Why I Social

Brad Parler is Digital Communications Administrator at Blinds.com. Brad resides in the Houston area and came highly recommended by Five Favorites co-host, Amir Zonozi. In his own words - Brad lives with one foot firmly planted in the world of video production the other foot planted in the world of Internet Technology.live with one foot firmly planted in the world of video production the other foot planted in the world of Internet Technology. Hear his story on this week's episode.  This Week on Why I Social, Brad and I discuss: Why has video been so important to his career  How does he utilize video display boards in his work?  And of course, Why Does He Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud, Google and Otto Radio.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital m

On this week's episode, Google is shrinking the size of their apps. Also, Amir finally gets his hands on a pair of Snap Spectacles.  This week's Five Favorites:  1. Slack and Google Announce Partnership (TechCrunch)  2. Google Play Background App Updates Are Now 65% Smaller (VentureBeat)  3. Instagram Is Changing Comments In A Big Way (Mashable)  4. Pandora Spotify Competitor is Launching Next Year (TechCrunch)  5. Hot Topic: Amazon Just Launched A Cashier-Free Convenience Store (Venture Beat)    Honorable Mention(s): Microsoft Officially Closes Its Acquisition of LinkedIn DISHonorable Mention(s): PewDiePie deletes his (other) YouTube channel (The Verge)  DISHonorable Mention(s): Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Karla Porter is Director of Program Development and Marketing at The Arc of Luzerne County. She's also Principal of Karla Porter Human Capital and New Media. Her career has taken her across the globe - including 10 years in which she lived in Mexico. Hear her story on this week's episode.  This Week on Why I Social, Karla and I discuss: The importance of the military in her career What opportunities being bilingual has opened for her How she became involved in NEPA BlogCon (w/ alum Mandy Pennington) And of course, Why Does She Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital marketing with real-times streaming analytics. Our platform provides you with an end-to-end solution  to ignite your content, your marketing,

On this week's episode, Amir makes Chris talk about Apple. Also, the episode is (a lot) longer than the view of an average Snapchat ad.   This week's Five Favorites:  1. Spotify Crunches User Data In Fun Ways for New Global Campaign (AdWeek)  2. AT&T Just Unveiled Its Answer To The Cord-Cutting Wars (Washington Post)  3. Snapchat Video Ads Average Less Than 3 Seconds A View (Advertising Age)  4. The NFL Will (Reportedly) Relax Their Social Media Rules (TechCrunch)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Netflix (Finally) Adds The Ability To Download Content (Gadgets 360)   Honorable Mention(s): Finally You Can Say 'Ok Google' to command Android Auto in your car (The Verge)  DISHonorable Mention(s): Stop Using That Cheap Apple Charger (Mashable)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

The journey to 100 is complete. So begins the road to 200...and it begins with one of the hardest working people I've ever met in the field.  Amelia Tran is Senior Digital Strategist at Firebrand Group, an award-winning futureproofing firm focused on building powerful brands through innovative digital marketing. She's also a board member and events manager for an amazing group of social media minds in NYC called Mosaic.  Hear her story on this week's episode.  This Week on Why I Social, Amelia and I discuss: Why working at Starbucks played an important role in her career What it's like to make a complete career shift (and how she managed) What the future holds for her... And of course, Why Does She Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Z

On this week's episode, Amir makes dolphin sounds (no, really, he does). Also, Chris admits that Amir influenced him into buying a Google Home.  This week's Five Favorites:  1. Apple Grounds Its Airport Router Division for Good (Cult of Mac) 2. Facebook's Social Good Forum: Introducing Donations In Live (Facebook Newsroom)  3. NBC Universal Doubles Stake In Buzzfeed (Reuters)  4. Apple Users Are Being Spammed With Cal Invites. Here's What To Do If You Get One (Inc)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: New Ways To Share In The Moment on Instagram (Instagram Blog)  Honorable Mention(s): Here's Why Casey Neistat Is Ending His Wildly Popular Daily Vlog on YouTube (AdWeek)  DISHonorable Mention(s): Twitter Mistakenly Suspended It's Own CEO's Account (TechCrunch)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

And now for something completely different. This week - for the first time - I take a focus on the importance of giving thanks (with a bit of a social focus, of course). This week's Thanksgiving special includes an appearance from a Why I Social Ambassador and a look back at one of the most important pieces of an early episode. Most importantly, this episode is a thank you to anyone who has listened and all those who have supported the podcast.  The podcast will be back next week in it's usual format.  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocialSubscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud, Otto Radio and Google. Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital marketing with real-times streaming analytics. Our platform provides you with an end-to-end solution  to ignite your content, your marketing, and your business from s

On this week's episode, Chris regrets saying mentioning "Uber Lovers". Also, Amir asks an important question!  This week's Five Favorites:  1. Mark Zuckerberg Outlines How Facebook Will Tackle It's Fake News Problem (The Verge)  2. Otto Radio Builds 2.0 Version on Uber's Trip Experience API (Product Hunt)  3. What's Next for the $3.65 billion Company Behind Pokemon Go (BartieLouScott) 4. Facebook Launches A New Unified Inbox for Businesses on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram (TechCrunch)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Snapchat Signs Data Deal With Foursquare for Better Targeted Geo-Filters (AdWeek) Honorable Mention(s): Twitter Roles Out New and Long Awaited Anti-Harassment Tools (Buzzfeed) DISHonorable Mention(s): Coca-Cola Eyes Social Media Friendly Selfie Bottle (The Drum)   Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Triple digits. Episode 100. This one's special.  On episode 50 of Why I Social, I told part of the origin story of the podcast as per the request of listener feedback. This week, I've brought my wife - one of the driving forces behind the creation of the podcast onto the show to talk about how she manages social media for her career services office and we discuss one day in 2014 when a podcast was born. On this week's episode, I invite you to get to know the woman who inspires me every single day and the person who makes Why I Social possible. Hear her story on this week's episode.  This Week on Why I Social, Mary Alice and I discuss: How she went from history teacher to career counselor  How Why I Social's tagline was actually her idea Why she's currently loving Pinterest  And of course, Why Does She Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tw

On this week's episode, Amir and Chris reflect on the opportunity to hang out at Zoomph. Also, Chris deals with a broken toilet for three days.  This week's Five Favorites:  1. Twitter COO Adam Bain Leaves Twitter (Buzzfeed)  2. Facebook Is Telling Everyone They're Dead (The Verge)  3. Believe It Or Not: Social Media Predicted Trump Victory (Zoomph) 4. Google Is Making Android Auto Available In Any Car (Auto Blog)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Snapchat's Spectacles Go On Sale Via Minion-like vending machines (TechCrunch)  Honorable Mention(s): GoPro Is Recalling It's Karma Drone (The Verge)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Amma Marfo is (@AmmaMarfo) is a speaker, writer and a podcaster with a background in education. She's also the creator of Mindful Solutions. I had the opportunity to connect with her at the Social Media Strategies Summit (Higher Education) in Boston this past week and was excited to learn more about her creative processes (which includes a podcast called "The Imposters Podcast") and why creativity is so important to her.  Hear her story on this week's Why I Social.  This Week on Why I Social, Amma and I discuss: What creativity means to her? The origin story behind the creation of her podcast. How she approaches consulting and education.  And of course, Why Does She Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital

On this week's episode, Amir and Chris talk about what it's like to be the IT guys for their families. Plus, Chris remembers the one Abercrombie shirt he's ever owned.  This week's Five Favorites:  1. These are Tesla's stunning new solar roof tiles for homes (Tech Crunch) 2. Cubs vs. Indians is also the World Series of Twitter (Yahoo Sports)  3. Amazon Just Killed Black Friday (Mashable)  4. Instagram Is Finally Making It Easier To Shop for Products (Recode)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Slack Takes Out A Full-Page "Dear Microsoft" ad in the New York Times (VentureBeat)  Honorable Mention(s): Samsung Recalls Top-Load Washing Machine Due To Risk of Impact Injuries (CPSC.Gov) Also, Apple cuts prices of dongles by 25% and Linkedin launches new portal called "Salary"  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Katy Griffin is Social Media Strategist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (@KatyMGriff). She has six years of experience in marketing and digital development at a public research university. Her university recently hosted the Third Presidential Debate and she shares her experience with me on the podcast.  Hear her story on this week's Why I Social.  This Week on Why I Social, Katy and I discuss: How she ended up in the Las Vegas area What it was like working social media during debate week on campus What advice would she give to someone running social during a Presidential Debate And of course, Why Does She Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital marketing with real-times streaming analytics. Our pla

On this week's episode, Amir and Chris come to grips with a haunting product launch from Microsoft. Plus, the show gets a special new theme (a Halloween special).  This week's Five Favorites:  1. Amir's Apple Event Update (The Verge)  2. Twitter Is Killing Off Vine (The Verge)  3. Google Fiber CEO Steps Down, Services Halted (Business Insider)  4. YouTube Launches End Screens For All Creators (AdWeek)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY: Introducing The Microsoft Surface Pro (YouTube)  Honorable Mention(s): Pepsi Taps New Agency for Digital, Brings Social In-House (AdAge)  Additional Links: Surface Dial Details (Microsoft)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Seth Odell (@SethOdell) is GM of Marketing Services at Helix Education. Seth previously has served as the keynote at the eduWeb Digital Summit and recently returned from 72 hours of travel including a workshop at High Ed Web in Memphis. In this episode, he also shares a story he's never shared regarding one of his career moves across the country. Hear his story on this week's Why I Social.  This Week on Why I Social, Seth and I discuss: How his experience in television has benefited him What it was like creating Higher Ed Live  How social media has played a crucial role in his career growth And of course, Why Does He Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital marketing with real-times streaming analytics. Ou

On this week's episode, Amir and Chris discuss how (and if) they'd survive the zombie apocalypse. Plus, our hosts are divided on their choices of coffee brands.  This week's Five Favorites:  1. The NBA will broadcast a game in VR every week this season (The Verge)  2. Pinterest launches service to connect brands with influencers (The Drum)  3. Instagram Stories A Success (Simply Measured)  4. Apple Doesn't Want To Build A Car Anymore --- Just it's Brain (TechCrunch)  5 (HOT TOPIC) STORY Hacked Home Devices Cause Massive Internet Outage (USA Today)  Honorable Mention(s): AT&T to Buy Time Warner (The Verge)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.   

Patrick Kitchell is Technical Solution Specialist at Microsoft. He's previously held a variety of roles including Head of Global CRM at Sitecore. Though he now resides in Denmark, he's previously lived and worked in New York City operating a social service program assisting the homeless persons and drug addicts.  Hear his story on this week's Why I Social.  This Week on Why I Social, Patrick and I discuss: His experience working/leading social services in NYC Why he loves CRMS How Microsoft has impacted him personally and professionally And of course, Why Does He Social?!  Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the show? Tweet me at @CBarrows or @WhyISocial using #WhyISocialGuest  The Why I Social podcast is brought to you by Zoomph. Zoomph transforms digital marketing with real-times streaming analytics. Our platform provides you with an end-to-end solution  to

On this week's episode, Amir and Chris debate the value of business cards. Plus, Amir's love of shoes (sneakers, that is) makes it's way onto the show.  This week's Five Favorites:  1.  Adidas on Redefining Influencer Marketing Through Dark Social (Marketing Week) 2. Twitter Launches Periscope Producer for Television Quality Videos (ZDNet) To Submit for Producer Access, CLICK HERE.  3. Google Buys Famebit (Reuters)  4. Snapchat Removes AutoAdvance, Adds Story Playlist (VentureBeat)  5 (HOT TOPIC) USDoT Bans Note 7's from Airplanes (Droid-Life)  Honorable Mention: NFL Ratings Plunge Could Spell Doom for Traditional TV (Washington Post)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites. 

And now for something completely different... I've had the privilege of talking to a lot of amazing people and have heard some amazing stories. Some have been social media focused. Others are just plain entertaining.  Every one of my alums has had a unique career journey and these stories play a major part in who they are. These are some of my favorites.  Highlights include:  My favorite story ever told on Why I Social Scott Stratten's thoughts on FOMO (fear of missing out) What it's like to be on the (social) scene for NYC's ball drop  Alums included  Cody and Katie Stevenson (https://kushjobs.co/)  Larry Falck  Scott Stratten and Alison Stratten (http://www.unmarketing.com/about/)  Malia Probst (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/real-virtual-show/id1082507104)  Frankie Greek (http://www.frankiegreek.com/about/) Share your thoughts on this week's episode with #WhyISocial Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud and Google.  Follow at @WhyISocial. Do you have someone you'd like to see on the sh

On this week's episode, Chris and Amir find the NFL making a decision that is far too similar to the mistake made during the Olympics. Plus, geek talk commences as we chat all things Google! This week's Five Favorites:  1.  Google Pixel (and other Google Updates from #MadebyGoogle) (Video) 2.  This Brand Put 16 Cameras in A Family's Home for 2 Weeks and Made Ads from Footage (AdWeek)  3. A New, Optional Feature for Paid Promotion Disclosure (YouTube Creator Blog)  4. Amazon Prime Members Finally Get Some Real Book Benefits (Mashable) 5 (HOT TOPIC) NFL Teams Can Be Fined For Posting Videos Under New Social Media Policy (ESPN) Honorable Mention: LinkedIn Launches A Way To Let You Search For Your Job Without Your Boss Knowing (CNBC)  Don't forget to send Amir and Chris YOUR favorite stories of the week using #FiveFavorites! You can also submit your stories at bit.ly/fivefavorites.