Happy New Year everyone! May 2014 be everything you want it to be and more in 2014.
Earlier on Thursday, itbusiness.ca published my latest article. In it I highlight who I think will be the top Canadians to watch in 2014. And not just any Canadians. but those who, I believe, will be making a big impact in 2014 and beyond in digital technology.
I hope you enjoy the article which you can read HERE.
As we approach the last day of 2013 I thought I would take a moment to reflect back on the year.
2013 started off on a high with my start-up, thirdocean. However, it became clear after a few months that the company would either have to undergo some dramatic changes in what we offered or we would have to shut down and move on (which is what eventually has happened). A little bittersweet but a move that has turned out for the best.
My co-founder, Carolyn Van will be starting graduate studies in 2014 and is currently doing some interesting work as a consultant.
In September 2013 I started as the Digital Content Manager with Catalyst. It’s an industry-leading company with some amazing people working here. I can’t wait to tackle 2014 and do some really innovative and interesting things in content marketing. I was also approached by George Brown college. I will start teaching part-time in their Social Media Marketing Certificate program in 2014. That should be fun!
In 2013 I travelled to Orlando to cover BlackBerry’s annual (last?) BlackBerry World Conference. I also went to Bogota, Colombia to check out that South American country’s digital and start-up community.
Alicia Keyes at BlackBerry Live 2013
Walk Off The Earth at ING Cafe Toronto
In conversation with Laurie Dillon-Schalk
Royal Ontario Museum – Social Media Coordinator
In conversation with Andrew Jenkins
Community Manager of Real Sports
the (in)complete list of coworking spaces in Canada
Beware Bullshit from Conferences
I also continue to contribute to the itbusiness website and community.
Thanks to all my good friends and family who helped support me in 2013. A special shout out to the lovely boys and girls from The Work Republic family, all the Karim’s at big time design and communication, and the smart folks from The Cat’s Pyjamas.
Back in 2010 in the initial iteration of this blog I did a short book review of Accidental Billionaires which was the book that inspired the movie, Social Network which were both inspired by Facebook.
Hatching Twitter is the story about how 4 friends came up with the idea for the 140-character “status” updater/social networking site/global phenomenon, who then became co-founders and then became sworn enemies.
Ev told Jack he had to “chill out” with the deluge of media he was doing. “It’s bad for the company,” Ev said. “It’s sending the wrong message.” Biz sat between them, watching like a spectator at a tennis match.“But I invented Twitter,” Jack said.“No, you didn’t invent Twitter,” Ev replied. “I didn’t invent Twitter either. Neither did Biz. People don’t invent things on the Internet. They simply expand on an idea that already exists.”
Like Accidental Billionaires (which is a better book than movie) Hatching Twitter (which has just been optioned as a TV series) is about friendship, betrayal, success, business, love, hatred, loyalty, and almost any other emotion you can think of.
Although media and recent history tells a different story, I would like to thank Ev, Jack, Biz and Noah for creating a tool that has changed and continues to change the way people communicate and brands market.
Twitter has become the place where everyone from private citizens, brands and celebrities continue to compete for the attention and adoration of their friends, family members, consumers and marketers. Reading about how this successful company was hatched is a must for everyone. Especially if you’re an avid fan and user like myself.
I was given Rob Delaney’s book by good friends of mine for my last birthday. I was putting it off as I tried to finish the book I was then reading. don’t ask me what it was.
Delaney has been described as the funniest man on Twitter. He just might be that if you are to believe what “they” say. However, he is undoubtedly one of the funniest writers as well. Delaney has written a book that is honest, funny, sad, reflective, challenging and thought provoking. Most of the time, I felt multiple emotions in one chapter.
This is one of those books that leaves you begging for more when you’re done. It is a quick read. not because of the length but because it’s a book you will never want to put down.
It is also a book that will make you reflect on what you’re doing in life. You may not change careers or start to believe in a God. But you may start to live a little out on the edge.
Pick this up as a gift. for yourself. you deserve it.
I wrote my last blog post of the year for Catalyst yesterday. This being the end of the year I focused on looking forward to the upcoming year. If you’re in marketing you might find my latest interesting. I’ve enclosed the link after the photo.
http://catalyst.ca/2014-content-marketing-trends/
Let me know your thoughts and “predictions” in the comments section. Thanks!
This article was updated on Dec 1 2014.
This is my 14th submission in the Toronto Is Awesome series. I would love your comments, thoughts and future suggestions for this series.
Every year, since before time began, Uncle Neil and his friends have been putting on a concert to raise money and toys for children during Christmas. Tomorrow, Sunday December 8th, is their next event.
Last year I met Neil and had the chance to go to the Toy Mountain Concert. I was floored. There was toys (thousands of them) all over the place. From the floor to the ceiling. All over the place. And the place was packed with people of all ages. Especially children.
Neil and his friends are truly one of those groups of people that make Toronto Awesome!
Hope to see you at the concert on Dec 14 2014. Click on THIS LINK for details.
Truly one of the most revered human beings of my generation. Honoured countless times by nations around the world including Canada. There are schools in our city that are also named after him. On behalf of everyone, thanks you Madiba. You may be missed but your spirit and message live forever.
Because you lived you made us awesome. All of us.
Stop! I am not one of those people who blindly “love” our cops. Sometimes they can be found in compromising situations. Many times, their actions run counter to “To Serve and Protect”. I understand all this. However, what they put themselves through on a daily basis is admirable. Sure they get paid pretty good compared to you and I. But they put themselves in harm’s way every single day to make our city that much safer.
And for that simple fact, the TPS make Toronto awesome!
This is my 12th submission in the Toronto Is Awesome series. I would love your comments, thoughts and future suggestions for this series.
This is my eleventh submission in the Toronto Is Awesome series. I would love your comments, thoughts and future suggestions for this series.
I’ve written about co-working spaces in this blog a number of times before:
These lists are far from complete, so if you find a place in Toronto that offers co-working space let people know about it. And consider adding it in the comments section below.
Coworking venues have given small startups and even independent professionals an opportunity to grow and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs. And Toronto is home to plenty of coworking spaces, startups, independent professionals and budding entrepreneurs. And that’s another reason Toronto is awesome!
