Internet Geek Girl

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).

During SXSW (full recap here),  I had the pleasure of interviewing nine of the webs most intriguing, creative, thought leaders.  In the TechSet Blogger Lounge (hosted by me and Brian Solis), sponsored by Windows Mobile, Jen Myronuk (my producer) and I sat down with our dedicated colleagues to talk about their latest projects, industry trends and their take on SXSW. Those video interviews will be up soon.  More importantly for this post, they each also took 2 minutes to tell us what mobile application they would love to see created on a Windows Mobile phone – their “fantasy app.” These videos are live and you can watch them here right now. The best part is – Windows Mobile is going to build one of them (as determined by popularity and feasibility)!

For the next 9 days, I’m going to feature one video per day on my blog (including weekends).  But I’m also going to add a funny story to the post – sharing something special about these individuals (who I am lucky enough to consider my FRIENDS and colleagues). Real Friends, the ones that call you in Real Life!

And, I will give away an AT&T Fuze by HTC to the individual who writes the most thoughtful comments (1comment for each video) on the Magnify site. It’s a brand new phone, (but it’s unwrapped, sorry). So check back daily (or just go put a comment up on Magnify now).  Either way, I recommend that you watch these nine funny, fascinating videos from my friends….

Charlene Li (@charleneli)

Hugh Macleod (@gapingvoid)

David Armano (@armano)

Tara Hunt (@missrogue)

Steve Rosenbaum (@magnify)

Dave McClure (@davemcclure)

Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan) – Please note – Chris stepped in for Scoble who was unable to fit it in during the show b/c of BIG exicing news and mobs of people coming after him.

Erin Kotecki Vest (@queenofspain)

Deb Schultz (@debs)

This week proved to be quite exciting at the DoubleClick Performics Client Summit, hosted at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. For two days, an intriguing mix of multi-channel retailers, emerging technology companies, affiliate publishers, search gurus, Performics staffers and industry leaders gathered to discuss the “Age of Ingenuity.” Regardless what you may think about web2.0, there is no denying that there is an abundance of ingenuity driving our industry right now. Kudos to DoubleClick Performics for leading by example, not just words.

David Rosenblatt, CEO of DoubleClick, and Stuart Frankel, President of DoubleClick Performics, both provided road maps and inspiration for the audience and emphasized their dedication to staying on the cutting edge. [Check out the DoubleClick Nerve Center to learn more about their year ahead and see some groovy video!]

In addition to panels on affiliate marketing, search optimization and mobile marketing, DoubleClick Performics had presentations from motivational speakers, academics, and authors, such as Lisa Fortini-Campbell, Steven Levitt of Freakonomics, and Robert Spector. The Second City troupe also stopped in to provide some comic relief. On a personal note, I really appreciated the 6:30 AM yoga session on Tuesday morning which I attended with a handful of other brave attendees. You know who you are.

One small note on being green. Those of you that know me know I care about our environment and do my best to live green (could be better, but I’m trying…). The Tuesday afternoon mid-day snack / networking break delighted both my environmental and aesthetic sensibilities — green food — ranging from melon and apples, edamame and broccoli, guacamole and spinach dip. A clever hat tip to the new performics logo.

In a recent Facebook Note, Dave McClure of 500 hats, reflected on his Gnomedex experience last week:

just reflecting on the past week & pleasantly realizing how much i’m impressed by technology & the people who make it happen, all the wonderful HUMAN things we have the potential to do with it. simply amazing. and, reassuring

really love the people & the world i’m living in. it’s a blast.

I couldn’t agree more. I love being in this industry and working with such cool, smart people. Last night in the President’s Club at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, surrounded by business travelers waiting for delayed flights, I reflected on the effort we put in to travel and meeting up with our colleagues across the country and the globe. Social media and online networking will never replace the knowledge, connection, and synergy that comes from real life conferences and events. Personally, I’m a big fan of both!

Big thanks to Chris Henger, Kristin Hall and their fine staff for the hospitality, inspiration, and for bringing us all together. Don’t forget to check out the “flicka” pics!