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Potential Chicago Cab Strike July 31 – How to Get to adtech(ad:tech) via CTA

With today’s possible cab strike in Chicago, I thought it would be a good idea to post CTA bus options to arrive at the west end of Navy Pier. Please note that even with these bus options, it is a10 minute walk to the east end of Navy Pier where the Festival Hall is located. I highly suggest taking the bus instead of walking the entire distance and wish the actually CTA stopped at Navy Pier East Entrance #2. Please check out my current question on Yahoo! Answers regarding Navy Pier.

Here are some tips on how to navigate via CTA to Navy Pier. Cash fare on the CTA is currently $2. This is a pdf map of the areas described below.

From the Sheraton: the #29, #65 and #124 buses stop in front of the Sheraton on Illinois and terminate and 600 East Grand Avenue, this will save you three blocks of walking.

The number#124 bus starts in the West Loop at Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and terminates at 600 East Grand Avenue.

If traveling from Midway Airport, take the Orange line to Roosevelt, walk down the stairs and travel one block west to State Street. Take the#29 State bus northbound to 600 East Grand Avenue.

If traveling from O’hare Airport, take the blue line to Monroe, walk up the stairs, then walk one block east to State Street. Take the#29 State bus northbound to 600 East Grand Avenue.

For those staying at a hotel a bit further north, the #66 bus travels east on Chicago Avenue, then south on Fairbanks to Grand to 600 East Grand Avenue.

For those of you attending ad:tech, I have the following high level networking objectives and look forward to speaking with you (please drop me an email contained on my Bio page):

1) I’m seeking anyone with senior contacts at major search engines

2) Anyone with ideas or connections to publishers, advertisers or investors regarding mobile search and mobile advertising.

Have a great show!

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Medio Systems Names Robert P Lilleness Chief Operating Officer

As per this press release, Medio Systems named Robert P. Lilleness Chief Operating Officer this month.

It’s notable to me  in that he has no previous direct search or advertising experience.

His ownership of Smarthome is certainly an interesting wrinkle. Perhaps Medio sees a potential revenue model in providing services to control devices in your home from the mobile phone someday?

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Happy First Blog Birthday

One year ago today, I started and made my first post on this blog! More importantly, I started an international and quite unpredictable journey of connectedness, friendship acquisition, learning, assumption questioning and personal growth that still amazes me on a daily basis by it’s power to transform my life and the people around me in positive and forceful ways. I’ve had people that I’ve never met provide introductions to people that have changed my life in ways I could not have imagined and have had acts of kindness and generosity that are simply too numerous to list.

In this first year, I’ve teethed, bruised myself and made some mistakes! In the next year, I hope to start walking as I progress from my crawling phase.

Sometimes people ask me what my goals are for this blog. In the short-term, they are career oriented as I am seeking a leadership position in a transformative, growth company, in the long term they about doing everything I can to make the world a better experience for everyone.

So my primary goals are:

1) Using my financial services, Internet and high growth company experiences and competencies to become one of the world’s leaders in mobile search and monetization. It is my belief that over time the lines between financial services, search and social networks will blur in ways that will amaze the world.

2) Use the Peter Drucker principles and quotes I live to help craft and execute elite experiences for those who interact with the companies I’ve serve in the future.

3) Build a transformative relationships in everyday life, as a business keynote speaker at conferences and within the blogosphere.

I thank you for your love and support during this first year and I look forward to the year to come being even better. Give yourself a round of well deserved applause and tell your friends and neighbors what a good job you’ve done supporting me! See you soon. Thanks again!

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Microsoft Strategic Account Summit 2007

The main parts of the Microsoft Strategic Account Summit are today and Wednesday, here is the schedule. My initial thoughts:

1) I wish it were broadcast online, even the Chris Cornell concert, this is a lost opportunity for exposure to those who can’t be at the summit and build positive PR.

2) We’re going to hear another round of Yahoo! and Microsoft merger talk. Much like old URL http://blogs.forrester.com/groundswell/2007/05/why_microsoft_y.html by Charlene Li, I do not think this is the best path. They would be better off hiring teams of people with experience innovating products and services in different industries. This get past the limiting beliefs of continually hiring passive candidates who demonstrate no loyalty or passion for their present companies.

3) Why is John Battelle the only person at the summit blogging his thoughts? His post is the only one I could find about the opening night’s festivities.

4) I’m interested in information about the people shaping mobile search at the summit, please contact me.

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Hugh Griffiths Joins Microsoft as Director of Mobile

Mobile Entertainment reports that “Griffiths will be responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the mobile division within the Online Services Group division.”

It’s interesting to see Microsoft bringing in outside talent for this type of role, we’ll see how this develops. Hugh sounds like someone I’d like to get to know.

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Nokia N800 Convergence Product Manger Interview Victor Brilon

While at the recent CTIA conference, I met Victor Brilon and his immensely helpful Nokia publicist. We shared a dynamic conversation that was amazingly informative regarding Nokia and it’s unique ideas regarding the various types of emerging Internet convergence. The Nokia N800 is a device that is clearly “on the other side of the chasm” as Victor proudly describes it. In the time that has followed my visit to CTIA two themes have emerged regarding Nokia 1) They understand the blogosphere and see a significant event in convergence coming and are preparing for these possibilities and 2) The frame I saw when at their booth was one of company who views themselves as “more than just a device maker”. I like that point of view.

Please enjoy my attempt to recreate the magic of my first unplanned meeting with Victor via this podcast. I welcome your feedback on the discussion from yourself and others, especially in regards to your thoughts on the vision for convergence. Thanks!

Listen to the interview: Nokia_N800_Victor_Brilon

Related posts:
10 Ways The Nokia N800 Is Better Than Apple’s iPhone
Justin Dolske’s blog
N800 WOM World
CES 2007

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CTIA Mobile Search Panel

I will not have a blog entry on this panel. With 6 participants of various backgrounds – it wasn’t focused. The sound was also terrible. There was little flow to the conversation.  The session was obviously frustrating to the audience as half of them left before it was over.  

There was a minimum of three panels merged into one here – white label mobile search, LBS in conjunction mobile search and voice with mobile search. My view is that CTIA doesn’t fully appreciate the importance of mobile search yet and that the mobile search discussions during the Billboard event on Monday were of superior quality.