Help Me Connect
Using jetBlue's #AYCJ ticket, I have 30 days to fly around the country and prove that social media can bridge both online AND offline engagement. Online barriers are nonexistent, and any one of us can effectively reach out to actors, musicians, CEO's and politicians. But what kind of relationship exists solely online? No matter how "real" we think it is, it lacks the common comfort (or discomfort—arm wrestling) of touch. Social Media is narrowing the gap between online and offline worlds, but for it to be truly remarkable, it must be able to influence offline experiences as well. Using all the tactics businesses use to reach out to their consumers, I will use to reach out to them...interview them...and in an act of touch, and tangible connection, arm wrestle them!
Learn a little more about me, subscribe to my journal for updates and check out the Brands I plan to engage. If you see a few you'd like me to interview, promote this project using the social buttons associated with each brand. Also, feel to reach out and follow me on twitter.
DIY Themes, Austin TX
Makers of Thesis, the uber-successful WordPress theme, DIY Themes is a front runner in WordPress theme frameworks providing designers with a starting point that takes care of all the “heavy lifting,” allowing us to rapidly develop.
Groupon, Chicago IL
The Goliath Slayer: Groupon is single handedly breathing new life into mom and pop businesses, creating remarkable daily deals in major cities worldwide. The fastest growing company of all time, with no end in sight, they are without a doubt MY Goliath.
Kickstarter, New York City NY
Kickstarter is a great concept in crowd-sourced fund raising. An alternative to seeking venture capital, or small business loans, kickstarter provides a platform for creative entrepreneurs to pitch their projects to a community of thousands.
jetBlue, New York City NY
JetBlue has always been ahead of the pack when it comes to embracing social media, and the #AYCJ promotion is no exception. Regardless of how many Flight Attendants lose their marbles, I love jetBlue!
Forrst, New York City NY
Forrst is a community created for designers and developers to share inspiring code, screenshots, and links with their peers. Membership is free, but by invite only to control the quality of submissions and the social manageability of members.
Starbucks Coffee, Seattle WA
Since July 1st, Starbucks has provided free wifi at all US locations. Very recently they have also announced their own digital network that some think might be the biggest competition to Facebook. In any regard this move seems like it was absolutely provide freelancers with an office, as it will be mine for the month of September.
WordPress, San Francisco CA
Powering just over 8.5% of ALL sites on the internet, there is no confusion as to how important WordPress is to the web. And in my opinion, there is no better piece of software to publish with. Led with open standards and a philosophy that gives more than it receives, WordPress is changing the world of Open Source.
Pandora Internet Radio, San Francisco CA
Music is something that is tough to verbally explain, since we all have a different opinion as to what is truly music, and what is just noise. But it’s that exact rationality that makes Pandora function phenomenally, grouping like minded music into clusters. My music collection has grown exponentially since I signed up.
Tech Stars, Boston MA
A web startup incubator of sorts, Tech Stars provides up to $18,000 in funding for new companies, plus the chance to pitch their ideas to angel investors and venture capitalists. All things considered, this is the best place for my trip to start.
Bazaarvoice, Austin TX
Sporting an impressive client list including Best Buy and Lego, Bazaarvoice offers a suite of products that integrate a layer of social interactivity to your web presence, intended to “let your customers’ voice permeate and improve all your do.”
