Developing Mobile Social Software Applications
Social software is becoming a increasingly popular way for people to
connect to others and bring context to a mobile campaign. Which kinds
of programs work? Which don't? How can your organization can
incorporate MoMoSo into its program?
Chair: Justin Oberman - Communications Consultant, Digitisms
Justin Oberman is a freelance writer, blog maestro and viral communications consultant for Digitisms, the company he founded. Among other things, he's the mobile correspondent for the Personal Democracy Forum, as well as the founder of MOpocket.com, a popular American mobile technology weblog. You can also read Justin at MobileActive.org (of which he is a member) and at whatwoulddumbledoredo.com (of which he is the webmaster). Justin created the Politics 2 Go Moblog for the recent conference of the same name, sponsored by George Washington University's Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet and published several articles in the Politics2Go Handbook. He has a Master's Degree in Philosophy from New School University.
Katrin Verclas - co-founder and editor, MobileActive.org
Katrin Verclas is the co-founder and editor of MobileActive.org, a global network of practitioners using mobile phones in social change work. She, was until recently, also the Executive Director of NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network, the national association of IT professionals in nonprofit organizations in the United States.
Katrin is passionate about the use of technology in democratic participation, economic empowerment, and government accountability. She has a strong background in IT management, IT in social change organizations, and in philanthropy. Prior to NTEN and MobileActive, she has led several nonprofit organizations, and served as a program officer at the Proteus Fund for six years, focusing on the use of technology in civic and democratic participation and government transparency.
She has consulted with foundations such as Carnegie Corporation and Pew Charitable Trusts, among others, and is currently engaged in a research project on mobile use in civil society with the UN Foundation.
Katrin has written widely on mobiles in participation and civil society work, open source software in the nonprofit sector, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) in development. She is the editor of a forthcoming book on IT Leadership in organizations, and is the author of an essay in a book to be published in 2008 on the use of technology in engaging young people in democratic movements. She is a frequent speaker on ICTs in civil society at national and international conferences and has published numerous articles and publications on ICT and mobile technology for social change.
Katrin serves on the boards of Mobile Voter and NTEN, and is a member of IEEE Computer Society and the Development Executive Group.
MobileActive.org is a global network of practitioners using mobile phones in social change work. MobileActive.org features a high-traffic community blog with the latest case studies and analysis of the use of mobile phones in civil society organizations; data on mobile penetration worldwide, and maintains a comprehensive directory of projects, vendors, and tools using mobile technology. The network organizes a popular conference for practitioners and technologists at the cutting edge of using mobiles in social change work around the world.
James Eberhard - CEO and Chairman, Motellus
James is one of the
original pioneers of the mobile content and services industry. Having
worked on five different continents developing and deploying mobile
platforms and strategies, James is regarded as an expert in global
wireless markets for content and services. With extensive
experience leading start-up technical companies, his recent companies
include Mobile Accord, Inc., Kick Start Mobile, Inc., HouseFront.com
LLC, ReLogic, Inc., and most recently, Motellus, Inc., James has
established himself as an accomplished entrepreneur and industry
leader within the global wireless and internet communities.
Prior to founding his
current series of companies, James founded 9 Squared, Inc., a mobile
content and services company. 9 Squared launched the first
multi-platform mobile content delivery systems in the United States.
James served as one of innovators of the mobile content industry and
built 9 Squared into one of the top mobile phone content companies in
North and South America. In three years and with less than $50,000 in
investment capital, he grew 9 Squared into a multi-million dollar
company with annual sales over $30 million. In 2004, James sold 9
Squared to UK based Monstermob Group plc for $40 million.
Doug Busk -- Vice President of Industry Relations, SinglePoint
With over 10 years’
experience in high tech fields, ranging from interactive marketing to
wireless strategy, Doug Busk brings a diverse background to his
current role as Vice President – Industry Relations at
SinglePoint. In his current capacity, Doug leads Marketing, Product
Strategy, and SinglePoint strategic partner management and
participation in industry groups and standards bodies, including the
Mobile Marketing Association, CTIA, and WIC. Previously, Doug was
Associate Director of Messaging for Verizon Wireless, where he led
product management of intercarrier, premium, international, and B2B
SMS-based initiatives as well as Instant Messaging product lines.
Upon joining Verizon Wireless in 2003, Doug headed up Wi-Fi and
EV-DO-related development. From 2001-2003, Doug drove product
development and management of third-party revenue at Cingular. From
1997-2000, Doug led CIMStudio, the in-house advertising creative unit
of nationwide city site network Cox Interactive Media.
