Sorry iPhone, I Need Something New (Maybe You?)

I remember back in 2007 when iPhone was first launched.  I bought one the day after launch.  It was the “must-have” device that was unfortunately out of a lot of people’s price range.  This made it a luxury item.  For a few months, if you had an iPhone, you were the man.  Everyone wanted to see it, and everyone wanted to play with it.  ”Oooh, ahhh” they’d say as they swiped through photos.  Or “Whoa” as they felt the benefits of a multi-touch capacitive touch screen display.  Or “holy shi-” as they felt the industrial design of the phone.  An aluminium-like back, smooth curves, etc.  Now, it’s “Oh, you have an iPhone?  Me too!  Cool!  What’s your favorite app?” (more…)

Magic Mouse – A Little Too Low Profile?

Every day this past week on my way home from RMU, I made a call to the Apple Store.  ”Did you get any Magic Mice in yet?”  I was always getting the same response, “Nope, not yet.  Sorry sir!”  Well, on Friday, the Shadyside store finally got them in.  I went there on my way home and picked one up.  The packing was… interesting.  It reminded me of an iPod package, although it was slighty more “soap dish” shaped.  It was a pain in the butt to open, with tape everywhere, but once I got it opened I was immediately impressed with the industrial design of the Magic Mouse.  It was the sexiest mouse I’ve ever seen.  Such a low profile, the perfect blend of metal and plastic, etc.

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Interview 8 With Webnotes

For those of you who don’t know, Webnotes is a fantastic tool for taking notes on the web.  It lets you highlight and annotate any webpage and/or PDF.  I’ve had professional relations with them in the past.  I made both the PR screencast and the regular Webnotes screencast.  They’re a fantastic company, super nice guys, and Alex King, their director of marketing agreed to answer my questions.

What is your name and official title at your company?

Alex King- Director of Marketing

What is the name of the company you work for, and what does it specialize in?

WebNotes – We provide research tools to academics and public relations professionals.

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Interview 7 With The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

What is your name and official title at your company?

Michael Ley; vice president, e-business & payments

What is the name of the company you work for, and what does it specialize in?

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

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Interview 6 With Surpass Hosting

SurpassHosting is the company that hosts all of the websites I’m a part of, including this one.  I would not host with anyone else – they’re fantastic.  Kayla is their marketing director and she was willing to answer my questions.  Check out her responses below!

What is your name and official title at your company?

Kayla Selans, Marketing Director

What is the name of the company you work for, and what does it specialize in?

SurpassHosting.com, a web hosting company based in Orlando Florida

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Interview 4 With Verizon (Part 1)

This one was a real success.  I got to speak with the Director of Social Media Strategy for Verizon Telecom.  Yes, that Verizon Telecom.  Verizon Telecom encompasses basically everything but Verizon Wireless.  This was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life.  All responses transcribed below are from Beth unless otherwise noted.  Thank you so much to Verizon for allowing me to publish this interview!  This is the first part of my interview with Verizon – part two is where we’ll hear from John ‘CZ’ Czwartacki, Executive Director – External Communications.  Stay tuned for that!

What is your name and official title at your company?

Beth Mulhern - Director of Social Media Strategy – Verizon Telecom

Cheryl Harris – Senior Staff Consultant – (manages @vzpittsburgh)

Tabitha Geary - Consultant

What is the name of the company you work for, and what does it specialize in?

Verizon – A communications and entertainment company

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Interview 2 With Comcast

What is your name and official title at your company?

Frank Eliason – Senior Director, National Customer Operation

What is the name of the company you work for, and what does it specialize in?

Comcast.  Today, we’re the country’s largest provider of cable services – and one of the world’s leading communications companies. We’re focused on broadband cable, commerce, and content. We deliver digital services, provide faster Internet and clearer broadband phone service, and develop and deliver innovative programming.

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Interview 1 With Derek Haswell (Zeo)

In preparation for my final research paper for my COSK 1221 (Argument and Research) class, I conducted a phone interview today with Derek Haswell who is the Associate Manager of Social Media and Online Marketing for Zeo.  This interview is just one of many to come.  Tomorrow, I have a conference call scheduled with some people from Verizon’s social media team.  I’ve also gotten YESs to my requests for interviews from American Express, Discover Card, Comcast, Surpass Hosting, Robert Morris University, and PNC.

Check out his responses below!  Note that his responses were transcribed by me, but reviewed by him for accuracy.

What is your name and official title at your company?

Derek Haswell – Associate Manager of Social Media and Online Marketing

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