Tired of hearing you have to use Social Media, Mobile & Local advertising? Is it all just a waste of time or is there a breakthrough waiting to be leveraged? Join TechBiz Connection to hear real life people, who specialize in these tools to grow brand awareness and businesses.

You will learn:

•     Real life examples of how companies successfully used these new tools to their advantage
•     How to define ROI for these new tools
•     Lessons learned and how to avoid the pitfalls
•     What is coming up that you must prepare for now.

Moderator:

Sven Johnston | Senior VP Business Development | GigaSavvy
Sven Johnston is the Sr. VP Business Development with GigaSavvy, An online marketing company with a core focus on SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Social Media Marketing and Web Design & Development. He has 15+ years’ experience in international business development and has a passion for building long-term strategic partnerships. He has worked for Fortune 500 companies all the way down to small entrepreneurial businesses. No stranger to complex challenges, he thrives on linking businesses to success. He has a passion for taking on projects that seem impossible. Sven is a LinkedIn power user (4000+ connections) and has taught over 2000 people the power of using LinkedIn. He is also the founder of a LinkedIn group with over 7000 members called We Are Orange County!™

Panelists:

Carey Ransom | Vice President | ReachLocal
Carey has been involved as a CEO, co-founder, founder and senior executive in 7 companies in 8 years in Orange County, with well over $100 million in venture capital raised among them, and both successes and failures. He believes in the founder attitude - a commitment, ownership and passion that drives him whether he starts or joins a company. Most recently he led and sold RealPractice, funded by Miramar Venture Partners and Rustic Canyon Partners, to ReachLocal, after joining the company in 2009 as CEO to find the next phase of growth opportunity for it. Carey is a Midwest transplant to Southern California, and attributes much of his success and attitude to his background in his family's 140 year old retail business. Come join the discussion as Bart and Carey discuss his story, the many faces of entrepreneurship, and how to be a founder.

Hank Mondaca | VP Western Region | Sonic Mobile
Hank is a Mobile Solutions Specialist. Hank provides mobile education and consulting services to marketing professionals, SMB owners and entrepreneurs. As an advocate for smart, effective mobile marketing channels, Hank leads workshops and speaks about how to grow your business with Mobile Marketing techniques. An entrepreneur in the Marketing & Advertising industry for 18 years, Hank has vast experience in not only the technological aspect of Mobile Marketing, but also the ability of how to apply this medium to maximize your marketing results. Hank’s unique online presence and his ability to educate business professionals in the mobile realm has earned him the nickname "The Mobile Marketer".

Anne Hogan | Social Media Specialist | GigaSavvy
Anne Hogan currently works for GigaSavvy as a Social Media Specialist. She is a self-proclaimed social media addict who is passionate about helping brands cultivate and engage their online communities. She has experience working with both nonprofits and for-profit companies and her areas of expertise include engagement, social media marketing, analytics and reporting, content strategy, and crisis management. Anne also volunteers with animal welfare organizations such as The Humane Society of the United States and The Whaleman Foundation. When she's not tweeting, you can find her playing with and pampering her rescued Pomeranian, Teddy.