By Mary Pryor
We are saluting some of the brightest men in the bunch. Navigating SXSW this year, I had the opportunity to run into some of the most forward thinking men of color that you should know. Make sure you follow these individuals and get your tech game up as they tend to share some great news on what’s happening throughout the interactive and branding space.
A. Troy Brown @mrone50one
Chairman one50one, SVP DSM (Digital/Social/Mobile) MSLGroup
Why did you attend SXSW? – Client Meetings, Networking
What is your end goal for 2013? – Drive more integrated DSM client business, and build “ownable” branded communities leveraging custom programming, content creation, distribution, syndication, and amplification.
Brian L. Shields - @BrianLeeShields
IncubateNYC, an incubation and investment group targeting early stage companies / CoFounder
Why did you attend SXSW? – I attended SXSW to connect – connect with the newest trends in technology, connect with other great people from all over the country doing amazing things in and with technology, and connect with our team and supporters for a little R&R!
What is your end goal for 2013? – 2013 is the year of execution. At IncubateNYC, we believe in making entrepreneurship accessible, and as such, endeavor to create programs, products and services to ensure entrepreneurs can access the best training and resources needed to succeed. Our 2013 pipeline is bursting with projects that should produce useful assets of which the entrepreneurial community can take full advantage.
Marcus Mayo @Marcusdm3
Co-Founder, IncubateNYC
Why did you attend SXSW? – I am in the business of helping startups. What better place to be than the center of the entrepreneurial community.
What is your end goal for 2013? – We want to expand IncubateNYC beyond NYC, while continuing our mission of training and developing great startups.
Craig Brimm, @KissMyBlackAds
Blogger / Advertising
Why did you attend SXSW? – I attended SXSW for several reasons. I spoke on a panel called: Sorry, Your Brand Doesn’t Speak My Language. Secondly to meet, interact with and get to know several of my online friends. Lastly to dig deeper into the wealth of emerging tech and social mediums. It was a blast.
What is your end goal for 2013? – To expand my business connections and start a new venture in the advertising space.
Mike Ambassador Bruny @AmbassadorBruny
The New Art of Conference Networking: #Hashtags to Handshakes, Creator
Why did you attend SXSW?Excellent brand exposure and opportunity to help people do a better job with conference networking. It was also an excellent opportunity to connect with some folks who I’ve been in touch with online but never met in person (what I call turning Hashtags to Handshakes).
End goal for 2013?: Validate conference organizers as my true customer and create specific service based on research information. Short term would be to speak at certain conferences: Black Enterprise Entrepreneur Conference and SOBCon
Lincoln Christopher Stephens
Marcus Graham Project / Co-Founder & Executive Director
Why did you attend SXSW? : To network with the interactive community, as it is the new reality of our industry (advertising), a well as with the start up community to learn more about “starting up”
What is your end goal for 2013? To secure operational funding and hire a full staff for our non-profit. (We are all volunteers now)
Donell Creech
griotmedia, President
Why did you attend SXSW? My company has partnered with SXSW for the last 3 years to produce blacks in tech (bit) at SXSW. BIT (Blacks In Tech) is a coalition of tech organizations who connects thought leaders and highlights the global impact the black diaspora has in shaping innovation.
What is your end goal for 2013? My biggest goal for 2013 is to secure a minimum $250,000 in sponsorship for BIT 2014 activities.
Jamaal Orr
Adult Swim,Digital Marketing Manager
Why did you attend SXSW? – This was my third year at SXSW and it continues to deliver. I attend this conference to network, learn about trends and emerging platforms in the social media space, as well as gain insight into the future of the television industry as it converges with the internet. I leave SXSW every year feeling recharged and excited about the new possibilities that are out there for me as a marketer.
What is your end goal for 2013? – My end goal for 2013 is simple. I want to continue to grow Adult Swim’s brand presence in the digital space through innovative and well executed marketing campaigns. I’m sure the information and new technologies I discovered at SXSW will help me achieve that goal.