Ryan Sommer

Ryan Sommer is a web veteran and recovering expat working in the tech industry with an emphasis on social media, content marketing and SEO. Having worked as a products intern at Wired magazine, and subsequently in specialized fields of the communications industry, he has developed expertise in both hardware and software-related tech, music, media and more.

Specialties: Branding, identity, community building, community relations, market research, social media relations, user acquisition, web browsers, mobile, desktop software, social networking, web standards, open source, identity/OpenID, design, music, gadgets, blogging, SEO, content marketing

Q&A: 72andSunny creative director: 'make fewer things and make them great'

As creative director for LA-based agency 72andSunny and a recent New York transplant, Peter Novosel has a lot on his plate right now ahead of #IMW13.

Even still, Pete took the time to answer some questions around integration, social media and search. Thanks Pete and see you in June!

by Ryan Sommer 24 May 2013 17:01pm 3 comments

Our next Google+ Hangout 5/29: managing integration

Brush up on the themes that will be explored at Integrated Marketing Week (June 11-13) in New York with these free video expert series Google+ Hangouts.

Last week as part of our video expert series in advance of Integrated Marketing Week (#IMW13) we discussed integration with Liz Miller from the CMO Council and and Dave Wieneke from ISITE Design.

If you missed it and want a quick review, catch up with this takeaway post or on our YouTube.

by Ryan Sommer 23 May 2013 16:09pm 1 comment

Start Me Up! A profile of Tablo

Tablo wants to be Wordpress for eBooks. Think it has what it takes?

Most of us in PR and content marketing are looking for the right tools to augment an ever increasing demand for content generation and that can also help create lasting value for referral traffic on different web platforms.

I personally forsee a lot of SaaS startups and cloud collaboration popping up soon to address this market, and we've profiled startups like Flockler, and 87seconds in the past, which are examples fitting this mould.

A new entrant, Tablo, addresses the eBook market specifically. Whether you are an author, or a web marketer, I suggest paying close attention to founder Ash Davies responses below!

by Ryan Sommer 21 May 2013 16:44pm 0 comments

Takeaways from our #IMW13 Hangout: Channel integration

We've been enjoying bringing thought and discussion around the key themes of Integrated Marketing Week to our subscribers and blog community early with Google+ Hangouts.

If you missed last week's video expert series on channel integration, catch up with a quick read on some of the key points here!

by Ryan Sommer 20 May 2013 14:53pm 0 comments

Q&A: Brian Solis on marketing convergence and the "human API" #IMW13

In this Q&A, Brian gives us a preview of what to expect for his Integrated Marketing Week keynote, as well as insights into his writing/publishing process and where the future of marketing is headed.

Very few names carry global cache across a multitude of segments in digital and their overall digital transformation of business.

Our own CEO Ashley Friedlein and his latest work with the Modern Marketing Manifesto has worked tirelessly over the last decade to fit this mould.

Another pioneer, who recognized the significance of social and multi-channel convergence from the earliest stages is Brian Solis, Principal at Altimeter Group.

In the below Q&A, Brian and I chat about what to expect around his presentation, how data analytics and good design impacted the writing and delivery of his latest book: What's The Future of Business, and the latest trends in convergence and multichannel marketing.

by Ryan Sommer 14 May 2013 17:13pm 1 comment

Takeaways from our #IMW13 Hangout: Measurement, analytics and attribution

Last week we wrapped the second of our Integrated Marketing Week (#IMW13) video expert series via a Google+ Hangout.

The hangout featured Tom Cunniff from ANA Digital Marketing Committee, Jim Sterne of eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit, and Jon Baron of Tagman.

The guys had a lively debate curated by our VP of research in the States, Stefan Tornquist, with audience interaction and questions via Twitter and YouTube.

Here's a breakdown of what was discussed:

by Ryan Sommer 09 May 2013 17:01pm 1 comment

Start Me Up! A profile of Kickdynamic

Email marketing is still one of the most effective channels for reaching your audience, but the inbox has become increasingly crowded these days.

Kickdynamic is a startup aiming to help you keep your message fresh through a product and analytics suite that puts live content in your control, post send button.

We spoke with Matt Hayes, Kickdynamic's co-founder to get a better picture of the product offering and the team's approach.

by Ryan Sommer 13 May 2013 16:40pm 2 comments

Our next Google+ Hangout this Wednesday: channel integration

Brush up on the themes that will be explored at Integrated Marketing Week (June 11-13) in New York with these free video expert series Google+ Hangouts.

Are you a CMO hiring developers to take full control of your brand's online presence?

The next Hangout (Wednesday, May 15) will focus on channel integration.

by Ryan Sommer 13 May 2013 17:53pm 0 comments

Kerry Bennett of HauteLook: 'Search is still one of the most efficient ways to drive traffic' #IMW13

As part of our Integrated Marketing Week speakers series, we have a great line up of experts in the digital and integrated marketing space.

Our fifth interview features Kerry Bennett, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at HauteLook.

Kerry has shaped HauteLook's aesthetic from the company's early days and currently oversees all communications, including public relationships, social media, creative, corporate communications, promotional merchandising, member insights and brand-to-brand relationships.

Read on for her views on search, social and the value of social engagement.

by Ryan Sommer 07 May 2013 18:45pm 0 comments