Category Interviews
Andrew Keen on the death of Facebook and the future of the web
by Meghan Keane
Andrew Keen is a former entrepreneur who has since recanted his enthusiasm for Silicon Valley and come out as an outspoken opponent of Web 2.0. Keen is no stranger to controversy. His 2007 book “Cult of the Amateur” argued against the wisdom of crowds and he is known for incendiary commentary, like the time he likened Web 2.0 to a communist society or when he told Stephen Colbert that the Internet is worse than Nazism. In case you were wondering, here’s his definition of blogging: “It’s all about digital narcissism, shameless self-promotion. I find it offensive.”
Keen now writes at The Great Seduction, twitters @ajkeen, and speaks on a variety of topics. This week, Keen wrote that Facebook’s infusion of $200 million from Russian investors signaled “the final act of the Web 2.0 tragi-comedy.” We caught up with him via phone while he was in Alabama this week (“studying the natives”) to discuss the death of Web 2.0 and what comes next.
** Do you think that the formation of this “cult of the amateur” had anything to do with mainstream dissatisfaction with the “experts”?
I think there’s a strong cultural strain of fear and hostility towards experts and professionals. It’s a historic phenomenon, but it’s getting more and more prominent. With the Internet, the little people have the means to challenge the authorities. It’s another kind of rebellion.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Facebook, Interviews, Social Media on June 3rd, 2009
Q&A: Roger Williams of Right Media
by Graham Charlton
The Right Media Exchange was launched in 2005 and acts a a stock exchange for advertisers and publishers. It was acquired by Yahoo in 2007 for $680m. It now claims to have over 240 Exchange members, with 8bn transactions a day going through the Exchange.
I’ve been talking to Roger Williams, the company’s director of international marketing, about the workings of the Exchange, the impact of the Yahoo acquisition, and how online ad exchanges may develop in future.
Can you provide a brief summary of how The Exchange works?
The Exchange is a technology platform that is designed to bring buyers and seller of online advertising inventory together (publishers, advertisers, networks and agencies) in order to trade inventory more efficiently via a real time auction.
Sellers place their non-guaranteed inventory on the exchange while buyers establish their targeting criteria and then bid to purchase relevant inventory, impression by impression, through a single platform interface.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews on May 6th, 2009
Dennis Consorte, Director of eCommerce, David’s Cookies, discusses marketing and selling cookies online
By Tom Polanski, EVP, eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
Folks, we’re really tickled to be able to spend some time with Dennis Consorte, Director of e-Commerce at David’s Cookies. When you get a chance, check out the site. A lot of really scrumptious cookies and deserts. I know the eBrand Group will be using David’s over the holidays. They offer much, much more than the usual “cookie tin” suspects. (smile)
Tom Polanski: Hi, Dennis. How are you doing today?
Dennis Consorte: Hey Tom, I’m doing great, thanks. I’m very excited to speak with you! How are you?
Tom Polanski: I couldn’t be doing better. Dennis, would you mind giving us a little bit of background as to how you ended up at David’s?
Dennis Consorte: Sure. Long story short, I was a computer geek as a kid, heavy on the software side. I fell out of it around senior year of high school, got my Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and eventually ended up working on the management team at an architectural firm. Four years later, I decided that administration wasn’t the path I wanted to take, and rejuvenated my love for computers, but more on the online marketing side. I got into a bunch of things including some large consulting gigs and 5 years later I found myself in a fulltime position at David’s Cookies. Here I manage much of the site development, online strategy, the affiliate program, SEO, PPC advertising and of course just growing our Internet presence and online business.
Tom Polanski: It’s always interesting to me the journey people take to find their passion, their niche. Do you apply any of the principles you learned earning a degree in psychology towards your marketing?
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews on August 11th, 2008
Tom Polanski interviews BuzzBack Executive, Carol Fitzgerald
By Tom Polanski, EVP, eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
Folks, I’m pleased to be able to spend some time with Carol Fitzgerald, President of BuzzBack, a full service online market research company which has developed several really innovative ways to do research. BuzzBack helps a company to understand the likes, dislikes, passions, interests and attitudes of their customer base for a number of purposes which include, but not are not limited to; optimization of the website for improved end-user stickiness and increased conversion rates, introducing new content, products/services based on what customers/clients want and what they’d find compelling and memorable. There are many ways that BuzzBack’s market research can be used, but the long and short of it is this; the research the company provides helps companies become more efficient, which in turn lowers operating costs and enhances ROI.
Tom Polanski: Hi Carol, how are you today?
Carol Fitzgerald: Great, thanks. I appreciate your having me here.
Tom Polanski: You were an English and French major in college. When did you discover a passion for technology?
Carol Fitzgerald: Dartmouth was a beta site for the Macintosh when it was first introduced. I have one of the original Mac’s and used it in college. When I attended my first MacWorld Expo for work, I fell in love with technology — from there I wanted to work for a software company.
Tom Polanski: Carol, before we discuss BuzzBack in further detail, I think it would be of great service if we could maybe discuss what it’s like to be a woman, a mom, who’s President of a company. You have twins, right?
Carol Fitzgerald: Yes, that’s right. They’re 11 years old now, so it’s a bit easier than the early days. But life is a constant juggle and balance. Finding the balance is tough for any Mom, working or non, as time to yourself becomes non-existent. For me, our exciting growth as a company makes it more stressful, but it’s super-motivating also.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews, Tom Polanski on August 4th, 2008
Diana Nelson, CEO of Kazoo Toys, discusses business trials and triumphs with Tom Polanski
By Tom Polanski, EVP. eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
Tom Polanski: Folks, I’m very pleased that Diana has found the time to spend a few moments with us today. Hi Diana, I hope that you’re doing well.
Diana Nelson: Thank you Tom. I am and how are you?
Tom Polanski: I’m doing great. Thanks for asking. You bought Kazoo Toys didn’t you?
Diana Nelson: Yes. I purchased Kazoo & Company is 1998 and launched Kazoo Toys in 1999, The Good Toy Group Catalog co-op in 2000 and Kazoo Global in 2008.
Tom Polanski: Why did you target Kazoo Toys for purchase?
Diana Nelson: I looked at an assortment of companies. Franchises, coffee shops, box and tape companies and nothing felt like a good fit. Nothing felt like coming home. I also looked at corporate positions within Fortune 500 companies and going back into the corporate fray. That did not feel right because I knew I needed to find a firm that allowed me time with my sons and cash flow. Nothing fit easily. One conversation led to another and I approached a business (Kazoo) that was not on the market and it was NOT for sale. Of course they stated no they were not interested and not for sale. My comment to them was: “The best things in life are not for sale. Can’t we talk?”
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews, Tom Polanski on July 30th, 2008