"Those were some of the coolest special effects I've seen in a long time!" exclaimed Tery Spataro (COO, Blue Dingo). Sharleen Smith (USA Networks) and Stacy Horn (founder, EchoNYC) and even Ron Bloom (ceo, Think New Ideas) also came out to see these fantabulous special effects at Warner Brothers' special preview of the movie "Matrix." Occasionally Don Buckley of Warner Brothers Interactive invites new media professionals to see a special preview of an upcoming movie and learn about what his division of WB does in the Alley. Other new media sorts who came to see check out the high-tech film on Tuesday, March 30th were Jim Burris, who has started a new company, Bonnie Halper and David Blumenstein.
In addition to the movie preview, Amy Fried (Roz Goldfarb), Ben Austin (Comet Systems), and Annie Rhodes (Togglethis) hosted their Internet MFG (Mixer for Grownups) at Dominion on Tuesday, March 30th. And just down the street at Fez, "Fast Company" magazine hosted a gathering in honor of their agenda setters. If you haven't seen their current issue, it's all about the people, teams, and organizations that are addressing the business issues that matter in our future. Among the early attendees at the event were some of last year's agenda setters including Gordon Whitener (Interface Americas, Inc.) and Al West (SCI Investments). Linda Marten, Kathleen O'Leary and Kathleen Delaney represented Fast Company's sales team and communications manager Kathleen Crocker introduced me to some other FC-ers. Jeff Britt (international sales manager, FC), and Keith Hammonds (senior editor, FC) mingled with Al West. Polly LaBarre (senior editor, FC) and Julian Lowin mixed with other agenda setters like Commander Mike Abrashoff (deputy director, global information and network systems for the Navy). He held a captive audience of myself and Alan Webber (founding editor, FC) as he told us about what his Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command unit does, and how the Navy can save tax payers upwards of $2 billion a year in 6 years by having one IT infrastructure. He also explained the Navy's struggle to change the 33% attrition rate versus the high costs to advertise and get recruits. Comdr. Abrashoff is the first military figure highlighted in Fast Company and deserves his recognition for his new-thinking, a decorated history and future in whatever he does.
A chronicle of the people and events in technology, internet and media since 1997, mixed in with snapshots of musings and observations.
