TechBiz Connection to Present Social Media Marketing Expert Panel for Local SMBs

IRVINE, Calif., June 9, 2010 -- TechBiz Connection (http://www.techbizconnection.org) will present a panel of Orange County-based experts who will address the various social media marketing strategies that businesses can apply in their organizations on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the law offices of Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear in Irvine.

According to Jack Bicer, TechBiz Connection president, many companies have no idea the value that social media can provide. “There are competing theories that argue whether it’s all just a waste a time or there’s a major breakthrough here waiting to be leveraged. This event will feature experts in social media analytics, new media thought leaders and practical marketing masters who will help executives make up their minds if social media is even worth it and if it’s appropriate for their business,” Bicer explained.

The panelists will teach attendees how to measure social media’s true return on investment; explain the four functions of social media, present case studies for B2B and B2C businesses and predict what the future will bring that they must prepare for now.

The evening’s moderator will be Michael Bonfils, CEO of International Media Management (www.seminternational.com), who specializes in providing international and multilingual online marketing management services for global advertising agencies and Fortune 100 firms. Mr. Bonfils is also a frequent contributor to Internet marketing technology and trends, writing for national publications and speaking at events such as Search Engine Watch, Search Engine Strategies, Webmasterworld and others. His company services over 100 clients worldwide and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

Panelist Thumbnail Bios

• Rodney Rumford is co-founder of TweetPhoto (www.tweetphoto.com), a top 250 internet site that serves over 17 million unique users per month. Mr. Rumford is a true visionary and has authored books on social media, Twitter, business blogging and podcasting as well as numerous white papers that relate to the business and marketing aspects of these technologies. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, Business Week, Business 2.0 and numerous Associated Press & Reuters articles. His sites have also been featured in the acclaimed "For Dummies" series of books.

• Cara Stewart is the founder of Remarx Media (www.remarxmedia.com) and a self-described punk rocker on the cutting edge. Where Cara really stands out is in the workplace with her intricate knowledge of B2B social media and PR. KTLA 5 News (Los Angeles), MSNBC, The Orange County Register, The Orange County Business Journal, Communication World and other outlets have considered her as a go-to media resource on the topics of business branding, the use of social media in PR, and the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in brand-building.

• Paul De Paul, principal, Pinnacle Partners (www.PinnaclePartner.com) provides strategic and tactical business growth consulting to early and advanced stage high-tech companies. Prior to establishing Pinnacle Partners, his 25+ years of corporate experience covered executive level positions in sales, marketing and operational management with focus on the F1000 marketplace. Mr. De Paul’s client work in the analytical and business intelligence solutions area with both F1000 companies and major interactive agencies provides first-hand knowledge on how brands and agencies are looking to leverage the strategic value of online mass consumer opinion data for a new level of marketing insights.

• Daniel (Dan) Jacobson is CTO and co-founder of ActSeed Corporation (www.actseed.com), a new social-business media company, a marketplace and community where entrepreneurs can access to the knowledge, capital, methods, and talent resources required for success. His career includes 17 years as a global ERP and CRM practice leader at Grant Thornton, Ernst & Young, and PriceWaterhouse, co-founding a venture-backed CRM SaaS company called Covalent Communications, and developing customer data and analytics systems for telecom, technology, and finance companies.

The TBC Forum discussion and subsequent question-and-answer session is sponsored by Daly-Swartz Public Relations (http://www.dsprel.com); Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; InteleNet (now Latisys); Septium Corp.; Smith Micro; BuzzGap; and Knobbe Martens, Olson & Bear.

Admission to the TechBiz Connection event is $30 prepaid and $40 at the door. For further information and RSVP, visit http://www.techbizconnection.org or e-mail president@techbizconnection.org.

TechBiz Connection was created to support Southern California business and technology professionals, companies and entrepreneurs by providing timely education and networking opportunities. The organization focuses on where technology and business intersect; everything a successful high-tech company would want to do.

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Contact:

Daly-Swartz PR for TechBiz Connection

Jeffrey Swartz, 949-470-0075

jeffreyswartz@dsprel.com