Influx ideas 07 October 19, 2007

Influx Ideas is a conference about the future of marketing and branding.

It's designed to be provocative, inspiring and entertaining.

This year's speakers include:

Sarah Rich-Managing Editor-Worldchanging.com

WorldChanging.com works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us. That plenty of people are working on tools for change, but the fields in which they work remain unconnected. That the motive, means and opportunity for profound positive change are already present. That another world is not just possible, it's here. We only need to put the pieces together.

Jonah Bloom- Editor, Advertising Age

Advertising Age is the world's leading brand of news and information on advertising, marketing and media, delivered wherever and whenever busy marketing executives want to consume it. Ad Age platforms include the weekly newspaper and real-time Web site, as well as electronic newsletters; events and conferences; streaming video; audio podcasts; blogs and more.

Becky Saeger-Chief Marketing Officer- Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides securities brokerage and financial services to individual investors and the independent investment advisors who work with them. As one of the nation’s largest financial services firms, Schwab serves around 6.8 million client brokerage accounts, 584,000 corporate retirement plan participants, 150,000 banking accounts – all representing around $1.3 trillion in client assets.

Reuben Steiger-Founder-Millions of Us

Millions of Us is a company dedicated to helping businesses understand and harness the power of virtual worlds.

Once the stuff of science fiction, virtual worlds are becoming central to the future of marketing, technology, entertainment and brand-building. We believe this has to do with consumers' desire to be engaged in a dialogue by the companies they love. We also feel that in the future, wise companies will use virtual worlds as places to assemble active communities of their most passionate supporters.

Millions of Us is led by founder Reuben Steiger and President Christian Lassonde. Prior to founding Millions of Us, Steiger ran Business Development for Linden Lab, creator of Second Life. Lassonde was Linden Lab’s Director of Product Management.

The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Chas Edwards- Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer-Federated Media

At FM, our mission is to connect independent weblog authors, marketers and influential audiences in an ongoing conversation that feeds everyone involved.FM represents outstanding authors whose sites cater to cultural influencers, technology decision makers, early adopters and business leaders. Our first "federation," focused on digital business and culture, reaches millions and millions of unique readers every month. New federations in the small business, media/entertainment and parenting categories, representing millions of entrepreneurs, upscale consumers and families, are in the process of launching as well.

Kent Nichols- Creator-Ask a Ninja

Ask A Ninja is one of the largest independent video podcasts on the net today, with over 300,000 viewers for each new episode released. Technorati ranks it solidly among its Top 100 Blogs — more than 3,100 sites link to the Ninja. One of Forbes Magazine's top "Fictional Stars," the Ninja has been featured on CNN and ABC News, and praised in Ad Age, the New York Times Magazine, Wired Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, the Washington Post and on National Public Radio. It is also the recipient of two "Podcast Peer" awards, including one for favorite video podcast. Additionally, the show was recognized as "best series" in the inaugural YouTube video awards. Delivering its quirky wit at the speed of lightning, Ask A Ninja is redefining American humor.

Scott Wyatt- Partner- NBBJ Architects

For more than 60 years, NBBJ, a leading global architecture and design firm, has helped companies and organizations create innovative places. From top-performing world headquarters—including Reebok, Starbucks and Telenor—to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities—including collaboration on seven of the top 10 US News and World Report Honor Roll hospitals—NBBJ has designed communities, buildings, products, environments and digital experiences that enhance people’s lives. The firm has nine offices worldwide, including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Columbus, New York, London, Dubai, Beijing and Shanghai.

Official Website: http://influxideas07.eventbrite.com/