Rick Parkhill joins the show to talk about his time as the founder and prior CEO of iMedia Communications, which launched in 2001. Rick talks about how iMedia helped build community and produced an event where everyone was encouraged to drop their agendas and just connect for the greater good of the industry. Rick was a founding executive at Interactive Marketing, Inc. and founded Digitrends, along with InfoText and Brand Storytelling.   Takeaways: ● iMedia emerged in the midst of the internet explosion in 1999 when many of the internet companies washed away. ● Their first day of business was September 11, 2001, and after that major tragedy, they moved forward with building jobs for people and creating commerce for the community. ● Although he will never take all the credit, Rick definitely helped build the digital marketing industry, along with the help of many other iMedia longtime moguls. ● Rick discusses doing a roadshow for clients to explain what search was, and how it would impact them. ● The iMedia events were a space where people were invited to leave their agendas behind and connect in a nonpolitical realm. ● Rick handles big egos like none other, and he has some pretty good stories about them at iMedia events! ● Rick sold iMedia, and it did change in the way of personality and feel, but that is to be expected anytime a sale takes place. ● There are still a plethora of opportunities out there for content creators to get hired by brands. They are constantly looking for professionals to create entertaining and informative material for their product or service.   Quotes: ● "There are massive egos at play, like entitled obnoxious jerks, like me!" — Kevin  ● "We were true to our mission, to help the industry grow in a healthy way." ● "You serve the community, and as an event producer your industry will do fine."   Mentioned in This Episode: iMedia  Rick Parkhill LinkedIn Brand Storytelling

Sir John Durham is a living legend in the digital business and one of the true godfathers of digital marketing as we know it today. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing General Partner of San Francisco-based marketing firm, Catalyst. He has also held many roles in marketing and advertising at companies such as Jumpstart Automotive Media, Carat Fusion, Winstar Interactive Media, and MapQuest.   Takeaways: ● John is an industry leader and sought after speaker. He is also the CEO of Catalyst SF, a brand strategy firm that provides marketing services for startups and brands. ● A 'Durhamism' is a snippet of knowledge that reflects John's values, beliefs, and wisdom. They are special because they are his personal opinion and thought, and all are welcome to agree or disagree, and to use it at a time where it syncs up with their thoughts and feelings. ● John posts his Durhamisms Monday–Friday and loves getting messages from his followers and friends telling him how they impact their particular life and situation.  ● It's okay to be curious and childlike. Remember that we don't save lives in marketing, and there is nothing worth losing your mind about. ● John endured a severe illness but he stayed focused on joy and gratitude. ● Great marketing professionals put themselves in the place of the customer. What they want, what's in it for them, and how it relates to the messaging about whatever it is they are trying to sell. ● To someone with great values like John, it doesn't matter how much money you have, it matters how you treat people. ● Approach day one at a time, with joy. ● Travel is good for perspective. We should have pride in our country but also curiosity and respect for others.   Quotes: ● "Always put your mind in the customer['s place]." ● "When I travel, I appreciate where I've been." ● "Smart people make us smarter." ● "The most important trip you may take is meeting people halfway."   Mentioned in This Episode: CatalystSF @catalystsf Medium  

Erin Peterson and I first crossed paths when she was in a senior role at Microsoft, and I luckily added her to an advisory board for a trade show I was running at the time. I have since appreciated all the wisdom from her years of experience in the industry. Erin has a very impressive background and shares with us what's happening in her current role at Synacor, along with what she has learned while holding leadership positions at AOL and Time Inc. and her work with philanthropic organizations.   She then talks about what positive changes we will be able to look forward to both in the short and long term development of blockchains, and what challenges we may face as we shift towards this relatively obscure technology.   Takeaways: [3:46] Synacor provides all the backend services to Talko service providers and ISPs. They have had a ton of work and responsibility this year, including powering all the sign-ins for HBO GO. [5:46] For a lot of people, blockchain has become synonymous with cryptocurrency. However, the potential for blockchain is so much bigger than cryptocurrency. It will be able to store data on any machine that has extra storage available on it, as well as speed up the pace of authenticating transactions. [8:23] One of the valuable opportunities that will come in a blockchain based world — you can record every transaction that has happened and you can prove that something was or was not sent. Things will become simpler and faster. [11:19] One of the challenges of blockchain technologies that we will need to develop before it becomes actionable for consumers is matching the verification and monitoring of data. [15:25] When it's easier to pay for a technology then get it for free, that's a great indicator of it being ready for consumer adoption. [16:37] Erin says that we have just hit the point now where we see the first real blockchain operating system around the corner, thanks to the EOS team. [23:25] In the recent years, digital advertising has lost its way, and has taken away investment in the tools to develop advertising which deeply resonated with the human experience. [32:59] Not only have we not seen a resurgence in engaging advertising, but only a handful of campaigns to rise to the quality of what we have seen in the editorial and creative media distribution. [39:21] Erin speaks on the shocking information she has uncovered in the data with her philanthropic and volunteer work on women in the workplace. [49:48] Erin's focus is to bring more people with diverse backgrounds and ideas into the technology workforce.   Mentioned in This Episode: Microsoft  AOL  Time, Inc. (Now Meredith)  Amazon  Synacor  Talko  HBO GO EOS #LikeaGirl campaign Girl Develop It