There’s still time to send a virtual gift and fun wishes to everyone you care about.
In addition to the Valentine’s Day gifts Facebook recently started promoting, here are a couple apps to give you other options:
1. Send Valentine Chocolate by Holiday Apps
2. Valentine Love Hearts by Martin Wee
3
4. Send Roses by Rose Lovers, Inc
5. Hug Me by Jambool
Have a great one!
Post by Thais Luporini
Follow SocialCash on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!
Reza Hussein is the Co-founder and CTO of jambool, the company behind many leading apps on Facebook and other social platforms including Send Good Karma and Hug Me. They’ve recently launched a virtual economy platform, and we wish them continued success with this new shift!
1) I majored in: Computer Science
2) I'm most well-known for: Being the co-founder & CTO of Jambool (aka Social Gold)
3) How did I end up in WA?: I moved to Seattle for my first job out of college.
4) One thing about me few people know: I taught COBOL as a TA in graduate school.
5) If I were a super hero, I'd be: Superman. That'll help me get things done faster.
6) The thing I love most about my job is: Getting to build a really cool technology product and getting to meet smart & interesting people.
7) Website worth checking out: http://www.teachstreet.com
8) Best candy: Sour Jelly Beans
9) Awesome trip: 2 weeks covering Switzerland, Italy, Germany & Austria in 2005. We rented a car and drove everywhere.
10) Favorite Facebook app: shameless plug: Send Good Karma
11) 3 gadgets I can't function without: MacBook Pro, cell phone, PVR
12) My future plans include: Travel to all the other continents I've never been to (Antarctica,South America & Africa)
13) In 2007 I: Quit my cushy job to co-found Jambool.com
14) In 2008 I: Built Jambool into a Top 20 Facebook app company and created Social Gold
15) In 2009 I: Plan on making Social Gold successful
Post by Thais Luporini
Hooman is the CEO & Co-founder of Clearspring technologies, one of the leading technology companies in the Washington, DC area. Just in case you haven’t heard of them, Clearspring is the leading provider of widget services, where Radfar leads platform marketing and strategy initiatives. Clearspring and SocialCash work together on engaging users on Facebook Applications for some of the world’s top brands.
1) I majored in: BA Econ/BS Comp Sci/MS Electrical and Computer Science
2) I'm most well-known for: being CEO of Clearspring
3) How did I end up in DC? Moved my company here to get financed.
4) When I'm not at Clearspring, I’m: On the road.
5) One thing about me few people know: I have 8 years of studio art training.
6) If I were a super hero, I'd be: I am a superhero.
7) The thing I love most about my job is: Working with smart people to invent our world.
8) Website worth checking out: Selfless plug: www.widgify.com
9) Best candy: Raisinettes
10) Memorable trip: First time I went to Silicon Valley and visited the house where HP started.
11) Favorite Facebook app: Mob Wars
12) 3 gadgets I can't function without: Laptop, Blackberry, Pen
13) My future plans include: Smiling and enjoying life.
14) In 2007 I: Helped create the first widget sharing and tracking platform.
15) In 2008 I: Made it the world’s largest widget platform.
16) In 2009 I: Want to surprise people.
Post by Thais Luporini
I was anxiously waiting for someone to come up with a photo printing service on Facebook, to take advantage of the numer of photos that are posted on the platform every day. Got really excited to come across Tech Crunch’s post about HotPrints, an app that lets you create fun photobooks for only $2.99.
According to Michael Arrington, “a quiet beta test of the application has shown that users love it, the company says, and once a user tries it once they average more than three purchases for themselves or as gifts.”
Check it out!
1) I majored in: Mathematics and Computer Science.
2) I'm most well-known for: Blow-drying my hair daily, co-founding LivingSocial.
3) How did I end up in DC? Osmosis: I went to college nearby and landed my first job in DC. I considered moving to NYC or SF several times, but DC has its hooks in me now.
4) When I'm not "Living Social" I’m: Mostly excessive daydreaming... err I mean engaging in creative visualization.
5) One thing about me few people know: I gained about 80lbs as an undergrad. I was extremely skinny in high school.
6) If I were a super hero, I'd be: The Six Million Dollar Man, although I'm not sure $6M USD gets you very far in 2009.
7) The thing I love most about my job is: Working with a group of friends I trust and respect, none of which I wish would be fired.
8) Website worth checking out: http://failblog.org/
9) Best candy: Candy is for children and the infirm.
10) Unforgettable trip: The 24-hour last-minute trip to Las Vegas with Aaron Batalion (LivingSocial) and Dan Birdwhistell (SocialCash). Dan managed the entire trip - including flights - without valid government issued ID. I can't really go into other details here, but ask me about it after a few bourbons.
11) Favorite Facebook app: The Developer application - many of my most prized possessions live there.
12) 3 gadgets I can't function without: iPhone, Macbook Pro, Shure SE420 earphones. If you're still using the stock iPod earbuds, you're ruining your quality of life.
13) My future plans include: Strangely enough, I haven't been spending much time fantasizing about future personal plans. I think this means that I finally have my hands full in the present!
14) In 2007 I: developed severe eye strain launching RevolutionHealth.com, created Visual Bookshelf, and co-founded LivingSocial. 2007 took 15 years off of my life.
15) In 2008: I built a ton of Facebook apps, worked to raise our Series A, moved from Georgetown to Dupont, cultivated LivingSocial, and met lots of new colleagues and friends.
16) In 2009: I will wake up with a champagne hangover, no doubt.
Post by Thais Luporini, follow SocialCash on Twitter and Facebook
Mike Germano is the President, Creative Director and Fire Marshall of Carrot Creative, a new media agency out of Dumbo, Brooklyn, that has a unique approach to creating/reshaping their clients’ online brand identities from top to bottom. They’ve worked with MLB.com, JC Penney, and CBS just to name a few. Mike enjoys striped ties and giant foam bats. Read below as we discuss all things Carrot, marketing, and the future of Facebook.
SC: When did you start Carrot Creative?
MG: Carrot started in 2005, in the basement of the house at which we were staying when we were in college. We started it towards the end of college and were able to convince the deans of the business school [at Quinnipiac University] to give us internships. We had our other business partner who was at RIT pretending to be our advisor, so it was kind of a shell game.
SC: Was there a turning point when you realized carrot was really taking off?
MG: I believe the turning point was when we solely focused on developing social media tools. We were originally based in Connecticut and it wasn’t really where social media was. We found ourselves making more and more websites and not really taking advantage of our social media skills. So focusing on building those services in 2007 was really our turning point.
SC: Besides Major League Baseball who I know you were very excited to work with, who is your dream client?
MG: We’ve gotten very lucky since MLB was indeed our dream client [check out http://apps.facebook.com/mlbfanbook/?ref=ts], but would’ve loved to have worked on the Obama campaign. We’re really excited to be working with Crayola and with CBS on their civic journalism project. We also just structured a partnership with Weber Shandwick, one of the largest PR firms, and will be doing a lot of their social media work. They have a lot of great clients and we’re excited to take a crack at it.
SC: What brands are doing social media right?
MG: I think the brands that are having the most success are brands that people already have a connection with. What we are seeing in the initial phases of social media for brands is profile tattooing, where people are willing to wear that image and what that brand represents, whether it be on an app or sending a bumper sticker or a digital gift. The brands that have an advantage are the ones that people already believe in that are now being turned into a form of self expression online. Some good examples are what Converse was able to do, clearly Stephen Colbert, and from a product standpoint, Dell.
SC: What are they doing that puts them ahead of the curve?
MG: I think it’s the willingness to take a risk. We’ve dealt with numerous companies that were hesitant to give up control of their online image to users, which is clearly where the marketing industry is headed. The ones that will take advantage of it will be the ones willing to take risks.
SC: If a company had limited resources, what is the one social media tool they choose to employ above all others? Why?
MG: If a company didn’t want to go out to one of the big agencies, then at the very least they should be securing a Facebook fan page, a MySpace page and putting their information up there. I’ve been pushing blogs a lot, it’s a great way to lay the groundwork to show that your company is willing to be open and have a conversation with the public. In the late 90s your company had a website, and now your company has to be accountable to clients and customers online.
SC: Who is a role model of yours in the social media space? Why?
MG: Gary Vaynerchuck is doing it the right way. I’m just really impressed all around with how he is marketing himself and his brand. I think, clearly, he’s gotten people online talking about wine. He’s gotten them excited and built a community. He’s the Howard Stern of wine.
SC: Do you think Facebook can survive on an advertising based revenue model? Can it do more than survive?
MG: Facebook has absolutely no problems at all. They do not need to worry about another monetization solution right now; they clearly have enough cash in the bank to keep their operations going. They might not be turning a profit, but they have a great online community and they set up their advertising platform beautifully. Building a superior platform that no one can compete with is their primary business, as well as getting people on Facebook and keeping them there. If they become the key player, they’re going to find numerous ways to make money.
SC: Do you see Facebook as the hub of social networking one year from now? Will FB Connect make an impact on the rest of the web? Google OpenSocial/FriendConnect? Other data availability portals?
MG: Facebook right now is that hub and I think it will remain that hub. If you look at what MySpace and Facebook have done in terms of features and their respective platforms, it’s night and day. MySpace is growing its media presence, but Facebook is adding more and more features to connect people and let them express themselves through things like applications. Facebook Connect will just be an extension of that. Facebook is already the key player here, and I don’t see other social web service that will challenge them for the time being.
SC: Awesome, thanks Mike!
Interviewed by Josh Backer
Post by Thais Luporini, follow SocialCash on Twitter and Facebook
Conferences are good for networking, putting faces to names, as well as great opportunities to close business deals and get the latest update on industry trends from the experts themselves. And speaking of conferences, we have many great memories of the ones we had the opportunity to attend this year. Our mascot's appearance at F8 this past summer, rocking out the Dave Morin Fan Club shirt, was definitely a memorable moment for the team.
On that note, if you haven’t started planning for conferences you’ll be attending next year, the Mashable’s Tech Events Guide is a great way to start. There are a lot of upcoming events to keep on the radar depending on your interests. In addition to the ones you’ll find on Mashable’s list, here are two that are worth checking out:
1. Social Networking Conference - Jan 22-23
http://www.socialnetworkingconference.com/
2. Engage! Expo - March 10 – 11
SocialCash gorilla sends its warmest regards!
Post by Thais Luporini, follow SocialCash on Twitter and Facebook
Let me take you behind the scenes. Hebda is an Account Manager here at SocialCash, and is in daily contact with developers who are entering/have been part of/or are just curious about our monetization galaxy. She owns a collection of 100+ stickers and enjoys drinking tea in the afternoon. If you don't recognize the face, you'll most likely recognize the humor.
1) I majored in: Foreign Affairs and Art History
2) I'm most well-known for: Managing developer accounts at SocialCash. And being the office’s Sticker Bandit. You remember Sandylion and Lisa Frank.
3) How did I end up in DC? I’ve been living in and around the District since I was 2. High school here, college in Charlottesville, now settled in Arlington, VA. After 22 years, my friends are just now starting to become desensitized to my antics – no way I’m pulling out now. Plus, Mom would be sad if I stopped coming to Sunday night football dinners at the compound.
4) When I'm not cruising in the SocialCash sub I: Write, enjoy DC adventures with CK/KC/TL etc., stay tuned into Gossip Girl’s most current love triangle. I am Chuck Bass.
5) One thing about me few people know: I plan on wearing my plaid snow boots for the entire month of January. Actual weather patterns mean nothing to me.
6) If I were a super hero, I'd be: Nancy Drew.
7) The thing I love most about my job is: When you wake up in the morning excited to start your day, you know you’ve got a great thing going. I love what surrounds me: constant innovation, creative minds, people that inspire and make me laugh until I cry/am on the verge of breaking a rib.
8) Website worth checking out: http://dailycandy.com; http://jcrew.com à puffer vest, please. I already have the green one. I wear Medium.
9) Best candy: Red Swedish Fish. And Candy Corn. Halloween leftovers up to 95% off at your local CVS!
10) Unforgettable trip: Touring Athens, Rome, Florence, and Venice during my junior year of high school. My art history class went on a 10-day seeing spree. I’ll never forget the architectures, poppy fields of Tuscany, brick-oven pizza and gelato, and visiting the ruins of the world’s very first shopping mall.
11) Favorite Facebook app: NatalieDee daily feed. And Pittsburgh Steelers Fans. I love it when Hines Ward smiles.
12) 3 gadgets I can't function without: alarm clock, my iPod (a green mini circa 2003), Pentel’s EnerGel Liquid Gel Ink pens.
13) My future plans include: Smiling more each day than the one before. Charting a yacht around the Greek Isles.
14) In 2007 I: Was slightly corporate, started needing coffee, saw Justin Timberlake for the 5th time.
15) In 2008 I: Began my SocialCash love affair, ate sandwiches & read by the pool, learned how not to deal with Virgin America customer service.
16) In 2009 I: Will work on my sleeping habits, go to Louisiana for a crawfish broil, look forward to the season premiere of LOST.
Post by Thais Luporini, follow SocialCash on Twitter and Facebook
Let me introduce you to the crazy cat lady, who was recently added to Jordan Levy’s action figures collection, and to the lovely desktop chimp named Bono, who has found himself a new friend.
We recently had our Secret Santa/Yankee Swap here at the office and had an awesome time, as well as interesting gifts to take home. We're a creative bunch and in addition to the ones featured above, the gifts ranged from a diamond paper weight to a Sushi set. Among the many favorites were a Chess set, a chocolate cake, a Jumbo Universal remote, a Dark Knight DVD, and a gift card to a popular juice shop close to our office.
Special thanks to Jessica Murphy and Dafna Silberfeld for organizing this fun event and giving us the opportunity to get to know our teammates a bit better (Portman Wills will do anything for free juice).
The party continued at a venue nearby for some of us, where Nick O’Neill hosted Social Times 1-Year Anniversary & Holiday bash.
Hope you too are having a good time this holiday season.
Merry Everything and Happy Always!
Post by Thais Luporini, follow SocialCash on Twitter and Facebook
Are you one of the 350K Facebook users still addicted to playing Jetman? Well, this week we are profiling Christian Montoya, who has worked on a number of awesome applications including Jetman and Pop Answers. We met Christian at f8 in July after he left SGN, and he has now landed a position with the good folks over at Appsavvy as their Senior App Developer. Christian also works on his own social games under the aegis of Mappdev (check out Haiku!).
1) I majored in: Electrical & Computer Engineering at Cornell University. I tried once to transfer into Information Science, but I didn't want to do the five-year plan. I completed my degree on time and swore never to touch circuits again.
2) I'm most well-known for: I still don't have my "one big thing," but if I had to decide, it might be my blog at christianmontoya.com. I've been blogging since September 2005 and it has allowed me to have a voice in the Internet industry long before my career started. I still take advantage of the relationships that I built through blogging and I also use my blog to announce my latest projects. Plus, it helped that I was once featured
on Lifehacker after making it to the top of Digg for my advice on "how to pull an all-nighter." To this day, Google still considers me an expert on that.
3) How did I end up in NJ? My fiancee graduated last May and her job brought her to NJ. I followed her after I finished my work with SGN in Palo Alto. It was what you would call "perfect, unexpected timing."
4) When I'm not working on Mappdev I'm: putting my best work into my day-job at appssavvy in NYC, or burning calories at the gym.
5) One thing about me few people know: I didn't learn programming until college. When I got to Cornell, my only experience with software was making websites in Microsoft Frontpage. I struggled with programming for two years until I finally managed to make sense of all the concepts that were thrown at me as a freshman.
6) The thing I love most about my job is: User interface design. I love making software super easy & fun to use. I write a lot of code but my true passion is design. I'm constantly showing my work to others and getting feedback about how to make every detail better.
7) Website worth checking out: WeTheRobots.com is my favorite web comic. I want everyone to read it.
8) Best candy: Andes Chocolate Mints. I grew up with these and still keep a fresh pack in my kitchen every week.
9) Best trip: I went to Hungary with my family when I was in high school. I realized I like Europe a lot and still want to go back.
10) Favorite Facebook app: Pet Society
11) 3 gadgets I can't function without: Macbook, iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle.
12) My future plans include: Launching new games, turning Mappdev into a full-fledged games company.
13) In 2007 I: In May I graduated from Cornell University after a very exhausting senior year. I had a job offer from InvestorGuide.com in Fairfax Virginia, but I postponed that for two months to work on
CourseHero.com with a group of Cornell students in Sunnyvale, CA. I then moved to Fairfax Virginia to start my job, but I soon realized that I was wasting my time there. I spent my free time learning the
Facebook platform with a friend I met at Course Hero, Yaowei Yeo, and we built a Facebook game called DotA which SGN wanted to buy. Yaowei wouldn't sell, but I left my job to join SGN.
14) In 2008 I: Started working at the SGN office when it was still a part of Freewebs in Silver Spring, Maryland. I was responsible for applications like Jetman and Fight Club when they were still some of the biggest games on Facebook. When SGN became a separate company, I moved with them to Palo Alto, CA and worked there until July. After I left, I started my own company, Mappdev, and released my first game, Pop Answers. I then moved to New Jersey to live with my fiancee, and when she told me to go out and make some real money, I went to appssavvy in NYC. I knew the team from my days at Freewebs and now I'm working as their Senior Application Developer. I still put my free time into new projects with Mappdev.
15) In 2009 I: don't plan that far ahead! I just pray that things will go well :)
Users are now able to login to third party sites and ensure their identity, increasing “the authenticity and quality of conversation across the web”, as suggested by Inside Facebook. Not anymore. At least not when reading them on blogs like Tech Crunch and Inside Facebook, which are among the many websites that have launched Facebook Connect. Earlier this week, we had a chance to read a blog comment that Mark Zuckerberg himself posted on Tech Crunch, verified by this awesome new tool.
Visit Inside Facebook to see a list of all the sites that are currently offering the service. The number seems to be increasing by the day!
Siqi Chen is the founder and CEO of Serious Business, a social game development studio. He’s a top ranked developer on Facebook and one of the brilliant minds behind Friends For Sale, one of the most popular gaming apps on the site. We haven’t seen Siqi in a while, but hope the serious team is doing well and wish them continued success in the coming year!
1) I majored in: Awesome. And math.
2) I'm most well-known for: Making gold-digging a game!
3) How did I end up in San Fran? I wanted to be in the middle of it all, ten years too late.
4) When I'm not doing "serious business", I'm: Playing "fun games".
5) One thing about me few people know: That I am awesome. I wish more people knew that.
6) If I were a super hero, I'd be: Mr. Manhattan.
7) The thing I love most about my job is: Working with really smart people.
8) Website worth checking out: http://www.seriousbusiness.com. I've been told it can be amusing!
9) Best candy: Altoids Sours - or sour in general.
10) Best trip: Yosemite - I like mountains, rivers, and trees!
11) Favorite Facebook app: I can't talk about that ... yet.
12) 3 gadgets I can't function without: iPhone - it's an incredible phone, a revolutionary internet device, and the best iPod we've ever built!
13) My future plans include: Going to Disneyland, eating Pho, and buying a small country.
14) In 2007 I: Did nothing for half a year, then I worked for the other half.
15) In 2008 I: Worked a year for the first half of the year, and then did nothing in the second half.
16) In 2009 I: Will try to work normally.
Post by Thais Luporini - follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
We had the pleasure of meeting Evan Steinberg back at GSP East when Check My Campus was yet to be launched. Less than six months later, they’ve not only successfully launched but have also been nominated as one of the 25 FB Fund winners, and are now competing for a chance to win $250,000 dollars in “non-recourse grants”! Evan and I share a love for caramel apple pops and the SocialCash team looks forward to getting an invite to the CMC tropical island sometime soon.
1) I majored in: Marketing at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business
2) I'm most well-known for: My extensive Nike sneaker collections...watch out for a Check My Campus pair in '09! I’ll have to let Abby know…
3) How did I end up in DC? I was born & raised in Chevy Chase, MD (actor named after the town, not the other way around). Came back to be close to SocialCash.
4) When I'm not working on Check My Campus I'm: watching Michigan sports and scheming about Check My Campus.
5) One thing about me few people know: How about one truth and two lies? 1) I was a stunt double for “Scotty” in Eurotrip 2) Malia Obama wants my old fifth grade locker at Sidwell 3) I designed college apparel for Nike.
6) The thing I love most about my job is: Short lines in the company cafeteria…and all the students I get to meet.
7) Website worth checking out: http://creativebits.org/cool_business_card_designs
8) Best candy: Caramel Apple Pops (I know you’re with me on this, Thais)
9) Best trip: So many great trips to colleges…I’ll go with Vanderbilt: within a 12 hour period, I went to the Sunlight Party (lasts all night until sunlight), checked out the Football Saturday tailgate scene (seeing “guys in ties” and “girls in pearls” cracked me up), and then enjoyed a killer breakfast at Nashville’s famous Pancake Pantry.
10) Favorite Facebook app: I hear there’s this cool new app called Check My Campus (http://apps.facebook.com/checkmycampus/)
11) 3 gadgets I can't function without: (loosely defined as gadgets) - Cha Cha (perhaps inspired by your Crazy Advertising Magic, they do some crazy text message magic that texts you the answers to any question you ask them), GChat (with video), Soccer mom van.
12) My future plans include: Staying Hungry. Staying Foolish. Moving the Check My Campus World Headquarters to a tropical island.
13) In 2007 I: “It was all a dream”
14) In 2008 I: “Now I'm in the limelight ‘cause my app’s tight”
15) In 2009 I: “Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade”
We weren’t lying when we mentioned that our “Buddy” Abby Lauterbach is SocialCash’s favorite pen pal. We just received this Thanksgiving card from her and wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday too! Hope you have a safe and fun weekend wherever your destination may be, and “whether or not your plans include friends, football, and food comas”, says Hebda (also known as “SplashofCash” to those of you who bring her laughter amidst her busy days). The SocialCash blog will be back in full speed very shortly. Don’t go away and have a great turkey day! Bye-bye.
SocialCash CEO, Rob Jewell, just got back from the second Summit Series event in Riviera Maya, Mexico, that took place this past weekend. This year’s gathering recognized 65 of the country’s most talented young entrepreneurs, philanthropists, authors and leaders. Rob joined Dave Morin from Facebook, Kamo Asatryan, co-founder of LOLApps, as well as Joe Green, co-founder of Project Agape (the group behind the Causes app), who were among the many industry leaders that got invited to this awesome event. Although it was the perfect setting to kick back and relax, attendees fostered business relationships and closed deals instead. As Summit director, Elliot Bisnow, pointed out, “More than $10 million in deals ranging from advertising sales to joint venture product development partnerships were negotiated in the summit’s three days”. In addition to exchanging ideas and addressing important topics, attendees were also given the opportunity to leave business aside and engage in charitable projects. Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, "an organization that donates a pair of shoes for every pair it sells", led the group to embark on a memorable experience, where after driving for 2 hours, they were able to deliver shoes to 500 Mexican children in need. Scott Harrison, founder of Charity Water, "an organization that raises money through donations and drills wells for clean water in Africa", was also there to share the story of his mission: bringing clean water to millions in Africa. As event host, Elliott Bisnow, shared: “The Summit team couldn’t be more proud of its membership, which raised enough money to drill 4 new wells in Ethiopia and not only delivered 500 shoes to children in need, but committed to providing shoes to the Mexican community we visited each year going forward, so that our shoe drop may be sustainable.” The Summit Series is committed to growing this “community of change-minded Americans”, and “hopes through bringing together some of the country’s top talent to exchange ideas, perhaps it can help grow the national pie.”
SOURCE Summit Series Mexico
Abby Lauterbach is a Project Manager at Buddy Media, and probably the funniest person I know. She feeds us Buddy Media chocolate at conferences and is SocialCash's favorite pen pal. Her profile speaks for itself and she needs no further intro. Enjoy!
1) I majored in: Photography and Imaging, minor in Business.
2) I'm most well-known for: Being Abby Lauterbach, Comic Genius. (Ricky Gervais' words, not mine)
3) How did I end up in NYC? By plane (Big family argument, I wanted to pull a "Forrest Gump" but Mommy Lauterbach wasn't having it).
4) When I'm not writing letters to SocialCashies, I’m: managing projects at Buddy Media.
5) One thing about me few people know: I am a sneaker freak (feel free to pick me up a pair of Nike Dunks, size 8.5). Also, it takes me several drafts to write a successful post-it note.
6) The thing I love most about my job is: It is cruel to make me pick one thing.
7) Website worth checking out: www.BuddyMedia.com
8) Best candy: Teuscher Champagne Truffles (Tie for second: Pop Rocks and Spice Girls Lollipops)
9) Best trip: Down a flight of stairs (There were people at the bottom. Think human bowling).
10) Favorite Facebook app: El Sombrero Selector de Harry Potter (Favorite Buddy Media app: AdBattle- http://apps.facebook.com/adbattle )
11) 3 gadgets I can't function without: 1. Solar Powered Watch 2. TiVo 3. Is floss a gadget?
12) My future plans include: Learning how to surf, snowboard, play the saxophone and run a half-marathon (Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson got nothing on my Bucket List).
13) In 2007 I: built large scale Lite-Brites of my family, graduated NYU and joined the Buddy Media team.
14) In 2008 I: walked my first marathon, went sky diving, met my new friends at Social Cash and enjoyed every single day at work (even when my team lost the kickball game).
15) In 2009 I: will create the internet (the one you are reading this on is a mirage). And if time permits, I will legally change my name to Abz.
Any last thoughts? My life. My card. American Express.
We can start by talking about globalization and what it means to be able to connect to so many people across invisible distances, share information daily, learn new things from multiple sources and everything else that, thanks to the web, has been embedded into our lives long enough to make us forget what it was like without it. And then we get to the exciting world of social platforms, where culture and content come together, creating a social experience where users “sign-in” to find immediate entertainment and a new form of self-expression.
There are many social platforms out there, and most have made it big in one particular country or another. For instance, Orkut is most popular in Brazil, Bebo rocks in the UK, Friendster is huge in many Asian countries, and MySpace still holds the majority of US users (although this is changing as Facebook moves closer and closer to the top).
But it wasn’t until Facebook opened up its platform that users had the opportunity to interact globally, given the site’s worldwide popularity. International users are not just connecting with friends; they’re actually spending time on the site. Friends For Sale is a great example of an app that has managed to engage a huge number of users from all over. At the recent Facebook Developer Garage in SFO, Siqi Chen, CEO of Serious Business, stated that some of their “highest paying users are in Saudi Arabia”, according to Inside Facebook. Not only that, but Siqi also mentioned that “a woman has spent over US$30,000 in the game so far".
Belonging to a network where a diverse group can find common ground, and a fun way to connect on a daily basis whether to simply keep in touch, play a game, join their favorite group or fight for a cause, has proven to be a trend that is here to stay. Facebook is now available in 22 languages, as reported by Nick O’Neill last month, and developers should keep international users in mind if they want to keep up with the site’s continued expansion.
I’m anxious to see where this global phenomenon will take us a couple years from now. And if nothing else, I hope it keeps serving as a valuable tool and a great place to virtually coexist.
