16- 0!

#7, 6,5,4, 3,2 – I thought it would be better to make this a top 10 list, but since I’m swamped trying to get ready for my trip to Florida – this will have to do.

And the #1 reason why the Patriots won last night – Tom Brady is cuter than Eli Manning.

That’s right. Comes down to which Quarterback is cuter. Simple as that.

Ok, ok, if you haven’t guessed by now, I’m not really a sports expert. Actually, I have no clue, but I like watching exciting, fun “hyped” games. If you’re looking for women bloggers who really do know the deal, be sure to check out the Female Fan on iVillage. Kinda Kool!

Mr. Brogan – care to make a wager for the Super Bowl?

Larry Bailin, my good friend, colleague and fellow Jersey-ite, is launching his new book tomorrow – “Mommy, Where Do Customers Come From?” I was lucky enough to secure a (signed) advance copy at BlogWorld Expo and I wanted to share a few thoughts on this compelling read. First off, one of Larry’s greatest differentiators in business comes from his view that marketing and sales are one in the same. So often marketers forget the basics of the sales process and focus on specific techniques and “campaigns.” Larry sees the bigger picture in a big way (and this comes through in the book). Don’t get me wrong – the book is chock full of strategies and straight-forward advice (which is helpful, even for an old Internet pro like me). I just so appreciate Larry’s ability to skip the “trendy lingo” and cut right to the chase of the challenge for the marketer and for the consumer. As many of us know, it is a new world and “connected customers” provide marketers with new opportunities to interact. If you looking to understand this paradigm shift and responses to it – check in with “Billy” (pictured above) and Larry of course.

BTW – The launch also includes a great charity fund raiser, “Billy Gives Back!”

Buy the book at Amazon.com on November 15th (tomorrow) and all proceeds go to The American Heart Association.

Big congratulations to Larry and his colleagues at SingleThrow! Catch up with ya back in Jersey – exit 109 (since I know you were gonna ask anyway!)

Hi friends. I just wanted to share this great video by my social-media pal Gary Vaynerchuk. That’s VAY – NER – CHUK. It is only 2 minutes long so check it out. Having worked on a project with Gary, I can tell you that he has a great attitude and positive approach to business. I appreciate that and value kernels of wisdom that help me to stay focused on gratitude (throughout my very busy day). Gary is so dynamic and eloquent with his advice. Thanks for sharing Gary!

10/2/1996. 11 years ago today. The day Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer. According to Lance, “The day I was diagnosed with cancer was the day I started to live.” I recently read Lance’s book, “It’s Not About The Bike” and I was inspired all over again. I don’t own a bike nor do I do triathlons. I make an effort to eat well and I go to the gym and walk outside every week. Lance has inspired me to run a different kind of marathon – the one where every day you try to appreciate all that you have and share positivity with others. It is a challenge at times, but well worth the effort. There’s no question that Lance’s physical achievements are commendable, but I have always appreciated Lance’s spiritual accomplishments – his commitment to positive thinking and the ability to heal oneself. More importantly, his ability to share this experience and energy with others. That’s what I digg!

Oh yeah – plus he has his own laptop!!

Tomorrow is my birthday. I’m having a big ‘ole party in NYC. More importantly, I created an opportunity to raise money for a cause I believe in. Give to receive! Please help me celebrate my birthday by making a donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. For those of you that attend, we’ll be passing around the “proverbial pickle jar” and handing out cool treats for all donors (big thanks to ChrisB at the Lance Armstrong Foundation).

See you @ 230-Fifth tomorrow at 6 pm (ish).

Steve Rosenbaum of Magnify.net posted a beautiful remembrance of 9/11.

I will never forget that day. It is hard to put into words how I feel about 9/11, having lived a few miles away from Ground Zero and having personally lost friends. It’s also hard for me to think about all the anger and bitterness in the world and how violence begets violence. I understand anger, but I feel better when I see examples of people that took that anger and channeled it into something good. Someone like Amy Callahan and her family.

Amy Callahan, my best friend for 25 years, lost her fiance Scott Hazelcorn on that day. Amy is being featured on The Oprah Show today, highlighted for her hard work creating Camp Better Days, a camp for children that lost parents and loved ones on 9/11. On Oprah’s site, Amy stated:

“A few weeks before [the attacks], [Scott] and my brother and I had a conversation about starting a camp for kids in need,” she says. “I had no idea at the time that it would have been these kids.” To help ease her grief, Amy says she threw all her energy into the camp. “It gave me a purpose,” she says.

For Amy and the hard-working staff and supporters of Camp Better Days – It’s about the kids!!!

Since 9/11 I have come to believe strongly in the power of compassion, love and gratitude. I pray that each of us take small steps to incorporate more compassion, love and gratitude into our lives. I am inspired by the children who, despite the horrific loss of their parents, are able to forgive. If they can do it, can’t we?