Andy Sernovitz Interviews Andy Nulman
Arriving at the beautiful Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Universal Orlando Florida, I first saw Andy Nulman standing in the lobby. I recognized him from the Shop.org Strategy and Innovation Forum pre-registration information. He was one of the Keynote Speakers. The purpose of the forum was 'Where Internet and Multichannel Retailers Plan the Future', taken from the program guide. Leaving Minneapolis Minnesota, 'Arctic Blast' sub-zero temperatures, I was ready to go to my room and retire my AK Anne Kline, black leather pull-on riding boots with upper stretch fabric panel with buckle and strap detail. You could say, I would be pulling myself up by my own bootstraps, but then again, that would be so tired and cliche'. At this point, I was very energized anticipating a warm reception.
While talking to Mitch Joel at the Opening Reception that evening at the Wantilan, an exotic outdoor garden event area, Andy Nulman joined us. True to the program description 'young in spirit and snappy in dress' it was fun to meet him. Later I learned he creates media projects, co-founded the world renowned 'Just For Laughs Festival', co-founder of Airbourne Entertainment North America's 4th-Fastest Growing Tech Company in Deloitte and Touche's Fast 50 ranking. Later I recognized he was an engaging speaker.
Before Andy gave his Keynote Address on Thursday, I had the opportunity to join his Round Table Discussion on Wednesday afternoon titled 'Mobile Marketing: Right for You? Right for Who?' With the table over crowded, about 12-15 of us discussed Mobile Marketing while Andy facilitated the discussion. It was a lively discussion at times as Andy talked about how mobile marketing was used in other countries around the world such as Japan. For instance the phone is used to scan purchases, discounts, and gift cards. Upon entering an event your ticket information is in the phone and it is scanned instead of using a ticket. The phone is more of a utility tool using the information it contains directly for commerce solutions. As we were breaking up to move to the Expo Hall, I asked what effect the mobile phone would have on computer use in the future. He did not think that it would replace the computer, but will be used more extensively in mobile marketing and commerce solutions like in other world markets.
During the lunch break in the Expo Hall I had a chance to meet Daniel Taras, Vice President, Business Development with iPerceptions. Previously, at the Shop.org Annual Summit I met Daniel's colleague Jonathan Levitt where I received a white paper by Jim Sterne titled 'We Know What You Did Last Summer But We Don't Know Why' sponsored by iPerceptions. Their company is a web focused customer satisfaction and experience research provider capturing the voice of actual online customers using metrics to turn learning into customer lead decision support. I also sat with Katrina Lane, Vice President Of Channel Marketing with Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. She gave me some ideas about Pastor Paul's Club becoming a 'filler' in Banner Advertising Tests. She said the Banner tests are very expensive. A company will pay for them and will need an alternate 'filler'. It would be a no cost opportunity and exposure for Pastor Paul's Club. Networking is always good.
On Thursday January 24, 2008 I was seated next to Eric Nadler, Vice President, Sales Operation and E-Commerce, Danskin, Inc. We were front and center ready for Andy Nulman's Keynote: 'One Hand In Their Pocket: The Constant Mobile Connection To Your Customers.' An energized, Mitch Joel introduced Andy with some very endearing comments as he told about their friendship and previous work relationship at Airborne. Then quickly, it was a POW-Right Between the Eyes (Andy's Blog) MOMENT, Mitch claimed Andy fired him! At that point I was ready to stand and cheer, even better yet, he asked everyone of the 800 people in the the room to turn on and hold their mobile phones in the air to salute the 'Boss of Mobile'-'King of Text Message' (my titles) and we did. Andy flew through the air to the stage and did not skip a beat. He held the audience attention as he presented detailed innovative mobile marketing strategies.
There was not a quiet phone in the house. I remember gazing at my iPhone, I named iLoveu, thinking: You are not only beautiful you are the future.
To commemorate their 15th Anniversary, I will be blogging about my experiences with Shop.org and about some of the great people I have met at the conferences and workshops. Please join this conversation with some of your comments or experiences with Shop.org. The next blog will focus on the Shop.org 2007 Annual Summit in Las Vegas Nevada.
2 comments:
Thanks for this, Jeanine. You make me out to be way nicer, much taller and awfully more talented than I really am. And by the way, don'tcha EVER retire those boots!
--Andy
Hello Andy! Thanks for your comment, but I must disagree.
Look at my first comment about you, 'young in spirit', true, true, true. Take a closer look and what this reveals to me is that I was seeing you through 'spiritual eyes', something I really can not take credit for because we know God authors the 'spiritual world'. Next comment, 'snappy of dress', this is clearly an understatement or a little off. My point here is that you make a point to dress, 'uniquely couture', unlike others with style (you actually said this yourself both in your presentation and at the Intimate Round Table discussions), I completely agree!
I think that is why you loved my boots! They are fabulous and between you and I, I will never retire them. However, I will not be lifting myself up by my 'bootstraps' anytime in the near future. Those days are over.
Instead, I will be marching to the beat of a different drummer. The beat, as Sonny and Cher so aptly sang about in their hit 60's single, 'The Beat Goes On', will keep tyme for a larger community, some wearing boots and others more than likely will be 'Barefoot In The Park.'
You have already joined this community by commenting on the blog! Thanks Again Andy.
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