Girls In Tech

As we all know, over the past few years, TechCrunch has become the bible equivalent for the Web 2.0 tech space. However biased or opinionated TechCrunch is, they have a knack for breaking solid news, announcing new, interesting start-ups, and analyzing the ups and downs of the industry, including which companies are staying afloat during this volatile economic situation that we’re facing. TechCrunch is the most highly-respected tech blog around with a “Michael Arrington” backbone that has made it a lucrative business and revenue stream for them. Regardless of that point, and because I value the opinion of TechCrunch’s writers and readers, I wanted to highlight some of the finalist names of the Crunchies, “Best of the Web 2008″ award competition:

For the “best overall” category a few obvious companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Android, Hulu and Twitter made it to the list. Four out of those five services I personally use on a daily basis. Within the category of “Best New Startup of 2008,” Dropbox, FriendFeed, GoodGuide, Tapulous, Topspin Media and Yammer made it on to the list. Congrats!

Share your voice. You can vote for your favorite Web 2.0 companies, by clicking on the following link:

http://crunchies2008.techcrunch.com/votes/

So, as many of you already know, my career started out in a traditional PR capacity, sending out bulky press kits, faxing press releases to reporters and using the severely-outdated Bacon’s media resource (the book version, not the online version). Over time, my PR career slowly evolved to working in social media, word of mouth marketing and digital and interactive design. I absolutely love it and for those of you out there that are questioning this path to your future career, my recommendation is, “do it!”

The benefits to a career in digital media, social media or word of mouth marketing include:
•    Autonomy
•    You get to use cool, new web tools
•    Easy to become a “web 2.0 influencer”
•    Make an imprint on the social web
•    Work with cutting edge vendors
•    Educate brands and corporations that are willing to take risks
•    Become an expert, fast
•    Make yourself a valuable resource
•    Have more of an impact on the company or clients you are representing
•    Work in a creative environment
•    Personalize your work
•    Learn a lot as you progress in your career
•    Mix and mingle with some of the most innovative minds of our time

Since I’m an enthusiast, I wanted to create my own word of mouth campaign and share some of my favorite brands with you:

-Tory Burch (everything)
-Flipcam (the new HD)
-PotteryBarn (Bob Mitchell series)
-Papyrus (stationary)
-Lancome (everything)
-Apple (everything)
-Intel (PC Classmate)
-Method (all cleaning products)
-Mitchell’s Ice Cream (Vanilla Bean)
-Pete’s Coffee (Mocha, w/whip)
-Virgin America/Virgin Atlantic (all flights to anywhere and Richard Branson)
-Canon (Powershot 850 SD)
-Samsung (40 inch LCD TV)
-Adidas (running shoes)
-Sonicare (vibrating toothbrush)

Last week Girls in Tech launched its INCUBATOR program in San Francisco at Slide, coincidentally, the same location that GIT celebrated its official launch party. The INCUBATOR program was designed to showcase female-owned businesses, while encouraging women within the tech community to help enhance and grow the company. Only one of the beautiful co-founders of Mixtt was able to present, however, she definitely held her own as attendees left the event with ear-to-ear grins, a fire and confidence to start their own companies, as well as very detailed information on how to be resourceful when launching a start-up.

MIXTT is a new-genre “meeting” site that mixes and matches groups of friends at bars, parties, clubs, concerts, and other social events. The Website provides a fun and casual way to meet new people, and a welcome alternative to traditional models of online dating. MIXTT made its US debut in September of 2008 and plans to go international in 2009.

About Eve Peters, founder, CEO, Mixtt.com:

Eve grew up in Los Angeles and moved to San Francisco following her undergraduate education at Stanford in 2004. After working as a paralegal in the SF Financial District for several years, she headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to become fluent in Spanish while getting a taste of “the good life.” There she met entrepreneurs - starters of wineries, good-for-your-brain snack bars, tea shops, and tech companies - who urged her to follow through with the then half-baked plan to build a fun and contemporary group-based alternative to traditional online personals sites.  She and Diana Agraz (Stanford, ‘04) launched MIXTT in September 2008 at TechCrunch50.

Environmental awareness is a movement that has been around since the ’60s. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 with 20 million people. That same year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created where a number of environmental laws were enacted. Since then, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 where the EPA worked on regulating public drinking water. In 1992, the EPA began the Energy Star Program to aide consumers in identifying energy-efficient products. Today, environmental awareness is now a part of everyday life. From recycling paper, glass, plastic, etc., to using products from companies like Seven Generation and Method, to having the opportunity to buy fuel-efficient Hybrid cars.

The tech industry has also been finding ways to be more environmentally aware. A couple of companies I want to highlight today are Credo mobile and Apple.

Credo Mobile was introduced last year by Working Assets as the greenest mobile phone company in the US. From using refurbished phones made from reused parts, to recycling paper by having planted 2.5 million trees and printing their bills on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, to being certified by carbonfund.org for offsetting electricity use when shipping their phones, to donating 1% of their clients’ charges to organizations such as Greenpeace and Doctor Without Borders. Their goal is to grow their business with minimal impact to the planet. It’s mobile phones meets activism, an odd pairing, but a great thing.

Apple, as many of you I’m sure know, just launched a new family of Macbooks. Each Macbook is made with Arsenic-free glass, mercury-free LED-backlit display, BFR-free internal components, PVC-free internal components, highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure, and 41% smaller packaging. Apple is working hard to eliminate harmful toxic chemicals from their products. They have provided an overview of the progress they have made thus far to improving energy efficiency and their recycling efforts.

Go Green!

Sources -

*http://www.credomobile.com/GreenStatement_mobile.html

*http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm

*http://www.apple.com/mac/green-notebooks/

*http://www.apple.com/environment/update/

Last night, Gamers United, an organization founded by The ECA, held a holiday fundraiser for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots foundation, at The Custom Hotel in Los Angeles. The goal of the event was to bring together gamers and gaming organizations to give back for the holidays. Some of the sponsors included GamerVixens, JC Media, Gaming Angels, Mimoco, Women in Games International, Girl Gamer, Girls Entertainment Network, Nyco, Pwned, Smart Monkey Entertainment and more!

The event was a huge success with over 100 gamers in attendance, despite the terrible traffic and undesirable weather. Instead of charging for the event, each attendee was asked to bring a toy or monetary donation for Toys for Tots.

Before long, the tree was brimming with gifts and monetary donations.  Women in Games International set up a wonderful RockBand area which provided excellent music and entertainment for the evening.   I was pleasantly surprised by how many people thanked me for helping to put on a charity event.

Often times in the holiday season, it is easy to forget those less fortunate than ourselves. I had a chance to speak with one of the Marines representing and collecting the toys, and he confirmed that charities such as Toys for Tots are suffering this year.  Even though the recession is hurting all of us, the less you have, the more it hurts.  I am warmed by the enthusiasm and generosity displayed by the gaming community in coming together for this event.  So many organizations jumped at the chance to be involved, and it encourages me to continue to put together events such as these in the future.

What struck me the most, was how willing and excited everyone was to give back, and yet how it takes events such as these to really encourage giving.   I hope this event inspired gamers to give all year round, and not just during the holidays.   There are many places and many ways to give back, especially online. Most charities have websites where you can donate money, gifts or services. If you’re not sure about who to donate to, you can join communities like Causecast that give you a chance to explore causes and make a difference in the world. Who are you going to affect this year?

To see event details & photos, please visit: http://www.gamervixens.com/party