digital media

Red Bull TV

I use Windows Phone 7. Yeah, I’m probably one of the few. Soon, I will be using the new Windows Phone 8. The Lumia edition. With the launch of the new Windows Phone 8, I thought I should highlight some of my favourite apps.

Note: I am not getting paid to highlight these apps. I just think there’s a lot of talk about iOS and Android apps. Consider this a little virtual space for some Windows love.

I have never been a Red Bull fan. Let me re-phrase that. I have never been a fan of the drink. But I am a fan of the brand. It all started with Felix Baumgartner jumping out of a capsule from “space”.  Then I hd the chance to meet David Nam from the Canadian offices.  So now I’m a fan.

And I happen to also personally like their Windows Phone app, Red Bull TV. The app is very cool.

Red Bull TV features a cornucopia of action, adventure, glamour and excitement.  The app bring you access to exclusive events such as amazing sporting and cultural events. Meet your favorite sports and entertainment stars, go behind the scenes at major sporting events and the best parties. It’s actually like a can of Red Bull in your pocket.

Toronto

Exercise your brain

Who am I to talk about exercise. I could lose a few pounds or more. I know that. My muscles could use a little firming up and my heart can be a little bit stronger.

I also realized that my brain can use some exercise a little now and then. And that’s why I came away from TEDxToronto feeling rested and energized at the same time.

When you spend most of your waking hours (like myself and many other do) working on building a business (you can include studying, working and other things in here) you can sometimes be blinded by the fact that your other regions of your mind or brain also need to be activated.  Now, I’m not a behavioural scientist. Nor do I understand, in scientific terms, how the brain works.

What I do know is that yesterday I felt different:  I woke up earlier than I normally do to get downtown on time for the conference. I didn’t tweet much during the conference. Instead I spent my time listening and taking notes on points that resonated with me. I spent lunch and the breaks talking with everyone from friends to strangers and students to millionaires.

And when the conference was done, I was happy in a different sense. My mind felt light. I knew I had work to catch up on but I was happy I spent a day learning from others who were pursuing their passions in areas much different from mine.

So, thank you to everyone who made my TEDxToronto experience a great one. The ideas that were spreading on Thursday infected me.

Uncategorized

How do you use Facebook?

I was asked this question from my cousin last night. It was an interesting question in that it has been a while since anyone has asked me this question. As a result, also surprisingly, I didn’t know how to answer him. He wasn’t asking how I use Facebook for business but for myself.

It was a question I had to think about for a minute. Then I realized. I actually use it for business. Or more specifically, I use Facebook (and all social media tools/platforms) to brand myself as someone who understands and is on top of what is happening in the digital world. I won my own business, so this is important to me.

I want to understand what is happening in mobile, digital, location, social and marketing in general. And if I find anything interesting, I want to share this. And if people see I’m sharing this information then they are going to believe that I am an expert of sorts.

However, I also want people (friends, family, business associates, connections and potential clients/partners) to know that I’m actually a human being with”likes” and hobbies and a life. So I’ll also post stuff about Neil Young, my travels and even my family.

It’s really all about branding.  I want people to be able to see me online and answer the question, “Who is Karim Kanji?” Even if they answer, “I’m not sure, but he sure is interesting” then I’ve also met my objective.

How do you use Facebook?

blog, digital media, podcast

My Favourite Podcasts

Podcasts are what I refer to as the intersection between great radio and technology.

A few of the podcasts that I am going to list below can be originally heard on radio. However, most of the time I’m too busy to actually spend the time to listen to them live.  And that’s why I enjoy my podcasts. I can still enjoy great talk radio. But on my schedule – where ever and whenever I want to.

In no particular order…

  • Drunk Jays Fans. Published by The Score this podcast is digital heaven for Blue Jays fans. This no holds barred podcast includes everything a Blue Jays fan could want: stats, opinion and entertainment. The hosts are fans but they are also not homers.
  • ESPN UFC Podcast. Hosted from England this MMA-themed but very UFC-centric podcast is a must listen to for all fans of the fight game. A similar show from North America would not be able to lend the perspective that this show does. I think the distance from England to the UFC head offices in Las Vegas allows this show to lend more perspective and credibility.
  • Freakonomics Radio. If you’re a fan of the books and a reader of their blog you will love this podcast. Here’s what you can expect to learn from this podcast: the hidden side. Of everything.
  • This American Life. I got turned on to this podcast by Karim Awad, who is an avid podcast consumer himself. He also used to have his own podcast! Every week, This American Life brings to life stories from America. It’s not so much about flag-waving, red-neck gun-shooting America. It’s more about the neighbourhoods, people and stories that can be found in any city in any country. A recent episode, titled The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar will leave you hanging until the end more than any TV show has ever done.
  • This Week In StartUps. Want to hear conversations with some of Silicon Valley’s top entrepreneurs? Want to hear about the technology news of the week from the perspective of the insiders? Then this is a must listen to show.
  • Under The Influence. Get an insider’s perspective on the world of marketing and advertising and the implications for today’s company’s and consumers. The host’s delivery and the show’s production will leave you wanting more.
  • Wiretap. I stumbled across this program on CBC Radio. Ever since, I’ve been hooked. Wiretap, as I see it, is about how the world looks through the eyes of the host: Jonathan Goldstein. After just one listen you will feel like all the characters on the show are part of your family.

There are actually 13 podcasts that I subscribe to. But there are the 7 that I cannot do without.  What are some of your favourite podcasts?

digital media, social media

Busy But Exciting

Link

I know, I know. It’s been almost two months since I’ve last posted.  It’s not because I have nothing to talk about. I’ve just been terribly busy. Not to mention that WordPress.com has changed a bit which has thrown me off.

What has kept me busy these past couple of months? Work. And not in a bad way. This has been a great summer at thirdocean. We’ve secured new clients, are developing a new website and even building…something. 😉

I look forward to sharing more with you on a regular basis.

If you’re on Twitter follow me at @karimkanji. You’ll find I share a lot of interesting content. Well, at least I think so…..

social media, twitter

Securely Back Up and Index Your Tweets

There are many “shiny new tools” that come out to serve the social media industry these days.

Late last week one such tool was publicly launched in beta and actually grabbed my attention: qlouds.net.

Why do I like qlouds? As a heavy Twitter user it’s like magic to me.

First off, Twitter doesn’t “remember” all my tweets. Qlouds does. As soon as I registered my account, qlouds stores all my tweets. ALL OF THEM: Mentions, Tweets, ReTweets, DMs, and favourites.

And qlouds comes with its own search engine: I can search user name and even subjects.

If you’re interested in signing up for a free beta trial of qlouds, visit qlouds.net.

Uncategorized

Support Michael O’Connor Clarke because cancer really sucks

I don’t know Michael O’Connor Clarke. And I don’t pretend to. What I do know is that I’ve been touched in a positive way because of him. After doing a little bit of research I came to find out that Michael is a big supporter of events such as Third Tuesday and mesh.

Both Third Tuesday and mesh are two events that I have always supported over the past few years. In fact, I found out about Michael’s fight with cancer the same day I attended a Third Tuesday event in Toronto.

So who is this guy that all of Toronto seems to know and love? Take a moment to visit http://supportmichaelocc.ca/. While you’re there consider donating a little money, time, energy.

Thanks Michael for everything you’ve done – and will continue to do – for this great city and its thriving technology community.

I’m pulling for. And so is the rest of Toronto.

Uncategorized

CONTEST: The Art Of Leadership – Toronto

(Disclosure: my agency, thirdocean, is doing some work for The Art Of)

What Is The Art of Leadership?

Building on the success of the SOLD OUT national tour in Canada, this one day conference features six internationally renowned bestselling authors and visionaries, who will share an exciting blend of cutting edge thinking and real world experience on today’s most critical leadership issues. Don’t miss out on your chance to gain a competitive advantage and network with over 1,300 of Canada’s most influential leaders.

Today’s leaders have a dynamic role – integrating people and strategy to achieve sustainability and enhance organizational performance in a challenging business environment. The Art of Leadership responds to the fundamental changes that are impacting leadership functions, and the need for information and planning is critical. From practical tips, to innovative strategies, The Art of Leadership is designed to teach and provide leaders with directly related, easily applied, and important tools and techniques that can be implemented within any corporate culture.

When?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012
8:45AM – 5:00PM

Where?

Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South Building
222 Bremner Boulevard
Toronto, ON M5V 2W6

Take a look at Facebook.com/TheArtOf for video profiles on ALL the speakers.

Now to the contest!

The kind folks at The Art of Leadership have given me a ticket to give away to one lucky reader. To qualify to win all you have to do is Tweet out:

I want to attend The Art Of Leadership with @karimkanji http://bit.ly/taol2012 #TAOL

Winner will be announced on June 1st on my Twitter account: @karimkanji (Follow Me!)

Good luck!

Want to buy a ticket? Go to http://bit.ly/taol2012. You can save $50 by entering the code: TOSOCIAL

digital media, social media, video

My Raise 5 Contribution

1 Comment

By now you’ve probably heard the good news about my friends, Raise 5. If not, here’s the quick rundown: They just won Richard Branson’s Screw Business As Usual. Here’s a write-up about them from 680 News.

A while back I decided to contribute a service in return for someone donating $5 to Doctors Without Borders. My service? Singing Sweet Child O Mine and posting to YouTube. Well, someone took me up on my offer. Yikes!

For your viewing pleasure:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYTQw–BaoA&w=560&h=315]

digital media, social media

mesh coming back bigger and better than ever!

mesh – Canada’s premier digital conference is a chance to connect with people who are excited about the potential of digital — people who want to know more about how it is changing the way we live, work and interact with the world. And you won’t just connect with them in the hallways — at mesh, every session is interactive.

mesh takes place every year in Toronto. This year the conference takes place from May 23-24 at the Allstream Centre.

To register for this event please visit http://meshconference.com/registrationmesh12/. And if you want to save $100 off the price of admission enter the discount code: 100meshoff

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKcmYCwCZII&w=560&h=315]