Blog-Off II Dream Team

Andrew Ballenthin	Andrew Jenkins	Mark Sinclair	Jon Hansen	Julie Tyios	Mike McClure	Patrice Rutledge	Ted Morris

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Contest Director and Organizer - Andrew Ballenthin is the founder of the Community Marketing Blog and President of Sol Solutions, an integrated marketing consultancy. With 18 years experience focusing on branding, promotions, online and offline marketing and work with over 15 countries, he brings out-of-the-box thinking to clients looking for change and growth. His focus during the last half of 2009 is on his first book, "Stop Chasing Chickens". This engaging book will cover how to monetize social media by applying integrated marketing strategies and tactics. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys meeting new people, outdoor activities, family time, food adventures and learning about new cultures.

Writing Specialty: branding, advertising, campaign strategies and social media.
Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ecademy, web page.
To contact: email, phone 416.317.7313, Skype solsolutions.

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Andrew Jenkins is the founder of Volterra Consulting, which specializes in strategy and business design with emerging technology. Andrew has over 15 years of experience spanning e-business, internet, software, wireless and social media. Before working in technology, Andrew worked in film and television. He produced a film exhibited at the Toronto International Film Festival as well as internationally and later sold for broadcast in Australia and the UK. Andrew holds a B.A. in Economics from Laurentian University, a B.F.A. in Film Production from York University, and a M.B.A. from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

Writing Specialty: strategy, business models, innovation, emerging technology.
Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, LinkedIn.
To contact: email,  phone 647.262.4242,  Skype andrew_jenkins_skype.


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Mark Sinclair is founder and chief editor of yourBusinessChannel, a web based business TV channel of over 1200 shows covering topics which matter to entrepreneurs and SME’s. Mark is a guest blogger on other platforms including the Marketing Donut, and his writing has appeared in well known publications including The Daily Telegraph (in the UK) and Entrepreneur.com. After his first career as a barrister/solicitor, Mark now provides strategic advice to businesses seeking rapid and sustainable growth including the New Zealand government on new media. When not busy at work, Mark is a father of two, an avid traveller, a private pilot, a scuba diver and an accomplished athelete. Note: the final point was a total lie but he sometimes wishes it was true.

Connect / Follow: LinkedIn, Twitter, Ecademy, web site, Facebook.
To contact: email. 

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Jon Hansen is the host of the highly acclaimed PI Window on Business Show on Blog Talk Radio. As a BTR Featured Host, Jon has welcomed bestselling authors, political figures, thought leaders and business innovators to his show to discuss timely and thought-provoking topics. His new book titled "Your Show Will Go Live in 5 Seconds" has just been published receiving strong industry reviews.  He has recently signed a new book deal to write about the So Act social network which is scheduled for release in February 2010. Jon has also written more than 500 articles and white papers on a variety of subjects including posts to the PI Window on Business Blog.

Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, web site.
To contact: email.

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Julie Tyios is the founder and CEO of Red Juice Media, an integrated online marketing firm in Toronto. She personally specializes in branding, social media marketing, and creative copywriting for SMBs and not-for-profit organizations. Julie is also the Marketing & Community Manager for a Canadian start-up that focuses on young professionals, and is on the advisory panel of the League of Kickass Business People; a collection of leading senior level digital, marketing, media and business professionals in Canada. In her spare moments, Julie is an avid tweeter and an experimental chef. She holds an HBA from the University of Toronto in Professional Writing and Communications.

Writing Specialty: social media, branding, cause marketing, Twitter, SEO/SEM.
Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, web site.
To contact: email, Skype julie.tyios, Google talk: [email protected].


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Mike McClure is Partner and Executive Creative Director for The Yaffe Group, a group of marketing, advertising, branding, research and consulting firms based out of Southfield, Michigan, with offices in Houston and Phoenix. In addition to being the ECD, Mike is also the Social Media Director for The Yaffe Group, running all of their agency's social media channels and client programs. Mike’s also written award-winning ads, including a Gold winner in short film, comedy at the Houston Film Festival. He has served on the board for the Detroit Creative Directors Counsel and currently is one of the administrators for the Detroit Social Media Club. Mike is a 3-time fantasy football champ and that’s about as athletic as he gets. But, his wife and two kids love him anyway.

Writing Specialty: advertising, social media, branding, strategy.
Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, web site, Facebook.
To contact: email, phone 248.262.1700.


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Patrice-Anne Rutledge is a bestselling author of 28 books and communications consultant specializing in social media, web content, and online collaboration. Her recent titles include The Truth About Profiting from Social Networking and Sams Teach Yourself LinkedIn in 10 Minutes, both from Pearson. She has been interviewed by CNN, Inc., Fox News, La Presse, MSN, AOL, and other media outlets around the world as a business technology expert. Before focusing on writing and consulting full-time, Patrice managed large global communication departments for several leading technology companies. She holds a degree in French Linguistics from the University of California and enjoys cooking and photography when she's not busy writing.

Writing Specialty: social media, online collaboration, presentation technologies.
Connect / Follow: Ecademy, Twitter, LinkedIn, web site, Facebook.
To contact: email, phone 248.262.1700.


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Ted Morris is a veteran of the Social Media and CRM space, WOMMA pioneer and thought leader. Most recently Ted was SVP, Global Alliances, Brandimensions, a startup social media monitoring company. Ted frequently speaks out on business issues related to branding, strategy and technology and has done so for Advertising Age, The Advertising Research Foundation, The Advertiser, ForbesAuto.com, CNN Money, ESOMAR and the American Marketing Association. Ted has worked extensively with Fortune 500 companies, notably automotive (OEM & channels), information technology (OEM & channels), telecom, retail, finance & banking and pharmaceuticals. Ted still is under the illusion that he can play golf and enjoys playing by seaside links.

Writing Specialty: branding, technology, CRM, research, media, trends.
Connect / Follow: blog, Twitter, LinkedIn.
To contact: email.